Waiver Wire Report (Week 20)
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
The designation of (X/Y) shows the discussed pitchers (e.g. right handed) the batter is to face this week. The first number is the first half (Monday to Thursday) count with Y being those to be faced in the week’s second half (Friday to Saturday).
Maikel Garcia: I was surprised to see him so lowly rostered especially for teams needing speed (15 SB).
Zack Gelof: With 5 HR and 5 SB in 72 PA. His 32% K% will limit his AVG and OBP.
Willi Castro: Playing time can be sporadic but has 5 HR and 26 SB. Maybe he’ll play more with Buxton again on the IL.
Luis Rengifo: Starting, hitting (.264/.338/.611 with 6 HR since ASG), while being qualified at four positions (2B, 3B, SS, OF).
Wilmer Flores: Starts against all lefties and some righties. On fire since the All-Star break by hitting .393/.433/.803 with 6 HR.
J.P. Crawford: Steady bat who is hitting leadoff.
Carlos Santana: Some power and speed while playing every day.
Randal Grichuk: Started every game since being traded to the Angels.
Matt Wallner: Still a regular and providing power (6 HR in 88 PA).
Davis Schneider He started two games so far after hitting .275/.416/.553 with 21 HR and 9 SB in AAA.
Jake Alu: Three straight starts since being called up from the minors where he hit .298/.360/.428 with 5 HR and 16 SB.
Jake Bauers: Leading off for the Yankees while hitting .250/.273/.594 so far in the second half.
Brendan Rodgers: Finally off the IL. In just 33 PA, he is struggling with non-fastballs (38% fastballs seen, 33% K%). I’m not sure he’s close to 100% healthy.
Ryan O’Hearn: Normally sits against lefties but has still hit 9 HR in just over 200 PA.
Curtis Mead: Promoted to the majors after hitting .291/.379/.453 in AAA. Since he’s with the Rays, his playing time will be suspect.
Michael Massey: Started in eight of the last 10 games. He’s hitting for some power (9 HR) and speed (5 SB) but has been a drag in batting average (.218 AVG, .255 xAVG).
Brayan Rocchio: After hitting .291/.383/.417 with 3 HR and 19 SB in AAA, he’s getting his chance in the majors where he started at short and third base so far.
Cade Marlowe and Dominic Canzone: I like the pair’s talent but it seems like they are on the strong side of a platoon. They face five righties (2/3) next week.
Max Kepler: Strong-side platoon bat who is scheduled to face five lefties next week.
Mike Tauchman: Leads off against righties while providing a few stats (6 HR, 4 SB, .278 AVG). Cubs face four righties next week.
Michael Toglia: Started in nine of the last 10 games. He’s struggling with non-fastballs (43% fastballs) as seen by his 34% K% and .197 AVG.
Andruw Monasterio: He has started every game with Brian Anderson on the IL. Anderson started in his first game off the IL. Check in on their playing time to see which one plays the most.
Alika Williams: Started in seven of eight at shortstop for the Pirates. In the minors this season, he hit for .268/.346/.468 with 12 HR and 6 SB.
Gabriel Arias: Started in seven of the last nine games at shortstop but Rocchio got the last start.
Jon Berti: After nine straight starts (including two lefties), he sat against the last two lefties (Wendle started). Here are their career splits.
Name: vsLHP, vsRHP
Berti: .729, .682
Wendle: .636, .726
The team might go with a shortstop platoon with Berti on the short side.
Avisaíl García: Since coming off the IL, he started in four of six games, three against lefties (career .810 OPS vs LHP, .712 OPS vs RHP).
Samad Taylor: Stolen base machine who has gotten two starts in the last four games.
Catcher
Yainer Diaz: Started in six of the last 10 games, 2 at DH. If he continues to get this much playing time, he remains rosterable.
Gary Sánchezz: Taken off in the second half (.255/.339/.706, 7 HR, 19% K%)
Danny Jansen: Hits for power (15 HR) with a catcher-like .228 AVG.
Mitch Garver: Starts almost every game with Heim on the IL.
Yan Gomes: Providing a .277 AVG and 9 HR from the catcher spot.
Prospects
Masyn Winn: In AAA, he is hitting .285/.357/.471 with 17 HR and 16 SB.
Kyle Manzardo: In AAA, he is hitting .238/.342/.442 with 11 HR and 1 SB in 313 PA.
