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
Willi Castro (2B, SS, 3B, OF – MIN)
Rostered: 50%
Suggested Bid: 12%
It took a while for Willi Castro to get going this season, but he has found his swing of late. He’s riding a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games. Over the previous 14 games, Castro is hitting .408 with five home runs, 12 runs scored, 10 RBI and a stolen base.
Castro is walking 14% of the time, with a 1.287 OPS and 259 wRC+. Castro is so locked in that he has a 10.8% barrel rate with a 56.8% hard-hit rate. Castro’s positional flexibility with his current production makes him a must-start in all formats.
Rostered: 49%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Jake Burger is back to being Jake Burger since he returned from his timeout in Triple-A. Since he returned on May 12th, Burger is hitting .265 with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Burger is only striking out 20.7% of the time to go with a .798 OPS and 120 wRC+.
Burger is flexing his muscles with a 15.7% barrel rate and 55.1% hard-hit rate. He is back to being a must-start in most formats and could be on his way to a 30-home run season.
Rostered: 23%
Suggested Bid: 12%
It took Jo Adell a while to get going. Heck, he almost lost his job. It’s a good thing the Angels stuck with him as he’s raking now. Over his last 13 games, Adell is hitting .341 with seven home runs. He has scored 11 runs, while driving in 13 and even stealing two bases.
Adell’s plate discipline has also improved as he’s striking out only 24% of the time. He’s making the most of his contact with a 22% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate. Adell is back to being a must-start in all formats.
Pitchers
Rostered: 50%
Suggested Bid: 21%
Jacob Misiorowski received his promotion this past week and made his MLB debut in a big way. He threw five no-hit innings versus the Cardinals with four walks and five strikeouts. Over 12 starts at AAA, Misiorowski had a 2.13 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 63.1 innings pitched for a 19.4% K-BB rate.
Misiorowski left his start with an ankle/leg injury, but he seems to be OK. He’ll be a strong starter going forward, especially with the massive strikeout upside.
Rostered: 38%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Mick Abel is back in the Phillies’ rotation, and he may be sticking around for a while until Aaron Nola returns, which seems to be a while away. Abel has made three starts for the Phillies this season, allowing four earned runs over 15.1 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts and three walks.
Abel is set for a nice two-step next week versus the Marlins and Mets. It’s time to roster Abel for the foreseeable future.
Rostered: 34%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Shane Smith is quietly putting together a strong season. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his 13 starts this season with a 2.37 ERA and 4.10 ERA. He doesn’t strike out many batters, though, with only 64 strikeouts over 68.1 innings pitched for a 12.9% K-BB rate.
Even with the lack of strikeout upside, the ratios can help most fantasy teams. Smith has a two-step this week versus the Cardinals and Blue Jays, making Smith a strong streamer once again.
Closers
Rostered: 33%
Suggested Bid: 33%
Things have taken a significant turn in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. Justin Martinez is set to undergo Tommy John Surgery. A.J. Puk has been shut down, and he may be in line for Tommy John surgery as well. That leaves Shelby Miller as the primary closer for now.
Miller has not allowed a run in his last eight appearances and has a 1.57 ERA on the season. He has collected the last two saves for the Diamondbacks and now has seven on the season to go with three wins and eight holds. Miller should be a hot commodity in waiver wire FAAB runs this week.
Rostered: 30%
Suggested Bid: 7%
The Giants have shifted to Camilo Doval as the team’s closer, with Ryan Walker pitching the seventh and eighth innings. Doval has been good, but has been wild and shown the propensity to blow a save or two. That leaves Randy Rodriguez lurking to sneak in a save or two, which he has of late.
On the season, Rodriguez has been one of the league’s best relievers with a 0.90 ERA and 34.8% K-BB rate. Adding Rodriguez is a spec for saves, but also an add for elite strikeouts and ratios.
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