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: 56%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Alec Burleson has battled with playing time throughout the season, but in the past month, he has seen regular playing time. In June, Burleson is hitting .330 with five runs and 17 RBI. His plate discipline has been great, striking out 8.3% of the time with a 93.4% Z-contact rate and 6.5% SwStr rate.
Burleson is barreling the ball 10.7% of the time with a 44% hard-hit rate. He is locked in at the plate and plays equally well against left-handed and right-handed pitching, so there’s not much of a platoon advantage anymore. He should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Rostered: 37%
Suggested Bid: 13%
It has been a slow start to the season for Jo Adell, but he’s found his stride this month. In June, he is hitting .274 with two stolen bases, 18 runs and 18 RBI.
Adell is crushing everything at the plate with a 21.4% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate. He hit another home run on Friday, giving him 11 homers in June. He should be rostered in most formats while he’s swinging it this well.
Rostered: 31%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Chandler Simpson was hitting for average while stealing plenty of bases before being demoted to AAA. He returned this week and has been solid once again. He has started his last four games since being recalled, hitting safely in the previous three games with four hits, a run and a stolen base.
Simpson can bring a solid batting average with a ton of steals and plenty of runs scored. He should be rostered in all formats where you need stolen bases.
Pitchers
Rostered: 37%
Suggested Bid: 9%
After a couple of rough starts, Matthew Liberatore has bounced back nicely. Over his last two starts, Liberatore has allowed four earned runs over 13 innings with nine strikeouts. On the season, Liberatore has a 3.96 ERA with a 3.75 SIERA to go with a 16.6% K-BB rate.
Liberatore faces the Cubs next week, which isn’t a walk in the park, but it seems like he is back to being a solid starter once again.
Rostered: 30%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Eduardo Rodriguez was outstanding in his last start, throwing six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts versus the White Sox. In four June starts, Rodriguez allowed five earned runs over 22 innings with 22 strikeouts. He had a 2.06 ERA, 3.72 SIERA and a 17.2% K-BB rate. Rodriguez faces a struggling Royals offense this week, making him a nice fantasy baseball start or sit streaming candidate.
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Brandon Walter is coming off a start in which he threw six strong innings against the Cubs, allowing one earned run while striking out five. Walter has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four out of five starts for a 3.34 ERA and 2.80 SIERA.
Walter’s control has been impressive, with 30 strikeouts and only two walks over 29.2 innings pitched, resulting in a 23% K-BB rate. Walter takes on the Rockies this week, making him a solid streamer once again.
Closers
Rostered: 44%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Daniel Palencia has looked great as the Cubs’ closer. He has eight saves over his last 13 appearances to go with a 1.35 ERA and 26.9% K-BB rate. He’s been filthy with a 13.6% SwStr rate. Even though Porter Hodge has returned from the injured list (IL), Palencia has remained in the closing role. If that continues, Palencia should be rostered in all formats.
Rostered: 37%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Shelby Miller has picked up saves in each of his last two appearances for the Diamondbacks. He now has nine saves on the season to go with a 1.97 ERA and 18.6% K-BB rate. With Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk undergoing elbow surgery, Miller should be locked into the closing role. Miller should be rostered in a lot more leagues than just 37%.
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