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.
- 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 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
Javier Baez (SS, 3B, OF – DET)
Rostered: 57%
Suggested Bid: 12%
After a horrible 2024 season, Baez is finding his swing once again. He entered Friday with an eight-game hitting streak, hitting .382. Baez has hit three home runs and four doubles over the streak with 11 runs scored, 14 RBI, and a stolen base. He’s only striking out 22.2% over the eight games, which is great for Baez while barreling the ball 15.4% of the time. Baez is now hitting .317 on the season with the three home runs. He’s playing daily in CF, with his SS and 3B eligibility. Baez should be rostered in most formats while he’s swinging it well.
Rostered: 51%
Suggested Bid: 17%
After a slow start to the season and an injury, Winn returned from the IL and has been swinging it well. Over the last couple of weeks, Winn is hitting .311 with two home runs and two stolen bases. He’s barreling the ball 10.8% of the time while moving up to the second spot in the order. Winn brings a 20/20 skill set and may be ready to break out in his sophomore season.
Rostered: 29%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Grisham is having quite the season for the Yankees. He has been a forgotten player in recent seasons, but his production this season has earned him the lead-off spot in most games and has made Jasson Dominguez a platoon bat. Grisham is hitting .292 this season with ten home runs, 19 runs scored, and 20 RBI. He’s walking 10.9% of the time while striking out 18.8%. Grisham’s power has not been a fluke this season as he’s barreling the ball 15.7% of the time with a 48.6% hard-hit rate. If Grisham continues to swing it like this, he should be rostered in most formats.
Pitchers
Rostered: 43%
Suggested Bid: 24%
The 25-year-old Liberatore is finally having his breakout season for the Cardinals. Liberatore has a 3.07 ERA and 3.23 SIERA through seven starts with 38 strikeouts and six walks over 41 innings. The strong command has produced a solid 20% K-BB with a 31.6% O-Swing and 11.5% SwStr. Liberatore appears to be locked in and should be rostered in most formats going forward.
Rostered: 38%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Kely allowed nine earned runs in his second start of the season, but has been much better since, allowing three earned runs or less in his last six starts. Over the six starts, Kelly has a 2.57 ERA with a 3.33 SIERA with an 18.8% K-BB. Kelly is in line for a nice 2-step next week versus the Giants and then one of the best matchups in the Rockies. Kelly should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues, especially with the 2-step on tap.
Rostered: 9%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Gusto has been a nice addition to the Astros’ rotation this season. He started the year in the bullpen, and when injuries arose, he joined the rotation. Over his last five outings, Gusto has a 3.66 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 19.2 innings pitched. He has a solid 16.1% K-BB over the stretch with a 75.9% contact rate and 11.6% SwStr. With the Astros discussing a 6-man rotation and Hayden Wesneski heading to the IL, Gusto’s fantasy value gets a nice boost in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Closers
Rostered: 21%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Vest is having a nice season in the Tigers’ bullpen and has emerged as one of the two closers with Tommy Kahnle. Entering Friday, Vest has three saves over his seven appearances, allowing no runs in six appearances. Vest has nine strikeouts over 8.1 innings, proving he’s ready to lock down saves for the Tigers. On Friday, Vest picked up his fourth save of the season. He won’t get all the saves in Detroit, but will get plenty of chances and could end the season with 20+ saves.
Rostered: 16%
Suggested Bid: 8%
With Ryan Pressly struggling, Hodge is knocking on the door to regain his closing role with the Cubs. Over Hodge’s last seven appearances, he has not allowed an earned run while striking out three over 6.1 innings. He has a win, a hold, and a save over the seven appearances. Hodge is the better pitcher in the Cubs’ bullpen and hopefully takes over closing duties soon.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | SoundCloud | TuneIn
