This isn’t the time to slow down. Even when you think your team is settled and locked in, it never is. Don’t stop looking for ways to improve your team, as there are multiple types of players that can fit the bill.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 5/13 ), with some exceptions. The popularity of Dynasty leagues on Fantrax does sway some of these percentages compared to other platforms, but these are players who should be on your radar.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Recommendations
Brett Baty, 2B/3B, New York Mets
To this point, Brett Baty has done everything he can in Triple-A. He continued that success in Spring Training so it only made sense that he would head north with the New York Mets. This time, though, it was a mere roster crunch, and not his just performance, that sent Baty back to Triple-A. From Baty’s perspective, the good news is that his time in Triple-A was minimal. An injury to Jesse Winker earned Baty a promotion, and he’s been a fixture in the lineup since.
From a fantasy perspective, it’s helpful that Baty is eligible at both second and third base. That is also a good thing for him with regards to playing time, as it has kept him in the lineup. Overall, Baty is hitting .239 with five home runs and 11 RBI in 25 games. However, there’s a clear difference in Baty’s performance as that batting average jumps to .353 in five games since his promotion. In that time, he has hit four of his home runs to go along with seven RBI.
Baty has a 14% barrel rate, he’ll continue to receive playing time as long as he hits. That makes him a viable middle infielder from a fantasy perspective.
Moises Ballesteros, C, Chicago Cubs
It’s always exciting when top prospects earn a promotion to the big leagues, and Moises Ballesteros is the latest. The fact that the Chicago Cubs could be looking to use Ballesteros as a DH should help in his adjustment to the big leagues, but it’s clear that he earned the opportunity.
Through his first 34 games of the season in Triple-A, Ballesteros hit .368 with four home runs and 18 RBI. Prior to that, all Ballesteros did was hit throughout his minor league career. Last year, in 124 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Ballesteros hit .289 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI. His power appears to be still developing, and at age 21, it shouldn’t be that surprising.
Joining the Cubs is a perfect situation for a young hitter, as they already have a successful lineup. There is limited pressure on Ballesteros, which makes it an ideal situation for him to succeed in.
DJ LeMahieu, 1B/3B, New York Yankees
This is DJ LeMahieu we are talking about, so a caveat is very important. At the moment, LeMahieu is healthy, so that means he should be on our radar from a fantasy perspective. LeMahieu just returned, so the health is there, even if it’s on a temporary basis. That means we should make a minimal investment, but the veteran is worthy of our attention.
He’ll be starting at third base for the Yankees in what has been a strong lineup. While he has had some recent struggles, LeMahieu didn’t forget how to hit. There aren’t overwhelming power tools in play, but the veteran does have a solid hit tool, and at the very least, can be an accumulator.
Ernie Clement, 3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays
It might be a matter of riding the hot hand, but there’s always going to be value in that from a fantasy perspective. That’s true even if on a temporary basis, as Clement is hitting .342 to this point in May.
Before we go too crazy, it’s important to note that Clement doesn’t offer much in the way of power with just one home run or stolen bases (two), but he can contribute some RBI and runs scored along with a solid batting average. The biggest plus here, though, is the fact that Clement plays every day and can accumulate some RBI and runs scored while hitting for a solid batting average. The positional versatility across the infield doesn’t hurt either.
Gunnar Hoglund, SP, Athletics
In his first major league start, Gunnar Hoglund took advantage of facing the Miami Marlins. Hoglund threw six innings of one-run ball while scattering six hits and walking one batter. He also struck out seven batters while picking up the first victory of his career. In his next start, Hoglund followed that up by allowing two runs in 5.1 innings against the Seattle Mariners.
Prior to his promotion, Hoglund did have prospect status but he was never considered to be a true top prospect. Regardless, after two solid starts, Hoglund should be on our radar. That would be at least, as a streamer, and this week is the perfect example of that. Hoglund is slated to take the mound twice which is sure to capture our attention. His first start of the week is a favorable matchup against the Angels before facing the Phillies to close out the week.
Will Warren, SP, New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are in need of starting pitching, and as of late, Will Warren has done a good job of meeting that need. Prior to Wednesday’s start in Seattle against the Mariners, Warren was in the midst of a strong stretch. In his last three starts, Warren had a 3.18 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 17 innings compared to just five walks.
That success continued against Seattle as Warren struck out nine batters in five innings of work. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while lowering his ERA to 4.61. Based on his recent success, though, Warren’s 3.25 FIP might be more indicative of what we can expect from him.
Warren’s recent performance should put him on our radars, but the fact that he’s making two starts in the upcoming week helps to move things more so in that direction. It also helps that Warren’s first start of the week is against a struggling Texas offense before facing the lackluster Rockies. At this point, it shouldn’t even matter that Warren will take the mound in Coors Field, as the Rockies are simply that bad.
Jordan Romano, RP, Philadelphia Phillies
Managing closers isn’t for the faint of heart. When it comes to a pitcher who has an 8.22 ERA after Wednesday’s outing, things get even more difficult. In the case of Jordan Romano, it’s in our best interest to ride the waves here.
Romano has been in and out of the role all season for Philadelphia, but after his second save this week, it appears that the job is his. Even if it’s a temporary situation, it deserves our attention from a fantasy perspective. However, there’s nothing to suggest that Romano won’t be able to pick up some more saves.
The right-hander does have a track record of success in the role, so that has to count for something. He’s up to four saves on the season, but things also look a lot better than his 8.22 ERA. He is striking out 10 batters per nine innings, and Romano’s 4.80 FIP and 3.93 xFIP paint better pictures. Now, Romano just needs to keep the ball in the park. But for now, that shouldn’t be an excuse not to bid.
Shelby Miller, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
An injury to Justin Martinez created an opening in Arizona’s bullpen. Based on what we have seen to this point, Shelby Miller is best positioned to take hold of the closer’s job. The right-hander has back-to-back saves in what has been a strong season for the right-hander. At this point, we can assume that Miller is the Diamondbacks’ closer.
From a fantasy perspective, that puts him on our radar if he hasn’t been there already. However, we do need to put it into context, as it’s possible that his stay in the role is temporary. Although if he continues to have success, it could become a more permanent stay.
Miller’s ERA sits at 1.45 with 21 strikeouts in 18.2 innings, although his 2.84 FIP isn’t as optimistic. In the hunt for saves, though, it works just fine.
