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: 40%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Addison Barger is locked into the third baseman role for the Blue Jays, and he’s thriving. He entered Friday hitting safely in seven of his last eight games for a .385 batting average. Barger has four home runs and eight RBI over the eight games with a 269 wRC+.
Barger is barreling the ball 23.8% of the time with a 42.9% hard-hit rate. On Friday, Barger hit another home run and is now hitting .271 on the season with seven home runs. Barger should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 29%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Gavin Sheets is having a great season, hitting .259 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Since May 1st, Sheets is hitting .264 with eight home runs and 28 RBI to go with a 138 wRC+. He’s swinging it so well that he started playing against right-handed pitchers only, but now plays nearly daily against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
Since May 1st, Sheets is barreling the ball 14.5% of the time with a 55.4% hard-hit rate. The Padres have a nice schedule next week, facing five right-handed pitchers in six games. Sheets should be rostered in deep leagues with some 12-team appeal.
Rostered: 8%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Jesus Sanchez entered Friday swinging a hot bat for the Marlins. Over the last 10 games, Sanchez is hitting .441 with two home runs and five RBI to go with a stolen base. He’s barreling the ball 18.5% of the time with a 59.3% hard-hit rate.
Since Sanchez returned from the injured list (IL) on May 4th, he’s hitting .309 with three home runs and five steals. Sanchez is hitting in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup, and he should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Pitchers
Rostered: 45%
Suggested Bid: 9%
After a great start earlier this season for the Phillies, where he threw six shutout innings with nine strikeouts, Mick Abel was called upon this past week for another spot start. In the recent start, Abel threw 5.1 innings, allowing one earned run with two strikeouts versus the Jays.
Abel faces the Cubs this week and could get another start or two if Aaron Nola continues to see setbacks in his rehab from his ankle injury. Abel is worth rostering while he’s in the rotation.
Lance McCullers Jr. (SP – HOU)
Rostered: 45%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Lance McCullers made his season debut in early May, and he’s been improving on the mound each start. Over the last three starts, McCullers has thrown 16.1 innings while allowing five earned runs with 27 strikeouts.
McCullers’ start over the weekend has been pushed back to next week, potentially setting him up for a two-step versus the White Sox and Twins. McCullers should be rostered in all formats.
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 6%
Luis L. Ortiz has shown success on and off throughout his career, but lately, he has looked very good. Over his last five starts, Ortiz has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each start for a 2.28 ERA and 3.65 SIERA.
Ortiz has struck out 31 batters over 27.2 innings pitched for a 14.9% K-BB rate. He has a two-step versus the Reds and Mariners, making him a definite streamer in deep leagues with the potential to be a streamer in 12-team leagues.
Closers
Rostered: 59%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Ryan Walker has struggled this season, so Camilo Doval was named the closer this past week. Doval has picked up a save in three of his last four appearances. He is now 3-1 on the season with eight saves and seven holds.
Doval has a 1.61 ERA and a 23% strikeout rate. He is still showcasing command issues, but when he pitches in the ninth, he has been quite solid. If you need saves, Doval should be one of the top options on the waiver wire.
Rostered: 56%
Suggested Bid: 13%
Will Vest has been outstanding this season with a 1.80 ERA and 2.65 SIERA over 30 innings pitched. He has a 5-0 record with nine saves to go with a solid 19.5% K-BB rate.
Vest picked up another save on Friday night, giving him 10 saves on the season. Tommy Kahnle will still get the occasional save, but Vest is the primary closer, and he should be rostered in all formats.
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