Waiver Wire & FAAB Report (Week 21)
David Richard-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
Angel Genao: Solid so far in 34 PA (.323/.382/.452, 1 HR, 1 SB).
Jake Mangum: Provides steals (21 SB) and batting average (.297 AVG), but no home runs (4 HR).
Abimelec Ortiz: Must-add. The recent callup is on the strong side of a platoon and faces righties in 14 of the next 15 games. In just 36 PA, he has 4 HR and a .963 AVG.
Spencer Jones: The 35% K% (63% Contact%, .214 AVG) will limit his overall talent (e.g., Runs and RBI), but he is showing upside for 20 HR and 20 SB.
Andruw Monasterio: Playing while being somewhat productive (.776 OPS, 6 HR, 4 SB).
Jacob Young: Starting with balanced production (10 HR, 13 SB, .248 AVG).
Chase Meidroth: Providing some power (12 HR) and batting average (.280 AVG), but few steals this year (2 SB).
Josh Bell: He hits homers (16 HR) and is not a batting average drain (.253 AVG).
Andrés Giménez: He is no longer in a platoon but playing every day. On the season, he has 8 HR and 16 SB. I’d count on those steals.
Cam Smith: Hitting great in the second half (.802 OPS) while starting most days in right field.
Kaelen Culpepper: Struggling in the majors with a 38% K% (too passive), and pitchers are filling the zone with breaking balls. He has more upside than anyone else here, but there seems to be some growing pains.
Osleivis Basabe: A person has to take a chance on the 25-year-old middle-infielder who has 3 HR and 1 SB with a .283 AVG in 48 PA.
Henry Bolte: Seems like he’s become just a source of steals (14 SB in 290 PA) and not much else.
Tim Tawa: Starting and has 7 HR, 6 SB, and .233 AVG in 203 PA. He’s just a couple games off of being third base qualified.
Angel Martínez: Starts most games (seven of the last 10) with 12 HR and 9 SB in 303 PA.
Jared Young 제러드: Hits for power (8 HR in 236 PA) while sitting against some lefties.
Justin Crawford: Hold the strong-side platoon bat for another week with six righties on the schedule.
Marcus Semien: The end is near with a continuous decline since 2023. He’s providing some power (14 HR), but the .211 AVG is a major drag.
Nolan Schanuel: He is not doing much besides being a volume play. Only a source of batting average (.273 AVG).
Tyler O’Neill: He has eight straight starts against lefties and righties. He’s only hitting for power (10 HR, 1 SB, .219 AVG).
Victor Mesa Jr.: Currently hurt, hamstring. Strong-side platoon bat with 10 HR and 6 SB in 177 PA. If he gets healthy, he could be a solid stream next week with six righties on the schedule.
Nathaniel Lowe: Strong-side platoon bat (14 HR, .269 AVG) with five righties on the schedule next week.
Andrew Vaughn: Starts some at third base with eight starts in the last 10 games. He provides batting average (.296 AVG), but nothing else (5 HR, 0 SB).
Coby Mayo: He hits for power (15 HR in 311 PA), but doesn’t start against some righties. With the Orioles only facing one lefty next week, he’ll be a tough guy to roster.
Joc Pederson: Strong-side platoon bat who only faces two righties next week. Drop or bench.
Javier Sanoja: Besides the .270 AVG, there isn’t much to his profile, including starting just two-thirds of the time.
Zac Veen: He might just be a strong-side platoon bat (.735 OPS vs RHP, .200 OPS vs LHP) and the team faces just two righties next week.
Masataka Yoshida: Hamstring injury on Saturday. Strong-side platoon bat who should not be used next week with just four righties on the schedule.
Griffin Conine: Strong-side platoon bat with 13 HR in 180 PA but has four lefties on the schedule next week.
Zach McKinstry: Strong-side platoon bat with four righties on the schedule next week. Useless at the plate (4 HR, 1 SB, .624 OPS).
