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
Jakob Marsee (OF – MIA)
Rostered: 52%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Jakob Marsee joined the Marlins on August 1st and has been a fantasy beast. Since the 1st, Marsee is hitting .359 with four home runs and seven steals. He’s walking 13.3% of the time while striking out 21.3% of the time.
The Marlins outfielder has been incredibly locked in with a 14.3% barrel rate and 53.1% hard-hit rate. Marsee has been hitting second in the Marlins’ order over the last few games, enhancing his fantasy upside. He is a fantasy force and should be rostered in all formats.
Ben Rice (C, 1B – NYY)
Rostered: 50%
Suggested Bid: 32%
Ben Rice has turned in quite the fantasy season and has become the Yankees’ primary catcher, enhancing his fantasy value. Since August 1st, Rice has been hitting .310 with four home runs and 12 RBI. He’s barreling the ball 21.7% of the time since the 1st with a 60.9% hard-hit rate.
Rice has been showcasing solid plate discipline with a 13.2% walk rate and 19.1% strikeout rate. He is turning into a C1 in 12-team and deeper leagues and should be rostered in most formats.
Lenyn Sosa (1B, 2B, 3B – CWS)
Rostered: 40%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Lenyn Sosa started the season as a utility player with some fantasy appeal. That has changed as the season has gone on, and Sosa has been a must-start most weeks. He’s hitting over .270 on the season with some power and good run production.
Since August 1st, Sosa has been hitting only .236 but has seven home runs and 14 RBI. He’s barreling the ball 19.6% of the time with a 53.6% hard-hit rate. Sosa has earned the right to be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Pitchers
Nolan McLean (SP – NYM)
Rostered: 33%
Suggested Bid: 16%
Nolan McLean was solid in his first start with the Mets and backed that up with another gem on Friday night. McLean has now made two starts for the Mets, allowing two runs over 12.1 innings pitched.
McLean has 15 strikeouts with four walks over the first two starts. He was having a strong season in the Minors and has carried that over to the bigs. Roster away while McLean is throwing this well.
Cam Schlittler (SP – NYY)
Rostered: 23%
Suggested Bid: 13%
Cam Schlittler has lived up to expectations since joining the Yankees. He has made seven starts with the Yankees and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each start for a 3.22 ERA and 4.08 SIERA.
Schlittler has 38 strikeouts and 16 walks over 36.1 innings pitched for a 14.4% K-BB rate. He has only gone more than five innings twice since joining the Yankees, but the ratios and strikeouts are great for the stretch run in fantasy.
Cade Cavalli (SP – WSH)
Rostered: 10%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Cade Cavalli has returned from Tommy John surgery and has begun to find his form with the Nationals. On Friday night, Cavalli delivered a quality start, allowing three earned runs over six innings pitched, with four strikeouts.
Over the four starts since returning from the injured list (IL), Cavalli has allowed three earned runs or fewer in three out of four starts for a 2.82 ERA and 3.73 xFIP. He has 18 strikeouts and six walks over 22.1 innings pitched. It’s time to stream away with Cavalli for the rest of the season.
Closers
Jose A. Ferrer (RP – WSH)
Rostered: 12%
Suggested Bid: 22%
Since the trade deadline, Jose A. Ferrer has taken over the closing duties for the Nats, and he’s been outstanding. He has four saves over eight appearances while adding a hold and two wins.
Ferrer has allowed two earned runs over 10.1 innings pitched, but has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances. Ferrer is a fantasy stud and should be rostered in most formats.
Shawn Armstrong (RP – TEX)
Rostered: 8%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Shawn Armstrong has been a beast as a reliever for the Rangers and has begun to take on a bigger role late in games as Robert Gacia and Phil Maton struggle. Over Armstrong’s last 18 appearances, he has allowed one run over 18.1 innings pitched for a 0.49 ERA.
Armstrong has 21 strikeouts and three walks for a 26.5% K-BB rate. He picked up a save recently and could be in line for more saves going forward.
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