FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 9)
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
Note: Some of these rankings are nearly impossible. Most of the time this decision will come down to individual team needs (e.g. steals, position) and how the team can utilize platoons (e.g. daily lineups, long bench).
Tommy Pham: I don’t get why he is still under 40% rostered (.327 AVG, 3 HR, 3 SB) and it looks like I’ll be writing him up against next week.
Davis Schneider: He’s now playing every day, leading off, while hitting .244/.345/.441 with 5 HR and 3 HR.
Masyn Winn: Productive bat (.295 AVG, 2 HR, 7 SB) who plays every game. Has hit leadoff against the last two lefties.
Zach Neto: A solid producer with 6 HR, 6 SB, and .249 AVG.
Jake Meyers: He continues to crush the ball (.300/.369/.545, 6 HR, 2 SB) while starting regularly (nine straight starts).
Jorge Mateo: Starting and hitting (.759 OPS, 3 HR, 9 SB).
Dylan Moore: Moore started playing when others got hurt (Crawford and Polanco), hit (.848 OPS, 6 HR, 8 SB), moved up to batting second, and is now moving all over the diamond (started at 2B, 3B, and LF over the last three games) to stay in the lineup. If starting, a must-roster.
Alec Burleson: He has quietly become the everyday #5 hitter while hitting .298/.328/.458 with 5 HR and 2 SB.
Joey Ortiz: Starting every game while hitting .277/.376/.496 with 5 HR on the season.
Michael Massey: A solid bat hitting .294/.306/.529 with 6 HR.
Josh Bell: After struggling in April (.554 OPS), he’s hitting .299/.375/.468 in May.
Wenceel Pérez: Starting while hitting .284/.352/.477 with 3 HR and 4 SB.
Luis Matos: Matos is now leading off while hitting .280/.294/.460 with 2 HR.
Tyler Freeman: Still leading off, but has started to struggle in May while being a batting average drain (.213/.310/.353) while providing 4 HR and 6 SB.
Colt Keith: On fire in May by hitting .377/.424/.509 after hitting .154/.222/.165 in April. There are no underlying skill changes besides his BABIP jumping from .192 to .432.
Nick Gonzales: The 25-year-old has cut down his strikeouts from 28% to 21% and is a steady contributor with a .857 OPS with some power and speed.
Heliot Ramos: Hitting a respectable .281/.339/.439 while playing each game.
Otto Lopez: He has 13 straight starts while hitting .302/.338/.492 with 3 HR and 2 SB. While he always had speed, he started to get to some raw power last season with a 110 mph maxEV and has a 91 mph avgEV and 109 mph maxEV in the majors. A low launch angle (54% GB%) will limit his home run potential.
Marco Luciano: On fire (1.071 OPS, .529 BABIP) and starting in six of the last seven games. Below-average power threat and runner who is just a volume play.
Edmundo Sosa: He has started in eight of the last 10 games while hitting .333/.418/.623 with 3 HR and 2 SB. A .463 BABIP won’t last, but at least playing with Turner still on the IL.
Mark Vientos: Vientos (1.167 OPS, 3 HR) has started in six of the last 10 games with Brett Baty struggling (.634 OPS). Vietos took a step forward by cutting his strikeout rate from 31% to 17%. I’m not sure Vientos is startable at this moment but seems to be a decent stash.
DJ LeMahieu: The plan is for him to come off the IL on Tuesday and play third base. He only has 14 rehab plate appearances, so I could see him struggling for a bit against major league pitching.
Richie Palacios: He moved from second base to the outfield and may be splitting time with Jonny DeLuca. On the season, Palacios is hitting .260/.358/.378 with 4 HR and 7 SB.
Luke Raley: He looked like he might begin starting against lefties but has sat against the last two. On the season, he is hitting .281/.311/.430 with 4 HR and 3 SB while facing five righties next week.
Jake Bauers: Strong-side platoon bat with six home runs and stolen bases while being a drag in batting average (.223). The Brewers are scheduled to face four righties next week.
Willie Calhoun: Starting while hitting .280/.294/.427 with 1 HR.
Sal Frelick: Sat against the last three lefties with only four righties on the schedule next week. In most leagues, he’s not hitting enough to be started/rostered.
LaMonte Wade Jr.: When he plays (only against RHP), he has been great this season (.885 OPS). Next week, the team is only scheduled to face four righties so he’ll be a tough roster.
Joc Pederson: A must-start against righties but Arizona only faces three next week.
Kevin Pillar: The 35-year-old has found the fountain of youth and is hitting .333/.393/.613 with 5 HR and 6 SB. He is playing only half the time, mainly against left-handed pitchers.
Kevin Newman: With 14 straight starts at shortstop, the 30-year-old is hitting .264/.302/.409 with 2 HR and 1 SB.
