Waiver Wire and FAAB Report (Week 22)
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
In this 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
Josh Bell: Still hitting for power (17 HR) with a respectable batting average (.257 AVG).
Abimelec Ortiz: Strong-side platoon bat with 5 HR in 56 PA with a righty-heavy lineup coming up.
Pedro Ramírez: Starting every game at second base with 7 SB and a .277 AVG (157 PA).
Henry Bolte: A nice leadoff option with 6 HR, 14 SB, and a .267 AVG.
Trevor Story: Currently on a rehab assignment (9 PA, .667 OPS) and should be joining the team any day now.
Tim Tawa: One of several balanced but unexciting players. Tawa starts every game with 7 HR and 7 SB with a .687 OPS in 230 PA.
Joey Ortiz: Started the last 10 games with 7 HR and 9 SB in 319 PA. Another value play.
Jeff McNeil: Volume play with 6 HR, 6 SB, and .261 AVG.
Matt McLain: Source of homers (12 HR) and steals (15 SB) but a batting average sink (.198 AVG).
Nathaniel Lowe: Strong-side platoon bat providing power (14 HR) and batting average (.266 AVG).
Brady House: Starting, providing power (9 HR in 256 PA), and nothing else (2 SB, .238 AVG).
Zac Veen: Strong-side platoon bat who is struggling with a 40% K% (59% Contact%). He does have 2 HR in 20 PA.
Andrés Chaparro: Started in seven of the last 10 games (5 vs RHP). When he does play, he can hit for power (8 HR in 144 PA).
Javier Sanoja: Sort of starting (seven of last 10 games) while sort of hitting (6 HR, 6 SB, .747 OPS in 351 PA).
Griffin Conine: Solid power bat (14 HR in 202 PA) who mainly starts against righties with some contact issues (31% K%, 63% Contact%). Sadly, he’s probably a drop with the Marlins facing just seven righties over the next 13 games.
Jared Young 제러드: Strong-side platoon bat with 8 HR in 256 PA.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand: A lack of playing time makes rostering Encarnacion-Strand a frustrating ordeal. He has 6 HR in 97 PA but started in just two of the last three games after starting seven straight.
Drew Gilbert: Started in eight of the last 10 games with 7 HR in 309 PA.
Andrés Giménez: He was starting every game but is now dealing with a hamstring issue. Well-rounded contributor with 8 HR, 19 SB, and a .240 AVG. Ranked low based on the injury.
Michael Massey: He’s showing some power (11 HR) with a career-high .278 AVG.
Catchers
Rafael Flores Jr.: A must-add in all leagues with 6 HR in 60 PA to go with a .288 AVG. Since he plays some first base, he has eight starts in the last 10 games.
Brett Sullivan: Nice source of power (7 HR in 184 PA) from the catcher position.
Luis Campusano: A strong batting average help (.301 AVG) while hitting 5 HR.
Agustín Ramírez: His playing time has picked up with six starts in the last 10 games. While he’s not getting too much power this year (2 HR), he is providing steals (4 SB) from the catcher position.
Eduardo Valencia: He’s turning into a short-side platoon bat while posting a 1.103 OPS with 6 HR.
Hitting Prospects
Walker Jenkins: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder hit .294/.390/.496 with 9 HR and 14 SB in 287 PA.
Franklin Arias: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 20-year-old shortstop hit .312/.395/.564 with 23 HR and 5 SB.
Ralphy Velazquez: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 21-year-old first baseman hit .288/.377/.539 with 24 HR and 2 SB.
| Name | Initial Roster% | Final Roster% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Bell | 39% | 46% | 7% |
| Trevor Story | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| Walker Jenkins | 32% | 35% | 3% |
| Zac Veen | 31% | 41% | 10% |
| Andres Gimenez | 31% | 33% | 2% |
| Henry Bolte | 29% | 36% | 7% |
| Griffin Conine | 27% | 36% | 9% |
| Matt McLain | 27% | 30% | 3% |
| Agustin Ramirez | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| Franklin Arias | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| Javier Sanoja | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Tim Tawa | 16% | 21% | 5% |
| Abimelec Ortiz | 14% | 42% | 28% |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand | 14% | 21% | 7% |
| Ralphy Velazquez | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Nate Lowe | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Brady House | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Pedro Ramirez | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Jeff McNeil | 11% | 18% | 7% |
| Luis Campusano | 10% | 14% | 4% |
| Eduardo Valencia | 7% | 13% | 6% |
| Joseph Ortiz | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Michael Massey | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Jared Young | 3% | 8% | 5% |
| Andres Chaparro | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Drew Gilbert | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Rafael Flores | 1% | 17% | 16% |
| Brett Sullivan | 0% | 4% | 4% |
Starters
Dean Kremer: Kremer has been great since joining the Twins (3.12 ERA vs 6.50 ERA). He was unlucky with the Orioles (3.0 HR/9) and lucky with the Twins (.182 BABIP). His xFIP (best predictor of future performance) stayed constant (3.78 vs 3.88) between teams.
