FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 23)
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
Pete Crow-Armstrong: Cut his strikeout rate from 26% in the first to 17% in the second half to raise his batting average 70 points. He is no longer an average and power sink to go with his 26 SB.
Jhonkensy Noel: Hit a combined 31 HR in AAA and the majors with a .262 AVG (31% K%). Started in eight of the last 10 games.
Matt Wallner: Now that Wallner plays every game, he’s worth rostering. While he is known for his power, he has 6 SB and a .255 AVG in 492 career PA. It is tough to look past the 34% K%.
Ramón Laureano: Starting every game and hitting in the middle of the Braves lineup. Since joining the team, he’s batting .296/.326/.511 with 7 HR and 3 SB.
Connor Norby: Balanced bat who is leading off for Miami.
Jacob Young: Starts all the time with 31 SB on the season and a .258 AVG.
Matt Vierling: Boring, steady contributions (15 HR, 4 SB, .260 AVG).
Santiago Espinal: A well-rounded bat (9 HR, 8 SB, .265 AVG) with 13 straight starts.
Parker Meadows: In 330 PA in the majors, the 24-year-old has 8 HR and 17 SB but with a .229 AVG (26% K%). A worse version of Crow-Armstrong.
Luke Raley: Some power (16 HR) and speed (9 SB) but a 31% K% will cap his batting average and on-base percentage.
Jacob Wilson윌슨: An on-base machine (.473 OBP in the minors, .385 OBP in 13 MLB PA) who projects for no power or speed.
Whit Merrifield: Leads off for Atlanta and steals some bases (16 SB in 293 PA).
Paul DeJong: Hits for power (24 HR) and that’s it (.238 AVG, 2 SB).
Geraldo Perdomo: He starts and is only a positive in batting average (.276 AVG).
Spencer Horwitz: Volume-only play while batting .257 AVG with 8 HR and 0 SB in 284 PA.
Ramón Urías: [Hurt on Saturday, health status unknown] Everyday third baseman with well-rounded production (.254/.327/.430, 10 in 272 PA).
Jesús Sánchez: Strong-side platoon bat who provides power (17 HR) and speed (10 SB) but a batting average sink (.238 AVG).
Trevor Larnach: A strong-side platoon bat who provides power (14 HR) and is no longer a batting average sink (.256 AVG, 22% K%).
MJ Melendez: Doesn’t start against some lefties (career .636 OPS vs LHP, .728 vs RHP) while providing (17 HR in 383 PA) and nothing else (3 SB/3 CS, .212 AVG).
José Tena: A .305 AVG in the majors and had 18 HR and 15 SB in AAA.
Addison Barger: Playing but unproductive at the plate (.625 OPS).
Joey Loperfido: Starting for the Blue Jays but in 204 PA, he’s been ineffective (4 HR, 3 SB, .223 AVG, 35% K%).
Grant McCray: Across three levels including the majors, he has 15 HR and 16 SB. In the majors, his batting average might be unplayable if he maintains anything close to a 44% K% (struggles against all pitches except sinkers).
Catcher
Adrian Del Castillo: Continues to rake (.340/.411/.560 with 3 HR in 56 PA).
Miguel Amaya: Some swing changes have him hitting .322/.359/.529 in the second half.
Freddy Fermin: Could see more playing time with Perez playing more first base. Has a .747 OPS on the season.
Travis d’Arnaud: Not a batting average (.248 AVG) drain while hitting home runs (14 HR).
Keibert Ruiz: He’s been ineffective this season with 12 HR and a .601 OPS.
Alejandro Kirk: He’s been ineffective this season with 5 HR and a .650 OPS.
Henry Davis: With Joey Bart hurt, Davis and his 39% K% will get another shot.
