Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Henry Davis, JP Crawford, Tarik Skubal (Week 14)

Back again for week 14 and it feels so good. I’m not going to lie to you guys, this article has been so successful this entire season that it feels like you guys should all be doing incredibly well. If you’re not already in a playoff position after regularly reading this, hit me up on twitter and we can figure out what needs to be done to get you in that spot. There’s been so many excellent waiver wire options that it feels like it’s been hard to miss.

This week feels exactly the same. The hard part anout doing weekly waiver wire articles is the farther you get into the season, the harder it can be to pinpoint true waiver wire options. But it’s not impossible. I tend to find myself doing so much extra research just to make sure you guys are covered for the rest of the year. I hope you’re taking advantage and maximizing your roster.

With that being said, let’s put that research to use and get this week 14 waiver wire article started the right way.

Waiver Wire Priority Additions

Tommy Pham (OF – NYM)

Pham is someone who made this last week and we are going to continue on into next week. Pham highlighted this week by going 11/23 with three XBH, four runs scored and hitting .478 with a 1.283 OPS. Pham has gone from excellent player years prior to becoming an excellent player once again this year. For the month of June he has an average exit velocity of 96.6 MPH, a barrel rate of 19.4% and a hard hit rate of 59.7%. He’s done such a good job of getting on base and putting up couting stats that he’s starting to feel like a beacon of hope amidst this struggling Mets season. Start him without hesitation from this point on.

Tommy Pham – New York Mets (9) pic.twitter.com/9PKja6rZfH

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 1, 2023

JP Crawford (SS – SEA)

As a Seattle homer I’m always down to put a Mariner on this list. The problem is that none of the Mariners players have really done much to be deserving of this list. Luckily for Crawford, he’s the Mariners usual leadoff man. Since regaining his leadoff position back in May, Crawford has been hot. He’s been even hotter since June 10th. Since then, he’s hitting .250 with six XBH, 10 runs scored and a walk rate (18.8%) thats higher than his strikeout rate (15.9%). He’s turned himself into a viable fantasy baseball option, especially in points leagues. If you’re looking for someone who may lack speed but can offer all around production outside of that, Crawford feels like he’s your guy.

Henry Davis (C/OF – PIT)

If you’re someone who follows prospects, Davis was likely on your short list of guys you hoped got called up at some point. Davis got called up last week and has since gone on to become a viable fantasy baseball option. In his 11 games at the major league level he’s hitting .317 with three XBH, two stolen bases and an impressive six RBI. His 86.6 MPH average exit velocity isn’t going to blow anyone away but his 7.1% barrel rate is a solid number as well as his 32.1% hard hit rate. He’s chasing 30% of pitches but his 84% zone contact rate show he’s still able to get the bat on the ball. The biggest upside for Davis comes from the fact he has well above average speed from the catcher position. Should he continue to start, he’s going to add double digit steals which is almost unheard of as a catcher. Start him with confidence.

Tarik Skubal (SP – DET)

Someone who’s managed to be out for the entirety of the start of the season, Skubal is lined up to make his first start of the big league season on Tuesday. He had an impressive rehab assignment run and if his 2022 showed anything it’s that he’s got an impressive pitch mix. He’s a slider heavy pitcher (30.9%) that follows it with a fastball and sinker both of which are used over 20%. His slider. four seam, change up and curveball all have legitmate swing and miss ability. Each of them had a whiff rate above 23% in 2022 and it feels like Skubal is primed to only build upon that once he makes his return. He lines up as a two start pitcher in week 14 and has largely flown under the radar, add him if you have the ability.

Deep League Options

Nick Madrigal (2B/3B – CHC)

The light hitting Cub’s middle infielder has become someone that should be raising some fantasy baseball eyebrows. When he made his debut with the Cubs the one thing I think a lot of people underestimated was his ability to get the bat on the ball. Madrigal is carrying a .360/.439/.500 slash line. While the power isn’t likely going to continue, his ability to get the bat on the ball is. He has a 98.3% zone contact rate and specializes in putting the ball in play. Chicago as a team is excellent on the offensive end and it seems like Madrigal is going to slide in perfectly. He’s not going to have crazy power the rest of the season but he’s going to get on base and going to score a ton of runs.

Nick Madrigal – Chicago Cubs (1) pic.twitter.com/80RamwaIOW

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 30, 2023

Will Benson (OF – CIN)

Cincinnati’s winning streak may have slowed down, but their offense hasn’t. And Will Benson is at that heart of that offensive success. After what can only be described as a slow start to the year, Benson has found a way to leave his mark on the baseball world. Since May 30th, Benson is hitting .364 with seven XBH, 17 runs scored and 6 SB. He started his baseball career as a massive quesiton mark and has turned himself into one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He’s managed a 13.5% barrel rate and 91.6 MPH average exit velocity in that time frame. The quality of contact has increased throughtout the year and it’s led to him becoming a legitimate fantasy asset. He’s still rostered in hardly any leagues so make sure you get him before he’s gone.