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Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 8

By Todd Hedberg
Bryan Ramos, Deep League Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire

Predicting the next fantasy breakout is a popular activity in the fantasy baseball community. Oftentimes, it can lead to great outcomes for fantasy managers who either bought low in trades for rebounding players. Yet in deeper leagues, securing the next fantasy breakout player is almost always achieved by acting early on the waiver wire. That’s why we make a concerted effort every week to provide guidance on deep league waiver wire targets to help those competing in 15-team mixed, 12-team AL- or NL-only, or even deeper leagues.

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Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 8

15-Team Mixed League Targets

1. Jake Bauers, 1B, Brewers

In the recent weeks it seems we are finally seeing the production potential of Jake Bauers that had dynasty league fantasy managers drooling several years ago. Now with Rhys Hoskins’ hamstring injury Bauers will have regular playing time to build upon his recent moment. Just in the past two weeks he has a .469 OBP with two homeruns, nine RBI and three stolen bases! It’s unlikely he’ll keep that pace moving forward but even at 75% of those results Jake Bauers would be a stat filler in fantasy leagues.

2. Romy Gonzalez, SS, Red Sox

For fantasy mangers fishing for their Matt McClain replacement or just to find this year’s version of his breakout season last year, there may be a near identical version of him emerging on the Red Sox with Romy Gonzalez. While Gonzalez doesn’t have the prospect pedigree that McClain did, the player style and production output early on this season is very similar. It’s a reach to project Romy Gonzalez to have McClain’s 2023 season just after his first 19 at bats, but it’s definitely something to pay close attention to now. So far Gonzalez has batted at a .316 clip with a .350 OBP and a key game-winning RBI. Add in a couple of stolen bases to the mix and Romy Gonzalez should quickly raise the eyebrows of deep league fantasy managers.

3. Nick Gonzalez, 2B, Pirates

For seasoned fantasy baseball players, Nick Gonzalez is a well known name already despite little production at the major league level. Selected seventh overall in the 2020 MLB draft, scouts raved about his hit tool and he flew up prospect ranks with impressive showings early on. However, his development progress stalled out in the higher levels of the minors in 2022 and his promotion last season to the Pirates roster was regrettable for the Pirates. Now, back up in the majors with almost no fanfare in the fantasy community Nick Gonzalez is starting to show flashes of his once promising tool set. With a hit in four of his first six games already, he has made early fantasy contributions with a home run and a steal already. While the average is lower than desired already, he could be worth a speculative add for those looking for a potential breakout middle infielder option.

AL-Only League Targets

1. Jose Soriano, SP, Angles

Inconsistency is the only thing holding Jose Soriano from becoming a viable mixed-league fantasy option. So far this season nearly half of his starts have either resulted in zero or four earned runs allowed. In fact, he’s alternated between those results over his last four starts. Most recently, Soriano pitched 5.1 innings of two hit ball against the similarly inconsistent Cardinals. What stood out was his second straight start of more than a strike out per inning pitched. If he can keep the increased strikeout rate and limit the walks given up, his value could skyrocket.

2. Bryan Ramos, 3B, White Sox

A couple weeks ago when the focus was centered around the big prospect promotions of Christian Scott, and Joey Loperfido, another intriguing prospect promotion occurred with the White Sox promoting Bryan Ramos. While Ramos is only the fifth ranked prospect in the White Sox system, recent trades have led to them having one of the deepest farm systems in the league. The primary reason for the lack of recognition of his promotion is that Ramos has not really done much to stand out in the minors. He has shown average to above-average skills in all aspects of the game. Yet, so far in the majors he’s shown his consistent ability to produce results at the plate with a .281 batting average in his first 32 at bats. Overall, his display of high IQ on the field has kept him in the lineup.

NL-Only League Targets

1. Blake Sabol, C/OF, Giants

During the 2023 season Blake Sabol was a hot commodity one the waiver wire for deep league fantasy mangers. Coming off of red-hot spring training where he hit .348 he quickly was inserted into the Giants lineup as part of an outfield platoon. However, his season had mixed results as he showed his high-end power with 13 home runs in 310 at bats but only maintaining a .235 batting average. This season Sabol has found his way back to steady playing time and is displaying a more polished approach at the plate. While he has no home runs he has hit for a .375 batting average so far this season. If he can maintain a more polished approach then Sabol can prove to be a valuable addition to most NL-only rosters or better.

2. Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants

Staying with the Giants we have another emerging contributor to their everyday lineup with Heliot Ramos. Not too long ago he was a consensus top 100 prospect and debuted in 2023 with a good amount of excitement. However, his subpar hitting performance deflated most of the helium in his prospect stock balloon. Now back up with the Giants again already this season Ramos is turning heads with his play on both sides of the plate. After batting just .179 in his debut last season he’s cooking early on with a .320 batting average. Equally important is his stand out defensive performances with multiple key outfield assists already, drawing the praise of his pitcher teammates and coaching staff. Ramos’ big success in minor league play indicates there’s a high ceiling potential for him to realize, perhaps we’re starting to see a big step toward being a strong fantasy asset unfolding this season.

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