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).
This past week, another major prospect was called up in Elly De La Cruz. He is rostered in over 80% of leagues, but if he is available, make sure you add him immediately.
Remember that we’ll be using Yahoo for player percentages, and we’ll keep our suggestion to players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
- Weekly Trade Advice
- Weekly Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Hitters
Jake Burger (3B – CWS)
Rostered: 27%
Suggested Bid: 8%
There were concerns about Burger’s playing time once Eloy Jimenez and others returned from the IL, so he was dropped in many places. Even with Eloy back, Burger has continued to hit while playing. Over his last 12 games, he hit .306 with three home runs and a stolen base. Burger had an impressive 14.3% barrel rate and 57.1% hard-hit rate with a .956 OPS and 162 wRC+. Eloy Jimenez is once again injured, which will lead to continued playing time again for Burger, so add him back in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
Jack Suwinski (OF – PIT)
Rostered: 20%
Suggested Bid: 3%
Suwinksi is a streaky hitter who will strike out a lot and won’t hit for a high batting average. He has a little Joey Gallo in him. After his fast start, Suwinski’s offensive production dropped off dramatically. Well, he is streaking once again. Over Suwinski’s last 13 games, he is hitting .220 with a 41.3% strikeout rate which is not great, but he also has four home runs and a .293 ISO. Suwinski barreled the ball 17.4% of the time with a 43.5% hard-hit rate. He will sit from time to time versus LHP, but next week faces five RHP in six games, which could lead to some nice production for Suwinski.
Joey Wiemer (OF – MIL)
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Wiemer’s offense has been sporadic throughout the season, but his outstanding defense has kept him in the lineup, hitting ninth each game. The offensive production has taken off in a big way as he entered Friday riding a nine-game hitting streak where he was hitting .452. Wiemer had three home runs and two stolen bases while walking 13.9% of the time with a 19.4% strikeout rate. Wiemer’s contact quality was also excellent, with an 8.3% barrel rate and 62.5% hard-hit rate. Wiemer was batting fifth on Friday night, and his fantasy upside may go through the roof in the coming weeks.
Pitchers
Andrew Abbott (SP – CIN)
Rostered: 49%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Abbott finally got the call to the bigs and looked solid in his first start in Great American Small Park. He threw six innings while allowing zero runs with one hit, four walks, and six strikeouts. Abbott was great in the minors this season, with ten starts between Double-A and Triple-A, a 2.50 ERA, and 90 strikeouts over 54 innings pitched. Abbott is the next big prospect arm and could be in for an excellent season ahead.
Jack Flaherty (SP – STL)
Rostered: 43%
Suggested Bid: 9%
After a rough start to the season, Flaherty has found his groove and has once again become a trustworthy fantasy starter. Over his last six starts, he has allowed eight runs over 35 innings pitched with 36 strikeouts. Flaherty has a 2.06 ERA and 4.12 xFIP with a 24.2% strikeout rate. Walks have been an issue, as Flaherty has 18 walks over this stretch. He faces the Giants and Nationals over the next two weeks and could be an excellent addition to any fantasy team.
Griffin Canning (SP – LAA)
Rostered: 12%
Suggested Bid: 4%
We have wanted Canning to be something special in fantasy for some time. He may never be a fantasy ace, but he shows signs of fantasy viability. Over his last four starts, Canning has thrown 24.1 innings while allowing seven runs and striking out 22. Canning has a 2.59 ERA, 4.09 xFIP, and 16% K-BB. Canning faces the Royals next week, which could make for a nice stream.
Closers
AJ Puk (RP – MIA)
Rostered: 58%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Puk turned into quite a dominant closer before hitting the IL and finally returned. He first appeared on Wednesday with a shutdown inning where he struck out three. Puk is now 3-1 on the year with six saves, a 2.87 ERA, and 27.5% K-BB. Puk is the Miami reliever you want over Dylan Floro, so add Puk now, wherever he is available.
Trevor May (RP – OAK)
Rostered: 2%
Suggested Bid: 6%
May’s struggles have been well documented this season, but he is back and appears back to his old, successful, relieving ways. Since returning from the IL on May 23, May has thrown 8.2 innings, allowing one run and striking out five. More importantly, May has picked up two saves in his last two appearances. May’s first two saves of the season. The A’s may not win many games, but when they do, it appears May is the man you want as that rostered closer.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio