Week 18 FAAB Projections

As MLB creeps closer to the trade deadline, a few interesting names have popped up as must adds in ll formats. Most could have been owned for little of nothing last week but now the procrastination tax must be paid.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.

• Travis d’Arnaud, Nathaniel Lowe, and Michael Brosseau: These three players point to the importance of regularly checking MLB lineups. d’Arnaud slid his way into the Rays lineup and was getting extra at-bats at first and DH. Even if he wasn’t hitting great for a catcher, those extra at-bats were huge. No one had Brosseau on their radar but since being called up, he has a .952 OPS. He’s is losing some playing time with Lowe and Wendle healthy but I wonder how long the Rays can continue to play Wendle and his .548 OPS. And Lowe silently slipped back on the MLB squad and is hitting .302/.400/.721 since returning.
• Tyler O’Neill: I’ve missed the current O’Neill breakout because he sets off a major red flag, he can’t hit fastballs (15 SwStr%). His .303 AVG looks great but it has been supported but .455 BABIP. He’s a low AVG, high ISO bat going forward.
• Garrett Cooper and Danny Santana: These two unsexy names have posted respectable seasons and look to regulars in all fantasy lineups.
• Mark Canha and Manual Margot: Both are meeting the two requirements for a fantasy breakout, playing every day and hitting. This will be the last week to get them on the cheap.

• Daniel Ponce de Leon: The first wallet buster in a while. For teams in need of pitching, rarely does a 10.4 K/9, 2.80 ERA starter just appear on the waiver wire. Some regression should be expected from him with his ERA estimators at 4.00.
• Tyler Beede: Beede has come back with a slider and it has helped some. It’s more important he has dropped his walk from 7.0 BB/9 to 1.3 BB/9.
• Alex Young: It’s easy to post a 0.96 ERA with a 100% LOB%. Regression will be coming hard with his ERA estimators in the 4.00 to 4.50 range.
• Austin Voth: I’d recommend Voth but it looks like he’s headed to the IL.
• Rogelio Armenteros: His price could jump a ton depending on how his start goes today.

Reliever rankings (Saves leaning)

1. Brandon Workman
2. Emilio Pagan
3. Daniel Hudson
4. Aaron Bummer
5. Sam Dyson
6. Andes Munoz
7. Nick Wittgren
8. Josh James
9. Danny Salazar (if in the bullpen)
10. Chad Sobotka