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 9
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 41%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 7%
Overall production has slowed down for Wilyer Abreu, who is now hitting .264 on the season, but the upside is still tremendous. He has four home runs and seven steals on the season; two of those home runs have come in the last seven games. Abreu will start versus right-handed pitchers and hit at the top of the Red Sox lineups, which has led to his 20 runs scored. Boston will play six games, all against right-handed pitchers, which means Abreu could start all six games this week. He should be rostered in most 12-team and deeper formats.
Rostered: 25%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 4%
It was a slow start to the season, but Leody Taveras has awakened at the plate. Since May 1, Taveras has been hitting .288 with two home runs and two steals. More importantly, Taveras scored 14 runs as he hit at the bottom of the lineup. That loaded top of the order drives Taveras in. The run-scoring ability alone adds fantasy value while rostering Taveras. He’ll help in the four other ROTO categories. It’s time to stop sleeping on Taveras.
Rostered: 15%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 8%
Zach Neto’s bat is on fire. The fact that he’s 15% rostered is laughable. In May, Neto hit safely in 12 out of 15 games with a .308 batting average. Neto has hit three home runs, which may surprise some, and has also stolen two bases while being caught three times. He’s running wild like most of the Angels. Neto may not add a ton in runs and RBI, but he’s a great SS or MI option for those in need.
Pitchers
Rostered: 58%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 16%
Clakre Schmidt is having a great season with a 2.49 ERA and 3.50 xFIP. More importantly, he’s coming off two outstanding starts, in which he has not allowed a run over 14.2 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts. Speaking of strikeouts, they’ve been plentiful, with 55 strikeouts over 50.2 innings pitched for a 19.6% K-BB. Schmidt should be rostered in all formats.
Rostered: 44%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 23%
Taj Bradley has returned from the injured list (IL) and he has been electric. Bradley has made two starts, allowing three earned runs while striking out 13 over 11 innings pitched. He has a 22.7% K-BB with a 10.2% SwStr. Bradley has been great and has a nice two-step next week, so get him on your rosters.
Rostered: 30%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 6%
Garrett Whitlock made a rehab start last week and looked good, leading to a return to the Red Sox rotation next week. Before his injury, Whitlock made four starts and dominated to the tune of a 1.96 ERA and 3.73 xFIP. Whitlock had 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings pitched. If he returns next week, he’ll likely face the Rays with a two-step the following week. Get Whitlock now before others realize he’ll be returning soon.
Closers
Rostered: 31%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 12%
Early in the year, Michael Kopech struck out plenty but had some major ratio woes and didn’t collect many saves. That changed in May, as he’s made five appearances without allowing a run and collecting three saves. Kopech has still walked five while striking out five, so the WHIP is a problem, but he’s very rosterable while racking up saves.
Rostered: 12%
Suggested FAAB Bid: 6%
Jalen Beeks has taken over closing duties for the Rockies in May. He’s made six appearances and collected four saves. Beeks has allowed one run in May with four strikeouts and four walks. Rostering Rockies pitchers is always a dice roll, but he’s worth a look while collecting saves.
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