We have made it through another week of action, and there continue to be endless injuries we need to account for on our rosters. Unfortunately, there have also been a lot of solid and slow starts from players that leave us wondering what to do with those roster spots.
Each week I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly FAAB process, but know there are many others available and, more importantly, others that may be better fitting for your teams. If you have any questions, please ask me on Twitter (@bdentrek).
Remember that we’ll be using Yahoo for player percentages, and we’ll keep our suggestion to players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire FAAB Report: Week 2
Hitters
Rostered: 58%
Suggested bid: 25%
Gorman was one of the hyped-up prospects in 2022, and that did not come to fruition, as he struck out too much and ended up with inconsistent playing time. However, that has changed significantly as we have started the 2023 season. The 22-year-old Gorman is tearing the cover off the ball while only striking out 23.4% of the time.
Gorman is hitting .333 with four home runs and 12 RBI. He is walking 17% of the time, showing some excellent improved plate discipline to go with the decreased strikeout rate. When Gorman puts the ball in play, the contact quality is outstanding. Gorman is barreling the ball 14.3% of the time with a 50% hard-hit rate.
Gorman looks like a brand new man at the plate. The plate discipline shows he has become comfortable at the plate, resulting in playing either DH or 2B nearly every game. Gorman is hitting sixth most days which will also help in run production. It may be a year late for some, but Gorman has arrived and should be added in all formats.
Rostered: 11%
Suggested Bid: 20%
With all of the injuries for the Twins, one of the game’s top prospects got an early call to the bigs and is now quite an intriguing FAAB addition this week. Julien burst onto the scene with a home run in Yankee Stadium on Friday night, adding to the FAAB bidding wars.
Over the last two seasons in the minors, Julien showcased excellent power and speed, showcasing 15/15 abilities with some upside. He also increased his batting average skills in 2022 as he hit .300 in Triple-A. In nine AAA games this season, Julien hit .290 with two home runs and a stolen base. Lastly, Julien’s OBP skills are out of this world as he has walked over 18% of the time in each step of the minors, which usually led to an OBP over .400.
Julien will get regular playing time till Jorge Polanco returns. That could be a couple of weeks to a month if Polanco does not experience any setbacks. Bids will be very high for Julien, but I will be very cautious.
Rostered: N/A%
Suggested Bid: 35%
So many wanted and expected Grissom to be the Braves starting shortstop out of Spring Training. That did not happen, as Orland Arcia got the job and played well at SS. However, that has come to a quick end as Arcia was hit in the wrist with a pitch, resulting in a fractured wrist and a trip to the IL. That brings Grissom back to the Braves for a couple of months at least.
It was only ten games at Triple-A, but Grissom was already making his case to the big club that he needed a promotion. He was hitting .366 with a home run and two stolen bases. In addition, Grissom’s plate discipline was outstanding, with a 12.5% walk rate and an 8.3% strikeout rate.
Grissom made his first start on Friday night and went 1-4 with a double and an RBI. Last year Grissom hit .291 with five home runs and five steals over 41 games, so we know he can produce in the bigs. He should play nearly every game which makes him a great pickup. He will also game SS eligibility eventually which is a game changer with so many SS going down with injuries.
Pitchers
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 12%
It has been a rough couple of years as he is continually battling back from injuries and has not come close to looking like the ace he once was. This season did not start great either, with declining velocity and poor performance. Flaherty could limit the damage, but it still did not look great.
That changed in Flaherty’s last start. Flaherty threw 5.1 innings in Coors, allowing one run and striking out six. It was a small glimpse of the Flaherty of old. It is unlikely Flaherty ever makes it back to being an ace, but he can be a quality two or three in a rotation. He has a 1.76 ERA but a 6.01xFIP, aka not ideal. Flaherty also has 14 walks over 15.1 innings pitched, 13 of those came in his first two starts.
Before his start at Coors, I wanted nothing to do with Flaherty in fantasy terms. However, his improvements in Coors intrigued me and made me willing to take chances on the former ace on my fantasy teams. At worst, keep a close eye on his next start, knowing the price will increase exponentially if he pitches well again.
Rostered: 25%
Suggested Bid: 30%
Bradley debuted this past week and was quickly sent packing back to Triple-A. Unfortunately, he was called back up when he was sent back down. The same day he was demoted, Jeffrey Springs suffered a significant injury that will sideline him for at least two months. This means Bradley may get some serious opportunity with the Rays.
In Bradley’s debut, he threw five innings, allowing three runs and striking out eight. He forced a 25% O-Swing with an 11.5% SwStr and 34.6% CSW. Bradley is one of the game’s top pitching prospects, and he did not disappoint. He will be one of the most significant pickups this week, and with a potential long-term spot in the Rays’ rotation, it’s hard to disagree with the fantasy manager’s excitement.
Rostered: 33%
Suggested Bid: 10%
Jameson started the season in the bullpen, but with an injury in the DBacks rotation, Jameson slid into the starting rotation and was solid in his first start. Jameson threw four innings as he is getting stretched back out, allowing zero runs, three hits, and stuck out four. Jameson has a 1.46 ERA, 4.38 xFIP, and a 25% strikeout rate.
Jameson threw 24.1 innings over four starts for the DBacks at the end of 2022 and was also solid. He had a 1.48 ERA and 2.98 xFIP. A 17.3% K-BB was not bad either and was backed up with a near-league average of 27.6% CSW.
Jameson gets two starts next week and should be in the rotation for a while, making for a nice pickup that may go under the radar with the Bradley excitement.
Closers
Rostered: 45%
Suggested Bid: 6%
Entering the season, many sharp fantasy players liked Lopez more than Kendall Graveman as the reliever on the roster for the White Sox. So far this season that has been the correct call. Lopez has had a rough outing or two, so the ERA of 8.53 is relatively high, but his 4.41 xFIP shows it may be misleading. In addition, Lopez has a 33.3% strikeout rate; if he could lower his 16.7% walk rate, he could elevate his game.
Lopez already has two saves and a hold, as he has been used in the high-leverage spots for the White Sox. That should stay the same. Roster Lopez in leagues where you need saves or holds. His ratios will improve, while the strikeouts will remain elite.
Rostered: 32%
Suggested Bid: 9%
I am honestly surprised that Alvarado is still so lowly rostered. He has been nothing short of outstanding this season. However, with the constant disappointments of Craig Kimbrel and Seranthony Domiguez, Alvardo’s time to close games should not be too far off.
Alvarado has allowed one run over six appearances this season for a 1.42 ERA but a -0.90 xFIP. Yes, that was a negative number. It gets better. Alvarado has a 69.6% strikeout rate and has yet to walk a batter this year, so a 69.6% K-BB. Alvardo is forcing a 34% O-Swing and is racking up a 21.4% SwStr.
Alvarado has been the best reliever on the Phillies, let alone one of the best relievers in baseball. People love to speculate on saves, yet they aren’t speculating on the best one out there. ADD ALVARDO NOW!!!!
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