Hitting Prospects
Roman Anthony: Across two minor league levels, the 20-year-old is hitting .281/.377/.505 with 18 HR and 16 SB in 446 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Vierling CF DET | 40% | 43% | 3% |
| Jacob Young CF WAS | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| Adrian Del Castillo C ARI | 31% | 44% | 13% |
| Keibert Ruiz C WAS | 31% | 36% | 5% |
| Travis d’Arnaud C ATL | 29% | 30% | 1% |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong CF CHC | 27% | 50% | 23% |
| Spencer Horwitz 2B TOR | 26% | 27% | 1% |
| Jacob Wilson SS OAK | 26% | 27% | 1% |
| Parker Meadows CF DET | 25% | 29% | 4% |
| Matt Wallner LF MIN | 25% | 28% | 3% |
| Jhonkensy Noel RF CLE | 24% | 50% | 26% |
| Paul DeJong 3B KC | 22% | 25% | 3% |
| Geraldo Perdomo SS ARI | 20% | 29% | 9% |
| Roman Anthony OF BOS | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Whit Merrifield 2B ATL | 18% | 22% | 4% |
| Connor Norby 3B MIA | 17% | 42% | 25% |
| MJ Melendez LF KC | 16% | 20% | 4% |
| Alejandro Kirk C TOR | 15% | 20% | 5% |
| Jesus Sanchez RF MIA | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Luke Raley LF SEA | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Joey Loperfido LF TOR | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Freddy Fermin C KC | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Henry Davis C PIT | 12% | 13% | 1% |
| Trevor Larnach DH MIN | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Ramon Laureano RF ATL | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Ramon Urias 3B BAL | 4% | 12% | 8% |
| Miguel Amaya C CHC | 3% | 23% | 20% |
| Santiago Espinal 3B CIN | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Addison Barger RF TOR | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Jose Tena 3B WAS | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Grant McCray CF SF | 2% | 4% | 2% |
Starting Pitchers
David Festa: After some adjustments, he’s been on fire in the second half with a 3.06 ERA (3.04 xFIP), 1.05 WHIP, and 12.0 K/9. in 32 IP. His 24.4% K%-BB% is the ninth highest in the second half (min 30 IP).
DJ Herz: He’s turned into a solid arm with some upside by bringing down the walks (3.3 BB/9).
Rhett Lowder: In his major league debut, he had 6 K, 4 BB, and 1 HR over 4 IP (77 pitches). Across three minor league levels, he posted a 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 108 IP. He wasn’t immediately demoted so it seems like he’ll remain in the rotation.
Andrew Heaney: Solid 4.00 ERA talent. His upcoming schedule is up in the air. He could start tomorrow against the A’s or have a two-start next week (vs NYY, vs LAA).
Albert Suárez 수아레즈: He’s been solid (3.14 ERA, 4.49 xFIP, 7.0 K/9, 1.27 WHIP) with a start against the White Sox next week.
Mitchell Parker: A low-4.00’s ERA arm with a start at the Pirates next week.
Osvaldo Bido: Great two-start week coming up (vs SEA, vs DET) while continuing to show monthly improvement, especially in his monthly walk rate (6.8 BB/9 to 5.6 BB/9 to 4.3 BB/9 to 2.8 BB/9).
Andre Pallante: Riding a 63% GB% to a 3.80 ERA. Solid option as long as he remains in the rotation.
Brant Hurter: Besides being limited in volume (max of 5 IP and 80 pitches), the 25-year-old has been solid (3.57 ERA 2.99 xFIP, 0.88 WHIP, 58% GB%, and 8.3 K/9).
Tylor Megill: There is always something holding Megill back from being a solid arm. The past two seasons, it has been his 4.0 BB/9. Additionally, he gets hit around as seen by his career .313 BABIP and 1.4 HR/9.
Davis Martin: Over his last four starts, Martin got the walks under control (3.0 BB/9) and posted a 1.71 ERA (4.05 xFIP), 1.14 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, and 57% GB% in 21 IP. Too bad he pitches for the White Sox.
Mitch Spence: Streamable talent as a low-4.00’s ERA talent. In the middle of a two-start week (at CIN, at TEX) and is scheduled to face Detroit next week.
Matthew Boyd: A .174 BABIP keeps his 2.70 ERA under his 4.92 xFIP. He faces the Dodgers next week so likely a bench.
Adam Oller: After struggling with walks in his first start (4 BB in 4 IP), he has been better in the last two (4 BB in 11.2 IP). Additionally, he’s averaging one strikeout per inning with a good changeup (15% SwStr%) and OK curve (10% SwStr%). He’s tough to evaluate at this point.
Ty Madden: In the 24-year-old’s major league debut, he last 5 IP with 2 K, 3 BB, and 1 ER. He leaned into his 94-mph fastball (53% usage, 0% SwStr%) with his slider doing all the damage (21% SwStr%). Going forward, I’m unsure of his usage.
