It’s that time of the week again! Time to get your waiver wire claims in and replace those injured or slumping stars. There are plenty of great options to choose from today so let’s get right to it.
All players listed are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo Leagues and are broken down into categories where they’re most likely to help you. Many will contribute in a multitude of ways, but their primary contributions should come under the category in which they are listed.
Without further ado, here are this week’s waiver wire adds based on category.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Here are players to target for different categories.
Home Runs
The Cubs finally called up Mervis to take the place of Eric Hosmer. No offense to Hosmer as he’s had a solid career, but Mervis offers something that Hosmer does not, and that’s homers. Mervis has been on an absolute tear since the beginning of last season, launching dingers into the stands regularly. He hit 35 in the Minors, six in the AZFL, and then six more to begin this season in Triple-A. All told he’s smacked 47 homers since the start of last season. He also walked nearly as much as he struck out.
Mervis will likely have some lull stretches but the home runs should come. He’s already knocked in two runs over his first two games and could be a solid contributor all season long.
Ozuna is not exactly a fan favorite but after an awful start, the DH/OF is hitting bombs left and right. After sitting out a few games the ex-Marlin faced off against his old team and had a fun time doing it. He collected six hits, six runs, six RBIs, and three homers all in a three-game series. He also hit a tater in yesterday’s ball game against the Orioles. You may not like him but he’s seeing a beach ball right now at the plate and is worth an add.
RBI
Ezequiel Duran (2B, 3B, SS – TEX): 38%
Duran was a top-100 prospect last year but did little to excite at the Major League level. However, this season has been a different story. With regular playing time, Duran has become one of the Rangers’ most productive hitters. As the everyday shortstop filling in for Corey Seager, the 23-year-old has hit for a .313 average, to go along with three home runs, two steals, and 14 RBIs. Over the last two weeks, he’s averaged an RBI per game and has been excellent with runners in scoring position.
It often takes young prospects a bit of time to adjust to Big League pitching and it seems Duran has done just that. He’s a standout on the waiver wire this week and deserves your attention in all leagues. He also qualifies all over the infield which furthers his value.
Runs
Thomas was moved back into the leadoff spot yesterday and for good reason. Over the last 10 games, the Nationals’ right fielder has gone 9 for 32 with four walks (.361 OBP), six runs, three homers, eight RBIs, and a steal. Thomas does a bit of everything on the baseball field and when he’s this locked in at the plate he’s a valuable asset in fantasy leagues. Combining his hot hitting with his move to the top of the order, Thomas is a solid option for those in search of runs scored.
Batting Average
Miguel Vargas (1B, 2B – LAD): 44%
It took Vargas a while but the Dodgers top hitting prospect is finally producing like they had hoped. After putting up some stellar numbers in the Minor League’s, including a nearly identical 14% K and BB rate, the 23-year-old Cuban has started May hot, going six for 20 (.300) with three doubles, a triple, and a home run. He’s scored five times, knocked in six runs, and has only struck out twice since May 1. He tends to walk a lot so he may be best left for OBP or even OPS leagues, but if Vargas continues to perform like he’s capable, he’ll be valuable in all league types.
Stolen Bases
Taylor Walls (2B, 3B, SS – TB): 49%
Victor Robles was a contender here considering he’s already racked up eight steals but I just couldn’t bring myself to recommend him. He’s been bad for so long, I’d stay away. Walls on the other hand has little track record and seems to have come out of nowhere this season. The Rays’ infielder already has five homers to go along with five steals (including four over the last six games) over just 73 at-bats. His OPS is .943 and while he’s acting like a top-50 player, he should be added in all leagues.
ERA
No pitcher has started the year off better than the Orioles’ set-up man, Yennier Cano. Forget giving up runs, this man doesn’t give up any hits! Or walks for that matter. As in none. And hits? After facing 43 batters over 14 innings, Cano has allowed just two hits. That’s it! Including one HBP, Cano has allowed a total of three base runners all season. The lanky right-hander has struck out 16 and has a 0.14 WHIP to go along with his 0.00 ERA.
Obviously, he won’t stay perfect forever, but right now Cano’s sinker/changeup combination has been impossible to square up. He should be on a team in every league.
WHIP
Chirinos is finally getting a chance to start after following an opener for most of the season. While entering in the second inning does give a pitcher a leg up on securing a victory, acting as a starter is still more valuable since they usually throw more innings. Plus, they can obviously still earn wins.
Over five games this season, Chirinos has pitched a total of 19.1 innings and allowed just nine hits and six walks. His 0.78 WHIP and 1.86 ERA are sure to rise as the season progresses but he’ll likely be valuable all season long considering his 1.11 career WHIP and .199 BAA. Chirinos had a long road to recovery after Tommy John but looks to be back to his former productive self.
Strikeouts
Bryce Miller (SP – SEA): 46%
J.P. France (SP, RP – HOU): 18%
Miller and France are similar fantasy players to me. They were both a bit wild in the Minors but were still able to miss bats and put up zeros. There were some inconsistencies to both of their games, but when desperately searching the waiver wire for high-ceiling strikeout candidates, these two young guns (France is actually already 28) should be the ones you target. You may want to sit them though against tougher opponents.
Wins
The Nationals aren’t good but they’ve been playing better lately. The good news is, Gray has held opponents to three runs or less in every game since Opening Day (six games). Washington’s ace has won two out of his last three and struck out 21 batters in those contests. His matchup this week against Sean Manaea (7.33 ERA) and the Giants is a good one, so look for the ex-Dodger to collect his third win of the season. Gray should be a decent sixth starter in your rotation for the duration of the year.
Saves
Jason Adam (RP – TB): 42%
Adam is the most obvious add of the week if he’s still available in your league. With Pete Fairbanks hitting the IL with forearm inflammation (yikes!), Adam is now the full-time closer in Tampa Bay. He snagged eight saves last year and is currently sporting a low 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He also strikeouts out nearly a third of the batters he faces. Adam will likely be up to 75% rostered by the end of the week.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.