The season has finally arrived! Hopefully, you came away with a solid draft. One that is balanced and you feel good about. If not, there’s no need to panic. The waiver wire this early in the year is always full of undervalued gems that can help turn around an uneven draft.
This next list is comprised of the 10 main categories in roto leagues. Under each category, you’ll find a player that can specifically help you with that individual stat. Most players will offer help in more ways than one, but their primary contributions should come under the category in which they are listed.
I’ll be putting out a similar piece every week, so check back every Sunday, as I’ll have a new list of players not previously mentioned. (Every once in a while, a player deserves revisiting, but I try not to repeat myself.)
Without further ado, here are this week’s waiver additions based on Categories.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 1)
Home Runs
Darick Hall (1B – PHI): 26%
Kerry Carpenter (OF – DET): 2%
Darick Hall is the obvious choice here. He’s still available in nearly 3/4 of leagues and is going to easily reach 20-25 home runs while replacing Rhys Hoskins. But I’ve got my sights set on an ever lesser rostered player who could have just as good, if not a better, season.
Now that I’ve got him on most of my fantasy teams, I don’t mind spreading the word about Kerry Carpenter. This dude is a stud. Even though he is likely to begin the season playing on the strong side of a platoon, he is still worth a roster spot, especially in daily leagues.
Carpenter is going to rake. Say that again out loud so you remember it. Everything I’ve seen from this kid over the last year leads me to believe he is absolutely going to succeed. (Plus, the fences moving in at his home park are going to help too.)The 6-foot-2, 220-pound outfielder has gotten almost zero publicity because he’s a former 19th-round pick and plays for the offensively challenged Tigers. He’s also new on the scene, having started in just 28 games at the Major League level. But for those paying attention, his value is glaringly apparent.
Last season in the high Minors, Carpenter was a machine, blasting 30 home runs and 27 doubles over just 358 at-bats. He then topped off his season with six more long balls in just over a month of Big League action. His cumulative OPS was over 1.000 for the year, and he finished with a combined total of 36 home runs, 31 doubles, and two triples over just 461 at-bats. His barrel rate was an impressive 11.2% in the Majors, and he’s already picked up where he left off, crushing two doubles in his debut. Not surprisingly, A.J. Hinch already has him batting in the cleanup spot.
Now, he’s not Pete Alonso or Eloy Jimenez, but he is capable of producing Anthony Santander-type numbers. If Carpenter continues to sit versus lefties, he’ll be much more of an asset in leagues that allow for daily transactions, but make no mistake. Carpenter is going to hit homers. So if that is what you are after, he is someone you should strongly consider targeting.
RBI
Even before Duvall hit two home runs yesterday (including a walk-off), he was a strong candidate for home runs or RBI. With an ideal swing for Fenway Park, Duvall fits in perfectly as a middle-of-the-order bat for the Red Sox. If he stays healthy, he could easily reach 30+ homers and 100 RBIs again. Last year he dealt with multiple injuries, but in 2021 the mashing left fielder crushed 38 long balls to go along with 113 RBIs – and that was playing for Miami and Atlanta. Now with the Green Monster in play just 310 feet away and back at full strength, you should expect a similar campaign. His average won’t be great, but with a bit of luck, he could crack .250. Add Duvall everywhere now that he’s 100% again.
Runs
Diaz may not be your prototypical speedster at the top of the lineup, but few can rival his knack for getting on base. As the Rays’ everyday leadoff hitter, Diaz has a great chance to rack up the runs scored. The 31-year-old reached base in over 40% of his plate appearances last year and 43% two seasons ago. He rarely strikes out (10.8 K%) and hits mostly hard ground balls or line drives, leading to an exquisite OBP and batting average.
Last season, Diaz scored 71 times over 137 games, and this year, with a healthy Wander Franco and Brandon Lowe back in the fold, 80-85 runs seem attainable. Diaz rarely lifts the ball enough to hit more than 15 home runs, but he should get you plenty of runs scored and an excellent batting average.
Batting Average
Is it possible Yoan Moncada has turned back the clock and returned to the player we all witnessed in 2019? Of course, that was the year of the juiced ball, but so far, including the WBC, Moncada has looked like the player he was four years ago. After having a terrific WBC, where Moncada totaled 10 hits over just 24 at-bats (.435 average), the White Sox third baseman is already five for 14.
