We have completed another week of baseball action and are ready for our next 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 some chances on some players who need to be rostered in most formats.
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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 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).
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 44%
Suggested Bid: 16%
Matt Shaw was one of the bigger helium picks during draft season, and the early-season success was non-existent. It resulted in a return to Triple-A, where Shaw got back on track. In 24 games at AAA, Shaw hit .286 with six home runs and five stolen bases.
That success has translated into his first three games back with the Cubs, where he has five hits in 12 plate appearances with two steals. He should be the primary third baseman for the Cubs and could provide plenty of power and speed while swinging it well.
Miguel Vargas (1B, 3B, OF – CWS)
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 7%
It has been a slow start to the season for Michael Vargas, but the former top prospect is starting to find his swing in May. Entering Friday, Vargas is hitting .258 in May with five home runs and 12 RBI. He’s showcasing solid plate skills by striking out only 12.2% of the time with a 24.5% O-Swing and 92.4% Z-contact.
Vargas is barreling the ball 10.3% of the time to go with a .288 ISO and 142 wRC+. Vargas seems close to breaking out and should be rostered in all deep leagues with some 12-team appeal.
Chase Meidroth (2B, SS, 3B – CWS)
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Many were excited when Chase Meidroth was promoted to the bigs in April, but an early injury landed him on the injured list (IL). Since he returned on May 1st, Meidroth is backing up the excitement. He entered Friday hitting .313 in May with a home run and seven stolen bases.
Meidroth doesn’t bring a ton of power to the plate, but the batting average is near .300, and all of the speed makes Meidroth very serviceable in 12-team and deeper leagues. He’s also a great points league player with his on-base percentage (OBP) skills while leading off and running wild.
Pitchers
Rostered: 54%
Suggested Bid: 22%
After allowing four earned runs in three straight starts, Tylor Megill bounced back nicely in 4.2 innings versus the Red Sox, where he allowed one run and struck out 10. Megill has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts for a 3.56 ERA and 3.35 SIERA.
Megill has 66 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched for a solid 20.2% K-BB rate. Megill faces the White Sox next week, making for a great streaming option.
Rostered: 40%
Suggested Bid: 14%
Gavin Williams has had a roller coaster of a season, but of late has looked much better. Over his previous four starts, Williams has allowed five earned runs over 20 innings for a 2.25 ERA and 3.52 SIERA. Command has been an issue all season for Williams, and that has still been rough with 12 walks, but only three in his last two starts.
The strikeouts are still elite, with 29 over the 20 innings. Williams now has 57 strikeouts on the season. Williams has a two-step next week versus the Dodgers and Angels, which makes for a major boom or bust week. Williams is close to finding his ceiling, so the time to add him from the waiver wire is now.
Rostered: 2%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Kyle Harrison was great in Triple-A this season, showcasing improved velocity and control. Over six starts at AAA, Harrison had a 3.46 ERA over 26 innings pitched with 38 strikeouts and a 26.3% K-BB rate.
Since joining the Giants, Harrison has pitched out of the bullpen and has seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings. He’ll be joining the Giants’ rotation this weekend to face the Nationals and lines up for a great matchup versus the Marlins next week. Stream away.
Closers
Rostered: 58%
Suggested Bid: 36%
Justin Martinez did a great job closing for the Diamondbacks before landing on the IL. He had a 2.70 ERA with three saves, 11 strikeouts and some elite stuff when he took the mound.
Martinez is set to rejoin the team this weekend, and he should regain his closing role, as Shelby Miller and company have had their struggles.
Rostered: 41%
Suggested Bid: 24%
David Bednar had a rough finish last season, which continued early this year. He was so bad that the Pirates sent him to AAA. Since Bednar returned on April 19th, he has three saves and three holds with a 3.38 ERA.
Bednar has been nasty with 20 strikeouts over 13.1 innings pitched and only one walk. Bednar will not get all the saves, as he’s been used in high-leverage situations, but he should regain the full-time role if he keeps pitching this well.
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