We had some mixed results in last week’s article, but it will be rare to hit on all of them like we did the week prior. This is a 162-game schedule, and every player will struggle at times, even if they have the best possible matchups. That’s what we love about MLB because everything tends to creep closer to what we see on the back of the baseball card.
This list comprises the 10 main categories in roto leagues. Under each category, you’ll find a player who can specifically help you with that individual stat. Most players will offer help in more ways than one, but their primary contributions should come under the category in which they are listed.
I’ll be putting out a similar piece every week, so check back every Sunday, as I’ll have a new list of players not previously mentioned. Without further ado, here are this week’s category-based fantasy baseball waiver wire additions.
- Weekly Trade Value Chart
- Weekly Waiver Wire Advice
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 13)
Home Runs
Nelson Velazquez (OF – KC): 7%
Nelson Velazquez is always one of the top projected players for home runs every week on Yahoo! This is one of the weeks he could go off. He’s one of the few players who has seven games this week, facing weak pitching staffs like Texas and Oakland. The A’s are 23rd in ERA and 24th in wOBA, while the Rangers are missing most of their rotation due to injuries. That should bode well for Velazquez because he’s been hitting fifth for Kansas City nearly every day. He’s also homered in six of his last 23 games despite hitting below .200 in that span. He might not get many hits, but some bombs might be in play.
RBI
Jesse Winker has quietly had a fantastic season in Washington, hitting third every day. It’s easy to see why he’s earned that spot, providing a .376 on-base percentage (OBP) and .763 OPS. He’s also added six dingers and 11 steals while totaling a .438 OBP and .868 OPS across his last 25 outings. As long as he’s hitting like that as the three-hole hitter, Winker should have plenty of RBI opportunities when examining this schedule. The Nationals face five righties in this six-game week and have a three-game set in Coors Field.
Runs
Charlie Blackmon (OF – COL): 13%
Charlie Blackmon is the everyday leadoff hitter for Colorado, and that’s as good as it gets in a week like this. The Rockies are one of the few teams with seven games, and they’re all at home. That means Colorado will be the highest-projected lineup of the week, projected to score around 30-40 runs. We can’t fade an everyday leadoff hitter with that type of opportunity, especially since Blackmon has a .418 OBP and 1.015 OPS across his last 15 games while posting a .951 OPS at home this season.
Batting Average
Joey Ortiz (2B, 3B – MIL): 46%
Joey Ortiz was a significant part of the Corbin Burnes trade, showing why he was so highly valued. The infielder is hitting .281 this season while providing an OPS north of .850. That has moved Ortiz up to the leadoff spot in Milwaukee’s lineup, which is massive since the Brewers are one of those teams that gets seven games this week. He could get 35 at-bats if he continues to bat leadoff. Having a .300 hitter get that sort of volume could be a massive boost for your batting average. He’s also projected to face six righties this week, matching up with a San Diego staff missing two of their aces and an Angels team ranked 26th in WHIP and 28th in ERA.
Steals
David Hamilton (SS, 3B – BOS): 51%
David Hamilton has come out of nowhere for the Red Sox, but they needed someone to step up with all of the injuries they have suffered. The utility man is hitting .326 over his last 26 games, generating a .898 OPS in that span. Most importantly, he had 10 steals in that stretch, recording five in his last seven games. That’s one of the highest totals in the league. It’ll be tough for Boston to keep Hamilton out of their lineup with how hot he is right now.
ERA
Hunter Brown (SP – HOU): 58% (at CWS)
Hunter Brown was drafted in nearly every fantasy league, but a rough start to the season forced him to almost every waiver wire. That horrific start is a thing of the past, though, with Brown allowing just four runs across his last four starts. The Astros righty has a 1.74 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 rate across his previous five starts. That’s terrible news for the White Sox, who rank last in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA and xwOBA.
Strikeouts
Aaron Civale (SP – TB): 35% (at MIN, at PIT)
Aaron Civale looked like a solid signing, but his numbers have been ugly. We need to consider that all of the damage was in a three-start stretch, though, with Civale surrendering 18 runs in those two weeks. If you take that out, the Rays righty has a 3.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 rate. Those strikeouts are what we care about because he should rack up 10-15 in this two-start week. Matchups with Minnesota and Pittsburgh only add to his intrigue, with the Pirates ranked 27th in strikeout rate and 28th in wOBA while the Twins rank 17th in OBP and 16th in strikeout rate.
WHIP
Drew Thorpe (SP – CWS): 26% (at DET)
Drew Thorpe is a highly touted prospect in the White Sox organization, and he showcased that talent by allowing just one run in five innings in his debut. His ability to keep players off the bases has made him dangerous, generating a 2.17 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in the minors. Anybody with a sub-1.00 WHIP needs to be looked at, especially when examining how nasty his stuff can be. That should play well against a disastrous Detroit lineup, with the Tigers ranked 24th in wOBA and 27th in OBP. They also have one of the most spacious parks in baseball, which should be suited to Thorpe’s tendencies.
Wins
Triston McKenzie (SP – CLE): 55% (vs. SEA, vs. TOR)
Triston McKenzie’s numbers are always better than you’d think. The righty has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last 10 starts, totaling a 3.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 rate in that span. Those numbers should make him a solid streamer since he has two home starts this week, but we’re worried about wins for this section. Cleveland is arguably the hottest team in the American League right now, and that should have McKenzie entering both of these home matchups as a sizable favorite. It’s not like these offenses have been raking, with Seattle sitting 24th in runs scored and Toronto ranked 26th.
Saves
Colorado is one of three teams that play seven games this week, all at home. That means they should get at least a couple of save chances. Tyler Kinley recently took over the closer role. He’s had three saves in his last three appearances and is now up to five saves on the season. His 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP are ugly, but Kinley could be your guy if you’re desperate for saves.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
