FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 2)
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both 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. I start players being added at CBS who started the week on less than 40% of rosters.
The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by hitters, starters, and relievers.
Batters
Jordan Walker: Walker is the one must-add if he can keep up his contact rate improvements (67% Contact% to 73% Contact%, 32% K% to 23% K%). He has always hit the ball hard, but now he’s doing it more often. One of the only possible difference makers on the list.
Jake Bauers: Every day first baseman with Andrew Vaughn on the IL. He’s been solid so far with 2 HR, 2 SB, and a .273 AVG.
Andrés Giménez: So far, he’s hitting for more power with career-highs in Max Exit Velocity and Hard Hit Rate. An easy add if the added power sticks.
Brandon Marsh: Normally, he is a platoon bat, but he has started twice against a lefty. Not much of a talent change besides his Contact% going from 78% to 83%.
Ryan O’Hearn: Sat against just one of the three lefties the team faced.
Jake Burger: Batting cleanup, but could see some batting average (.333) regression (.500 BABIP, 39% K%).
Josh Bell: He’s hitting for power (2 HR) and pulling the ball in the air (57% Pull%, 21% GB%), but it’s coming at the expense of his contact rate (79% Contact% to 66% Contact%). He has the 5th highest pulled air rate at 43%.
Cole Young: He is batting .310/.333/.552, but a .444 BABIP is propping up his skills. His walk rate is down, and strikeouts are up.
TJ Rumfield: He’s riding a .500 BABIP to a .375/.444/.542 stat line while batting fifth every day.
Nick Gonzales: Gonzales was looking to be a solid add (.333/.357/.407), but he went to the bench with the promotion of Konnor Griffin. Follow the playing time situation between Gonzales and Jared Triolo (.217/.308/.261).
Mauricio Dubón: Starting at shortstop while batting .360/.407/.520 with no change in talent.
Nasim Nuñez: He’s stealing bases (4) with no power (.000 ISO), but having issues getting on base (4% BB%, 29% K%).
Brady House: Starting and batting .346/.433/.500 (.471 BABIP). One improvement is his walkrate improving from a 3% BB% to 13% BB%.
Chase Meidroth: Leading off, but his contact skills are tanking with his contact rate down from 88% Contact% to 75% Contact% and his strikeout rate up fro 14% to 27%.
Dominic Canzone: While his strikeouts are down (22% to 12%), so is his Contact% (76% to 70%). Remains a strong-side platoon bat who will hit for solid power.
Jesús Sánchez: Part-time bat with no noticeable improvement.
Alex Freeland: Strong-side platoon bat with solid production (.182/.357/.545, .167 BABIP).
Kyle Isbel: Strong-side platoon bat who is hitting .500/.500/.833 (.538 BABIP) with 2 HR and 3 SB. He seems to be selling out some contact (84% to 74%) for power (87.8 avgEV to 91.3 avgEV).
Jose Fernandez: Started in three of five games since being promoted, with 2 HR and a 1.333 OPS. There are some legit skills here; he just needs more consistent playing time.
David Hamilton: He’s stealing bases (4) with no power (.000 ISO) while splitting two positions with Ortiz and Rengifo.
Joey Ortiz: He’s stealing bases (2) with no power (.000 ISO) while splitting two positions with Hamilton and Rengifo.
Nolan Gorman: Strong-side platoon bat who has his strikeout rate down to 26%, even though his Contact% is also down (69% to 66%).
Luke Raley: A strong-side platoon bat who is hitting for power (3 HR), but struggling to make contact (58% Contact%).
Joey Wiemer: Short-side platoon bat who has been on fire (1.741 OPS, .727 BABIP). Playing time remains an issue, but he’s made some improvements, specifically dropping his strikeout rate from 38% to 18%.
Dominic Smith: Strong-side DH who could lose his job once Sean Murphy comes off the IL. He has been solid, batting .353/.421/.706 with 2 HR.
Javier Sanoja: On the short side of a third base platoon with Graham Pauley (.533 OPS), but looks great (.583/.583/.750) because of a .636 BABIP. I’m interested in Sanoja if he gets full-time at-bats.