George Klassen: His fantasy relevance comes down to him throwing strikes. He’s getting better and may be to a tolerable level. If a pitcher’s Ball% is greater than their Zone%, just stay away. He seems to have turned the corner over his last two starts.
Game: Ball%, Zone%, Diff
1: 45%, 43%, -2%
2: 53%, 43%, -10%
3: 45%, 42%, -3%
4: 31%, 52%, +11%
5: 37%, 45%, +8%
During those last two starts, he’s seen major improvements to his xFIP (7.42 to 3.56) and botERA (5.17 to 4.55). If a manager needs someone to throw a dart at, he’s it.
Brayan Bello: No one has a clue when Bello will come in, but when he does, he’s been lights out as a bulk reliever (0.85 ERA, 2.84 xFIP, 0.85 WHIP, 7.7 K/9).
José Urquidy: Since being promoted (9 IP), Urquidy has a 2.79 ERA (2.37 xFIP), 0.72 WHIP (zero walks), and 10.2 K/9. His average fastball velocity is up about 1 mph from earlier this year. The jump in strikeouts is out of the norm but for no obvious reason.
Andrew Alvarez: A .192 BABIP and 0.7 HR/9 have kept his ratios down (2.36 ERA, 1.01 WHIP) while his 4.60 xFIP and 4.95 botERA point to future struggles. His second-half 5.5 K-BB% is the eighth lowest value among 103 pitchers (min 30 IP). I ranked him ahead of the other streamers, but I don’t feel good about it.
Chris Bassitt: In two starts since coming off the IL, Bassitt has been streamable (4.09 ERA, 3.78 xFIP, 1.55 WHIP, 7.4 K/9). He’s increased the usage of his 92 mph four-seamer (5% usage to 19%) and changeup (4% usage to 10%). His second-half production (3.78 xFIP, 4.17 botERA), if he can maintain it, is streamer especially with two projected starts against the Cardinals and Athletics next week.
Matthew Liberatore: Since the All-Star break, Liberatore’s 22.5% K-BB% (min 30 IP) ranks 19th among 102 starters. He’s not getting much attention because he’s getting hit around with a .367 BABIP and 1.15 WHIP, leading to a 5.17 ERA. A low-to-mid-4.00 ERA talent to be streamed.
Drew Anderson 앤더슨: Since joining the rotation, he has a 2.84 ERA (4.40 xFIP, 4.41 botERA), 1.26 WHIP, and 6.4 K/9. There are no signs of a breakout, and is just a streaming option.
Cal Quantrill: In a two-start week with a solid game one against the Nationals (5 K, 0 BB, and 0 ER in 7 IP). Like many of the waiver wire options, he can be streamed, and this week’s two starts were a perfect situation.
Eric Lauer 라우어: After pitching out of his mind when first joining the Dodgers, he has regressed to a normal streaming option with a 4.68 ERA (5.16 xFIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 6.7 K/9 since the start of July.
Adrian Houser: Houser is being used similarly to Bello as a long reliever with a crazy-good six-game stretch (0.72 ERA, 3.84 xFIP, 1.00 WHIP, 6.1 K/9). During that stretch, he increased the use of his four-seamer (18% usage to 33%).
Walker Buehler: Over his last five starts, Buehler leaned into his sinker (50% GB%, 62% Zone%) more (18% usage to 26%), thereby raising his groundball rate (46% to 52%) and dropping his walk rate (3.8 to 3.2 BB/9). If he can keep the changes, he becomes a streamable low-4.00 ERA talent (4.11 xFIP, 4.38 botERA).
Max Scherzer: After struggling to start the season, Mr. Heterochromia put together four good starts (2.37 ERA, 4.23 xFIP, 1.16 WHIP, and 8.1 K/9). Then the Rays lit him up like a Christmas tree for 7 ER, 1 K, and 3 BB in 4 IP. Start at your own risk.
Zebby Matthews: Matthews must be easy to hit with a 1.77 HR/9 this season and for his career (213 IP). His 4.17 xFIP points to a streaming option, but he keeps getting destroyed with no improvement (1.7 HR/9 in August). Possible streamer but after trying to add some other options.
