FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 24)
Arianna Grainey-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
Jeremiah Jackson: Batting second while hitting .318/.348/.509 with 4 HR in the majors.
Harrison Bader: Strong-side platoon bat with a balanced 15 HR, 10 SB, and .270 AVG on the season.
Ha-Seong Kim 김하성: If finally healthy, he could be a difference maker down the stretch.
Jared Triolo: Leading off and playing shortstop. Solid source of stolen bases with some power. Qualified at every position, including strong safety.
Luis Matos: Continues to hit since being promoted (1.140 OPS, 3 HR, 2 SB in 49 PA), but he’s losing playing time to Drew Gilbert.
Blaze Alexander: While a batting average drag (.238 AVG, 32% K%), he’s providing some power (7 HR) and speed (3 SB) in about a third of a season. Currently, has five outfield starts.
Matt Wallner: He has 21 HR in 355 PA. No one else is close to that number in these rankings.
Jake Meyers: [late add, 23% rostered] Off the IL and was a solid source of stolen bases (14) and batting average (.306) before getting hurt.
Andrew Benintendi: Showing power (18 in 438 PA) and nothing else.
Josh Jung: Back to playing every game while hitting decently in the second half (122 wRC+).
Sal Stewart: Two starts in four games since being promoted. The only item of note is that he’s not seeing many fastballs (42% usage) and showing some swing and miss (33% K%). Down a bit based on the lack of playing time.
Caleb Durbin: Eight starts in the last 10 games with injury replacement stats (10 HR, 13 SB, .260 AVG).
Brett Baty: Starts mainly against righties with power (15 HR) and speed (8 SB).
Ryan Mountcastle: Batting fourth and starting in eight of the last 10 games. Batting .305/.350/.453 since coming off the IL.
Brooks Baldwin: Started in eight of the last 10 games. He provides some power and speed while qualified at several positions.
Jake Cronenworth: A subpar accumulator.
Mike Yastrzemski: Useful when starting. In seven games next week, he’ll face five righties.
Gavin Sheets: With Merrill off the IL, Sheets is back to splitting the DH spot with O’Hearn.
Joc Pederson: Strong-side platoon bat whose value depends on how many righties are on the schedule (just four next week).
Drew Gilbert: Strong-side platoon bat (.814 OPS) with four lefties on the schedule next week.
Andruw Monasterio: Back on the bench with Ortiz off the IL.
Carter Jensen: Utility only in some formats. Only one start since being recalled.
Chase Meidroth: Playing while providing some steals (13 SB in 422 PA)
Catcher
Kyle Teel: Continues to put up good catcher numbers (6 HR, 3 SB, .292 AVG).
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Sheets LF SD | 40% | 45% | 5% |
| Brett Baty 3B NYM | 40% | 41% | 1% |
| Josh Jung 3B TEX | 38% | 44% | 6% |
| Mike Yastrzemski RF KC | 37% | 40% | 3% |
| Kyle Teel C CHW | 36% | 39% | 3% |
| Caleb Durbin 3B MIL | 35% | 39% | 4% |
| Jake Cronenworth 2B SD | 33% | 37% | 4% |
| Matt Wallner RF MIN | 28% | 32% | 4% |
| Ryan Mountcastle 1B BAL | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Andrew Benintendi LF CHW | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Blaze Alexander 3B ARI | 16% | 20% | 4% |
| Harrison Bader CF PHI | 16% | 19% | 3% |
| Ha-seong Kim SS ATL | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Sal Stewart 1B CIN | 13% | 26% | 13% |
| Jared Triolo SS PIT | 13% | 19% | 6% |
| Chase Meidroth SS CHW | 13% | 14% | 1% |
| Jeremiah Jackson 2B BAL | 9% | 33% | 24% |
| Luis Matos RF SF | 8% | 16% | 8% |
| Joc Pederson DH TEX | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Drew Gilbert RF SF | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Brooks Baldwin LF CHW | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| Carter Jensen DH KC | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Andruw Monasterio SS MIL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
Starting Pitchers
So many of these pitchers are in the 4.00 to 4.50 ERA talent range. We are are the point in the season where matchups can be more important than talent.
