Now, it’s really time to get moving. The Trade Deadline is approaching and we are past the All-Star break. Another thing to be aware of actually has nothing to do with baseball. With NFL Training Camp opening this week, those fantasy managers who might not be having much success are beginning to shift gears. This could provide some opportunities to exploit a league that is not operating at full attention. As you continue working to improve your team, let’s take a look at some Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds for Week 18.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 7/24). 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
Connor Norby, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
Following a dislocated elbow for Jorge Mateo, Connor Norby is getting a second crack at major league pitching. In his first stint with the Orioles, Norby had just three hits in 14 at bats although his first home run is out of the way. Following that cup of coffee, Norby found his success in Triple-A with a .967 OPS.
We do have to keep an eye on the strikeouts, but Norby has performed well in Triple-A this year. In 80 games, Norby is hitting .297 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI while scoring 71 runs. The second baseman is also showing that he can fill all categories while stealing 10 bases. This is the second straight strong minor league season for the top prospect. In joining Baltimore, Norby doesn’t have to worry about doing it all either.
Tyler Fitzgerald, SS/OF, San Francisco Giants
Talk about running hot. After hitting eight home runs in 17 games at Triple-A, Fitzgerald just kept on going after heading to San Francisco. In 102 plate appearances, Fitzgerald has six more home runs. They have come in bunches with five over the last five days (one per day).
Last year, Fitzgerald had 20 home runs in 102 games at Triple-A. While the hot stretch is fun, and Fitzgerald does have some power to offer, that is more indicative of what to expect. Strikeouts are going to be a problem, but Fitzgerald has done a solid job of hitting for average. While it’s an exciting story, this is more of following the hot hand (instead of overreacting), but Fitzgerald does deserve some attention.
Victor Robles, OF, Seattle Mariners
Are we really going to go down this path with Victor Robles again? The former top prospect now calls Seattle home. While Robles is no longer the top prospect he once was, that speed and some of those tools are still there. That is the case even though he has yet to find consistency.
With Julio Rodriguez sidelined, Robles will continue to receive regular playing time. In his last six games, Robles has stolen four bases. That is what we are after as Robles also has a .435 OBP in that stretch. In 94 plate appearances, Robles has 12 stolen bases, so that aspect of his game is firing on all cylinders. Between walks and singles, Robles is getting on base, and as he hunts for stolen bases, that is all we can ask for. There isn’t much power to work with here, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
Kodai Senga, SP, New York Mets
In fairness, we are likely too late here with Kodai Senga returning to the rotation on Friday. However, if the veteran right-hander is available in any format, he shouldn’t be.
Senga had a great introduction to MLB action last year with a 2.98 ERA in 166.1 innings. He held the opposition to a .208 batting average while striking out 202 hitters. A shoulder injury delayed the start of Senga’s 2024 season, but the talent is too big to ignore. At this point in the season, you aren’t going to find someone close to this level of upside on the waiver wire.
At the start, Senga will be on a pitch/innings count (85 pitches or five innings) and also in a six-man rotation. However, it’s hard to argue with the production we will get in that one start per week. The good news is that the duration of each start will increase with time.
Robbie Ray, SP, San Francisco Giants
We have a real theme that we are running with this week. Robbie Ray made his 2024 debut against the Dodgers on Wednesday in his return from Tommy John surgery. After reaching 78 pitches in his last rehab start, Ray is still working his way back into form, but that will come.
We will get to reap the benefits of Ray now calling San Francisco his home park. Over 29.1 innings in Triple-A in his rehab assignment, Ray exhibited fantastic control while looking like the pitcher we had come to expect. The left-hander struck out 45 batters while walking just six. With a 3.38 ERA and 0.85 WHIP, Ray was relatively unscathed as he worked the rest off. Most importantly though, he looked healthy.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw likely wasn’t drafted in the majority of leagues this year. And unless you have unlimited injury spots, stashing the left-hander was simply not a realistic option.
After reaching just 67 pitches in his last rehab start, the Dodgers will initially be careful with Kershaw. However, despite some setbacks in rehab, the talent is still there. Between a strong offense and a good bullpen, Kershaw will be in good position for a victory in most starts as long as he can get through five innings. And that is good enough for me considering the likely alternatives most fantasy managers are staring at.
Chayce McDermott, SP, Baltimore Orioles
The first step is to get to the big leagues, and Chayce McDermott accomplished that on Wednesday. The former Astros draft pick made his debut against the Marlins in what was an uneven outing. Command and control are going to be something to keep an eye on, but McDermott only walked two batters in 4.2 innings of work. However, he did allow three runs on five hits while striking out just three.
While showing explosive stuff, and consistently striking out 11 or 12 batters per nine innings in the minor leagues, McDermott also walked five or six batters per nine innings. That is what will ultimately hold him back, and the question will be how good he can be at pitching out of trouble. Of course, the ideal situation is to see his control improve, but for now at least, we can’t bank on it. In Triple-A prior to his promotion though, McDermott’s ERA did sit at 3.96.
Daniel Hudson, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Success has been easy to come by for Daniel Hudson this season. Now, with the struggles of Evan Phillips, saves are following suit for Hudson.
Entering action on Wednesday, Hudson had three saves in the past seven days which gave him seven on the season. The veteran has a 1.52 ERA along with a WHIP of just 0.80. The opposition is batting just .170 against Hudson who also has 45 strikeouts. Hudson does have experience in the role, and few teams are better than the Dodgers.