We have made it through another week of action, and there continue to be endless injuries we need to account for on our rosters. Unfortunately, there have also been a lot of solid and slow starts from players that leave us wondering what to do with those roster spots.
Each week I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly FAAB process, but know there are many others available and, more importantly, others that may be better fitting for your teams. If you have any questions, please ask me on Twitter (@bdentrek).
Remember that we’ll be using Yahoo for player percentages, and we’ll keep our suggestions to players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups
Hitters
Rostered: 57%
Suggested Bid: 8%
Stott is having a solid season; over the last eight games, he’s really taking off. Stott is hitting .333 with three home runs, a 15.4% barrel rate, and a 46.2% hard-hit rate. He has seven RBI and runs over this stretch as well.
Stott went 2-3 Friday night with two BBs, two runs scored, and three stolen bases. He is hitting .294 on the season with five home runs and eight RBI. Stott has become the primary lead-off hitter, adding to his run-scoring upside. The Phillies’ offense should be a force for the rest of the season, and Stott could play a significant role filled with fantasy goodness.
Rostered: 40%
Suggested Bid: 17%
Conforto started the season slowly, which made sense as he had been out of baseball for over a year due to injuries. He’s healthy now, and in May, he is raking. Conforto is hitting .273 in May with seven home runs, 13 runs scored, and 15 RBI. He has even thrown in a stolen base. Conforto has an 11.7% barrel rate and 43.3% hard-hit rate in May while also walking 11.2%. Conforto is on his way to a 30-home run season with all the counting stats to follow. He should be rostered in all formats.
Owen Miller (1B,2B,3B,OF – MIL)
Rostered: 35%
Suggested Bid: 6%
Miller has shown flashes of fantasy relevance in the past and is doing it again. Owen is hitting .375 in May with four home runs and two stolen bases. He has an 11.3% barrel rate while striking out less than 20% of the time. He’s playing nearly every day for the Brewers and leads off half the time.
Luis Urias is on a rehab assignment and should be back soon, but do not worry; Miller will continue to start if he’s producing. Miller also adds some fantasy value with all of his positional flexibility.
Pitchers
Rostered: 49%
Suggested Bid: 16%
It may finally be happening. Kopech may have finally turned into the stud pitcher many expected he would be as a prospect. Over his last two starts, Kopech has thrown 15 innings while allowing zero runs, with three hits, a walk, and 19 strikeouts. That’s good for a 38.3% K-BB, with a 38.3% O-Swing, and 16.8% SwStr.
Kopech now has a 4.24 ERA and 4.81 xFIP with a 13% K-BB. Walks have been a significant issue for Kopech, but he has allowed one or less in three of his last four starts. He apparently also changed his arm angle, improving his pitch production in his recent start. Kopech is officially an arm with grabbing now and hoping the changes are legit, as he could be an elite fantasy arm the rest of the season.
Rostered: 44%
Suggested Bid: 32%
While many were excited for Gavin Stone to join the Dodgers, others were waiting for Miller. Miller did not disappoint in his debut as he threw five innings in Atlanta while allowing one run on four hits, with a walk, and striking out five. Miller was not dominant this year in the minors, but the high expectations remained strong.
With Dustin May going on the 60-day IL and likely out longer, Miller could find his way to a long-term spot in the Dodgers’ rotation. I expect Miller to get May’s spot and Stone to stick around till Julio Urias returns. Add Miller now, as he’ll be rostered everywhere in due time.
Rostered: 25%
Suggested Bid: 12%
I have been on Team Bello since the jump and am trying to figure out why others aren’t with me. Bello has allowed two earned runs or less in five straight starts for a 2.57 ERA and 3.59 xFIP. He has a 24.6% strikeout rate with an 11.7% SwStr. Bello even went seven innings in his last start. He may not be as flashy as some would like, but a pitcher that can limit the damage go at least five innings in each start, and strikeout at least five should be rostered in well over 25% of leagues.
Closers
Rostered: 54%
Suggested Bid: 27%
Kimbrel has been outstanding outside of one horrible outing versus the Dodgers, where he gave up a walk-off grand slam to Max Muncy. He has taken over the primary closer role for the Phillies since Jose Alvarado went on the IL and is running with the job. Kimbrel picked up his sixth save of the season on Friday night and now has a 5.68 ERA and 3.37 xFIP. Kimbrel also has 30 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched, and he needs to be a primary target for anyone looking for saves.
Rostered: 25%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Leiter has been outstanding for the Cubs this season and has picked up two saves in May. Leiter has a 1.77 ERA and 2.42 xFIP with a 30.9% K-BB. He’s making hitters swing nearly 34% of the time outside the zone with an excellent 16% SwStr. Leiter has been electric, and with injuries and other backend-of-the-bullpen problems, Leiter could be in line for many more save chances for the Cubs.
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