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 available off the waiver wire that can fit the bill.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion in our waiver wire recommendations will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 6/18 ), 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.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Recommendations
Luke Raley, 1B/OF, Seattle Mariners
When a player hits .206 in their first 24 games of the season, they generally aren’t stashed on your bench when they hit the Injured List. That was the case for Luke Raley after straining his oblique.
From a fantasy perspective, your roster setting and composition have to be considered. Raley is versatile from a defensive standpoint, but he’s become a platoon bat. If you have the ability to switch Raley in and out of your lineup to take advantage of his success against right-handed pitching, his true value is realized. For his career, Raley is hitting .181 in 171 plate appearances against southpaws compared to .246 against right-handed pitching. Of his 46 career home runs, 42 have come with the platoon advantage, along with seven of his 123 RBI.
Through five games at Triple-A, Raley has seven hits in 19 at-bats with a home run. The Mariners are in need of offense, and Raley will be very much in the mix against the right-handers. In the right league, he’s worth the addition.
Cam Smith, 3B/OF, Houston Astros
At this point in the season, Cam Smith has like been picked up, drafted, stashed, and then potentially dropped again. After a scorching spring, Smith made the Houston Astros. The problem, though, is that his MLB career got off to a rough start. Smith hit just .213 in April as he showed that hitting major league pitching isn’t easy. Since then, though, we’ve seen a different version of Smith.
After struggling to begin the season, Smith is hitting .307 in May and .321 thus far in June. After two home runs earlier in the week, Smith is at five on the season. However, he has hit 12 doubles after just one in April.
At a rate of 27.1%, strikeouts have become an issue for Smith. While his power has yet to translate to the majors, Smith does have a 47.9% hard hit rate. Generating a solid batting average has been a push in the right direction for Smith as he works towards his upside. Having a regular role in Houston’s lineup is a good start and also helps.
Brady House, 3B, Washington Nationals
There’s no harm in the Washington Nationals looking for a spark. After all, they are looking towards the future, so why not give Brady House a chance to show what he can do?
Prior to his promotion, House appeared to be done with Triple-A. The third baseman hit .304 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI, and at that point, the Nationals’ hand was forced. Strikeouts are also going to be an issue, but House can be a difference maker for fantasy managers in the second half of the season.
Through his first three games with Washington, House is hitting .364 with an RBI and a stolen base. Even as things level off and the strikeouts likely take hold, House could be a solid three-category contributor.
Dylan Carlson, OF, Baltimore Orioles
With things not exactly going according to plan for the Baltimore Orioles this season, the opportunity is there for other players to step up. That’s exactly what happened for Dylan Carlson as the outfielder continues to capitalize.
Over the last 14 days, Carlson is hitting .367 with two home runs, three RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base. Overall, through 98 plate appearances, Carlson’s average is .264 with four home runs and 12 RBI.
After struggling the past few years, it appears that Carlson might have found a home in Baltimore. While the sample size is small, it’s important to remember that there’s a real prospect pedigree in play. When looking towards the waiver wire, targeting a former top prospect, or someone who has the tools and at least has the upside, is also a preferred approach.
Max Scherzer, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
While Max Scherzer is not the pitcher he once was, he’s still pretty good. The right-hander has a good chance of heading to Cooperstown once he retires, and we shouldn’t take him lightly. It’s understandable that he’s not the ace he once was. However, the bigger issue is that Scherzer’s health has betrayed him as of late.
That trend continued this season. After three innings of work in his season debut, Scherzer found himself back on the Injured List. This time it was with a thumb injury. Last year, it was shoulder and hamstring injuries that limited him to just 43.1 innings of work. While we can’t expect Scherzer to come back and be instantly successful, he’s still better than the majority of waiver wire options.
That return should be coming next week. In his last start, Scherzer struck out eight batters while not allowing a run in 4.1 innings of work. There was some soreness in his thumb following the outing, but it was expected. If he’s available, he could augment your rotation.
Luis Severino, SP, Athletics
It’s literally two different pitchers. There’s really no other way to put to explain it with Luis Severino this season. Granted, the conditions in Severino’s home park this season greatly favor hitters, but the difference is startling.
At home, Severino’s ERA is 6.79 compared to his road ERA of 0.93. Not only is Severino pitching on the road this week, but the right-hander is making two starts. Focus on the road ERA, and stream Severino this week.
Orion Kerkering, RP, Philadelphia Phillies
At this point, I’m not sure we can go far enough to say that Orion Kerkering is the unquestioned closer for Philadelphia. However, it is clear that he’s very much in the mix for saves as a high-leverage option. He picked up his first two saves of the season this week, and that won’t be his last of the season.
Opposing hitters are batting just .212 against Kerkering this season, who’s in the midst of a 16.1 inning streak without allowing an earned run. Kerkering has 11 holds on the season, along with a 2.37 ERA. All he needs to do is limit the walks, 5.04 per nine innings, and more saves should follow.
Seth Halvorsen, RP, Colorado Rockies
And back to Seth Halvorsen we go. For a team that doesn’t generate many save opportunities, the closer’s job in Colorado has had a lot of turnover this season. Part of that is simply due to who the options for the ninth inning are, as none are ideal. However, a save is a save, and with a finite number available, each one takes on importance.
Right now, Halvorsen sits in that role for the Rockies with two saves over the past seven days. Considering how the Rockies’ season has gone, that’s an impressive feat. In fact, Halvorsen missed out on another save as he blew the opportunity in the 11th inning on Thursday. With that being said, as he’s still in the role, Halvorsen has to be on our radar.
He does average 100 miles per hour with his fastball, but that has only led to 8.31 strikeouts per nine innings. The walks, 4.15 per nine innings, are concerning. Despite a 59% ground ball rate, Halvorsen is still allowing 1.48 home runs per nine innings, which plays a part in his 4.45 ERA.
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