Catchers
Luis Campusano: Solid .317 AVG with 5 HR in 146 PA.
Carson Kelly: Activate catcher stats: 7 HR, 0 SB, .261 AVG.
Tyler Stephenson: Activate catcher stats: 11 HR, 0 SB, .252 AVG.
Moisés Ballesteros: Even though he’s starting, he’s been ineffective with the Angels (.359 OPS).
Agustín Ramírez: Started in four of the last 10 games with a 40% K% since being recalled.
Hitting Prospects
James Tibbs III: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder hit .298/.418/.551 with 24 HR and 7 SB in 502 PA.
Franklin Arias: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 20-year-old outfielder hit .316/.401/.580 with 23 HR and 5 SB in 406 PA.
Walker Jenkins: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder hit .291/.385/.483 with 7 HR and 13 SB in 265 PA.
Jesús Made: In AA, the 19-year-old shortstop hit .282/.361/.453 with 13 HR and 32 SB.
Ralphy Velazquez: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 21-year-old first baseman hit .283/.371/.522 with 21 HR and 1 SB in 437 PA.
Ethan Salas: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 20-year-old catcher hit .298/.373/.450 with 9 HR and 15 SB in 360 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Meidroth | 40% | 47% | 7% |
| Spencer Jones | 40% | 42% | 2% |
| Tyler Stephenson | 39% | 42% | 3% |
| Marcus Semien | 38% | 40% | 2% |
| Jesus Made | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Cam Smith | 36% | 45% | 9% |
| Justin Crawford | 36% | 39% | 3% |
| Josh Bell | 34% | 40% | 6% |
| Angel Martinez | 34% | 36% | 2% |
| Carson Kelly | 33% | 35% | 2% |
| Kaelen Culpepper | 29% | 35% | 6% |
| Jake Mangum | 29% | 34% | 5% |
| Walker Jenkins | 29% | 32% | 3% |
| Nolan Schanuel | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Andrew Vaughn | 28% | 31% | 3% |
| Angel Genao | 27% | 35% | 8% |
| Andres Gimenez | 27% | 31% | 4% |
| Henry Bolte | 27% | 29% | 2% |
| Joc Pederson | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Franklin Arias | 23% | 26% | 3% |
| Agustin Ramirez | 22% | 26% | 4% |
| Moises Ballesteros | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Javier Sanoja | 18% | 20% | 2% |
| Victor Mesa Jr. | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| James Tibbs | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Griffin Conine | 15% | 28% | 13% |
| Coby Mayo | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Zac Veen | 12% | 33% | 21% |
| Andruw Monasterio | 12% | 27% | 15% |
| Ralphy Velazquez | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Jacob Young | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Ethan Salas | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Tim Tawa | 10% | 16% | 6% |
| Nate Lowe | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Luis Campusano | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Zach McKinstry | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Tyler O’Neill | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Masataka Yoshida | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Abimelec Ortiz | 5% | 18% | 13% |
| Osleivis Basabe | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Jared Young | 2% | 4% | 2% |
Starters
Jacob Lopez: Since returning from the IL, Lopez has posted a 3.16 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.12 WHIP (3.2 BB/9), and 10.6 K/9.
Andrew Painter: In three games since being promoted this time, he has a 2.93 ERA (3.75 xFIP), 0.98 WHIP (4.1 BB/9), and 9.4 K/9. The big difference is that he’s leaning into a new changeup (23% usage, 24% SwStr%). I’d like to see him get the walks under control.
Tyler Mahle: After struggling with walks to start the season, he started attacking the strike zone in early July, with a 2.93 ERA (3.45 xFIP), 1.08 WHIP, and 9.2 K/9 since then.
Jackson Jobe: Jobe struggled in his second start with 2 HR and a .500 BABIP. While he got hit around, secondary metrics liked his all pitches except his curve (0% SwStr%, 100% LD%). He has some nice tools; he needs to put them all together.