Luisangel Acuña: In AA, he is hitting for a combined .311/.373/.445 with 7 HR and 42 SB.
| Name | Initial Roster% | New Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.P. Crawford SS SEA | 37% | 42% | 5% |
| Maikel Garcia 3B KC | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Wilmer Flores 1B SF | 36% | 46% | 10% |
| Carlos Santana 1B MIL | 36% | 43% | 7% |
| Danny Jansen C TOR | 35% | 40% | 5% |
| Yainer Diaz C HOU | 31% | 37% | 6% |
| Zack Gelof 3B OAK | 24% | 29% | 5% |
| Willi Castro LF MIN | 24% | 28% | 4% |
| Jon Berti SS MIA | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Gary Sanchez C SD | 19% | 28% | 9% |
| Yan Gomes C CHC | 19% | 28% | 9% |
| Luis Rengifo 2B LAA | 18% | 29% | 11% |
| Randal Grichuk LF LAA | 17% | 30% | 13% |
| Mitch Garver C TEX | 17% | 23% | 6% |
| Max Kepler RF MIN | 16% | 21% | 5% |
| Curtis Mead 3B TB | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Kyle Manzardo 1B CLE | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Ryan O’Hearn 1B BAL | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| Masyn Winn SS STL | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| Brendan Rodgers 2B COL | 9% | 13% | 4% |
| Luisangel Acuna 2B NYM | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| Michael Massey 2B KC | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Brayan Rocchio SS CLE | 7% | 8% | 1% |
| Mike Tauchman LF CHC | 6% | 17% | 11% |
| Matt Wallner RF MIN | 6% | 11% | 5% |
| Avisail Garcia RF MIA | 6% | 7% | 1% |
| Andruw Monasterio 3B MIL | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Cade Marlowe LF SEA | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Michael Toglia 1B COL | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Dominic Canzone RF SEA | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Jake Bauers RF NYY | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Gabriel Arias 1B CLE | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Samad Taylor LF KC | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Davis Schneider 2B TOR | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Alika Williams SS PIT | 0% | 1% | 1% |
| Jake Alu LF WAS | 0% | 1% | 1% |
Starters
Kutter Crawford: Legit decent (8.9 K/9, 1.09 WHIP, 3.62 ERA, 4.13 xFIP)
Cristopher Sánchez: Remains in the Phillies’ six-man rotation and a top add.
Luis Medina: Once he started throwing strikes in July, his season took off with a 10.1 K/9, .250 WHIP, 2.86 ERA, and 3.12 xFIP.
Brandon Pfaadt: Since the All-Star break, he dropped his walk rate from 3.5 BB/9 to 1.0 BB/9. He’s leaned into his slider (18% SwStr%) a bit more.
Steven Matz: He threw to a 2.11 ERA, 3.63 xFIP, 0.93 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9 in July. He’s doing just enough to program everyone to increase his 2024 draft cost.
Ross Stripling: In July, he posted a 6.4 K/9 and 0.3 BB/9 for a 3.71 ERA and 3.54 xFIP.
Brady Singer: He added the world’s least effective changeup (1.5% SwStr%) but all his second-half gains (4.50 xFIP to 3.14 xFIP) came from throwing more strikes (3.3 BB/9 to 1.0 BB/9).
Johan Oviedo: He walks a few too many batters (3.7 BB/9, 1.34 WHIP) but can be streamable versus weak competition (vs CIN next week).
Chase Silseth: A gamble that he remains in the rotation but has been lights out since the All-Star break (11.8 K/9, 0.84 WHIP, 2.58 xFIP, 1.69 ERA).
Cole Ragans: In two starts with the Royals, Ragans has a 9.0 K/9, 1.27 WHIP, and 0.82 ERA. His velocity was up 1.5 in those starts and he is throwing his slider more.
David Peterson: He rejoins the Mets rotation after a move to the bullpen. Since June (4 GS, 10 G), he posted a 2.05 ERA (3.89 xFIP).
Jake Irvin: Earlier this week, I point out some of his recent changes but home runs (2.6 HR/9 in 2H) will limit his upside.
Walker Buehler: Expected off the IL by season’s end. I’m not sure what to expect from him.
Slade Cecconi: I watched this infamous game, and his line (2 K, 2 ER in 4 IP) speaks for itself. He has no swing-and-miss. He could only throw his fastball (61% usage) near the zone and only posted a 5% SwStr%. There is possibly more there, but he needs to show it.
Jameson Taillon: A 2.82 second-half ERA (4.61 xFIP) could work if he wasn’t walking to many (3.2 BB/9, 1.39 WHIP).
Hyun Jin Ryu 류현진: He used miss bats (career 8.0 K/9) but he has nothing in his first start (89 mph fastball, 9% SwStr%). He could improve as he gets further away from his surgery.
Mike Clevinger: His 3.72 (5.51 xFIP) ERA seems enticing but his 1.32 WHIP and just 7.2 K/9 are nearly unrosterable.
Dakota Hudson: His 4.10 ERA isn’t a value killer but his 1.37 WHIP is. Too many walks to have much fantasy value.
José Quintana: A lowly 5.1 K/9 and 2.6 K/9 has his xFIP up to 5.20. He’s finishing up a nice two step (KC and BAL) and should then head to the waiver wire.
Yonny Chirinos: Currently projection is just a bit better than a 5.00 ERA talent. He is scheduled to throw at the Pirates and at the Mets.
Ryan Yarbrough: The role of the low-strikeout, low-walk pitcher is unknown for the near future. I’d not count on him contributing this week.
Brandon Williamson: He’s a solid 5.00 ERA pitcher who has a nice two-step this week versus Miami and at Pittsburgh.
