Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) report. In this article, I’ll provide fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and recommendations for players to target. Suggested bids will include an explanation of where to target them.
The focus is on 12- and 15-team National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) leagues. If you’re in shallower formats, bid less than my recommendations below. The best way to use this column is to bid on the high end for your targets. I’ve scoured the waiver wire for three targets at each position to make it easier for you. Note that the recommendations are for a $1,000 budget.
With that in mind, let’s dive into my Week 18 fantasy baseball FAAB recommendations.
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Best Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Tools
- Fantasy Baseball Lineup Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & FAAB Targets
Catchers
Endy Rodriguez (C, 1B – PIT)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Rare speed at catcher.
Jonah Heim (C – ATH)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Uptick in playing time with Shea Langeliers out for the season.
Luis Campusano (C – SDP)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Primary catcher for the Padres; underrated bat.
First Basemen
Paul Goldschmidt (1B – NYY)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Decent option given Yankees’ injuries.
Ty France (1B – SDP)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Unexpected power surge this season.
Josh Bell (1B – MIN)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Dependable veteran bat.
Second Basemen
Cole Young (2B – SEA)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Leadoff hitter for the Mariners.
Jackson Holliday (2B – BAL)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Slowly heating up at the plate.
Brendan Donovan (2B, 3B – SEA)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 15-team leagues.
- Finally back from injury.
Shortstops
Cooper Pratt (SS – MIL)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Young and talented hitter heating up.
David Hamilton (2B, 3B, SS – MIL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Stream for speed.
Xander Bogaerts (SS – SDP)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Not a bad streamer for batting average.
Third Basemen
Nick Gonzales (2B, 3B – PIT)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Batting average asset.
Nolan Arenado (3B – ARI)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Plays seven games this week.
Alec Bohm (3B – PHI)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Bench depth.
Outfielders
Max Clark (OF – DET)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Top prospect who was finally called up.
Esteury Ruiz (OF – MIA)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Pick him up for speed.
Spencer Jones (OF – NYY)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Talented hitter who is slowly heating up.
Starting Pitchers
Noah Cameron (SP – KCR)
- $12 in 15-team leagues; $6 in 12-team leagues.
- Another start versus the Twins, whom he just dominated.
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Almost ready to return.
Kyle Leahy (SP – STL)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Smash spot at home versus the Rockies.
Relief Pitchers
Erik Miller (RP – SFG)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Leader for saves in San Francisco.
Jordan Romano (RP – COL)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Rockies closer; has been sharp.
Camilo Doval (RP – PIT)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Could be the Pirates’ new closer.
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