Braxton Ashcraft: The rookie has been great since joining the rotation (1.23 ERA, 2.89 xFIP, 9.8 K/9, and 1.19 WHIP). Among starters with 20 IP since the beginning of August, his 2.89 xFIP is the 8th best.
Ian Seymour: Dominant in his last three appearances (13.5 K/9, 1.29 ERA, 2.64 xFIP, 1.10 WHIP). It’s the same results and velocity he showed pitching out of the bullpen, except in his last start, where his pitches were 1 mph to 2 mph down across the board.
Luis Morales: While he struggled with walks over his first three starts (7.5 BB/9), he’s got a 1.5 BB/9 over the last three. He’s not without flaws with some regression headed his way (.221 BABIP, 91% LOB%, 0.6 HR/9).
Cade Cavalli: Solid no-frills season so far (4.85 ERA, 3.87 xFIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.48 WHIP) that could take a step forward with a lower BABIP (.333).
Stephen Kolek: In his first start with Kansas City, he raised the usage of his slider and four-seamer while cutting the usage of his cutter and sinker. Also, it was his first game all season without walking anyone (35% Ball%, 2.9 equiv BB/9). I’m not a fan of the low strikeout rate (6.2 K/9), but there are some positive changes.
Tyler Wells: Solid debut against the Padres (5 IP, 4 K, 0 BB, and 2 ER). Worth an add for his next two matchups (Pirates and White Sox).
Slade Cecconi: Since the start of August, SLADE has struggled with home runs (2.6 HR/9) while the rest of his game is acceptable (4.00 xFIP). It’ll be tough to pass up on his two starts next week (vs KC, vs CWS).
Ryan Bergert: His low groundball rate (29% GB%) and high walk rate (3.8 BB/9) will come back to haunt him. An 85% LOB% won’t last forever.
Payton Tolle: Struggled with control (4 BB, 40% Ball%,2K) in his last start (3 IP, 5 ER) with all his pitches down 0.5 mph. I’m not sure I trust him next week in West Sacramento.
Joey Wentz: Zero consistency, and when he blows up, it can be a complete disaster. He has control and then loses it. He strikes out eight batters and then two the next game. A roll of the dice.
Justin Verlander: OK in the second half with a 3.60 ERA (4.26 xFIP), 1.44 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9. His WHIP has done as much ratio damage as a 5.16 ERA.
Martín Pérez: After finding the fountain of youth for four straight starts, he returned to form on Saturday with 6 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, and 0 K in 4.0 IP.
Luis Garcia: [Update – had his start pushed back, he was ranked a bit higher when “healthy”] His fastball velocity was down ~1.5 mph compared to when he threw last (2023). His swinging-strike rate dropped to a career-low 10%. A solid 34% Ball% equates to 2.6 BB/9.
Johan Oviedo: The strikeouts (10.8 K/9) and walks (5.0 BB/9) just keep coming. He’s been able to keep his ratios down with unsustainable .205 BABIP. If only he could throw strikes.
Luis Severino: He leaned into his slider (39% for his last game, 29% for the season) in his first start off the IL. While the slider might be his best pitch, its 9% SwStr% is way below average. All signs point to a 4.50 ERA talent, and I don’t want to take a chance on that talent level improving at this point in the season.
Shane Smith: A .163 BABIP is driving a second-half improvement (0.96 WHIP, 3.26 ERA) while his ERA projections and estimators point to a 4.50 ERA talent.
Jacob Latz: As a starter this season, the 29-year-old has a 3.38 ERA (4.32 xFIP), 1.17 WHIP, and 7.5 K/9 with a possible two-start week (vs MIL, @NYM).
Andrew Alvarez: Shutout the Marlins in his debut. The STUPH models see him as an average pitcher, but not the results. One red flag I have is his 46% Ball% from the start. The level would normally equate to a 9.0 BB/9. I might add and bench.