Javier Báez: Since May 15th, he’s hitting .393/.393/.536 but struggling on the season (.207/.233/.280).
Ji Hwan Bae: Since being recalled from AAA, Bae split time in centerfield with Taylor while hitting ninth.
Johnathan Rodriguez: Started in three of four games since being recalled. So far he has hit eight balls in play, all groundballs with a -29.5 avgLA. Worm killer.
Miguel Vargas: A small side platoon bat who is only hitting .143/.143/.286 in the majors.
Noelvi Marte: He remains on suspension until June 26.
Kody Clemens: I have no idea why a guy who has only played five games is being added. It’s probably the recognizable last name.
Catchers
Danny Jansen: Hitting for average (.309 AVG) and power (5 HR).
Korey Lee: Regular catcher and is batting .276/.315/.419 with 4 HR and 3 SB.
David Fry: While not catching much or playing regularly, Fry is hitting enough (.360/.500/.628, .417 BABIP, 6 HR, 3 SB) to be added in all two catcher formats.
Jose Trevino: While productive (.284/.330/.442, 5 HR), he only starts 50% of the time.
Hitting Prospects
Brennen Davis: In AAA, the 24-year-old is hitting .275/.435/.638 with 8 HR and 1 SB in 92 PA.
Carson Williams: In AA, the 21-year-old is hitting .326/.416/.611 with 8 HR and 11 SB in 166 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Bell 1B MIA | 33% | 41% | 8% |
| Danny Jansen C TOR | 33% | 41% | 8% |
| Davis Schneider LF TOR | 32% | 40% | 8% |
| Noelvi Marte 3B CIN | 31% | 33% | 2% |
| Sal Frelick RF MIL | 31% | 33% | 2% |
| Colt Keith 2B DET | 30% | 35% | 5% |
| Masyn Winn SS STL | 29% | 35% | 6% |
| Zachary Neto SS LAA | 26% | 30% | 4% |
| Joc Pederson DH ARI | 26% | 28% | 2% |
| Wenceel Perez CF DET | 24% | 34% | 10% |
| DJ LeMahieu 3B NYY | 23% | 25% | 2% |
| Tommy Pham CF CHW | 22% | 29% | 7% |
| LaMonte Wade 1B SF | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Joseph Ortiz 3B MIL | 21% | 59% | 38% |
| Tyler Freeman CF CLE | 18% | 34% | 16% |
| David Fry C CLE | 16% | 39% | 23% |
| Jorge Mateo 2B BAL | 14% | 18% | 4% |
| Javier Baez SS DET | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Marco Luciano SS SF | 13% | 15% | 2% |
| Richard Palacios RF TB | 13% | 15% | 2% |
| Carson Williams SS TB | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Luke Raley LF SEA | 10% | 29% | 19% |
| Michael Massey 2B KC | 10% | 16% | 6% |
| Miguel Vargas LF LAD | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Nick Gonzales 2B PIT | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| Luis Matos CF SF | 7% | 64% | 57% |
| Jake Bauers 1B MIL | 7% | 12% | 5% |
| Jose Trevino C NYY | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Korey Lee C CHW | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Dylan Moore SS SEA | 6% | 28% | 22% |
| Alec Burleson DH STL | 6% | 26% | 20% |
| Mark Vientos 3B NYM | 6% | 10% | 4% |
| Kevin Pillar CF LAA | 5% | 21% | 16% |
| Edmundo Sosa SS PHI | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Heliot Ramos LF SF | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Brennen Davis CF CHC | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Kody Clemens 2B PHI | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Ji-Hwan Bae CF PIT | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Jake Meyers CF HOU | 2% | 12% | 10% |
| Otto Lopez 2B MIA | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Kevin Newman SS ARI | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Willie Calhoun DH LAA | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Johnathan Rodriguez RF CLE | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Starters
Note: There are zero/none/zilch must-add guys. All these arms have evil-witch warts and it feels like pick your poison.
Cooper Criswell: While I doubted his 89-mph fastball, he’s limited himself to throwing it just 29% of the time. He has not lucked his way into his stats (1.13 WHIP, 2.86 ERA, 3.27 xFIP) so far with an 8.8 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and 49% GB%. His 18.3 K%-BB% is the 34th best among starters with at least 30 IP. The company around him are all good pitchers.
Ryan Weathers: Even though he throws 96 mph, he doesn’t miss many bats (7.3 K/9). The sinker has a 3% SwStr% while his four-seamer is up at 4% SwStr%. While his overall 49% GB% is decent but not great, his individual pitches are creating a ton of fieldable contact.
Pitch: GB%
Four-seamer: 30%
Sinker: 79%
Change: 59%
Slider: 40%
If he wanted to miss more bats, he could throw his change (19% SwStr%) and slider (15% SwStr%) more.
