Jonathan Schoop has been solid since returning from the DL
Before the trade deadline shakes things up around the majors, these waiver wire options can help fantasy owners.
Ownership totals are in ESPN Leagues as of Saturday
Marlon Byrd – OF – Cincinnati Reds – 35.3 percent
Even nearing 38 years old, Byrd continues to put up productive enough numbers to warrant a look as a fantasy bench outfielder. Byrd is hitting .248/.301/.468 in 74 games in his first season with the Reds. The big key for Byrd is power, as he currently has 16 home runs and is running a .223 ISO.
Many fantasy owners were likely scared off by a wrist injury that kept Byrd out of action for a couple of weeks in early June. While it’s true that type of injury can sap a player’s power, Byrd has hit six of his 16 home runs since his activation on June 19.
It is odd to see an aging player have such a power spike, but the best home run totals of Byrd’s career have come over the past two seasons. If the power stays, Byrd is an effective enough fantasy outfielder.
Jonathan Schoop – 2B – Baltimore Orioles – 15.7 percent
Another player recently activated off the DL, Schoop has been nothing but effective in his abbreviated season and is starting to warrant fantasy attention. A knee injury cost Schoop nearly two and a half months between mid April and early July. Since being activated on July 5, Schoop has started to round into form, hitting .255/.271/.489 overall.
Most importantly, he’s hit six home runs in 77 plate appearances. Playing in Baltimore will help Schoop’s counting stats, and he has the power to keep up this pace. Schoop’s debut season didn’t go well offensively, but he’s still just 23 years old with upside. Grabbing Schoop while he’s readily available could be a huge fantasy move if he sustains this breakout.
Mike Leake – SP – Cincinnati Reds – 34.7 percent
A durable back-end starter, Leake continues to put up solid if unspectacular fantasy numbers just about every outing. In 20 starts this season, Leake has posted an 8-5 record with a 3.78 ERA (3.94 FIP), roughly in line with his career marks. It appears he’ll be good for another 200-plus inning season and has gone eight innings on six separate occasions this year, making him a reliable member of a fantasy rotation.
Leake doesn’t overpower anybody with a modest 16.5 percent strikeout rate. His success comes from an ability to avoid big damage with a groundball rate of 52 percent. It is widely expected that Leake will traded prior to the deadline. While he hasn’t had much of a problem with the long ball, leaving such a hitter-friendly park will only help.
Aaron Nola – SP – Philadelphia Phillies – 37.4 percent
Just a year after being drafted seventh overall, Nola has reached the majors and has a rare amount of upside for a pitcher readily available on the waiver wire. Nola is quite polished for a 22-year-old, with three pitches that are at least plus already, helping to explain his rapid ascension through the minors. Command is always a concern with young pitchers but Nola limited the walks in the minors, helping him post dominant numbers.
The 22-year-old had a solid debut on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in six innings. Philadelphia won’t help Nola get a lot of wins, but he’s already good enough at everything else to be a solid fantasy option for the rest of the year.
Nathaniel Reeves is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Nathaniel, check out his archive and follow him @njr3701.
