We have made it through another week of the baseball season, and we are ready for the stretch run. We are back to a full schedule, allowing us to play matchups, two-steps, hot bats and more. We’ll still look for some fantasy baseball waiver wire targets to improve your teams, but some things can change now that we’re in the second half.
- Fantasy Baseball Research & Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Rest-of-Season Projections
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire & FAAB Targets
Each week, I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly waiver wire FAAB process, but keep in mind there are many others available and, more importantly, other players that may be a better fit 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
Royce Lewis (3B – MIN)
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 22%
We all know Royce Lewis has been a fantasy headache with consistent injuries, but he’s healthy and producing. Since he returned from the injured list (IL) on July 1st, Lewis is hitting .298 with three home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs scored.
Lewis is barreling the ball 7.8% of the time with a 51% hard-hit rate. He’s only striking out 11.3% of the time, which means a lot of balls in play, and he’s taking advantage with a .526 slugging rate. Lewis should be rostered in all formats while healthy.
Chandler Simpson (OF – TB)
Rostered: 38%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Chandler Simpson continues to prove he should never have been sent back to AAA a few weeks ago. Since July 1st, Simpson is hitting .348 with 10 runs scored and nine stolen bases. He’s not a power hitter, as evidenced by his lack of barrels and a 19% hard-hit rate, but he showcases great plate discipline with a 7% strikeout rate.
Simpson is producing so well that he’s moved into the leadoff role. He provides a solid batting average, runs scored and plenty of steals. He’s proving to be fantasy viable in most formats.
Mickey Moniak (OF – COL)
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Mickey Moniak continues to be quite the fantasy force in Coors Field, and even away from Coors. Since July 1st, Moniak is hitting .423 with four home runs, 11 runs scored, 12 RBI and two stolen bases. He’s striking out 19.6% of the time, which means plenty of balls in play, which he’s taking advantage of with a 17.1% barrel rate and 56.1% hard-hit rate.
Moniak added another home run on Friday night, on the road in Baltimore. He’s hitting at the top of the Rockies’ order and should be rostered in most formats while he’s swinging it this well.
Pitchers
Slade Cecconi (SP – CLE)
Rostered: 21%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Slade Cecconi continues to be one of the more reliable pitchers in baseball. Over his 12 starts, he has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of them. One of the starts he allowed more than three earned runs was a bit of a fluke, as the Guardians left him in the game way too long.
Cecconi has a 3.76 ERA over the 12 starts with a 4.11 SIERA and 13.9% K-BB rate. Cecconi is not an ace, but has become a quality start machine and should be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Patrick Corbin (SP – TEX)
Rostered: 19%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Many like to clown on Patrick Corbin, but those who are believers have reaped the benefits of great starts. Over his previous five starts, Corbin has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each for a 2.54 ERA to go with a 3.53 SIERA.
Corbin is usually not a major strikeout arm, but has six strikeouts or more in four of his last five starts. Corbin has 28 strikeouts and eight walks over 28.1 innings pitched for an 18.8% K-BB rate. Corbin faces the Angels and Mariners this week, making for a nice two-step option.
Joe Boyle (SP – TB)
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 12%
With Taj Bradley demoted to AAA, Joe Boyle will rejoin the Rays’ rotation. In his four appearances since getting recalled, Boyle has allowed three earned runs over 14 innings for a 1.93 ERA.
Boyle has 11 strikeouts and four walks for a 13.5% K-BB rate. At AAA, Boyle had a 1.85 ERA over 14 starts with a 22.3% K-BB rate. Boyle can be electric and brings plenty of fantasy appeal now that he’s in the starting rotation.
Closers
Daniel Palencia (RP – CHC)
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Daniel Palencia continues to be a fantasy stud since taking over the closing role for the Cubs. He has 13 saves over 21 appearances, with a 0.87 ERA and 2.46 SIERA to go with an outstanding 26% K-BB rate.
Palencia continues to dazzle on the mound, and as the Cubs continue to win games, Palencia continues to be one of the top fantasy closer options in the game.
Robert Garcia (RP – TEX)
Rostered: 22%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Robert Garcia picked up another save on Thursday, giving him eight saves on the season and seven since he became the Rangers’ primary closer on May 25th. Since then, Garcia has a 3.38 ERA and 3.01 SIERA to go with 25 strikeouts and eight walks over 18.2 innings pitched for a 20.2% K-BB rate.
The Rangers have not given Garcia a ton of save chances, but he’s taking full advantage of his opportunities, making him fantasy viable in most formats.
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