Waiver Wire & FAAB Report (Week 13)
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
Nolan Jones: He’s been great (.996 OPS, 4 HR, 4 SB in 76 PA) and has two weeks coming up with three series at home and one at Cincinnati.
Leody Taveras: The 24-year-old has been a great contributor (.841 OPS, 7 HR, 7 SB) in an even better lineup.
Will Brennan: Now he has full-time at-bats to go with his balanced profile (4 HR, 6 SB, and .272 AVG in 183 PA).
Tommy Pham: With Alonso on the IL, Pham is now a regular while posting 6 HR, 6 SB, and a .252 AVG in just 145 PA.
Samad Taylor: In AAA, he posted 6 HR, a .304 AVG, and 34 SB (in 40 attempts). He got the start in left field on Saturday but has also played some second base. Any team needing a boost in stolen bases must consider Taylor.
Dairon Blanco: In AAA, the 30-year-old hit .347/.444/.451 with 3 HR and an insane 47 SB. He’s attempted one steal in the majors but was caught. Blanco was promoted before Samad Taylor but the one who wins a full-time job could be a stolen base machine. Right now I’m putting Taylor over Blanco based on projections seeing Taylor as the better overall hitter.
Michael A. Taylor: With Buxton never playing center field, Taylor’s job is safe. On the season, he has 10 HR, 11 SB, and a .227 AVG.
Joey Wiemer: Wiemer’s not a good real-life hitter (86 wRC+) but a decent roto asset with 9 HR and 10 SB.
Luke Raley: While he doesn’t start all the time, seven starts in the last 10 games, he continues to be productive (12 HR, 8 SB, .270 AVG).
Jesús Sánchez: Hitting (.271/.353/.500, 6 HR, 3 SB) while on the strong side of a platoon. Scheduled to face six righties this week.
TJ Friedl: He has a nice balanced profile (.313 AVG, 3 HR, 7 SB) but has been sitting against lefties. With only four righties (1/3 split) on the schedule next week, he might not be startable.
Luis Matos: The 21-year-old prospect was performing great in the minors (combined AA and AAA stats of .350/.415/.561 with 10 HR and 15 SB). Projections have him around 12 HR, 12 SB, and .260 AVG. That’s useful. He has started both games since being recalled and played center field.
Matt Vierling: Balanced approach (7 HR, 4 SB, .263 AVG) who has started in five of six games since coming off the IL.
Jace Peterson: Starting every day and has 5 HR and 9 SB in 220 PA but a .230 AVG.
Corey Julks: Julks is not a great hitter (.658 OPS) and starts about two-thirds of the time, but has 10 SB and even 5 HR.
Kerry Carpenter: Nice combination of power (.196 ISO, 4 HR) and batting average (.268 AVG) but is on the strong side of a platoon.
Mauricio Dubón: Leading off most days while providing some batting average (.290 AVG) and steals (5 SB).
Ryan Noda: He’s hitting for some power (.186 ISO, 7 HR) but not much else. At least he’s playing every day.
Dylan Carlson: He’s playing but not much else (.699 OPS, 3 HR, 1 SB).
Ryan O’Hearn: A strong side platoon bat who faces all righties next week (5 games). He’s hitting .338/.381/.623 with 5 HR in just 84 PA.
Mike Ford: In just 28 PA, the strong side platoon bat has 4 HR (.462 ISO).
Edouard Julien: Strong side platoon bat who will face five righties (4/1 split) this next week. He’s showing some power (4 HR, .222 ISO) but is striking out 34% of the time.
Mike Tauchman: Strong side platoon bat who is getting on base (.288/.411/.329) and not much else. The Cubs only face four righties next week.
Aaron Hicks: Hicks should have another week of action as the Orioles centerfielder where he continues to shove (.302/.412/.535).
Zach Neto: In the IL (oblique).
Eddie Rosario: Strong side platoon bat who only faces three righties this upcoming week. Unrosterable.
Emmanuel Rivera: Even though he is hitting great (.792 OPS), his playing time is drying up (three starts in the last six games).
Billy McKinney: The Yankee regular is doing his part (.310/.310/.586) to keep the team in contention.
Coco Montes: He hit OK in the PCL (.321/.401/.560, 12 HR, 4 SB), but is struggling in the majors by striking out in half of plate appearances so far.
Catchers
Bo Naylor: Probably the one must add in all two-catcher formats. In AAA, he was hitting .253/.393/.498 with 13 HR.
Gary Sánchez: He’s hitting for power (6 HR in 66 PA) but posting a .213 AVG (30% K%).
Yainer Diaz: Playing more while hitting .258/.276/.454 with 4 HR on the season.
Miguel Amaya: As the Cubs third catching option, he’s not getting many starts.