Matt Wilkinson: This boat barely left the docks by throwing just two innings in his debut with a 90-mph fastball and no walks or strikeouts.
AJ Smith-Shawver: In his first start after being promoted, Smith-Shawver struggled with 4 ER, 3 K, and 3 BB in 4 IP. His problem continues to be a great splitter (24% SwStr%) and nothing else. Hitters catch on with a 17% K-BB% the first time through the order and a 6% K-BB% the second time. He’s only faced four batters a third time and has only gotten one out. He remains an incomplete pitcher.
Mitch Bratt: Bratt looked like he was putting it together with two solid starts (1.38 ERA, 3.75 xFIP) and then shit himself on Monday with 3 ER, 0 K, and 3 BB in 3 IP. It is probably too late in the season for him to join the circle of trust.
Ethan Pecko: Pecko struggled in his debut with 2 ER, 4 K, and 3 BB in 3 IP. Our STUPH models weren’t fans (6.36 botERA, 91 Pitching+) based mainly on his lack of command (45% Ball%). I’m not out, but I need to see some improvements.
Rhett Lowder: A two-start week had the mid-4.00 ERA talent on people’s radar. He was his normal ineffective self in the first start with 4 ER, 5 K, and 2 BB in 6 IP. He’s trying to add a curveball that has been ineffective so far (3% SwStr%).
Jackson Kent: In 7 IP, he has 8 BB. That’s all a person needs to know. Ignorable until he strings three good starts together.
Injured Starters
Joe Musgrove: Will have at least one more minor league start.
Corbin Burnes: Throwing live batting practice.
| Name | Initial Roster% | Final Roster% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Burnes | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| Joe Musgrove | 34% | 42% | 8% |
| Dean Kremer | 26% | 27% | 1% |
| A.J. Smith-Shawver | 23% | 27% | 4% |
| Rhett Lowder | 23% | 25% | 2% |
| Eric Lauer | 22% | 27% | 5% |
| Walker Buehler | 21% | 27% | 6% |
| Matthew Liberatore | 20% | 25% | 5% |
| Zebby Matthews | 20% | 25% | 5% |
| Chris Bassitt | 17% | 20% | 3% |
| Mitch Bratt | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Brayan Bello | 13% | 15% | 2% |
| Max Scherzer | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Andrew Alvarez | 7% | 12% | 5% |
| Jackson Kent | 7% | 11% | 4% |
| George Klassen | 6% | 15% | 9% |
| Cal Quantrill | 5% | 17% | 12% |
| Drew Anderson | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| Adrian Houser | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Ethan Pecko | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Matt Wilkinson | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Jose Urquidy | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Jacob Webb: Average reliever who is the closer.
Ben Joyce: Good reliever who is the closer.
Mason Montgomery: Good reliever who is sharing the closer’s role.
Kodai Senga: Average reliever who is the closer.
Hogan Harris: Average reliever who is the closer.
Jordan Romano: Poor reliever who is the closer.
Steven Cruz: Below-average reliever who could be sharing the closer’s role.
Justin Martinez: Good reliever who could be the closer.
Adrian Morejon: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Steven Okert: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.
Daniel Duarte: Average reliever who could be the backup closer.
Bradgley Rodriguez: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Will Dion: Average reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
| Name | Initial Roster% | Final Roster% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Webb | 31% | 47% | 16% |
| Adrian Morejon | 28% | 30% | 2% |
| Hogan Harris | 24% | 25% | 1% |
| Ben Joyce | 19% | 35% | 16% |
| Kodai Senga | 18% | 38% | 20% |
| Mason Montgomery | 17% | 30% | 13% |
| Jordan Romano | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Steven Cruz | 11% | 15% | 4% |
| Steven Okert | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Justin Martinez | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| Cal Quantrill | 5% | 17% | 12% |
| Daniel Duarte | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Bradgley Rodriguez | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| William Dion | 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.
Any interest in Deyvison DLS
Rafael Flores Jr links to the wrong Rafael flores
Report great as always, thanks. It would be awesome to see a daily activations lens since the impacts are pretty different. Guys like Conine can be deployed strategically etc.
For those of us who can’t pick up minor leaguers until they’re called up, Kade Anderson will go for about $500 tomorrow morning, but Jeff didn’t include Baez last week so he is being consistent.
Baez was too highly owned last week to be included
As somebody who recently dropped Official WHIP Destroyer Landen Roupp, I’d like to point out that Klassen has a 1.62 WHIP over his last 5 starts to go with the 2 wins and surprisingly sub-4 ERA.