We have completed a week of baseball action and are ready for our second fantasy baseball waiver wire free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) run. It’s too early to overreact to some studs who may have gotten off to slow starts, but it is also time to start taking chances on others who may have gotten off to fast starts. Early in the season, we’ll be taking chances on some players who need to be rostered in most formats.
- Fantasy Baseball Research & Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Rest-of-Season Projections
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire & FAAB Targets
Each week, I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly waiver wire FAAB process, but know there are many other players available and, more importantly, others that may be better fits for your teams. If you have any questions, please ask me on Twitter (@bdentrek).
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 57%
Suggested Bid: 16%
Nathaniel Lowe has gotten off to a hot start with the Nationals this season. Through Friday, Lowe is hitting .333 with three home runs and seven RBI. He is striking out way too much (46.3% strikeout rate), but his .407 ISO shows Lowe is going for broke. So far, so good.
Lowe is barreling the ball around 30% of the time with a hard-hit rate around 70%. The Nats face five right-handed pitchers this week, including some friendly matchups to end the week versus the Marlins. He’s a serviceable center infield option or even a first baseman in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 23%
Lars Nootbaar is having an outstanding start to the season. He’s hitting .414 with two home runs, nine runs and six RBI. His plate discipline is great, walking 14.3% of the time while striking out 11.4%.
Nootbaar leads off daily versus righties and lefties, enhancing his fantasy appeal. While leading off and producing like this, Nootbaar is a must-start outfielder in 10-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 51%
Suggested Bid: 13%
Otto Lopez is having quite the coming-out party to start the season. He is hitting .303 through Friday with two home runs, seven RBI and a stolen base. Lopez has hit all over the lineup but has been hitting near the top of the order lately, including third on Friday.
Lopez is showcasing a solid 15.4% barrel rate to support the early success. Lopez is proving he’s more than just a middle infield target in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Pitchers
Rostered: 55%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Shane Baz was dominant in his season debut versus the Pirates. He threw six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and a 13.5% SwStr. Baz appears healthy, which could make a big season up for grabs for the Rays youngster.
Baz has a nice two-step next week versus the Angels and Braves, making him a great waiver wire pick-up for the week for the stream and to likely utilize afterwards.
Rostered: 20%
Suggested Bid: 16%
Casey Mize had an excellent spring training and backed it up with a solid start in his season debut. He threw 5.2 shutout innings versus the Mariners with six strikeouts and a 13.4% SwStr. Mize had all the prospect hype.
Now healthy, Mize could be in store for a nice fantasy season. He has a two-step this week versus the Yankees and Twins, which is not easy, but is still a must-start for that Twins start.
Rostered: 16%
Suggested Bid: 14%
Tylor Megill had a nice spring training and has been solid in his first two starts. He has thrown 10.1 innings while allowing one run and striking out 10. Megill has picked up wins in both starts with a 0.87 ERA and 3.33 xFIP.
Megill has a great matchup versus the Marlins next week and a favorable two-step the following week versus the Twins and Cardinals. The time is now to add Megill and reap the benefits.
Closers
Rostered: 41%
Suggested Bid: 26%
Luke Jackson was Bruce Bochy’s pick to be the closer to start the season, and he has not disappointed. After a rough first outing, Jackson has been solid in the closing role.
On Friday, Jackson picked up his fourth save with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings pitched. He is one of the best targets this week if you need saves.
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 16%
David Bednar has been sent to AAA, opening the door for a new closer in Pittsburgh. Early on, Dennis Santana appears to be the choice to get the saves for the Pirates.
Santana picked up the save in his recent outing and has allowed one run over his four appearances, with three strikeouts. It appears Santana is the reliever to roster for the Pirates, so add him while you can.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | SoundCloud | TuneIn
