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 19 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)
- $16 in 15-team leagues; $8 in 12-team leagues.
- Red-hot at the plate right now.
Luis Campusano (C – SDP)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Continues to play well, worth a look at C2.
Agustin Ramirez (C – MIA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Back in the Majors; worth a dart throw.
First Basemen
Tim Tawa (1B, 2B, OF – ARI)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Streamer with positional versatility.
Nathaniel Lowe (1B – CLE)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Getting more playing time since joining the Guardians.
Abimelec Ortiz (1B – WSH)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Prospect with some upside.
Second Basemen
Cole Young (2B – SEA)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Leadoff hitter for the Mariners when they face righties.
Chase Meidroth (2B, SS – CWS)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Coming off a two-homer game this past week.
Gleyber Torres (2B – DET)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 15-team leagues.
- Playing well for an improving Tigers lineup.
Shortstops
Kaelen Culpepper (SS – MIN)
- $40 in 15-team leagues; $20 in 12-team leagues.
- Prospect with power/speed upside, already has one homer.
George Lombard Jr. (SS – NYY)
- $40 in 15-team leagues; $20 in 12-team leagues.
- Another top prospect worth taking a shot on.
Konnor Griffin (SS – PIT)
- $20 in 15-team leagues; $10 in 12-team leagues.
- Could make his return in September.
Third Basemen
Nolan Arenado (3B – ARI)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Volume play at third base.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B, 3B – BAL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Streaky hitter with power upside.
Brendan Donovan (2B, 3B – SEA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Worth a shot now that he’s back from injury.
Outfielders
Jakob Marsee (OF – MIA)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Pick him up for speed.
Hector Rodriguez (OF – CIN)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Less hyped than other recently called-up prospects, but has power/speed upside.
Tyler O’Neill (OF – BAL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Streaky hitter worth streaming.
Starting Pitchers
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
- $20 in 15-team leagues; $10 in 12-team leagues.
- Returning just in time for a two-start week.
Hayden Wesneski (SP – HOU)
- $14 in 15-team leagues; $7 in 12-team leagues.
- Showing some upside; two-start week.
Jackson Jobe (SP – DET)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Tons of upside from this high-velocity arm.
Relief Pitchers
Steven Cruz (RP – KCR)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- New closer for the Royals.
Ben Joyce (RP – LAA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Worth a stash; could take closer role.
Mason Montgomery (RP – PIT)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Worth a stash; could take closer role.
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