Noah Syndergaard: In his Guardians debut, he threw over five innings and didn’t strike out a single batter. On the season, he is at a 5.6 K/9. Toast.
Graham Ashcraft: These second half 93% LOB% will regress at some point and his 2.30 ERA will balloon up to his 4.96 xFIP.
Touki Toussaint: I always get a little dusty when I remember some of the previous hype surrounding Toussaint. At this moment, he walks too many batters (5.9 BB/9).
Jesse Scholtens: Few strikeouts (no average or better pitch) but might be getting some love because of his 3.07 ERA (5.10 xFIP).
Dallas Keuchel: The 35-year-old has a 1.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9 in AAA and will make his 2023 debut on Sunday.
Tyler Anderson: He got his second-half walks under control (4.0 BB/9 to 2.4 BB/9) but he is allowing more hits with his WHIP going from 1.52 to 1.57.
Peter Lambert: In four starts, Lambert has a 1.96 ERA, 4.69 xFIP, 0.93 WHIP, and 4.4 K/9. He could get more strikeouts if he threw his change (15% usage, 17% SwStr%) more.
Zack Littell: In five starts (18 IP) with the Rays, he has a 2.45 ERA, 3.42 xFIP, 1.20 WHIP, and 6.9 K/9. He’s leaning into his slider (10% SwStr%) more over his last few starts.
Austin Gomber: Who hates themselves so much they intentionally rostered Gomber?
Pitching Prospects
Connor Phillips: Across two minor league levels, he has a 13.9 K/9, 1.34 WHIP, and 2.92 ERA in 92 IP.
Lyon Richardson: Across three minor-league levels, he has a 12.6 K/9, 1.10 WHIP, and 1.86 ERA in 58 IP.
| Name | Initial Roster% | New Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Buehler SP LAD | 40% | 48% | 8% |
| Cristopher Sanchez SP PHI | 38% | 47% | 9% |
| Graham Ashcraft SP CIN | 38% | 46% | 8% |
| Johan Oviedo SP PIT | 36% | 46% | 10% |
| Brady Singer SP KC | 32% | 39% | 7% |
| Jameson Taillon SP CHC | 27% | 36% | 9% |
| Mike Clevinger SP CHW | 27% | 32% | 5% |
| Noah Syndergaard SP CLE | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| Jose Quintana SP NYM | 25% | 33% | 8% |
| Kutter Crawford SP BOS | 24% | 57% | 33% |
| Hyun-Jin Ryu SP TOR | 24% | 32% | 8% |
| Brandon Pfaadt SP ARI | 24% | 26% | 2% |
| Tyler Anderson SP LAA | 23% | 24% | 1% |
| Steven Matz SP STL | 22% | 39% | 17% |
| Austin Gomber SP COL | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Ross Stripling SP SF | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Brandon Williamson SP CIN | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| Matt Brash RP SEA | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Yonny Chirinos SP ATL | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Connor Phillips SP CIN | 9% | 12% | 3% |
| Chase Silseth RP LAA | 9% | 10% | 1% |
| Luis Medina SP OAK | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| David Peterson SP NYM | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 5% | 6% | 1% |
| Ryan Yarbrough RP LAD | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Dakota Hudson RP STL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Touki Toussaint SP CHW | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Cole Ragans SP KC | 1% | 8% | 7% |
| Peter Lambert RP COL | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Lyon Richardson RP CIN | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Slade Cecconi SP ARI | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Dallas Keuchel SP MIN | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Zack Littell RP TB | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Jesse Scholtens P CHW | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Gregory Santos: Good reliever who is the closer.
Giovanny Gallegos: OK reliever who is the closer.
Trevor May: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Carlos Hernandez: Average reliever who is most likely the closer.
Brooks Raley 레일리: Fine reliever who may be the closer or sharing the role.
Erik Swanson: Good reliever who may be the temporary closer or sharing the temporary role.
Matt Brash: Great reliever who may be sharing the closer’s role.
Yimi García: Good reliever who may be sharing the temporary role.
Seranthony Domínguez: Good reliever who is a step or two from closing.
JoJo Romero: Decent reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
| Name | Initial Roster% | New Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giovanny Gallegos RP STL | 28% | 37% | 9% |
| Erik Swanson RP TOR | 19% | 20% | 1% |
| Trevor May RP OAK | 14% | 16% | 2% |
| Brooks Raley RP NYM | 12% | 26% | 14% |
| Matt Brash RP SEA | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Gregory Santos RP CHW | 8% | 23% | 15% |
| Seranthony Dominguez RP PHI | 8% | 9% | 1% |
| Yimi Garcia RP TOR | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Carlos Hernandez RP KC | 4% | 13% | 9% |
| JoJo Romero RP STL | 1% | 4% | 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.
Ryan Jeffers?
Freddy Fermin?
Yep. Fully expected to see Fermin listed. Early Statcast find who is delivering on the positive indicators. Really starting to show off his power potential.