Samuel Aldegheri. The 22-year-old made his major league debut going 5 IP with 3 K, 2 BB, 2 ER (7 Runs). Two issues from his debut are that none of his pitches posted a double-digit swinging-strike rate and everything was in the air (20% GB%). Over two minor league levels, he posted a 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 12.7 K/9 in 95 IP.
Joey Estes: A below-average arm (4.37 ERA, 5.21 xFIP) who needs the right matchup (vs Seattle next week) to be rosterable. He’s not showing any improvement with K%-BB% remaining the same (12.9% vs 12.5%).
Randy Vásquez: I’m guessing the adds have more to do with his current two-start week (at STL, at TB) than his talent (4.52 ERA, 4.80 xFIP, 1.49 WHIP, 5.7 K/9). It’s a toss-up if his start against San Francisco is streamable. [Update: Got destroyed on Saturday with 9 ER in 4 IP]
Jack Leiter: Called up for a Wednesday spot start (4 IP, 2 HR, 4 K) and immediately demoted to AAA.
Patrick Corbin: The only way I can explain Corbin being added was that the manager was inebriated or lost a bet.
Pitching Prospects
Caden Dana: Starting Sunday. In AA, the 20-year-old posted a 2.52 ERA (3.45 xFIP), 0.94 WHIP, and 9.8 K/9 in 135 IP.
Quinn Mathews: Across four major league levels, the 23-year-old has a 2.41 ERA (2.38 xFIP), 0.89 WHIP, and 12.9 K/9 in 130 IP.
Kumar Rocker: Across three minor league levels, the 24-year-old has a 1.71 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 13.4 K/9 in 31 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Heaney SP TEX | 39% | 54% | 15% |
| Mitchell Parker SP WAS | 34% | 35% | 1% |
| David Festa SP MIN | 28% | 36% | 8% |
| Davidjohn Herz SP WAS | 26% | 28% | 2% |
| Osvaldo Bido SP OAK | 25% | 52% | 27% |
| Albert Suarez SP BAL | 25% | 29% | 4% |
| Matthew Boyd SP CLE | 23% | 26% | 3% |
| Jack Leiter SP TEX | 19% | 27% | 8% |
| Andre Pallante SP STL | 16% | 24% | 8% |
| Rhett Lowder SP CIN | 14% | 23% | 9% |
| Joey Estes SP OAK | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Mitch Spence SP OAK | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Kumar Rocker P TEX | 7% | 11% | 4% |
| Quinn Mathews SP STL | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Davis Martin SP CHW | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Caden Dana SP LAA | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Tylor Megill SP NYM | 5% | 9% | 4% |
| Patrick Corbin SP WAS | 4% | 10% | 6% |
| Brant Hurter P DET | 3% | 10% | 7% |
| Ty Madden SP DET | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Randy Vasquez SP SD | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Samuel Aldegheri SP LAA | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Adam Oller RP MIA | 0% | 1% | 1% |
Relievers: Save-based ranks
Jason Foley: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Seranthony Domínguez: Average reliever who is the closer.
Lucas Erceg: Great reliever who would be the closer but is hurt.
Porter Hodge: Great reliever who is the closer with Lopez hurt.
Aroldis Chapman: Great reliever who is most likely now the closer.
Edwin Uceta: Good reliever who seems to be sharing the closer duties.
Manuel Rodriguez: Decent reliever who seems to be sharing the closer duties.
Tyler Kinley: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Jorge López: OK reliever who was in closer committee but got hurt.
Tyler Holton: OK reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Joel Payamps: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Erceg RP KC | 39% | 43% | 4% |
| Jason Foley RP DET | 36% | 39% | 3% |
| Seranthony Dominguez RP BAL | 35% | 44% | 9% |
| Edwin Uceta RP TB | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| Porter Hodge RP CHC | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| Jorge Lopez RP CHC | 10% | 16% | 6% |
| Manuel Rodriguez RP TB | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Aroldis Chapman RP PIT | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Tyler Holton RP DET | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Joel Payamps RP MIL | 12% | 13% | 1% |
| Tyler Kinley RP COL | 5% | 6% | 1% |
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.
Thanks for these columns, Jeff!
I’m striving to win the consolation bracket in my 16 team pts. league. Winner gets first pick in the draft.
I just picked up Davis Martin for only 21 bucks. It helps that other owners have dropped out of bidding in the middle of the second round. Another reason I bid for Davis Martin: that filthy changeup of his! A pitch guaranteed to strain your TMJ joints.
Thanks again!