Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations for MLB Week 15

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.

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Fantasy Baseball FAAB Recommendations

Catchers – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Yanier Diaz – Houston Astros (FAAB – 2%) – Whether you are in a one or two-catcher format, Diaz has emerged as a viable fantasy option. Over 178 PA he’s hitting .272 with 10 HR, 21 RBI, and 21 R. There appears to be little reason to believe he won’t maintain his power.  He’s added 11 doubles, and his 16.7% HR/FB and 90.9 mph Exit Velocity both back up the success.  The concern, though, is his approach at the plate.  His 14.9% SwStr% is an issue, though his 50.6% O-Swing% is the more alarming number.  The fact that he’s having issues against all types of pitches further highlights the concern.  His “best” Whiff/Swing rate is 22.78%, which is against hard pitches. It would appear that he’s far more likely to become a sell-high candidate, as opposed to a must-buy option.  Grab him while he’s hot, but don’t pay a steep price assuming he’s a long-term solution.

Infielders – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Andy Ibanez – Detroit Tigers (FAAB – 1%) – While Ibanez is hitting .228 with 6 HR over 193 PA, the numbers are deceiving.  He’s coming off an impressive June, hitting .312 with 4 HR, 9 RBI and 12 R.  He also added 5 doubles and 1 triple. He posted a 92.1 mph Exit Velocity for the month and has been 91.5 mph overall.  He’s been playing regularly, settling into the third spot of the batting order (though he was dropped to eighth on Friday night). He also has eligibility at 2B, 3B and OF. Opportunity…  Versatility…  Ability…  The price will be cheap, but he’s a player worth grabbing as an injury fill-in .
• Carlos Santana – Pittsburgh Pirates (FAAB – 0%) – There was a time when the 37-year-old was a must-use fantasy option.  Those days are well behind him, but when you see 21 doubles and 9 HR over 332 PA you see that there is still value. He hit 6 of those HRs in June, white contributing a .287 AVG. At this point in his career we all know what he is, so ride him while he’s hot and then move on to the next option.
• Brice Turang – Milwaukee Brewers (FAAB – 0-1%) – Luis Urias has struggled in 2022, ultimately landing him back in Triple-A. That’s opened a door for Turang, though he hasn’t been impressive himself. Over 209 PA he’s hitting .204 with 3 HR and 9 SB. His best asset is his ability to steal bases, though he was hitting .298 while at Triple-A.  While we’d expect better than a .262 BABIP, his 87.1 mph Exit Velocity is concerning. That said he’s not a power hitter, and his speed should help carry a much better number.  The threat of him losing his job is the bigger concern.  If you want to grab him off the waiver wire do so, just be prepared in case you need to quickly pivot.

Outfielders – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Jo Adell – Los Angeles Angels (FAAB – 1%) – The once top prospect is getting another opportunity, with Mike Trout hitting the IL. He’s continually failed in the Majors, so why should we think things will be any different this time?  He was hitting .271 with 23 HR over 321 PA at Triple-A. Even in the minors he was struggling with making contact, owing a 13.5% SwStr%.  In his short time in the Majors in ’23 opposing pitchers have been giving him a barrage of breaking balls (55.77%).  Considering all of his success has come against fastballs (12 HR), that likely won’t change.  Until he makes an adjustment, he’s a player to stash and nothing more.  No one would’ve predicted he’d be on the waiver wire a few years ago, and in shallower formats that’s likely where he should stay.
• Oscar Colas – Chicago White Sox (FAAB – 7.5-10%) – In deeper formats Colas was likely stashed.  If you are a format where he’s sitting on the waiver wire, don’t hesitate to scoop him up.  While he struggled initially in the Majors, he hit .293 with 9 HR over 212 PA at Triple-A.  The power is real (he added 14 doubles), the question is his approach. Has he made an adjustment, considering his 44.3% O-Swing% in the Majors?  That’s going to be the key, but the upside is there and that makes him worth spending on.
• Jarren Duran – Boston Red Sox (FAAB – 7.5-10%) – It’s surprising that Duran is still sitting on the waiver wire in many formats, considering he’s finally figured it out. In 240 PA he’s hitting .309 with 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 R, and 16 SB. While his .421 BABIP is unsustainable, his speed should allow him to carry an above-average mark.  He’s added 26 doubles, with his 90.3 mph Exit Velocity showing that at some point some of the doubles could become home runs. He’s using the entire field and his approach has taken a step forward (10.8% SwStr%, 33.1% O-Swing%). In other words, he appears to have finally figured it out.  Rush to the waiver wire to add him.

Pitchers – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Aroldis Chapman – Texas Rangers (FAAB – 2.5%) – While Chapman is not going to close yet, does anyone believe he can’t overtake Will Smith and take the job? Smith has a history of home run issues, and while they haven’t shown up yet it could be just a matter of time. With the Rangers looking to challenge for a World Series, as soon as he stumbles a change could come.  Stash Chapman now off the waiver wire for when his opportunity comes.
• Tommy Henry – Arizona Diamondbacks (FAAB – 0.5%) – Henry has now allowed 2 ER or less in four straight starts, putting the 25-year-old southpaw on the map. Of course, he doesn’t generate many groundballs (37.3%) and he hasn’t shown the ability to miss enough bats (6.17 K/9 courtesy of a 10.4% SwStr%).  While the latter should improve, it’s not enough to mitigate the risk of regression (82.9% strand rate). He’s a streaming pitcher that is better left on the waiver wire.
• Brady Singer – Kansas City Royals (FAAB – 1-2%) – Coming off a strong 2022, Singer has been an utter disaster in 2023 (5.52 ERA).  His 65.0% strand rate should improve and he’s allowed 2 ER or less in three of his past four starts.  We saw how good he can be, and it’s possible he’s rediscovering his footing.  That upside makes him worth grabbing off the waiver wire now before it’s too late.

Sources – CBS Sports, Fangraphs, Brooks Baseball