Tylor Megill: One of the toughest guys to evaluate. In 9 IP so far, he has 5 BB (41% Ball%, 4.7 equiv BB/9) so he’s struggling with the strike zone. He does have a new arsenal. His fastball velocity is up 1 mph. He’s dropped his change and added a cutter and splitter. Stuff+
and botStuff like the movement on his pitches but not the location. The control is an issue but I think some team needs to add him in all leagues to see how the next two weeks play out.
Alec Marsh: While Marsh has some middling strikeout and walk numbers (7.5 K/9, 2.5 K/9) similar to several players ranked today, he has generated fieldable contact. With just a 36% GB% (0.6 HR/9), he created a ton of easy-out flyballs, especially in his spacious home park (all his allowed home runs have been on the road). There is some upside if he cuts the usage of his below-average sinker and curve.
Jose Soriano: Off his suspension, Soriano pitched decent against Guardians (8 K, 4 ER, 6 IP). Probably the biggest key was just one walk as he has struggled with free passes this season (4.0 BB/9). If he could get the walks under control, his fantasy value could take a major leap forward.
Robert Gasser: What a … unique set of stats over 17 IP.
3.2 K/9 (10% SwStr%)
0.5 BB/9
2.65 ERA (4.65 xFIP)
50% GB%
His swinging-strike rate points to more strikeouts so his ERA might not regress up to his xFIP. Consider rostering to see where this goes.
Simeon Woods Richardson: He’s nearly a clone of Marsh. Low-strikeout (6.7 K/9), low-walk (1.8 BB/9) arm who is using a heavy flyball approach to induce fieldable contact (36% GB%, 0.5 HR/9, .283 BABIP). There isn’t much upside with none of his pitches posting a swinging-strike rate over 8%.
Ben Brown: As a starter this season, Brown has a 2.25 ERA (4.08 xFIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9. Right now, he’s stuck between the roles of starting and relieving but is still productive. As I mentioned in Big Kid Adds, I like to stash these guys between roles because they can be used as a pitcher in a pinch unlike guys in the minors or on the IL.
Ben Lively 라이블리: Continues to thrive with his 90-mph fastball by keeping the ball in the air (29% GB%, .290 BABIP) and getting a reasonable number of strikeouts (9.0 K/9) while limiting walks (2.8 BB/9). While his 2.84 ERA won’t last, he should regress toward his 4.00 ERA estimators.
Patrick Sandoval: The disconnect between Sandoval’s 3.68 xFIP and 4.59 ERA is that his fastball are getting crushed. His sinker has allowed a .988 vsOPS while his four-seamer has allowed a 1.141 vsOPS. If he could throw a league-average fastball, his stock would rise. Right now, the results are garbage.
Matt Waldron: Waldron is finally figuring out he’s a knuckleball pitcher and is dropping the slider usage. Over the last three games (at CIN, at ATL, vs LAD), he’s thrown his slider (4% SwStr%, 24% GB%) less than 20% of the time. During that stretch, he has a 2.81 ERA (2.90 xFIP), 12.9 K/9, and 1.19 WHIP.
Spencer Arrighetti: A 5.40 ERA is going to scare away many fantasy managers, but there are some underlying skills that standout. On the season he is posting a 10.3 K/9 and 4.11 xFIP. The problem is that he has a 4.8 BB/9 that his pushing him near a 2.00 WHIP. He has always struggled with walks (7.6 BB/9 in AAA this year, 5.1 BB/9 in AAA last year). Best upside if he can drop the walk rate.
Logan Allen: A 91-mph fastball is going to get hit around (1.6 HR/9, .325 BABIP). With middling strikeout and walk numbers, he is a pitcher to stream about 20% against the right matchup.
Nick Martinez: Martinez is in a swing role for the Reds and made a spot start this past week (4.2 IP, 5 ER, 2 K, 1 BB). Of the various swingman stashes to be a future starter, Martinez is the last one I’d roster. He’s lost 1 mph in fastball velocity (93.1 mph to 92.1 mph), saw his strikeouts drop (8.7 K/9 to 6.5 K/9), and gone from a groundball (54% GB%) to a flyball (33%) pitcher.
Jeffrey Springs: Started his rehab assignment and got hurt so at least a month away.
Clayton Kershaw: Throwing bullpens on his way off the IL.
AJ Smith-Shawver: The 21-year-old was promoted for a spot start and was then sent back to AAA. He’s struggled in AAA this season with a 6.10 ERA from a 4.9 BB/9 and 2.6 BB/9. That many walks and home runs are going to lead to problems. While he didn’t allow any runs in his major league spot start, there are several other arms I’d rather stash. [Note: He was previously ranked higher but I missed him going on the IL]
Aaron Brooks 브룩스: The 34-year-old has thrown 13 IP and hasn’t been that great (4.15 ERA, 4.67 xFIP, 5.5 K/9), but a couple of signs of improvement exist. He’s dropped his fastball usage under 50%. Also, he’s leaning into his slider (36% usage, 18% SwStr%). I should probably sit down and watch a start to see what is going on with him.
