FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 19)
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s (about 40% or less initial roster rate) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now, while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by starters, relievers, and hitters.
Batters
Warming Bernabel: The dream continues (.354/.367/.688, 3 HR). Where his talent settles, nobody knows.
Isaac Collins: Five-category contributor (7 HR, 13 SB, .290 AVG in 307 PA).
Jakob Marsee: Is a 1.378 OPS good? While the batting will regress, he could be a great source of steals (5 SB so far, 47 SB in AAA) while not being a drain on power and batting average.
Luke Keaschall: Unstoppable in the majors with a 1.169 OPS and 5 SB in 39 PA.
Wenceel Pérez: (possible foot injury) Solid bat with 9 HR, 6 SB, and .259 AVG in 210 PA. Ten straight starts.
Lenyn Sosa: Leaned into pull flyballs and he has 13 HR (10 pulled) with a .276 AVG while qualified at three positions.
Blake Perkins: Small improvements have him batting .276.333/.534 with 3 HR and 3 SB in 63 PA.
Jesús Sánchez: Strong-side platoon bat hitting .276/.323/.414. With Houston, he might be sacrificing power for more contact. Or it could be a small sample.
Ernie Clement: Solid .287 AVG and qualified at all four infield positions.
Daulton Varsho: Hitting .241/.273/.607 with 11 HR on the season while sitting against most lefties.
Kyle Manzardo: Hits home runs (18 HR) from the strong side of a DH platoon.
Matt Wallner: Hit 16 HR in 274 PA and nothing else (0 SB, .218 AVG).
Daniel Schneemann: Strong-side platoon bat with 10 HR and 8 SB on the season.
Brooks Lee: The Twins’ starting shortstop (.249/.291/.377, 11 HR in 358 PA)
Kody Clemens: Eleven straight starts, including one against a lefty. A power-only bat with 13 HR in 233 PA.
Coby Mayo: Seven straight starts while batting .218/.297/.371 with 4 HR in 138 PA.
Ryan Mountcastle: Off the IL and started in both games. During his AAA rehab, he hit .387/.486/.806 with 3 HR in 37 PA. Track the playing time.
Romy Gonzalez: Starts against all lefties and a few righties. Great (.305/.345/.567, 8 HR, 4 SB) when he plays.
Andrew Benintendi: Providing power (14 HR in 347 PA) and not much else.
Casey Schmitt: Some power (7 HR in 197 PA) but not much else.
C.J. Kayfus: Five starts in six games since being promoted. He is struggling a bit (38% K%) with sinkers being the only pitch he can hit. His 38% K% and .462 BABIP battle it out to see where his talent stabilizes.
Alex Freeland: Continues to play with Tommy Edman hurt. So far in 27 PA, no extra-base hits or stolen bases. And a 30% K%. I have some worries about his talent and playing time.
JJ Bleday: In 17 PA since being promoted, he’s batting .529/.529/1.000 with 2 HR. I’m sure the .700 BABIP is sustainable.
Joey Loperfido: Dealing with a knee injury. In 50 PA, he’s taking advantage of his .500 BABIP. His playing time could decline once Springer comes off the IL.
Nathan Lukes: He occasionally will sneak in a start against lefties, but a strong-side platoon bat. Middling stats (10 HR, 1 SB, .250 AVG).
Liover Peguero: Started in seven of the last 10 games. Batting .244/.311/.561 with 4 HR this season.
Tyler Locklear: Continues to struggle to make contact (39% K%, .154 AVG). Might not be enough time for him to turn it around.
Spencer Horwitz: Strong-side platoon bat with no carrying tool.
Jordan Lawlar: Remains on the IL. In his previous 56 PA, he struggled with a 36% K% and .136 OPS. And now he’s recovering from an injury. Pass on him in ’25.
Darell Hernaiz: Showing both power (.258 ISO, 2 HR) and contact rate (0% K%) while starting at shortstop with Wilson on the IL. Play week to week.
Catchers
Kyle Higashioka: Catcher with 7 HR and a .258 AVG is solid.
Hitting Prospects
Dylan Beavers: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder is batting .309/.425/.536 with 18 HR and 22 SB in 389 PA.