Mitch Bratt: Bratt decided to start throwing strikes (6.5 BB/9 to 2.8 BB/9) in August and began to look like a major league pitcher. Ranked high based on those two starts.
Dean Kremer: Since joining the Twins, Kremer has a 1.50 ERA (3.85 xFIP), 0.58 WHIP, and 6.8 K/9. The only noticeable change is doubling his four-seam usage (21% to 39%).
Sean Manaea: Solid 4.00 ERA talent with a normal amount of ups-and-downs.
Drew Anderson 앤더슨: While his 4.2 BB/9 as a starter is a negative, the rest of his profile points to a streaming option.
Connor Prielipp: With a 1 mph increase in fastball velocity, he’s taken a step forward in his last five starts. During those starts, he was pitching like a 4.00 ERA talent. Probably not much more than a streamer.
George Klassen: Even though he’s ranked this high, it should not mean he needs to be started, just rostered. Klassen is a top prospect who had a solid last start (6 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 2 ER). I want to see if he can repeat the control for a couple more starts.
David Peterson: He’s not taking a step forward with the Cubs, but it does help to have the Cubs defense behind him (.350 to .288 BABIP). Steady low-4.00 ERA talent.
Blade Tidwell: In two starts, he has been solid with a 2.53 ERA (3.80 xFIP), 1.13 WHIP, and 7.6 K/9. While he struggles with lefties, the overall results are solid.
Brayan Bello: He has been lights out since July 12th with a 0.79 ERA (2.71 xFIP), 61% GB%, 0.79 WHIP (1.2 BB/9), and 7.9 K/9. Solid middle reliever to roster instead of the undesirables ranked below him.
Martín Pérez: Three straight zero-earned-run appearances. During the stretch, he leaned into his sinker and upped his groundball rate to 60%. I’m not a believer, but he does have two starts next week against the Twins and Brewers.
Hayden Wesneski: A 1.0 HR/9 is keeping him rosterable since he only has an 8% K-BB%. His flyball nature (36% GB%) leads to home runs (1.7 HR/9 career), but he hasn’t been bit too much by them this season.
Cody Bradford: While he’s lucked into a 2.38 ERA over his first two starts, the 88 mph fastball isn’t fooling anyone (4.8 K/9). At best, bench and monitor.
Janson Junk: Nothing to see but a mid-4.00 ERA talent.
Jackson Kent: Kent struggled in his debut (3 ER, 6 K, 5 BB, 4 IP), but looked better in AAA (3.72 ERA, 3.96 xFIP, 1.12 WHIP, and 10.0 K/9).
Patrick Sandoval: His walks have increased as the season has gone along: 1 to 1 to 2 to 2 to 4 to 3. Those walks, along with a .389 BABIP, have him with a 1.70 WHIP. The hope for an improvement is over.
Hunter Dobbins: As a starter, his walks have jumped to 4.1 BB/9 with his K-BB% dropping from 19% to 10%. Over his last two starts (2.38 ER, 4.64 xFIP, 4.99 botERA), he has over doubled the usage of his curve (16% SwStr%) from 8% to 18%. I wish there were more to him.
Walker Buehler: His skills have eroded in the second half (12% K-BB% to 6% K-BB%), so I’m not buying into any breakout.
Anthony Kay: When Kay isn’t walking batters (1.5 BB/9 in Aug), he posts solid results (1.46 ERA, 1.22 WHIP). The problem is that he hasn’t been able to keep them down. A person could do worse … and better.
Randy Vásquez: Over his last three starts, he has a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP, but that has come with a 1.7 K/9. He has a second-half 2% K-BB% and 2.05 ERA (5.22 xFIP). I’m going to stay away.
Rhett Lowder: He’s gotten his walks under control (4.5 BB/9 to 1.8 BB/9) and added a curveball (7% usage, 3% SwStr%). While he’s improved, he started too far in the dumpster to be a useful starter.
Tomoyuki Sugano: He has 12 Wins with a 4.43 ERA and 5.2 K/9. There is always someone piling up the Wins.