Garrett Mitchell: Strong-side platoon bat who is striking out a ton (39% K%, 61% Contact%), but stealing bases (3 SB).
Oswald Peraza: A .462 BABIP is keeping him in the lineup until his 39% K% (65% Contact%) catches up (career .194 AVG). He’s starting, has 1 SB and 1 HR, and I have no confidence he can keep it up.
Jorge Soler: The 34-year-old power hitter is struggling to make contact (66% Contact%, 42% K%). Unrosterable at this level of production.
Victor Scott II: Batting ninth with a .500 BABIP being the only thing propping up his value. His Contact% is down from 76% to 67%, and his strikeout rate is up to a 31% K%.
Jake McCarthy: While he’s stealing bases (4 SB), he’s struggling to make contact (66% Contact%, .095 AVG). With the struggles, he’s been sitting and hitting down in the order.
Catchers
Gary Sánchez: While showing some contact issues (38% K%, 69% Contact%), he’s knocking the cover off the ball (2.125 OPS, 3 HR).
Dillon Dingler: Strikeouts are up (27% K%, 67% Contact%), but he is hitting the ball hard (2 HR, 95.4 avgEV).
Nick Fortes: He’s playing most days and has dropped his strikeout rate from 19% to 12%.
Liam Hicks: On fire with a 100% Contact% and his average Exit Velocity up from 84.6 mph to 91.1 mph.
Prospects
Colt Emerson: The 20-year-old shortstop is batting .280/.308/.480 with 1 HR and 0 SB in 27 PA in AAA.
James Tibbs III: The 23-year-old outfielder is batting .467/.529/1.067 with 4 HR and 0 SB in 34 PA in AAA.
Charlie Condon: The 22-year-old first baseman and outfielder is batting .389/.500/.778 with 2 HR and 1 SB in 22 PA in AAA.
Sam Antonacci: The 23-year-old outfielder is batting .333/.500/.583 with 2 HR and 4 SB in 32 PA in AAA.
Cooper Pratt: The 21-year-old shortstop is batting .267/.267/.267 with 0 HR and 1 SB in 15 PA in AAA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan O’Hearn 1B PIT | 38% | 48% | 10% |
| Jake Burger 3B TEX | 35% | 54% | 19% |
| Colt Emerson SS SEA | 33% | 42% | 9% |
| Cole Young SS SEA | 33% | 38% | 5% |
| Dominic Canzone LF SEA | 32% | 41% | 9% |
| Dillon Dingler C DET | 30% | 36% | 6% |
| Andres Gimenez 2B TOR | 26% | 43% | 17% |
| Victor Scott II OF STL | 24% | 28% | 4% |
| Charlie Condon RF COL | 24% | 27% | 3% |
| Brady House 3B WAS | 21% | 28% | 7% |
| TJ Rumfield 3B COL | 19% | 28% | 9% |
| Nolan Gorman 2B STL | 18% | 24% | 6% |
| Jesus Sanchez RF TOR | 18% | 22% | 4% |
| Chase Meidroth SS CHW | 16% | 20% | 4% |
| Brandon Marsh CF PHI | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Jordan Walker RF STL | 13% | 32% | 19% |
| Nick Gonzales 2B PIT | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Josh Bell DH MIN | 11% | 12% | 1% |
| Jake McCarthy RF COL | 11% | 12% | 1% |
| Garrett Mitchell CF MIL | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Jorge Soler DH LAA | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Nasim Nunez SS WAS | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Cooper Pratt SS MIL | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Jake Bauers RF MIL | 6% | 20% | 14% |
| Alex Freeland SS LAD | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Luke Raley RF SEA | 5% | 29% | 24% |
| David Hamilton SS MIL | 5% | 11% | 6% |
| Mauricio Dubon 2B ATL | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Joseph Ortiz 2B MIL | 5% | 9% | 4% |
| Liam Hicks C MIA | 4% | 35% | 31% |
| Sam Antonacci SS CHW | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| James Tibbs RF LAD | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Joey Wiemer CF WAS | 1% | 26% | 25% |
| Jose Fernandez SS ARI | 1% | 18% | 17% |
| Kyle Isbel CF KC | 1% | 7% | 6% |
| Oswald Peraza 3B LAA | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Gary Sanchez C MIL | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Nick Fortes C TB | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Javier Sanoja SS MIA | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Dominic Smith 1B ATL | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Starters
Kyle Harrison: Harrison dominated the Rays in his first start with 8 K and 1 BB in 5 IP. His 95-mph fastballs posted a 24% SwStr%. Everything so far is pointing up.