Tyler Alexander: I have no idea why Alexander is being added with his 6.06 ERA (4.72 xFIP), 7.1 K/9, 1.33 WHIP, and 2.1 HR/9. While he got lit up for 8 ER in his last appearance, he struggled before that start. Nothing to see here.
José Urquidy: Has been on the IL all season and is now dealing with a forearm issue.
José Ureña: In four starts this season, Urena has a 2.78 ERA (3.94 xFIP), 5.6 K/9, and 1.24 WHIP. The 32-year-old’s perceived talent has jumped because his walk rate dropped from 4.4 BB/9 last season to 2.9 BB/9 but his 39% Ball% points to a future 3.9 K/9. One possible explanation for the turnaround is that he’s not throwing his fastballs (51% to 43%) as much and is leaning into his slider (25% usage to 37% usage, 13% SwStr%). I don’t buy any turnaround after five straight seasons with a 5+ ERA.
Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill: I don’t care how they are performing, there is no reason to roster Colorado starters. None.
Pitching Prospects
Cade Povich: In AAA, the 24-year-old has a 2.08 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 12.3 K/9 in 47 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Sandoval SP LAA | 36% | 37% | 1% |
| Logan Taylor Allen SP CLE | 35% | 41% | 6% |
| Robert Gasser SP MIL | 34% | 43% | 9% |
| Clayton Kershaw SP LAD | 33% | 36% | 3% |
| Alec Marsh SP KC | 30% | 42% | 12% |
| Simeon Woods Richardson SP MIN | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| Ben Lively SP CLE | 25% | 36% | 11% |
| Jeffrey Springs SP TB | 20% | 27% | 7% |
| A.J. Smith-Shawver SP ATL | 19% | 23% | 4% |
| Ryan Weathers SP MIA | 18% | 29% | 11% |
| Jose Soriano SP LAA | 15% | 22% | 7% |
| Cooper Criswell SP BOS | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Cal Quantrill SP COL | 14% | 28% | 14% |
| Tylor Megill SP NYM | 13% | 18% | 5% |
| Cade Povich SP BAL | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Ben Brown RP CHC | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Matt Waldron SP SD | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Jose Urquidy SP HOU | 7% | 10% | 3% |
| Spencer Arrighetti SP HOU | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Austin Gomber SP COL | 3% | 12% | 9% |
| Nick Martinez RP CIN | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Tyler Alexander SP TB | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Jose Urena RP TEX | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Aaron Brooks SP OAK | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Relievers (Saves-based ranks)
Michael Kopech: OK reliever who is the closer.
Jeff Hoffman: Great reliever who is sharing the closer role.
Bryan Hudson: Good reliever who is temporarily the closer.
Adam Ottavino: Good reliever who is part of a closer by committee.
Jalen Beeks: OK reliever who is struggling to keep his closer’s role.
Garrett Cleavinger: Great reliever who will get the occasional Save.
Griffin Jax: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
JoJo Romero: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Yimi García: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Luke Weaver: Now a good reliever who seems to be the backup closer.
Cade Smith: Great reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Bryan Abreu: Decent reliever who is a step or two from closing.
Jeremiah Estrada: Good reliever who may be the backup closer.
Ryan Walker: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
Matt Strahm: Good multi-inning reliever.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Kopech RP CHW | 34% | 37% | 3% |
| Griffin Jax RP MIN | 29% | 30% | 1% |
| Jeff Hoffman RP PHI | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| JoJo Romero RP STL | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Yimi Garcia RP TOR | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Bryan Abreu RP HOU | 13% | 15% | 2% |
| Luke Weaver RP NYY | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| Jalen Beeks RP COL | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Matt Strahm RP PHI | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Adam Ottavino RP NYM | 7% | 13% | 6% |
| Garrett Cleavinger RP TB | 7% | 10% | 3% |
| Bryan Hudson RP MIL | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Ryan Walker RP SF | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Cade Smith RP CLE | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Jeremiah Estrada RP SD | 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.
Looking at his game log, it doesn’t appear as though Strahm is a multi-inning reliever at this point. 20.2 IP in 21 games.
And he gas been pretty much “great”
Yes indeed he has been great. Fantastic really.
Came here to assert that Strahm is great. He’s posted a 30:2 K:BB in 20 IP this year.
This author doesn’t take RP very seriously in my opinion. Often behind the times.
Its tough to cover the entire league, both leagues actually