Samuel Basallo: In AAA, the 20-year-old catcher is batting .277/.384/.613 with 23 HR and 0 SB in 302 PA.
Carson Benge: Across two minor league levels (A+, AA), the 22-year-old outfielder is batting .313/.420/.523 with 12 HR and 19 SB in 407 PA.
Kevin McGonigle: Across three minor league levels (A, A+, AA), the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .332/.427/.571 with 9 HR and 6 SB in 281 PA.
JJ Wetherholt: Across two minor league levels (AA, AAA), the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .305/.419/.515 with 13 HR and 16 SB in 360 PA.
Leo De Vries: In High-A ball, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .246/.354/.405 with 8 HR and 9 SB in 402 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ernie Clement 3B TOR | 39% | 47% | 8% |
| Kyle Manzardo DH CLE | 37% | 40% | 3% |
| Luke Keaschall 2B MIN | 36% | 53% | 17% |
| Jordan Lawlar 2B ARI | 32% | 34% | 2% |
| Samuel Basallo C BAL | 32% | 34% | 2% |
| Daulton Varsho CF TOR | 27% | 35% | 8% |
| Coby Mayo 1B BAL | 27% | 29% | 2% |
| Jesus Sanchez LF HOU | 24% | 29% | 5% |
| Brooks Lee 3B MIN | 23% | 25% | 2% |
| Matt Wallner RF MIN | 21% | 26% | 5% |
| JJ Wetherholt 2B STL | 21% | 25% | 4% |
| Lenyn Sosa 2B CHW | 19% | 36% | 17% |
| Andrew Benintendi LF CHW | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Leo De Vries SS ATH | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Romy Gonzalez 1B BOS | 18% | 22% | 4% |
| Ryan Mountcastle 1B BAL | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Warming Bernabel 1B COL | 16% | 50% | 34% |
| Isaac Collins LF MIL | 16% | 27% | 11% |
| Kevin McGonigle SS DET | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Tyler Locklear 1B ARI | 15% | 21% | 6% |
| Spencer Horwitz 1B PIT | 12% | 22% | 10% |
| Wenceel Perez RF DET | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| C.J. Kayfus RF CLE | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Alex Freeland 3B LAD | 10% | 11% | 1% |
| Kyle Higashioka C TEX | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| J.J. Bleday CF ATH | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Joey Loperfido LF TOR | 7% | 10% | 3% |
| Daniel Schneemann 2B CLE | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Dylan Beavers OF BAL | 6% | 12% | 6% |
| Nathan Lukes RF TOR | 6% | 11% | 5% |
| Kody Clemens 2B MIN | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Carson Benge CF NYM | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Jakob Marsee CF MIA | 4% | 29% | 25% |
| Casey Schmitt 2B SF | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Blake Perkins CF MIL | 2% | 7% | 5% |
| Liover Peguero SS PIT | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Darell Hernaiz SS ATH | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Starters
Cade Cavalli: Unless there is an injury stash available on the wire, Calvalli might be the last starting pitching prospect to roster. He shoved in his debut with 6 K, 1 BB, and 0 ER in 4 IP (88 pitches).
Jacob Lopez: After struggling in July (5.30 ERA, 4.35 xFIP), he has been amazing in two August starts (0.00 ERA, 2.40 xFIP). As a starter, he projects to be a low-4.00 ERA arm.
Joey Wentz: His value will jump or tank depending on how his Sunday start goes against Miami. He found the strike zone (2.7 BB/9) since joining the Braves and has a 3.09 ERA (3.43 xFIP) and 0.90 WHIP.
Joey Cantillo: Solid besides the walks. His 1.44 WHIP has done as much ratio damage as a 5.16 ERA. Fine in points leagues where WHIP is not an issue.
Mike Burrows: After a 10-game stretch with a 3.08 ERA (3.59 WHIP), he got lit up on Tuesday by allowing 6 ER in 4 IP. I believe he’s one of the better options, especially as he develops his sinker.
Jose Quintana: Since the break, he’s taking a step forward by throwing more strikes in the season’s second half (1H: 3.9 BB/9, 2H: 1.6 BB/9). If he keeps it up, he could settle into being a 4.00 ERA talent.