Joe Boyle: Boyle always had the ability to strike out batters, and he seems to have found some control. His 33% Ball% points to a 2.1 BB/9. His fastball is down ~2 mph but still at 97 mph. Add where available.
Taj Bradley: He’s throwing 1 mph harder than last year with the same pitch mix. He’s made some subtle changes to each pitch (e.g., spin, release point, horizontal break) and our STUPH models love them (botERA from 4.92 to 3.58 and Pitching+ from 96 to 106).
Emerson Hancock: Some major changes to his arsenal. More four-seamers and sliders. Fewer sinkers and changeups. Added a cutter. He’s seeing some velocity drop, but he’s thrown out of the bullpen in previous seasons that would boost the velocity.
Janson Junk: All the arrows are up for Junk. His fastball velocity is up ~2 mph. He’s added a solid changeup (21% SwStr%, 78 botStf, 116 Stuff+). And he continues to throw strikes.
Carmen Mlodzinski: Besides a .500 BABIP, his first start was great with 8 K and 0 BB over 4.1 IP. He is seeing a velocity drop, but that’s common for a pitcher going from relieving to starting.
Lance McCullers Jr.: He’s healthy, for now, and showing signs that he’s back to his old self. He still relies on his sinker and curveball, but has added a cutter that he threw 25% of the time. How he throws on Sunday will have a major impact on his cost in FAAB leagues.
Reid Detmers: Struggled as a starter over his career (4.83 ERA, 1.37 WHIP), but he is back to starting with solid results (19% K%-BB%, 3.77 xFIP). The only change so far is that he’s throwing his changeup more and curve less. He’s still fastball-slider with 78% combined usage.
Landen Roupp: I was down on Roupp because of his lack of command in Spring Training (4.9 BB/9), but those worries disappeared in his start against San Diego with 2 BB over 6 IP. His fastball was up 0.7 mph compared to last season. He kept hitters guessing by throwing his secondaries an equal amount (18% to 19%).
Randy Vásquez: With Vasquez’s ~2 mph increase in fastball velocity, he should be rostered as a bench streamer for now. He has a long history of being a subpar pitcher, so I’m tempering my optimism.
Jake Irvin: Jake Irvin made a couple of improvements. He added 1 mph to his fastball and upped his cutter usage. His STUPH models improved (3.92 botERA to 2.93, 94 Pitching+ to 111).
Rhett Lowder: He’s a must roster at this point, but I’m not sure if I feel comfortable starting him. His slider got elite results (25% SwStr%), but our STUPH models hated it. He seems to be flyball-prone, so home runs may be an issue. More of a bet on the unknown.
Eric Lauer 라우어: Results >>> Metrics for his first start. He got nine strikeouts on just 12 swinging strikes. He throws strikes and misses enough bats to be a solid option.
Andre Pallante: Somehow, he shut out the Mets over 5 IP with just 3 K while allowing 3 BB. His fastball velocity is up to 0.7 mph while adding a splitter, leaning into his sinker, and having his slider as his most thrown pitch. The changes seem fine, but he’ll need to throw more strikes (41% Ball, 4.7 eqBB/9).
Eduardo Rodriguez: I’m not buying the 33-year-old is having some kind of breakout. I’ve seen him have some great two-game stretches in the past, and then he immediately gets blown up. I’m out until I see some major change.
Adrian Houser: There might be some addition by subtraction going on here with him effectively dropping his below-average curveball. The change won’t impact him too much, and I expect around a 4.00 ERA at season’s end. Streaming option based on opponent.
