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: 48%
Suggested Bid: 8%
Colton Cowser returned from the injured list (IL) on June 3rd and is hitting .239 with five home runs and a steal. He is striking out 34.7% of the time, which isn’t ideal, but a 17.2% barrel rate and 48.3% hard-hit rate will play.
Cowser enters the weekend with home runs in three straight games with seven RBI. Cowser will be streaky from time to time, but his power is undeniable, and he’s proving why he should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 41%
Suggested Bid: 8%
Addison Barger has been a man on a mission at the plate over the last few weeks. Over his last 19 games, Barger is hitting .324 with six home runs, 16 runs scored and 13 RBI. He has a 1.046 OPS and 193 wRC+ while hitting second for the Jays.
The power is not a fluke, as Barger is barreling the ball 15.4% of the time with a 44.2% hard-hit rate. Barger brings nice positional flexibility to go with his outstanding production. He should be rostered in most formats.
Rostered: 34%
Suggested Bid: 46%
After a slow start to his Major League career, Nick Kurtz got comfortable at the plate and is turning into one of the better hitters in the game. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games for a .315 batting average.
Kurtz’s power is off the charts with eight home runs over the 14 games with 17 RBI. Kurtz is destroying baseballs with a 22.5% barrel rate and 55% hard-hit rate. Kurtz should be rostered in all formats. His 34% roster rate is downright laughable.
Pitchers
Rostered: 40%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Quinn Priester has been good this season, but has been outstanding lately. Over his last five outings, Priester has allowed six earned runs over 29 innings pitched for a 1.86 ERA and 2.88 SIERA. Priester has 21 strikeouts and four walks to go with a 15.3% K-BB rate. Priester faces the Road Rockies this week and the Marlins the following week, making Priester a great add for the coming weeks.
Rostered: 32%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Ryan Yarbrough joined the Yankees rotation on May 3rd. He has made eight starts and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven starts. Yarbrough has a 3.83 ERA and 4.11 SIERA over this stretch.
Yarbrough has 33 strikeouts and 11 walks over 40 innings pitched for a 13.7% K-BB rate. Yarbrough has a 2-step this week at the Reds and at home versus the A’s, making Yarbrough a solid stream and a pitcher worth rostering going forward.
Rostered: 21%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Charlie Morton was horrible to start the season, which resulted in Morton getting sent to the bullpen for a while. Morton rejoined the Orioles’ rotation on May 26th and has looked solid over his five starts.
Morton has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of the five starts for a 2.42 ERA and 2.93 SIERA. Morton has 34 strikeouts and eight walks over 26 innings pitched for a solid 23% K-BB rate. Morton faces the Rangers this week and then has a two-step the following week. It’s time to start rostering Morton again.
Closers
Rostered: 56%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Luke Weaver returned from the IL on Friday, and the Yankees are saying that Weaver and Devin Williams will share closing duties for now. Before landing on the IL, Weaver was outstanding. He had a 1.05 ERA over 25.2 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts.
Weaver had eight saves and six holds on the season. The bullpen situation could be fluid, but the Yankees may eventually give the role back to Weaver, making him someone worth rostering.
Rostered: 19%
Suggested Bid: 21%
The Phillies’ closer situation has become quite an experience lately. Jordan Romano had the role and seemed to be doing well, but over the past week, things have taken a turn. Owen Kerkering has picked up two saves, and so has Matt Strahm.
Kerkering has pitched in more high-leverage situations, leaning toward Kerkering being the 1A closer for the Phillies. He provides great strikeout upside to go with his save potential. Kerkering should be rostered in most formats.
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