We would all love to win our league on Draft Day, but that’s simply not possible. The fantasy baseball waiver wire is a necessary tool for fortifying your roster. How much FAAB should you be willing to spend on some of the hot adds? Here’s a look at some of the players, generally owned in 50% or less of leagues, who may be worth considering.
Fantasy Baseball FAAB Recommendations
Kris Bubic – Kansas City Royals
We are only 11.0 innings into Bubic’s 2023 season, but there are some key metrics that can’t be ignored:
- Elite Control – After struggling with walks Bubic has shown pinpoint control thus far in ’23 (0.82 BB/9)
- Increased Velocity – He’s averaged 93.2 mph on his fastball, up from 91.9 mph
- Groundball Machine – A 55.6% groundball rate is eye-popping
Bubic has been throwing his fastball a lot less this season, at just 39.6%. The change has clearly been beneficial, and he’s been generating a ton of swings and misses (18.8%). He’s also gotten opponents to chase a lot (37.0%).
These are all good signs as he shows all the skills we look for. No one will make a definitive statement off two starts, but you want to buy now and not risk missing out.
Verdict – Must Buy
FAAB – 10% (there’s risk, but $50-75 or more in $1,000 FAAB. I’d rather overpay a little rather than miss out on his potential breakout)
Drey Jameson – Arizona Diamondbacks
Jameson has the prospect pedigree that he already should’ve been on radars. However, he may have been ignored a bit, after opening 2023 in the bullpen. A move to the rotation should quickly change that.
He only went 4.0 innings in his first start, but he posted 4 K vs. 0 BB while generating a 50.0% groundball rate. Those are eye-popping marks and in line with his Triple-A metrics (8.61 K/9, 3.32 BB/9, 48.6% groundball rate) in ’22. Obviously, he’s not going to maintain that moving forward, but there’s obviously some upside here.
While Jameson may not be an ace, if he has the pitch mix the potential is there. If he’s going to continue working as he has over his first 36.2 IP in the Majors there could be issues:
- Fastball – 62.7%
- Slider – 27.7%
- Changeup – 6.5%
- Curveball – 3.1%
While time in the bullpen skews things, he needs to show his full repertoire.
Verdict – Buy ‘Em
FAAB – 5% ($20-30 in $1,000 FAAB, there’s upside with extreme risk)
Franchy Cordero – New York Yankees
Cordero will be a hot add since he’s been a home run machine after joining the Yankees (4 HR over his first 27 PA). The question is going to be whether or not he can keep his strikeouts in control. Thus far his SwStr% is done (12.2% SwStr%), but he continues to chase outside the strike zone (34.6% O-Swing%).
After seeing strikeout multiple times last night, as well as the lack of general extra-base hits (1 double), and there’s a huge red flag. Someone in your league will overpay, and the risk far outweighs the reward.
Verdict – Don’t Buy Unless Desperate
FAAB – 2% (think $10-15 in $1,000 dollar FAAB)
J.D. Davis – San Francisco Giants
Thought of as more of a platoon player, Davis has been getting regular AB against both RHP and LHP. Thus far he’s been producing against all pitchers:
- vs. RHP – .292 with 2 HR in 25 PA
- vs. LHP – .300 with 0 HR in 11 PA
While he’s struggled to draw walks (2.8% walk rate), that’s not been the norm. He hasn’t been elevating the ball much yet (59.3% groundball rate), but he’s been hitting it exceptionally hard (91.6 mph Exit Velocity). More power should be coming.
The question is always AB, and if they are there the results will follow.
Verdict – Worthy Add in Deeper Formats
FAAB – 1% ($5-10 in $1,000 FAAB. Should be cheap, but a solid add)
Rodolfo Castro – Pittsburgh Pirates
With Oneil Cruz going down, Castro is primed to get the first crack at the starting shortstop job. Overall the results in the Majors haven’t been there (.228 AVG), but he has shown power (16 HR in 397 PA). He also has enough speed, that with the bigger bases seeing double-digit SB isn’t impossible.
The key is going to be getting the swing and miss in order (14.8% SwStr%). If he can make consistent contact, 20 HR/10 SB isn’t impossible. That’s a steal off the waiver wire, especially considering the price you’d likely have to pay.
Verdict – Worth stashing in deeper formats
FAAB – 1% ($5-10 in $1,000 FAAB. Should be cheap but with significant upside)
Akil Baddoo – Detroit Tigers
Sitting getting called up Baddoo has gotten some run at the top of the Tigers lineup. That opportunity brings intrigue, especially for a player with some speed and who can draw walks. He’s also showing an improved approach at the plate thus far (9.2% SwStr%, 21.6% O-Swing%). He’s not going to hit for much power, but he could be a three-category producer. That’s enough to put him on the radar, especially if you’re searching for some speed.
Verdict – Deep league add who may fill a need
FAAB – 0.5% ($0 player in $1,000 FAAB)
Alex Call – Washington Nationals
Call has been getting chances to hit atop Washington’s lineup. He’s somewhat similar to Castro, where he has some power and some speed (18 HR over 372 AB in ’22). Call has also shown an elite approach in his first 11 games of ’23 (4.3% SwStr%, 18.5% O-Swing%).
It’s a small sample size, but it’s enough to roll the dice and see if he can continue producing.
Verdict – Deep league add
FAAB – 1% ($5-10 player in $1,000 FAAB)
Ezequiel Duran – Texas Rangers
Will Duran get the opportunity to claim the shortstop job while Kyle Seager is sidelined? If he does he’ll be a must add, after putting up 16 HR and 14 SB over 355 AB in Double and Triple-A last season. That power and speed could come at the expense of his Average. Over the past two seasons, he’s posted a 14.5% SwStr% and 42.6% O-Swing% in the Majors. This type of player does have a limited value, but they have value nonetheless.
Verdict – Deep league add
FAAB – 1% ($5-10 player in $1,000 FAAB)
Sources – Fangraphs, MLB.com