Erick Fedde 페디: One noticeable difference was that he leaned into his changeup, which posted a 24% SwStr%. He added about 1 mph to his fastball. He walked one batter in 5 IP. Even with the changes, he is not a difference-maker but seems like a streamable option.
Nick Martinez: Three strikeouts over 6 IP in his debut. His fastball velocity is up 0.7 mph to 93.3 mph. He was able to get a ton of groundballs (67% GB%), but there was no noticeable change to his pitch mix.
Max Scherzer: He’s a fine streamer against weak opponents. He gets by with old man tricks by not walking anyone and throwing his fastball as little as possible. Low-4.00 ERA talent.
Bryce Elder: The career 4.50 ERA pitcher has made a few changes this year to his pitch mix. He’s added a cutter, stopped throwing his four-seamer, and leaned into his changeup. Our STUPH models weren’t impressed and graded him down. I’m going with years of him being a barely replacement-level starter and stay away.
Michael McGreevy: He lined up with a solid schedule to start the season (DET, WSH, CLE, MIA), but I’m unsure that he’s a talented pitcher. His fastball velocity has dropped to 90.3 mph from 92.4 mph.
José Suarez: He has a 5.34 ERA over his career and a 1.47 WHIP. Nothing has changed in his profile to make him anything more than that. Ignore.
| Name | IP | BotERA | Pitching+ERA | SwStr% ERA | FBv ERA | SIERA | xFIP | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Harrison | 5.0 | 1.83 | 2.63 | 2.18 | 3.87 | 1.86 | 1.47 | 2.31 |
| Carmen Mlodzinski | 4.1 | 3.54 | 3.48 | 4.37 | 4.01 | 1.31 | 0.51 | 2.87 |
| Emerson Hancock | 6.0 | 3.06 | 3.86 | 4.87 | 4.12 | 1.19 | 1.68 | 3.13 |
| Jake Irvin | 5.0 | 2.93 | 3.37 | 3.92 | 4.16 | 2.47 | 2.46 | 3.22 |
| Lance McCullers Jr. | 7.0 | 4.86 | 4.13 | 3.47 | 4.26 | 1.66 | 1.46 | 3.31 |
| Reid Detmers | 11.1 | 3.16 | 2.16 | 3.39 | 4.02 | 3.46 | 3.77 | 3.33 |
| Adrian Houser | 5.1 | 2.76 | 2.99 | 3.89 | 3.93 | 3.57 | 3.35 | 3.41 |
| Landen Roupp | 6.0 | 3.99 | 3.40 | 4.10 | 4.09 | 2.66 | 2.34 | 3.43 |
| Joe Boyle | 11.1 | 3.78 | 3.78 | 3.52 | 3.65 | 3.13 | 3.24 | 3.52 |
| Eric Lauer | 5.1 | 4.58 | 4.77 | 3.32 | 4.43 | 1.72 | 2.31 | 3.52 |
| Janson Junk | 4.1 | 3.29 | 3.94 | 3.88 | 3.82 | 3.17 | 3.27 | 3.56 |
| Randy Vásquez | 6.0 | 3.63 | 4.64 | 3.41 | 3.87 | 3.21 | 3.00 | 3.63 |
| Taj Bradley | 10.1 | 3.58 | 3.70 | 3.83 | 3.56 | 3.52 | 3.59 | 3.63 |
| Rhett Lowder | 5.0 | 3.76 | 3.97 | 2.99 | 4.11 | 4.02 | 4.45 | 3.88 |
| Nick Martinez | 6.0 | 4.38 | 3.89 | 4.64 | 4.13 | 3.09 | 3.41 | 3.92 |
| José Suarez | 3.2 | 4.33 | 5.01 | 4.25 | 4.15 | 3.76 | 2.77 | 4.05 |
| Erick Fedde | 5.0 | 4.39 | 3.93 | 4.47 | 4.02 | 3.95 | 3.66 | 4.07 |
| Bryce Elder | 6.0 | 4.67 | 4.24 | 4.53 | 4.41 | 3.52 | 3.25 | 4.10 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez | 12.0 | 3.95 | 4.15 | 4.83 | 4.38 | 3.78 | 3.71 | 4.13 |
| Max Scherzer | 6.0 | 4.25 | 3.93 | 4.05 | 4.12 | 4.61 | 4.81 | 4.29 |
| Andre Pallante | 5.0 | 4.49 | 4.86 | 4.55 | 3.85 | 5.18 | 4.96 | 4.65 |
| Michael McGreevy | 10.2 | 4.82 | 5.16 | 5.68 | 4.55 | 4.12 | 4.55 | 4.81 |
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Martinez RP TB | 39% | 41% | 2% |
| Reid Detmers SP LAA | 34% | 37% | 3% |
| Rhett Lowder SP CIN | 31% | 35% | 4% |
| Taj Bradley SP MIN | 29% | 48% | 19% |