Mitch Farris: Debuted this past week (5 IP, 3 K, 1 HR, 1 W). Projections aren’t a fan with his matching ERA and BB/9 in AAA at …. 4.27. Our STUPH metrics aren’t a fan with a 5.19 botERA and 83 Pitching+. We’ll see how his second start goes on Sunday against West Sacramento.
Michael Lorenzen: No changes, so he remains a streamable mid-4.00 ERA talent like he’s been for his entire career.
Javier Assad: Added for his start against the Nationals (1 W, 4 ER, 4 K, 2 BB in 5 IP). Not ideal.
Nabil Crismatt: The 30-year-old has a great changeup (21% SwStr%) and nothing else. Ignore.
Davis Martin: Demand must be for the two-start week. Nothing encouraging about his profile.
Bryce Elder: One good start against the Cubs doesn’t erase years of ineptitude. Pass.
Injured Starters
Ryan Weathers: Expected to join the Marlins rotation next week. In his AAA rehab games, he’s showing similar velocity and pitch mix.
Pitching Prospects
Brandon Sproat: Debuts on Sunday. In AAA this season, the 24-year-old righty posted a 4.24 ERA (4.55 xFIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 in 121 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander SP SF | 37% | 41% | 4% |
| Luis Severino SP ATH | 37% | 41% | 4% |
| Slade Cecconi SP CLE | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Payton Tolle SP BOS | 35% | 54% | 19% |
| Shane Smith SP CHW | 34% | 41% | 7% |
| Luis Morales SP ATH | 29% | 67% | 38% |
| Cade Cavalli SP WAS | 27% | 31% | 4% |
| Ian Seymour RP TB | 26% | 41% | 15% |
| Ryan Bergert SP KC | 22% | 34% | 12% |
| Michael Lorenzen SP KC | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Braxton Ashcraft RP PIT | 21% | 33% | 12% |
| Ryan Weathers SP MIA | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Brandon Sproat SP NYM | 17% | 27% | 10% |
| Joey Wentz RP ATL | 17% | 22% | 5% |
| Luis Garcia SP HOU | 16% | 31% | 15% |
| Davis Martin SP CHW | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Bryce Elder SP ATL | 9% | 12% | 3% |
| Johan Oviedo SP PIT | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Martin Perez SP CHW | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Javier Assad SP CHC | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Stephen Kolek SP KC | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Tyler Wells SP BAL | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Jacob Latz RP TEX | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Name | IP | BotERA | Pitching+ERA | SwStr% ERA | FBv ERA | SIERA | xFIP | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Kolek | 6.0 | 2.74 | 2.93 | 5.09 | 4.03 | 2.71 | 2.91 | 3.40 |
| Luis Morales | 12.2 | 3.32 | 3.59 | 3.89 | 3.53 | 3.09 | 3.18 | 3.43 |
| Ian Seymour | 14.0 | 4.49 | 4.30 | 3.00 | 4.35 | 2.53 | 2.64 | 3.55 |
| Slade Cecconi | 11.1 | 4.05 | 4.36 | 3.56 | 3.95 | 3.09 | 2.78 | 3.63 |
| Cade Cavalli | 7.1 | 3.92 | 3.66 | 3.53 | 3.61 | 3.41 | 3.72 | 3.64 |
| Joey Wentz | 10.2 | 3.35 | 4.09 | 4.48 | 4.20 | 3.20 | 2.99 | 3.72 |
| Luis Severino | 5.0 | 3.98 | 3.59 | 5.65 | 3.81 | 2.95 | 2.75 | 3.79 |
| Tyler Wells | 5.0 | 3.25 | 4.61 | 3.19 | 4.18 | 4.11 | 4.61 | 3.99 |
| Luis Garcia | 6.0 | 5.02 | 4.53 | 4.12 | 4.39 | 2.92 | 3.19 | 4.03 |