Now I know what your thinking, 14 at bats is nothing. But considering who they came against, it’s actually quite impressive. Facing the defending World Champs at home, Moncada looked spry against some of the league’s best pitchers. It’s a bit early to buy in completely, but if Moncada can come anywhere near the .315/.367/.548 line he produced in 2019, he could be a fantastic asset. Add the 27-year-old now with the Giants at home and Pittsburgh on tap.
Steals
Mateo has been a blur on the base paths already, totaling a ridiculous four steals over the first two games. The Dominican speedster register 35 swipes last year, pacing the American League. With all the new rules in place, it shouldn’t be a shock to see Mateo total over 50 bags this year if he can continue to get on base. If you missed out on the majority of base stealers in your league, Target Mateo ASAP.
ERA
Steele shook off the naysayers and pitched six shutout innings against the Brewers on Saturday. Consistently mowing down hitters with one of the nastiest sliders in the game, the lefty faced little adversity striking out eight while allowing just two singles, a walk, and a bloop double. The six shutout innings were nothing new for Steele as he limited opposing offensives to just two earned runs or less in 18 of his 24 starts last year. The Cubs have a sneaky good rotation this year, and Steele may be the best one of them. Target him to lower your ERA and boost your strikeout totals.
Strikeouts
Keller hasn’t been a great fantasy asset for most of his career, but late last year, that started to change. Over seven of Keller’s final eight games last year, the hard-throwing righty allowed just two runs or less (he allowed three in the other one) in every game he pitched. He maintained excellent control throughout that span, limiting walks and finishing with a 1.146 WHIP. He also only surrendered three homers over his final 41 innings while striking out a batter per inning.
He worked exceptionally hard in the off-season, adding a cutter to his repertoire, and he pitched great in spring training. His first outing of the year on Opening Day didn’t exactly go as planned, but Keller was one pitch away from setting himself up nicely with a victory. He would have finished with just two runs allowed and eight strikeouts over five solid innings.
Keller mixed in his newfound cutter 31% of the time and got a healthy amount of swing-throughs on it. He’s now a six-pitch pitcher that should keep hitters guessing all season long. From a 96-mile-per-hour fastball to a 78-mile-per-hour curve, Keller should be a nice addition in deeper leagues to help pad your strikeout totals.
WHIP
The 6-foot-4, former first-rounder out of Wake Forrest forced his way onto the Opening Day roster with an impressive spring. The change-up specialist is penciled in as the fourth starter (will likely become the fifth when Kyle Wright returns) after allowing just seven hits and four walks over 18.2 innings this spring – good for a 0.589 WHIP. Last season in the upper Minors, Shuster was equally economical, registering a 1.048 WHIP across 27 games (25 starts).
The Braves’ top pitching prospect loves to work fast, using the pitch clock to his advantage. Hitters often look confused and off balance when facing him and have very little time to react. The 24-year-old has all the tools to become another excellent homegrown product for Atlanta, and if he pitches like he’s capable, now will be your only chance to claim him.
Wins
Civale is vastly undervalued this season. If you throw out his first few injury-plagued games of the season last year, the fourth-year pro pitched considerably well. Over his final 11 starts, Civale registered a 3.31 ERA, 1.085 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts. His curveball falls off the table, and he exhibits excellent command. Able to pitch deep into games and supported by an excellent bullpen and prolific offense, Civale should rack up the wins this season. Don’t let his cumulative stats from last year fool you. Target him in all leagues.
Saves
AJ Puk (RP – MIA): 22%
Puk has been labeled a future star for the past five years, but injuries have always limited his production. No longer considered a candidate to start, Puk has become one of the more elite southpaws to come out of a bullpen. His slider makes both righties and lefties look silly, and his fastball rides at a steady plain and with high velocity. The Marlins simply don’t have anyone that can match his stuff or makeup, so I doubt Puk will be used outside of the ninth inning with the game in the line very often. The Marlins have Tanner Scott they can turn to for earlier high-leverage situations against lefties, helping pave the way for Puk to pitch the ninth. Add Puk everywhere you require saves.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy baseball, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you navigate your season. From our Lineup Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball season.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.