| Kyle Harrison SP MIL | 29% | 48% | 19% |
| Max Scherzer SP TOR | 27% | 42% | 15% |
| Eduardo Rodriguez SP ARI | 21% | 24% | 3% |
| Eric Lauer SP TOR | 13% | 34% | 21% |
| Michael McGreevy P STL | 13% | 24% | 11% |
| Bryce Elder SP ATL | 12% | 19% | 7% |
| Joe Boyle SP TB | 12% | 19% | 7% |
| Landen Roupp P SF | 9% | 21% | 12% |
| Randy Vasquez RP SD | 8% | 44% | 36% |
| Adrian Houser SP SF | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Emerson Hancock SP SEA | 6% | 58% | 52% |
| Lance McCullers SP HOU | 5% | 40% | 35% |
| Carmen Mlodzinski RP PIT | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Jose Suarez SP ATL | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Erick Fedde SP CHW | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Janson Junk RP MIA | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Andre Pallante RP STL | 3% | 5% | 2% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Lucas Erceg: Above-average reliever is the closer.
Jordan Romano: Average reliever is the closer.
Paul Sewald: Below-average reliever is the closer.
Bryan Baker: Average reliever who appears to be the closer.
Clayton Beeter: Below-average reliever who appears to be the closer.
Cole Sands: Below-average reliever who is probably the closer.
Mark Leiter Jr.: Average reliever who might be the closer.
Ryne Stanek: Good reliever who may be sharing the closing duties.
Gregory Soto: Good reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Bryan King: Good reliever who is sharing the closing duties.
Edwin Uceta: Good reliever currently on the IL.
Matt Strahm: Good reliever who is next in line for Saves.
Keaton Winn: Good (great?) reliever who is the backup closer.
Camilo Doval: Good reliever who is next in line for Saves.
Erik Sabrowski: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Jonathan Loáisiga: Below-average reliever who may be the backup closer.
Tyler Alexander: Below-average reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
AJ Blubaugh: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Aaron Ashby: Average reliever who is a few steps away from closer.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Beeter RP WAS | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Paul Sewald RP ARI | 35% | 57% | 22% |
| Lucas Erceg RP KC | 24% | 59% | 35% |
| Jordan Romano RP LAA | 17% | 49% | 32% |
| Edwin Uceta RP TB | 15% | 18% | 3% |
| Camilo Doval RP NYY | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Matt Strahm RP KC | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Aaron Ashby SP MIL | 9% | 15% | 6% |
| Bryan King P HOU | 9% | 12% | 3% |
| Cole Sands RP MIN | 6% | 29% | 23% |
| Ryne Stanek RP STL | 5% | 12% | 7% |
| Gregory Soto RP PIT | 4% | 13% | 9% |
| Mark Leiter RP ATH | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Erik Sabrowski P CLE | 2% | 8% | 6% |
| A.J. Blubaugh P HOU | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Bryan Baker RP TB | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Tyler Alexander RP TEX | 0% | 9% | 9% |
| Keaton Winn SP SF | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Jonathan Loaisiga RP ARI | 0% | 2% | 2% |
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.
No Max Muncy for the A’s? Dude is crushing the ball (72% hard hit rate) and eligible all over the infield.