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Deep League Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets for Week 22

By Todd Hedberg
Deep League Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Ian Anderson
DUNEDIN, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Ian Anderson (78) of the Braves delivers a pitch to the plate during the spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays on February 24, 2020, at the Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

The name of the game in deep fantasy baseball leagues is acting decisively. This means that any hunches on a potential expanded role for a bench player, key injury replacements, or looming prospect promotion should be acted on with a waiver wire stash. This need for ongoing mining of the waiver wire very often proves to be the critical activity that determines the winners in most deep leagues. Fortunately for our readers, we’re here to help expedite that mining activity and provide our weekly deep league waiver wire targets article.

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Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 22

15-Team Mixed League Targets

1. Weston Wilson, 2B/3B/OF, Phillies

Sometimes the biggest difference makers are the ones that struggle out of the gate but then eventually hit their stride. That’s definitely the case with Phillies utility player, Weston Wilson. After being added back to the Phillies roster on July 12 Wilson only hit .250 with a meager .269 OBP in his 24 at-bats the rest of that month. However, his performance in August is a whole different story. He caught fire with a .579 batting average from 11 hits in 19 at-bats. In recent games, Wilson has proved to be a key difference maker with four multi-hit games in the last five played, propelling the team to pivotal victories. It’s clear he is hitting his stride as of late and can likely propel deep-league fantasy teams moving forward.

2. Porter Hodge, RP, Cubs

In recent weeks, deep league fantasy managers have been spoiled with an abundance of emerging closer options on the waiver wire. Given the competitiveness of the save category in rotisserie leagues, it’s critical to not miss out on a key addition, even if you’re set at the position presently. Fortunately for those who have missed out lately, another viable option has emerged in the Cub bullpen with Porter Hodge. Given the surprise release of Hector Neris, incumbent closer, earlier this week, a vacancy opened up. Hodge got the first crack at claiming the role and performed marvelously with only one hit and two strikeouts. This comes as no surprise as Hodge has been a lone standout in a volatile Cubs bullpen this year. On the season he has a 2.08 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, so it seems he may finally stabilize the closer role for the Cubs moving forward.

AL-Only League Targets

1. Dairon Blanco, OF, Royals

If you play in an AL-only league you’re probably pretty envious of NL-league managers who had a shot at adding Elly De La Cruz to their lineup this season. His elite power and speed offering is hard to find across the league, and even harder on the waiver wire. Yet, a new deep league fantasy star may be emerging with Dairon Blanco of the Royals. While Blanco’s pedigree is far from De La Cruz, his ability to provide bursts of home runs and steals is very similar. In fact, in the last 20 at-bats alone, Blanco has three home runs and five steals. Even more impressive is his 23 total steals this season across just 104 at-bats. Blanco has limited playing time but has seen an increased role as of late, and also finds his way into key situations as a pinch runner, boosting his steal contribution potential.

2. Leo Rivas, SS, Mariners

The Mariners’ middle infield has been a carousel this season with several key injuries and failed prospect promotions. However, it seems they may have finally found their solution with Leo Rivas. Never a highly touted prospect, Rivas has seemingly used his hit tool to bypass more exciting prospects in the farm system, including Jonathan Clase. On the season Rivas is batting .271 with a solid .340 OBP. Though, he’s caught fire over the last week in which he’s hitting .350 with a .435 OBP. Rivas offers little for power and speed, but he can provide a steady option in AL-only leagues where batting average gains are crucial.

NL-Only League Targets

1. Luken Baker, 1B, Cardinals

In another strange move by the Cardinals front office this season they recently demoted Jordan Walker again only a few days after recalling him to the majors. While that move drew angst among fantasy managers, it did present a new opportunity with the correlated move to promote Luken Baker. While likely to fill only a platoon role, Baker can bring an immediate impact with his power stroke. In fact, in the minors this season Baker has already hit 32 home runs in just 108 games. This is actually behind his torrid pace of more than a home run every three games in the minors last year. So it’s no surprise that in his first at-bat with the Cardinals Baker hit a key home run. For NL-only fantasy managers looking to make up ground in home runs and RBI, Baker may be the top waiver wire player to target.

2. Ian Anderson, SP, Braves

Not long ago it seemed that Ian Anderson would be the Brave’s ace for years to come. After his breakout postseason performance in 2021 Anderson’s fantasy value skyrocketed going into the 2022 draft season. However, his second full season was a bust, ending in a 5.00 ERA, and then he lost all value with Tommy John surgery early in 2023. Now Ian Anderson is close to the end of his road to recovery and starting to show flashes in the minor leagues of his rookie-year dominance. In his most recent outings for the Braves AAA affiliate in Gwinnett, Anderson has worked his way to over five innings multiple times. In those outings, he’s only allowed five earned runs in 17.2 innings pitched. It’s increasingly likely that we will see him return to the Braves rotation, even if for spot starts, in the coming weeks where he could make another big late-season push.

Got a few deep league waiver wire targets of your own? Don’t be greedy! Drop some names in the comments below.

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