We have made it through another week of action and have some stats to give us an idea of players’ production. At this point of the season, it is all about playing the hot hand and great matchups in the coming weeks. The season is still young, so there will be a few players to track due to injuries, increased playing time, streaming starting pitchers and some new closers.
Each week, I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) process and waiver wire, but know there are many others available and, more importantly, others who may be better fits for your teams. If you have any questions, please ask me on Twitter.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball FAAB & Waiver Wire Targets: Week 6
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 18%
Suggested Bid: 4%
Luis Garcia has shown a solid hit tool in the minor leagues but has yet to put together continued success in the bigs. That is changing this season as Garcia entered the weekend hitting .311 with a home run and five stolen bases. Garcia has showcased good plate discipline with a 16.7% strikeout rate and 92.3% Z-Contact. Garcia plays daily and mostly hits cleanup, which may add to some counting stats if the Nats heat up this summer. Regardless of the counting stats, the batting average and speed are a plus at a dwindling MI position this season.
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 18%
Andy Pages was one of the top prospects in the Dodgers’ minor leagues and has been solid since the call-up. Pages entered the weekend playing in all eight games since he was called up, with hits in five of the eight games. Pages has three doubles and two home runs while scoring eight runs. He’s barreling the ball 14.3% of the time with a 42.9% hard-hit rate. Pages is striking out 30.3% of the time without a walk so his plate discipline could use some help. Overall, he has been great. Pages could be in store for a monster season hitting in a loaded Dodgers lineup.
Rostered: 3%
Suggested Bid: 4%
After years of waiting for Jo Adell to produce at the big league level, he may finally do it in his fifth season. Through 18 games, Adell is hitting .318 with two home runs and five stolen bases. He’s been caught stealing four times, but the Angels keep running regardless of the outcome. When Adell makes contact, he’s mashing with a 13.8% barrel rate and 51.7% hard-hit rate. He has a .370 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) with some poor contact rates so regression may come for Adell. Even with the regression, Adell should bring plenty of power and speed to a fantasy team.
Pitchers
Rostered: 53%
Suggested Bid: 14%
MacKenzie Gore showcased flashes of success last year with the Nats in his first season in the bigs. He has taken it to another level this season. Gore has allowed nine earned runs over 26 innings through five starts for a 3.12 ERA and 3.18 xFIP. Gore also has 31 strikeouts for a solid 21.3% K-BB with a 12.4% SwStr. He has eight walks, which is not bad, as walks have been an issue. If Gore can continue to limit the walks while racking up strikeouts, he could be in for a breakout 2024 season.
Rostered: 13%
Suggested Bid: 6%
Keaton Winn has been solid for the Giants, throwing at least five innings in each of his five starts, with three earned runs or less in four starts. He has 23 strikeouts over 28 innings with an 80.8% contact rate. He utilizes his splitter more than anyone in baseball, which has helped Winn rack up an impressive 58.9% ground ball rate. Winn should be able to keep throwing solid starts. If he can start causing more swings-and-misses, he could become a top-notch fantasy starter.
Simeon Woods Richardson (SP – MIN)
Rostered: 4%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Simeon Woods Richardson has rejoined the Twins rotation. He could become a strong fantasy starter with more opportunities. Over his first two starts, he has thrown 11 innings while allowing three earned runs with 11 strikeouts. He has a nice 20.5% K-BB with a 9.2% SwStr. He brings a lot of prospect buzz to the Twins and is worth a speculative add before he potentially blows up for someone else’s fantasy team.
Closers
Rostered: 45%
Suggested Bid: 9%
Jason Adam has always been an elite reliever, which has created some fantasy intrigue. With Pete Fairbanks hitting the injured list (IL), Adam’s fantasy appeal grows. He’ll still get a lot of the high-leverage outings, so he’s not the locked-in closer, but he will at least be given some save opportunities he hasn’t had earlier this season. Adam should provide elite strikeout ratios with an occasional win and save.
Rostered: 43%
Suggested Bid: 11%
With Adbert Alzolay removed from the Cubs’ closing role, Hector Neris slides in as the closer for now. Neris has three saves in his last three outings and should get plenty more chances in the coming weeks. Neris may ruin your ratios, as he has some major walk issues, but the saves will be there, and that’s what matters most for fantasy closers.
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