Hitting Prospects
Colton Cowser: In AAA, he is hitting .329/.471/.547 with 8 HR and 5 SB (208 PA)
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Rosario LF ATL | 38% | 44% | 6% |
| Luke Raley 1B TB | 36% | 45% | 9% |
| Nolan Jones RF COL | 33% | 80% | 47% |
| Joey Wiemer CF MIL | 29% | 34% | 5% |
| Colton Cowser CF BAL | 27% | 31% | 4% |
| TJ Friedl CF CIN | 26% | 28% | 2% |
| Leody Taveras CF TEX | 24% | 38% | 14% |
| Zachary Neto SS LAA | 24% | 29% | 5% |
| Gary Sanchez C SD | 23% | 45% | 22% |
| Jesus Sanchez RF MIA | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Mauricio Dubon 2B HOU | 21% | 34% | 13% |
| Dylan Carlson CF STL | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Edouard Julien 2B MIN | 15% | 23% | 8% |
| Ryan Noda 1B OAK | 13% | 27% | 14% |
| Bo Naylor C CLE | 13% | 14% | 1% |
| Corey Julks LF HOU | 10% | 14% | 4% |
| Will Brennan RF CLE | 8% | 16% | 8% |
| Kerry Carpenter RF DET | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Luis Matos CF SF | 7% | 48% | 41% |
| Jace Peterson 3B OAK | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Yainer Diaz C HOU | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Michael Taylor CF MIN | 4% | 12% | 8% |
| Tommy Pham LF NYM | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Matt Vierling RF DET | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| Emmanuel Rivera 3B ARI | 2% | 7% | 5% |
| Aaron Hicks CF BAL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Samad Taylor 2B KC | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Ryan O’Hearn 1B BAL | 0% | 5% | 5% |
| Dairon Blanco LF KC | 0% | 4% | 4% |
| Coco Montes 2B COL | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Billy McKinney RF NYY | 0% | 1% | 1% |
| Mike Tauchman LF CHC | 0% | 1% | 1% |
| Mike Ford DH SEA | 0% | 1% | 1% |
Starters
Clarke Schmidt: Over his last five starts, he has a 2.33 ERA (3.96 xFIP), 7.3 K/9, and 1.04 WHIP.
Ranger Suárez: Fine starter (3.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 8.4 K/9).
Griffin Canning: He’s turned up the heat over his last four starts (2.63 ERA, 3.54 xFIP, 9.4 K/9, and 0.96 WHIP) as he has moved away from his fastball (35% to 29%).
Tarik Skubal: Lasted 3 IP in his last rehab start and is expected to make one more. So far he has 12 K in 8 IP. His fastball averaged 96 mph in his last start.
Paul Blackburn: The 29-year-old has been surprisingly great over four starts with a 3.48 ERA, 10.0 K/9, and 1.35 WHIP. He’s laying off his fastballs (46% to 41% usage) and leaning into his slider (20% SwStr%).
Reese Olson: Olson (6.08 ERA, 4.19 xFIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.05 WHIP) was doing great until he ran into the buzz saw that is Atlanta (6 ER in 3 IP). Next week he has a two-start with Kansas City and Minnesota.
Kutter Crawford: While Crawford has been effective (4.20 ERA, 3.83 xFIP, 9.1 K/9, 1.13 WHIP), he hasn’t thrown over three innings in his last three starts (max of 80 pitches).
Bryan Woo: I’m a little mad I missed on Woo but he’s just shoving with a 14.6 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9. His 34% K%-BB% would rank first among qualified starters. His only issue is that he’s leaning on his fastballs (77% usage) and getting destroyed the second time through the order (1st TTO: 4.05 ERA, 2nd TTO: 10.13 ERA).
Emmet Sheehan: There are two forces working with Sheehan. On the negative side, he can’t throw strikes. In his first start, he had a 43% Ball%, or the equivalent of a 5.7 BB/9. Over a combined 137 minor-league innings covering three seasons, he has a 4.1 BB/9. This season in AA, it was a 3.9 BB/9. He didn’t control them over his last few starts (see Reese Olson) with 4 BB in 4 IP before getting called up.
On the positive, he can strikeout batters. There are several opinions, on his STUFF and here are my pitch comps.
Fastball
Slider
Change
The fastball comps point to a plus pitch but neither the change nor the slider are close to being plus. With a good walk rate, he would be projected for 3.50 ERA, but the walks put him closer to a 4.50 to 5.00 ERA pitcher.
Cole Irvin: He’s been better since his promotion with a 3.86 ERA, 8.7 K/9, and 1.0 BB/9. The biggest change has been his focus on his sinker (12% SwStr%, 40% GB%). Also, he’s throwing strikes with his walk rate up at 13% BB% in April and just 3% in June.
