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.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups
Hitters
Rostered: 56%
Suggested Bid: 33%
Lewis finally made his 2023 debut after rehabbing a torn ACL suffered early in 2022. Lewis hit safely in his first three games with two home runs, a double, and six RBI. In the small sample, he had a 22.2% barrel rate and a 55.6% hard-hit rate. The production is no fluke, as he also came off his rehab assignment raking. In ten rehab games, Lewis hit .,333 with four home runs, four stolen bases, and a 1.088 OPS.
Lewis was playing third base out of the gate, but with Carlos Correa‘s recent injury, Lewis should move to SS for a while. Regardless, Lewis will play daily and should produce in all five ROTO categories. There’s a great chance that Lewis will be the best waiver-wire offensive addition of the season, so be aggressive wherever you need hitting help.
Zach McKinstry (2B,SS,3B,OF – DET)
Rostered: 55%
Suggested Bid: 8%
McKinstry is finally getting a chance to play every day and taking full advantage of the opportunity. In May, McKinstry hit .301 with two home runs and six stolen bases while walking 20.6% of the time and only striking out 15.5%. The .454 OBP in May was tremendous, allowing McKinstry to score 16 runs while leading off most games. McKinstry brings multi-position eligibility and some nice ROTO category help and should be rostered in most 12-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 54%
Suggested Bid: 21%
McLain was one of the more popular adds last week, yet he’s still only 55% in Yahoo leagues, so I must urge you again to add McLain immediately. He entered Friday with a 10-game hitting streak and hitting safely in 13 of 15 games. McLain is hitting .354 since getting called up with seven extra-base hits and a stolen base. He will play at shortstop for the Reds daily, so take advantage of this extraordinary situation and add him to your fantasy teams.
Pitchers
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Gore is amid a strong 2023 season for the Nats as he has a 3.57 ERA, 3.50 xFIP, and 18.5% K-BB. Walks have been an issue for Gore, but his 13.5% SwStr has allowed him to get out of trouble occasionally. Gore was once a highly heralded prospect, and he may finally be finding those skills at the big league level, so add him wherever you need pitching help.
Rostered: 27%
Suggested Bid: 8%
The Reds called up the 31-year-old Lively in early May, and he has been a welcomed addition to their team. After two appearances out of the bullpen, Lively has made three starts, and he has been outstanding. He faced the Yankees and Cardinals in Great American Small Park and the Red Sox in Fenway. Lively threw 17.1 innings in those three starts with four earned runs, five walks, and 22 strikeouts. He has a 2.08 ERA, 3.18 xFIP, and 25.4% K-BB. Who knows how long this success will follow, but he is worth streaming while throwing well.
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 17%
Garrett has been outstanding since being hung out to dry on May 3rd. In his five starts since, Garret has a 2.67 ERA, 2.75 xFIP, and 23.6% K-BB. Garrett has forced a 31.8% O-Swing with a 14.5% SwStr while only allowing a Z-Contact of 77.5%. Garrett has been outstanding for the Marlins, pitching like their ace of late, and there is no reason he should only be rostered in 15% of leagues.
Closers
Rostered: 58%
Suggested Bid: 12%
With Jose Alvarado hitting the IL a while back, Kimbrel has taken over as the Phillies’ primary closer and has been outstanding. Over his last nine appearances, Kimbrel has allowed two runs via two solo home runs while striking out 15 and collecting four saves with two wins. Kimbrel has a 2.00 ERA and 2.04 xFIP with a 40.6% K-BB. Alvarado may return to the Phillies next week, but Kimbrel should still see plenty of save chances while pitching this well.
Rostered: 47%
Suggested Bid: 6%
The DBacks have used a handful of closers throughout the season, but Castro has taken over as the leading man in a current committee with Andrew Chafin. Since May 12, Castro has made nine appearances, collecting two wins, two holds, and four saves while not allowing a run while striking out ten. Castro has been outstanding and should still see a significant role in the backend of the DBacks bullpen.
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