Cal Quantrill: Two starts next week against the Nationals and Angels have him on radars. I don’t see any changes that would take him to a new talent level.
Injured starters
Joe Musgrove: Completed his third rehab stint in AAA with his four-seam fastball velocity up 2 mph.
Corbin Burnes: Throwing bullpens.
Pitching Prospects
Anthony Eyanson: Across two minor league levels (A and AA), the 21-year-old righty has a 1.60 ERA (3.02 xFIP), 0.94 WHIP, and 12.6 K/9 in 78 IP.
AJ Smith-Shawver: In AAA this season, the 23-year-old righty has a 1.57 ERA (3.04 xFIP), 10.7 K/9, and 0.98 WHIP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Jobe | 40% | 64% | 24% |
| Sean Manaea | 37% | 54% | 17% |
| Martin Perez | 35% | 47% | 12% |
| Corbin Burnes | 32% | 35% | 3% |
| David Peterson | 31% | 38% | 7% |
| Hayden Wesneski | 30% | 51% | 21% |
| Andrew Painter | 30% | 40% | 10% |
| Joe Musgrove | 27% | 34% | 7% |
| Anthony Kay | 25% | 30% | 5% |
| Tyler Mahle | 24% | 48% | 24% |
| Didier Fuentes | 24% | 26% | 2% |
| Connor Prielipp | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Jacob Lopez | 21% | 39% | 18% |
| A.J. Smith-Shawver | 21% | 24% | 3% |
| Dean Kremer | 20% | 27% | 7% |
| Walker Buehler | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Rhett Lowder | 19% | 23% | 4% |
| Cody Bradford | 17% | 35% | 18% |
| Randy Vasquez | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Patrick Sandoval | 14% | 18% | 4% |
| Tomoyuki Sugano | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Brayan Bello | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Anthony Eyanson | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Janson Junk | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Mitch Bratt | 6% | 15% | 9% |
| Hunter Dobbins | 5% | 13% | 8% |
| George Klassen | 5% | 6% | 1% |
| Blade Tidwell | 4% | 10% | 6% |
| Cal Quantrill | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Drew Anderson | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Jackson Kent | 1% | 7% | 6% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Jacob Webb: Average reliever who is the closer.
Clayton Beeter: Average reliever who is the closer.
Hogan Harris: Average reliever who is the closer.
Ben Joyce: Good reliever who might be the closer.
Steven Cruz: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Jordan Romano: Poor reliever who is the closer.
Kodai Senga: Average reliever who is temporarily the closer.
Mason Montgomery: Good reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Andrew Kittredge: Average reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Yennier Cano: Good reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Samy Natera Jr.: Average who might be sharing the closer duties.
Dylan Lee: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Adrian Morejon: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Bryan Abreu: Good reliever who might be the backup closer.
Brent Headrick: Good reliever who might be the backup closer.
Didier Fuentes: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Hagen Smith: Average reliever who is a starting pitcher and will likely be making multi-inning relief appearances.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Beeter | 33% | 36% | 3% |
| Dylan Lee | 27% | 29% | 2% |
| Anthony Kay | 25% | 30% | 5% |
| Adrian Morejon | 25% | 28% | 3% |
| Didier Fuentes | 24% | 26% | 2% |
| Hogan Harris | 21% | 24% | 3% |
| Jacob Webb | 20% | 34% | 14% |
| Bryan Abreu | 16% | 19% | 3% |
| Brent Headrick | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Hagen Smith | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Jordan Romano | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Mason Montgomery | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Ben Joyce | 13% | 19% | 6% |
| Kodai Senga | 9% | 19% | 10% |
| Steven Cruz | 8% | 12% | 4% |
| Andrew Kittredge | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Yennier Cano | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Samy Natera Jr. | 5% | 13% | 8% |
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.
Forgetting som3on3?
that would be Josh
A . 963 AVG by A. Ortiz would be absolutely unbelievable. Literally unbelievable.