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
Cam Smith (OF – HOU)
Rostered: 55%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Cam Smith had a dreadful start to the season. One that had some calling for Smith to get right at the Triple-A level. That did not happen, and Smith has been figuring it out at the plate. Since June 1st, Smith is hitting .337 with four home runs and two stolen bases.
Smith is barreling the ball 5.3% of the time but has a solid 50.7% hard-hit rate. Smith has been swinging it so well that he has moved into the cleanup spot in the order and has 21 RBI since June 1st. Smith is proving he belongs at the big league level, and he should be rostered in all formats.
Jasson Dominguez (OF – NYY)
Rostered: 48%
Suggested Bid: 7%
The season has had a slow start, largely due to irregular playing time for the Yankees outfielder. Since June 1st, though, Jasson Dominguez is hitting .313 with six stolen bases over 25 games. The 25 games were a significant improvement in playing time for Dominguez, hopefully a sign of things to come.
Dominguez was swinging it well with a 6.7% barrel rate and 48.3% hard-hit rate. He added two home runs and a stolen base on Friday. If Dominguez continues to see solid playing time, he could become a fantasy stud and should be widely rostered.
Addison Barger (3B, OF – TOR)
Rostered: 37%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Addison Barger has been one of the best surprises this season. Since June 1st, he’s hitting .278 with seven home runs, 20 runs scored and 18 RBI. He even added a stolen base. Barger is barreling the ball 11.9% of the time with a 49.3% hard-hit rate.
Barger has been extremely productive, boasting a .915 OPS and 153 wRC+ since June 1st. He is producing fantasy upside weekly and should be rostered in most formats.
Pitchers
Jose Soriano (SP – LAA)
Rostered: 39%
Suggested Bid: 8%
After allowing eight runs versus the Nationals, Jose Soriano bounced back in a big way versus the Braves, throwing seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Soriano has now allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts for a 2.84 ERA and 2.58 SIERA.
Soriano has been racking up the strikeouts as well with six or more in four of his last five starts. He has 39 strikeouts and 10 walks over 31.2 innings pitched for a 23% K-BB rate, and a 15.3% SwStr% supports it. Soriano is proving to be worth a roster spot in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Edward Cabrera (SP – MIA)
Rostered: 37%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Edward Cabrera is having a solid season, but has been outstanding over his last seven starts, allowing six earned runs over 37 innings for a 1.46 ERA and 3.63 SIERA. Control has been an issue for Cabrera in the past, but he has 16 walks over the 37 innings with 42 strikeouts for a 17.6% K-BB rate.
Cabrera has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of the seven starts and is proving to be a solid start week in and week out in most fantasy formats.
Kumar Rocker (SP – TEX)
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 6%
After struggling to start this season and then suffering an injury that landed Kumar Rocker on the injured list (IL), he has looked solid since returning. Over his last four starts, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each start. He has seven walks and 20 strikeouts over 21.2 innings pitched.
Rocker has pitched so well that he could take Jack Leiter‘s spot in the rotation after the All-Star break. Rocker may be volatile this season, but he’s showcasing the elite skills that many thought he had when he was drafted.
Closers
Daniel Palencia (RP – CHC)
Rostered: 46%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Daniel Palencia has been great this season. Since taking over the closing duties when Porter Hodge landed on the IL on May 21st, Palencia has 10 saves in 15 appearances. He has only allowed two earned runs over 16.1 innings pitched to go with four walks and 19 strikeouts for a 25% K-BB rate.
Hodge returned about a week ago, but Palencia continues to dominate the ninth inning. Palencia should be rostered in all formats.
Shelby Miller (RP – ARI)
Rostered: 39%
Suggested Bid: 11%
With Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk both landing on the IL, Shelby Miller has taken over as closer for the Diamondbacks. Miller has 10 saves on the season to go with eight holds, as he’s handled the late innings well all season.
Miller has a 2.04 ERA and a 3.05 SIERA to go with a 20% K-BB rate. He is not a prototypical closer, but he’s getting the job done. Barring some horrible outings, Miller should be locked into the closing role for the rest of the season.
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