We would all love to win our league on Draft Day, but that’s simply not possible. The fantasy baseball waiver wire is a necessary tool for fortifying your roster. How much FAAB should you be willing to spend on some of the hot adds? Here’s a look at some of the players, generally owned in 50% or less of leagues, who may be worth considering.
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Fantasy Baseball FAAB Recommendations
J.P. France – Houston Astros
France was relatively impressive in his first start, tossing 5.0 shutout innings with 5 K vs. 1 BB. Before we get overly excited, there are two red flags that can’t be ignored:
- Control – Over 110.2 IP at Triple-A in ’22, he posted a 4.15 BB/9. Prior to being recalled, he had a 5.12 BB/9 over 19.1 IP this season.
- Groundballs – Last year he posted a 33.6% groundball rate. While he was better this season (53.8%), it was a small sample size.
It’s likely we will see control and groundball issues in the Majors. There’s no question that he can miss bats, but is that enough? Long-term he’s a must-own, but in redraft leagues he’s more of a streaming option.
Verdict – Matchup Play in Redraft
FAAB – 5% (there’s enough upside to bid $50ish in $1,000 FAAB leagues)
Mark Leiter – Chicago Cubs
He recorded a save last week, just continuing his outstanding season. You could argue Brad Boxberger (3.86 ERA) or Adbert Azolay (2.41 ERA) for the job, but Leiter has the chance to claim the role. While he won’t maintain a 90.4% strand rate, the sudden spike in strikeout stuff is eye-popping.
Thus far he owns a 14.06 K/9 courtesy of a 15.8% SwStr%. Over the past few years he’s increased the usage of his split-finger fastball (34.6% in ’23). Considering his 32.63% Whiff% on the pitch (30.28% in ’22), it makes sense. With solid control (career 3.37 BB/9) and enough groundballs (career 48.0%), it’s more than enough.
He’s not “the man” yet, but there’s enough here to buy at a low price and reap the benefits. Working the ninth inning on Friday, with a 4-run lead, could be an indication of what’s to come.
Verdict – Potential closer additions
FAAB – 2-3% (you shouldn’t need to spend more than $10 currently)
Clarke Schmidt – New York Yankees
Schmidt was among my favorite sleepers prior to the season. After a terrible start, he’s worming his way back into relevancy. While he owns a 5.35 ERA, he’s actually shown some promising signs:
- Strikeouts – 10.95 K/9
- Control – 2.80 BB/9
- Groundballs – 43.9%
He should see his HR/9 plummet (2.04 currently). Schmidt also should see improved luck (.380 BABIP, 69.0% strand rate). It’s not like opponents have been teeing off against him, with an 18.7% line drive rate. He’s allowed 2 ER or less in back-to-back starts and should continue to provide value.
Verdict – Must own
FAAB – 2-5% (just your format, but chances are you will get him for an extremely low bid)
Dane Dunning – Texas Rangers
While it’s only 31.1 IP in ’23 (8 relief appearances and 2 starts), Dunning has long been an intriguing option. Over 336.1 IP in the Majors:
- Strikeouts – 8.16 K/9
- Control – 3.34 BB/9
- Groundballs – 52.3%
He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, so he’s never going to be a high-end option, but there’s enough as long as he’s in the rotation. With all of the pitching injuries, he could have some value until he’s bumped back to the bullpen.
Verdict – Short-term option
FAAB – 1% (he’s a $0 bid, if allowed in your league)
Infielders – Additional Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:
- Casey Schmitt – San Francisco Giants (7.5-10% FAAB) – He’s hit 2 HR in four games for the Giants, after having just 1 HR in 32 games at Triple-A. Of course he added 10 doubles, so the power is clearly there. There will likely be strikeout issues (12.9% SwStr%) and he doesn’t steal many bases. He could have the normal curve, struggling in his first taste of the Majors. The upside is too high not to go for him, but be careful with the amount you spend ($75-100 in $1,000 FAAB).
- Nick Pratto – Kansas City Royals (1% FAAB) – It’s easy to jump aboard the hype train, considering Pratto is hitting .347 with 2 HR and 12 RBI over 57 PA. Of course he’s benefitted from a .500 BABIP, and while the strikeouts will come down it may not be enough. It’s not like he’s been a high Exit Velocity player (86.6 mph over his MLB career). There’s enough to think there’s upside, but he’s more of a streamer for now.
- Jordan Diaz – Oakland A’s (1-2% FAAB) – Obviously a three-home-run game is going to put him on radars. At Double and Triple-A last season (527 PA) he had 19 HR and he’s shown an ability to make consistent contact (9.5% SwStr%). He does chase outside the zone a bit too much (42.6% O-Swing% in the Majors), and as opposing pitchers adjust there will be struggles.
- Hanser Alberto – Chicago White Sox (0% FAAB) – He homered in back-to-back games about a week ago, including a four-hit contest. We all know there’s a ceiling, but he’s hitting .255 with 3 HR over 51 AB. He’s worth riding while he’s hot, before moving on.
Outfielders – Additional Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:
- Alex Kiriloff – Minnesota Twins (1-2% FAAB) – He’s been scorching hot since returning to the Majors, hitting .333 over 18 PA. Of course, it’s been an empty average (0 HR, 0 SB, 1 RBI, 1 R). He’s showing an exceptional approach (3.8% SwStr%, 14.3% O-Swing%) and there is some power in his bat. Minnesota leadoff hitters own the fourth-worst OBP (.283), and while he’s been hitting in the middle of the lineup thus far a spot at the top could be in his future.
- Mickey Moniak – Los Angeles Angels (0% FAAB) – He hit .308 with 8 HR over 141 PA at Triple-A, leading to his Friday recall. Before we get excited, keep in mind he also posted a 16.2% SwStr%. He also may struggle to find regular AB. There’s name value, but little else.
Pitchers – Additional Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:
- Adrian Houser – Milwaukee Brewers ($0 FAAB) – He appears to have won the fifth spot in Milwaukee’s rotation, for now. However, he’s nothing more than a streaming option, considering his lack of strikeout stuff (8.1% career SwStr%).
- Louie Varland – Minnesota Twins (2-3% FAAB) – Over his first three starts he owns a 4.32 ERA, courtesy of a 10.80 K/9 and 2.70 BB/9. He’s been using his cutter a lot more this season (30.9%), but the problem is always going to be home runs. With a career 37.9% groundball rate in eight starts, he’s more of a streaming option.
- James Paxton – Boston Red Sox (2% FAAB) – Remember him? He made us remember, with 9 K over 5.0 IP in his first start. We all know the upside, but injuries continue to plague him. Can we really afford to spend big on a player who we know may lose significantly more time? That’s going to keep the FAAB bid down.
Sources – Fangraphs, Brooks Baseball, CBS Sports