Taijuan Walker: Keeps chugging along, but he could lose his job next week when Nola comes off the IL.
Chris Paddack: A mid-4.00 ERA talent facing the White Sox and Twins next week.
Aaron Civale: Settled into being a steady 4.50 ERA arm. I feel this might be too low with his decent ranking over the last two weeks. I’m ranking off the long record of being a mediocre talent.
Jason Alexander: He’ll start for Houston on Sunday, but it’s not clear if he’s still in the rotation after that game. As for his talent, his 55% GB% helps hide some warts, especially his 3.5 BB/9. He’ll run high a BABIP because the high groundball rate and walks have led to a 1.32 WHIP (eqiv of a 4.46 ERA). Not the worst option.
Cade Povich: The underlying numbers (3.94 xFIP) point to a better pitcher than the results (5.25 ERA) show. He keeps getting hit around (1.5 HR/9, .338 BABIP).
Davis Martin: Not sure why he’s in demand. It might be the two-week start he’s in the middle of right now.
Logan Allen로건: Nothing positive here with a 1.37 WHIP that’s doing as much ratio damage as a 4.75 ERA. He faces Miami and Atlanta next week.
Carson Whisenhunt: His only positive trait is the changeup (16% SwStr%, 60 BotOvr, 102 Pitching+). He needs to start throwing strikes. His 41% Ball% points to a 12% BB% and high-4.00’s ERA. At least he’s not Falter.
Ryan Bergert: His struggles with walks (4.4 BB/9) continue, but he’s got that 2.83 ERA (4.89 xFIP). He has been lucky (0.9 HR/9, .204 BABIP, 82% LOB%) in all aspects of his game. His luck could run out at any moment.
Hurston Waldrep: He found the strike zone with just one walk on Saturday over 6 IP. This season, he posted a 4.9 BB/9 in AAA and 10.3 BB/9 in ’24. Watch from afar until his talent stabilizes.
Bailey Falter: A solid 5.00 talent with starts against the Nationals and White Sox next week.
Miles Mikolas: Two starts against the Rockies and Yankees for the 5.00 ERA talent.
Cal Quantrill: The 5.00 ERA talent is in the middle of a two-start week (vs HOU, at ATL). The first game did not go well (4 IP, 7 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO).
Cristian Javier: The 28-year-old righty is supposed to debut next week. It’ll be fine to roster him, but don’t start him. In 14 IP during his rehab, he has allowed 15 BB. I have zero expectations from him.
Pitching Prospects
Jonah Tong: In AA, the 22-year-old righty posted a 1.58 ERA (2.09 xFIP), 0.94 WHIP, and 14.3 K/9 in 97 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Lopez SP ATH | 38% | 47% | 9% |
| Jose Quintana SP MIL | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Bailey Falter SP KC | 30% | 34% | 4% |
| Chris Paddack SP DET | 26% | 43% | 17% |
| Logan Taylor Allen SP CLE | 19% | 24% | 5% |
| Mike Burrows SP PIT | 18% | 24% | 6% |
| Carson Whisenhunt P SF | 18% | 24% | 6% |
| Joey Cantillo RP CLE | 18% | 20% | 2% |
| Cristian Javier SP HOU | 17% | 25% | 8% |
| Aaron Civale SP CHW | 15% | 24% | 9% |
| Jonah Tong SP NYM | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Miles Mikolas SP STL | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Joey Wentz RP ATL | 11% | 18% | 7% |
| Hurston Waldrep RP ATL | 10% | 14% | 4% |
| Davis Martin SP CHW | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Cade Cavalli SP WAS | 7% | 18% | 11% |
| Taijuan Walker SP PHI | 7% | 11% | 4% |
| Cade Povich SP BAL | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Ryan Bergert SP KC | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Cal Quantrill SP MIA | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Jason Alexander SP HOU | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Name | IP | BotERA | Pitching+ERA | SwStr% ERA | FBv ERA | SIERA | xFIP | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cavalli | 4.1 | 3.79 | 3.08 | 1.76 | 3.55 | 2.34 | 2.07 | 2.77 |
