We have made it through another week of action and are now in the second half of the season. At this point, it is all about playing the hot hand and having great matchups in the coming weeks. We are nearly two-thirds of the way through the season, so there will be a few players to track due to injuries, increased playing time, streaming starting pitchers and new closers.
I highlight a few players to target each week in your weekly free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) process and fantasy baseball waiver wire. 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 Waiver Wire & FAAB Targets: Week 17
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 16%
Suggested Bid: 24%
Since returning from the minors, Lawrence Butler has been on a mission. The 24-year-old has improved his strikeout rate since returning, and in turn, Butler has become a force at the plate. Since July 1, Butler has hit .333 with seven home runs, 11 runs scored, 19 RBI and two stolen bases. He’s barreling the ball 25% of the time with a near 60% hard-hit rate. Butler has moved from seventh in the batting order to leadoff and could be a fantasy stud in the future. The only concern for now is a platoon where Butler sits versus left-handed pitchers, but that could change if he keeps hitting this well.
Rostered: 4%
Suggested Bid: 11%
Jesus Sanchez has been hitting well versus right-handed pitchers this season but it has not been consistent. That has changed recently and Sanchez has become very fantasy-relevant. He’s even swinging it well enough that Sanchez is not platooning anymore, increasing his fantasy appeal. Since July 1, Sanchez is hitting .326 with nine extra-base hits, four being home runs. He is barreling the ball 15.6% of the time with a 50% hard-hit rate. Sanchez faces a lot of right-handed pitchers next week, which makes him an even bigger fantasy target this week.
Rostered: 3%
Suggested Bid: 8%
Juan Yepez has been swinging a hot bat since his July 5 call-up. Yepez has hit safely in all 11 games for a .390 batting average. Yepez connected on his first home run on Friday night, which was a plus. Yepez has showcased strong plate discipline since he was recalled, walking 12.8% of the time while striking out 14.9% of the time. Yepez is playing every day with Joey Meneses in Triple-A. With regular playing time and a good hit tool, the 26-year-old Yepez could finally break out, as many thought he would a few years ago with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pitchers
Rostered: 23%
Suggested Bid: 7%
Luis L. Ortiz was once a highly touted pitching prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he never reached the success many hoped for. This year, he has moved to the bullpen and has been much better as he’s mixed his pitches. With injuries in the Pirates’ rotation, Ortiz has re-entered the rotation and has looked great. In his three starts this year, Ortiz has thrown 17.2 innings while allowing three earned runs while striking out 17. If Ortiz can continue this success, he will become a great streamer going forward.
Rostered: 13%
Suggested Bid: 9%
The 23-year-old Yilber Diaz debuted on July 8 and has looked strong in his two starts. Diaz has thrown six innings in each start, allowing two runs and striking out seven. Diaz made 15 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this year, with a 4.03 ERA while striking out 105 over 76 innings pitched. Diaz is projected for a nice two-step next week versus the Royals and Pirates. We shall see how long he stays in the rotation with Jordan Montgomery, who is expected back next week, and Merrill Kelly rehabbing. For now, Diaz is in the rotation, making him very fantasy-viable.
Rostered: N/A%
Suggested Bid: 12%
Robbie Ray is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and should be done with his rehab very soon. Ray has made nine rehab starts between the Complex League and Triple-A. He has thrown 29.1 innings while allowing 11 earned runs with 45 strikeouts. In his last two starts, he threw five innings without allowing a run and striking out 16. Ray looks good to go. Many are speculating he will make his debut next week.
Closers
Rostered: 12%
Suggested Bid: 7%
With the trade deadline approaching, it’s fair to start speculating on potential relief pitchers that could gain a closing role. One of the most popular targets is A.J. Puk. He’s been outstanding since leaving the starting rotation. Since May 13, Puk has been a reliever and thrown 27.1 innings with 28 strikeouts and a 2.30 ERA. Puk has only allowed runs in three appearances, with three wins, a save and six holds. If you are in a speculating mood, Puk should be near the top of your list.
Rostered: 2%
Suggested Bid: 2%
Justin Martinez has been an electric factory since joining the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. He has a 1.54 ERA and 3.15 SIERA with a 27.1% strikeout rate over 41 innings pitched. He does walk nearly 12% of the batters he faces, which is not ideal, but that’s what we get from these hard-throwing relievers. Paul Sewald has struggled over the last few weeks. If those struggles continue or Sewald gets traded, Martinez could find his way into some saves.
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