Kenta Maeda: In his four rehab starts, he has a 90 mph fastball and a decent number of strikeouts (11.5 K/9).
Kyle Hendricks: After two seasons of not suppressing hits, he is back to his old magic with a 0.3 HR/9 and .256 BABIP. The only thing he’s doing different is leaning into his changeup more (31% to 35% usage, 13% SwStr%).
Julio Teheran: He continues to suppress hard contact (.220 BABIP, 0.9 HR/9) and not walk anyone (1.2 BB/9).
Yonny Chirinos: He is finishing up a two-start week and is scheduled to face Kansas City next week. Normally, he’s been the follower so he just has to see the top of a lineup just once and get Win. His 2.35 ERA (0.7 HR/9, .191 BABIP) will regress (5.39 xFIP) but if he has an opener, he is a nice streaming option.
Rich Hill: He’s a mid-4.00 ERA talent. Sometimes that is worth starting but most of the time, it isn’t.
José Quintana: He’s coming back from his rib injury and has made a rehab start where he threw 26 pitches and averaged 90 mph on his fastball.
Wade Miley: Just came off the IL to make a start on Saturday. He has needed good BABIP (.246) luck this season in order to keep his ERA under 4.00.
Colin Rea: He took a step forward in June with a 4.20 ERA and 15% K%-BB%. He cut the use of his sweeper (12% to 4%) and that’s about it. Waiver wire streamer.
Tyler Anderson: Nothing is going right for Anderson like declining velocity and no control (4.2 BB/9). Stay away.
Zach Davies: I’m guessing the only reason the 4.50 ERA talent starter was being picked up was for his two-start week. It would be nice if he got the 4.2 BB/9 under control and therefore the 1.61 WHIP.
Connor Seabold: A Rockies pitcher with his next two starts likely to be home starts … pass.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Suarez SP PHI | 38% | 55% | 17% |
| Wade Miley SP MIL | 33% | 35% | 2% |
| Clarke Schmidt SP NYY | 33% | 34% | 1% |
| Griffin Canning SP LAA | 31% | 43% | 12% |
| Tyler Anderson SP LAA | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Kenta Maeda SP MIN | 26% | 27% | 1% |
| Tarik Skubal SP DET | 25% | 42% | 17% |
| Julio Teheran SP MIL | 24% | 41% | 17% |
| Rich Hill SP PIT | 22% | 32% | 10% |
| Kyle Hendricks SP CHC | 22% | 30% | 8% |
| Emmet Sheehan SP LAD | 14% | 26% | 12% |
| Bryan Woo SP SEA | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| Reese Olson SP DET | 10% | 23% | 13% |
| Jose Quintana SP NYM | 8% | 9% | 1% |
| Paul Blackburn SP OAK | 8% | 9% | 1% |
| Yonny Chirinos RP TB | 7% | 25% | 18% |
| Colin Rea SP MIL | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Kutter Crawford RP BOS | 5% | 9% | 4% |
| Zach Davies SP ARI | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Cole Irvin SP BAL | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Connor Seabold SP COL | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Closers: Saves-based ranks
Kendall Graveman: OK reliever who is again the closer
Justin Lawrence: Below-average reliever who is most likely the closer.
Trevor May: Below-average reliever who could be the closer but most likely sharing the role.
Scott McGough: OK reliever who could be sharing the closer’s role.
Adbert Alzolay: OK reliever who is sharing the closer’s role.
Sam Long: Below-average reliever who might be sharing the closer duties.
A.J. Minter: Good reliever who is close to taking over the closer’s role.
Erik Swanson: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Chris Devenski: Below-average reliever who is the backup closer.
Jake Bird: Below-average reliever who is the backup closer.
Tanner Scott: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Nate Pearson: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Daniel Hudson: Good reliever who will be a couple of steps away from closing.
Trevor Richards: Richards has been in a starter/long reliever hybrid role.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Minter RP ATL | 24% | 29% | 5% |
| Kendall Graveman RP CHW | 23% | 32% | 9% |
| Daniel Hudson RP LAD | 21% | 22% | 1% |
| Erik Swanson RP TOR | 16% | 19% | 3% |
| Justin Lawrence RP COL | 14% | 18% | 4% |
| Adbert Alzolay RP CHC | 11% | 17% | 6% |
| Nate Pearson RP TOR | 10% | 11% | 1% |
| Tanner Scott RP MIA | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Scott McGough RP ARI | 7% | 13% | 6% |
| Trevor May RP OAK | 3% | 7% | 4% |
| Chris Devenski RP LAA | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Jacob Bird RP COL | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Trevor Richards RP TOR | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Sam Long RP OAK | 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.
Small sample size, but Wiemer has crushed lefties. If you have a deep bench he could be a good stash there.