| Shane Smith | 18.1 | 3.88 | 4.10 | 4.12 | 3.73 | 4.20 | 4.64 | 4.11 |
| Justin Verlander | 11.0 | 5.03 | 4.43 | 3.77 | 4.13 | 3.85 | 3.86 | 4.18 |
| Bryce Elder | 20.0 | 4.47 | 3.77 | 4.80 | 4.27 | 4.01 | 3.85 | 4.19 |
| Jacob Latz | 9.2 | 3.32 | 3.43 | 4.54 | 3.97 | 5.11 | 4.89 | 4.21 |
| Michael Lorenzen | 11.0 | 4.52 | 4.62 | 4.85 | 4.19 | 3.53 | 3.63 | 4.22 |
| Martín Pérez | 13.0 | 4.75 | 4.05 | 4.41 | 4.53 | 3.67 | 4.23 | 4.27 |
| Braxton Ashcraft | 8.2 | 4.84 | 4.36 | 4.66 | 3.68 | 4.43 | 3.86 | 4.31 |
| Johan Oviedo | 14.0 | 4.81 | 4.38 | 4.30 | 3.81 | 4.30 | 4.36 | 4.33 |
| Payton Tolle | 8.1 | 4.48 | 4.23 | 4.10 | 3.75 | 4.89 | 4.74 | 4.37 |
| Davis Martin | 14.2 | 4.17 | 4.53 | 4.16 | 4.02 | 4.73 | 5.14 | 4.46 |
| Andrew Alvarez | 5.0 | 4.02 | 4.01 | 5.79 | 4.35 | 4.50 | 4.28 | 4.49 |
| Ryan Bergert | 11.0 | 3.51 | 4.27 | 4.67 | 4.17 | 5.39 | 5.38 | 4.56 |
| Nabil Crismatt | 16.0 | 4.65 | 4.71 | 4.39 | 4.71 | 4.95 | 4.78 | 4.70 |
| Mitch Farris | 5.0 | 5.19 | 5.22 | 5.13 | 4.49 | 5.45 | 4.98 | 5.08 |
| Javier Assad | 11.1 | 5.41 | 5.00 | 5.80 | 4.35 | 5.60 | 5.21 | 5.23 |
Reliever: Saves-based ranks
Shawn Armstrong: Good reliever who is the closer.
JoJo Romero: Good reliever who is the closer.
Jordan Leasure: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Jose Ferrer: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Andrew Saalfrank: Average reliever who is sharing the closer’s role.
Calvin Faucher: Average reliever who is sharing the closer’s role.
Adrian Morejon: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| JoJo Romero RP STL | 36% | 37% | 1% |
| Jose Ferrer RP WAS | 33% | 34% | 1% |
| Adrian Morejon RP SD | 29% | 32% | 3% |
| Calvin Faucher RP MIA | 24% | 25% | 1% |
| Shawn Armstrong RP TEX | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Andrew Saalfrank RP ARI | 6% | 10% | 4% |
| Jordan Leasure RP CHW | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| Nabil Crismatt RP ARI | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Andrew Alvarez SP WAS | 0% | 4% | 4% |
| Mitch Farris SP LAA | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Name | G | SV | HLD | BS | gLI | K/9 | BB/9 | FBv | ERA | xFIP | ERA (Steamer) | K/9 (Steamer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Morejon | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | 10.8 | 0.0 | 98.7 | 1.80 | 1.97 | 2.06 | 9.1 |
| Andrew Saalfrank | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 1.3 | 89.8 | 0.00 | 3.98 | 2.51 | 6.6 |
| JoJo Romero | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 93.4 | 0.00 | 5.38 | 2.52 | 8.7 |
| Shawn Armstrong | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 94.4 | 1.59 | 5.13 | 2.76 | 9.6 |
| Calvin Faucher | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 7.1 | 0.0 | 97.1 | 1.42 | 2.77 | 3.54 | 8.7 |
| Jordan Leasure | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 | 11.7 | 3.5 | 96.6 | 2.35 | 3.71 | 4.09 | 11.3 |
| Jose A. Ferrer | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.6 | 9.0 | 2.3 | 98.4 | 0.00 | 2.27 | 4.13 | 7.7 |
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.
Nader wouldn’t be strong side as he bats right handed. He is more just an everyday player