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
Andrew Vaughn (1B – MIL)
Rostered: 51%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Andrew Vaughn has been a man on a mission since joining the Brewers on July 7th. He entered Friday hitting .377 with seven home runs and 28 RBI since joining the Brew Crew. He’s been even hotter over his last 12 games, riding a 12-game hitting streak, hitting .435 with five home runs and 16 RBI.
Over the streak, Vaughn is barreling the ball 20% of the time with a 64% hard-hit rate. Vaughn is locked into the first base role for the Brewers and should be locked into all fantasy lineups.
Ramon Laureano (OF – SD)
Rostered: 48%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Ramon Laureano is having a strong fantasy season, hitting .295 with 16 home runs, 49 runs scored, 51 RBI and four steals. He entered Friday riding a five-game hitting streak with a home run, four runs scored and five RBI.
On the season, Laureano is barreling the ball 12% of the time with a 47% hard-hit rate. He’s playing daily for a good Padres’ offense and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Colson Montgomery (SS, 3B – CWS)
Rostered: 39%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Colson Montgomery has not been a batting average asset since he was promoted on July 4th, as he’s hitting .237, but he’s been quite valuable in the power department. Montgomery has eight home runs to go with 24 RBI, a .289 ISO and 121 wRC+. He’s barreling the ball 15% of the time with a 42% hard-hit rate.
Montgomery is striking out 29.2% of the time, which is not ideal, but it’s still an improvement from his Minor League numbers. There may be some ups and downs with Montgomery, but there is a ton of power upside that makes him a target in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Pitchers
Lucas Giolito (SP – BOS)
Rostered: 59%
Suggested Bid: 8%
Lucas Giolito had a slow start to the season as he started late due to an injury. Since June 10th, Giolito has made 10en starts and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight starts for a 2.03 ERA and 4.06 SIERA.
Giolito has struck out 54 while walking 16 over 62 innings pitched for a 15.7% K-BB rate. He’s been one of the more consistent pitchers in baseball since June 10th, and he should be rostered in most formats.
Chase Burns (SP – CIN)
Rostered: 57%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Chase Burns was at it again on Friday night, striking out 10 while allowing one run over six innings pitched. That gives Burns four straight starts (not counting the rain-shortened Bristol game) with 10 strikeouts.
Burns now has a 5.24 ERA and 2.28 xFIP over his eight starts with 57 strikeouts and 13 walks over 34.1 innings pitched. Burns has been a strikeout machine and should be rostered and started in every fantasy format.
Jeffrey Springs (SP – ATH)
Rostered: 55%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Jeffrey Springs had a slow start to the season, but has found his groove on the mound over the last few months. Since June 4th, Springs has made 10 starts and allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine starts for a 3.17 ERA and 3.90 SIERA.
That’s extra impressive considering Springs pitches his home games in Sacramento’s hitters’ haven known as Sutter Health Park. Springs has a solid 17.2% K-BB rate over the 10-start stretch, and he’s proving to be a must-start for the stretch run of the season.
Closers
Phil Maton (RP – TEX)
Rostered: 20%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Phil Maton has been solid this season as a late-inning reliever for the Cardinals and now the Rangers. He has a 2.18 ERA and a 2.90 SIERA over 41.1 innings pitched. Maton has 51 strikeouts and 16 walks over those 41.1 innings for a 20.8% K-BB rate.
Maton has collected 21 holds on the season to go with three saves and may be adding more saves as Robert Garcia continues to struggle in the ninth inning for the Rangers. Maton is a great addition now, as he should take over closing duties in Texas soon.
Hunter Gaddis (RP – CLE)
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 11%
With Emmanuel Clase placed on non-disciplinary paid leave, there’s an opening in the backend of the Guardians’ bullpen. First thought was Cade Smith would take over the role, but over the last couple of weeks, it looks like Hunter Gaddis may be the man.
Gaddis has picked up saves in two of his previous three outings. He already has 22 holds on the season and has added the two saves to go with a 3.61 ERA and 18.9% K-BB rate. If you are looking for saves, Gaddis is worth an add this week.
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