| Aaron Civale | 14.2 | 4.30 | 4.12 | 4.06 | 4.23 | 2.76 | 2.63 | 3.69 |
| Mike Burrows | 10.2 | 3.18 | 3.61 | 4.01 | 3.77 | 4.00 | 3.63 | 3.70 |
| Jacob Lopez | 17.0 | 2.92 | 4.23 | 4.04 | 4.47 | 3.47 | 3.35 | 3.75 |
| Chris Paddack | 10.0 | 2.88 | 3.62 | 4.33 | 4.07 | 4.34 | 3.76 | 3.83 |
| Jason Alexander | 10.2 | 4.99 | 4.37 | 4.70 | 4.37 | 2.74 | 2.41 | 3.93 |
| Joey Cantillo | 9.2 | 4.45 | 4.53 | 3.65 | 4.54 | 3.87 | 3.21 | 4.04 |
| Miles Mikolas | 9.0 | 3.60 | 3.91 | 4.41 | 3.98 | 4.34 | 4.11 | 4.06 |
| Cade Povich | 5.2 | 4.51 | 4.14 | 4.93 | 4.29 | 3.06 | 3.56 | 4.08 |
| Davis Martin | 10.2 | 4.86 | 5.09 | 3.44 | 3.98 | 3.80 | 3.39 | 4.09 |
| Joey Wentz | 12.0 | 3.74 | 4.99 | 3.93 | 4.15 | 4.29 | 4.07 | 4.20 |
| Hurston Waldrep | 5.2 | 3.64 | 4.85 | 3.80 | 4.42 | 4.61 | 4.26 | |
| Jose Quintana | 16.0 | 5.08 | 4.63 | 5.08 | 4.48 | 4.19 | 4.02 | 4.58 |
| Taijuan Walker | 11.0 | 4.35 | 4.09 | 5.40 | 4.34 | 4.90 | 4.98 | 4.67 |
| Logan Allen | 12.0 | 4.59 | 4.83 | 4.60 | 4.48 | 4.85 | 4.74 | 4.68 |
| Ryan Bergert | 9.2 | 3.97 | 4.23 | 4.32 | 4.15 | 6.04 | 5.75 | 4.74 |
| Carson Whisenhunt | 10.1 | 4.90 | 5.45 | 5.39 | 4.24 | 4.98 | 5.10 | 5.01 |
| Cal Quantrill | 9.1 | 4.96 | 4.91 | 4.64 | 3.93 | 6.31 | 6.38 | 5.19 |
| Bailey Falter | 9.0 | 4.95 | 5.47 | 5.53 | 4.30 | 7.03 | 6.45 | 5.62 |
Relievers
Dennis Santana: Average reliever who is the closer.
Keegan Akin: Average reliever who is now the closer.
Jose Ferrer: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Justin Topa: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Phil Maton: Good reliever who could now be the closer. At least he’s in a committee.
Sean Newcomb: Good reliever who is most likely the closer
Alex Vesia: Good reliever who is in a closer committee.
JoJo Romero: Average reliever in a closer committee.
Calvin Faucher: Average reliever who is sharing the closer role.
Cole Sands: Good reliever who might have lost his closer’s role.
Riley O’Brien: Average reliever in a closer committee.
Ben Casparius: Average reliever who is in a closer committee.
Michael Kelly: Below-average reliever who is probably the backup closer.
Garrett Whitlock: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Hunter Gaddis: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Jeremiah Estrada: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Santana RP PIT | 34% | 38% | 4% |
| Alex Vesia RP LAD | 24% | 27% | 3% |
| Jeremiah Estrada RP SD | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| JoJo Romero RP STL | 16% | 40% | 24% |
| Phil Maton RP TEX | 14% | 21% | 7% |
| Garrett Whitlock RP BOS | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Calvin Faucher RP MIA | 13% | 28% | 15% |
| Ben Casparius RP LAD | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Hunter Gaddis RP CLE | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Cole Sands RP MIN | 8% | 16% | 8% |
| Jose Ferrer RP WAS | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| Keegan Akin RP BAL | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Sean Newcomb RP ATH | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Riley O’Brien RP STL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Michael Kelly RP ATH | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Justin Topa RP MIN | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.