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.
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- 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
Giancarlo Stanton (OF – NYY)
Rostered: 56%
Suggested Bid: 23%
Giancarlo Stanton got a late start to the season due to lingering injuries, but he has raked since his return. On the season, he’s hitting .283 with 18 home runs, 29 runs and 47 RBI over 58 games.
Since August 1st, Stanton has been really locked in, hitting .301 with 10 home runs. Stanton added another home run on Friday night to add to his exceptional run. With Aaron Judge returning to the outfield, the designated hitter spot has opened up for Stanton, potentially leading to more playing time for the Yankees slugger. Get Stanton in your fantasy lineups.
Ivan Herrera (C – STL)
Rostered: 50%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Ivan Herrera continues to be a hitting machine for the Cardinals. He’s eligible at catcher, but primarily plays designated hitter, leading to regular at-bats. Herrera is hitting .284 on the season with 13 home runs, 53 RBI and six stolen bases.
Herrera entered Friday hitting safely in 10 of his last 12 games for a .275 average with three home runs, eight runs scored and seven RBI. Herrera showcases great plate discipline, walking 12% of the time while striking out 8% of the time. Herrera should be rostered in most formats as a starting catcher.
Colson Montgomery (SS – CWS)
Rostered: 39%
Suggested Bid: 16%
Colson Montgomery has been one of the best mid-season call-ups for fantasy. Since he was promoted to make his MLB debut on July 4th, Montgomery is hitting .232 with 18 home runs, 34 runs scored and 46 RBI over 51 games.
Sure, the batting average isn’t excellent, and Montgomery doesn’t add steals, but the power that Montgomery continues to showcase can’t be found on the waiver wire often. He should be rostered in all formats for the final weeks of the season.
Pitchers
Luis Morales (SP, RP – ATH)
Rostered: 44%
Suggested Bid: 14%
Luis Morales has been exceptional since joining the Athletics’ rotation. Over his last four starts, after being fully stretched out, Morales has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each start. Morales has allowed four earned runs over 23.2 innings pitched for a 1.52 ERA and 3.20 SIERA.
Morales has 26 strikeouts and five walks for a solid 23.6% K-BB rate with a 10.1% SwStr%. Morales has a tricky two-step this week at home in Sacramento versus the Red Sox and Reds. Even with the tough schedule, Morales should be started in most formats for the two starts.
Braxton Ashcraft (SP – PIT)
Rostered: 18%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Braxton Ashcraft joined the Pirates’ rotation on August 9st, and he’s been outstanding. He’s allowed one run or fewer in his five starts, allowing three earned runs over 22 innings pitched for a 1.23 ERA and 3.21 SIERA.
Ashcraft has struck out 24 while walking seven for a solid 20% K-BB rate with a quality 12.2% SwStr%. Ashcraft has a great two-step this week against the Orioles and Nats. He should be rostered in most formats this week.
Cade Cavalli (SP – WSH)
Rostered: 8%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Cade Cavalli made his first start on August 6th after missing plenty of time due to Tommy John surgery. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in four out of six starts, allowing 16 earned runs over 29.2 innings pitched for a 4.85 ERA and 3.94 SIERA.
Cavalli has 28 strikeouts and eight walks for a 14.8% K-BB rate. Cavalli has a great two-step this week versus the Marlins and Pirates, making for an intriguing streamer in most formats.
Closers
Will Vest (RP – DET)
Rostered: 56%
Suggested Bid: 24%
Will Vest has been great this season, even with Kyle Finnegan joining the Tigers at the trade deadline and sharing closing duties. Vest entered Friday with a 2.70 ERA and 2.95 SIERA to go with an 18% K-BB rate.
Vest is 6-3 on the season with 20 saves and three holds. Finnegan was placed on the injured list (IL) on Friday, meaning Vest is back to being the primary closer for the Tigers, making him a must roster in most formats.
Jordan Leasure (RP – CWS)
Rostered: 3%
Suggested Bid: 17%
Jordan Leasure has been used in many roles this season in the White Sox’s bullpen. Of late, Leasure has found himself closing games. Since August 1st, Leasure has made 15 appearances, allowing four runs over 14 innings for a 2.57 ERA to go with an elite 34% K-BB rate supported by an elite 17.3% SwStr%.
Since August 1st, Leasure has gone 1-0 with four saves and a hold. He added another save on Friday night as the White Sox have been winning more games lately, leading to more save opportunities. Leasure has earned the right to be rostered in most formats heading into the stretch run.
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