10 Team Leagues
Christian Vázquez C BOS; FAAB Bid: 12-15% - Vazquez gets another acknowledgement in the Waiver Advice column because he managed to hit a home run and a double in Friday night’s game against the Dodgers. In his last nine games he has five home runs, 11 runs scored, and 11 RBI. It’s been a solid breakout season for Vazquez who could potentially eclipse 25 home runs if he keeps it up.
Caleb Smith SP MIA; FAAB Bid: 12-15% - In two starts since returning from the IL, Smith has two wins with six strikeouts in six innings in each start. He hasn’t looked great because walks have been an issue especially in his start on Friday night against the Mets, but he did miss almost all of June so he’s getting back up to speed. He’s good for a strikeout per inning and he’ll only get better as we get closer to the end of the season. He gets a start against the Padres next Thursday and while the Padres aren’t the pushovers they once were, I’d still trust Smith in this matchup.
Taylor Rogers RP MIN; FAAB Bid: 12-15% - Since the start of June it’s become pretty obvious that Taylor Rogers is the closer in Minnesota. He has nine saves since June 2nd with a 1.08 ERA, 12.42 K/9, and a 0.54 BB/9 in that span as well. Those numbers prove he’s also reliable in formats that utilize K/9 and/or K:BB categories as well. He’s under 70% in Yahoo leagues and under 50% owned on ESPN. He’s getting saves on a team that’s leading its division. Go get him.
Brett Gardner OF NYY; FAAB Bid: 8-10% - Gardner turns 36 next month and he has no intentions of slowing down. He may not be as fast as he once was, but he still has eight swipes on the year to go with 15 home runs. Even when hitting towards the bottom of the Yankees lineup he’s been quite productive. Hitting ninth on Friday night he ripped a double and a triple in New York’s first game following the All-Star Break. Not to mention he hit home runs in back-to-back-to-back games heading into the break. Heading into Saturday’s game against Toronto he’s only hitting .249, but he’s still a decent source of runs despite working in the bottom-third of the order.
12 Team Leagues
Andrew Cashner SP BOS; FAAB Bid: 6-8% - So Cashner was acquired by the Boston Red Sox Saturday afternoon and you may be thinking “Why the hell would Boston acquire this guy?” As noted when Cashner last made the waiver column (either this past Wednesday or last Saturday) he actually hasn’t been dreadful this year. He’s 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA with ten quality starts in 17 trips to the mound. He’s still the kind of guy that could get lit up during any start, but he’s not the horrendous pitcher we’ve come to know and love… Or know and… Hate? But with Boston he should get better run support if they opt to use him in the rotation. If they plan on sticking him in the bullpen, then there isn’t much fantasy value.
Kevin Kiermaier OF TB; FAAB Bid: 5% - Kiermaier just doesn’t get enough recognition. He gets regular playing time if he’s healthy. Coming into Saturday he had a dozen hits in his last eight games with a home run, six runs scored, nine RBI, and four stolen bases in that short span. In total he has ten home runs and 17 steals on the season. The batting average doesn’t look great at just around .250 on the year, but the steals can help in a roto league or in any category formats.
Emilio Pagán /Diego Castillo RP TB; FAAB Bid: 5-6% - Well José Alvarado is out six-to-eight weeks with an oblique injury so there is an opportunity for saves with the Rays. Castillo was activated off the IL on Friday so I’d be a little surprised if the organization threw him to the wolves right away with some high leverage opportunities. Truth be told, Pagan has actually had a solid season. Pagan logged a save the Sunday before the All-Star Break and touts a 1.75 ERA on the season. Time will tell who will get the saves in the long run, but right now I’d say the short-term add is Pagan.
15 Team Leagues
Luis Robert OF CHW; FAAB Bid: 1-2% - It’s not a guarantee that Robert will even get called up this year, but there’s a chance after his performance Friday night. Robert made his Triple-A debut with two home runs on Friday night including a grand slam, which was his first hit at the Triple-A level. Chicago is currently seven games out of the second Wild Card spot, which isn’t awful. But we’ll find out over the next month if they’re legitimate contenders. Worst case scenario the White Sox could bring him up towards the very end of the season to sell some more tickets while also giving him some experience while still qualifying him as a rookie in 2020. Across three levels of minor league baseball this year Robert has 18 home runs and 29 stolen bases. He’s a phenomenal talent and can be stashed in deeper leagues even on the slight chance he’s brought up this year.
Alex Young SP ARI; FAAB Bid: 3% - Young doesn’t really project to be a standout big league pitcher, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t usable at this stage. In two starts against the Rockies and Giants, with a relief appearance against the Dodgers, the only run he’s allowed came off a solo home run, but he’s also racked up nine strikeouts and just two walks in that span. His next outing comes against the Rangers on the road, which does pose a more difficult challenge as Arlington is still a decent hitter’s park despite the lack of the infamous Jetstream effect.
Robel Garcia 1B, 2B, 3B CHC; FAAB Bid: 3% - Garcia’s contract was purchased by the Cubs prior to the All-Star break and in just four games he already has two home runs. Apparently this guy can play any spot in the infield so that’s great for position flexibility for us fantasy baseball players. Across Double-and-Triple-A this year, Garcia touted a .958 OPS with 21 home runs, 48 runs scored, and 58 RBI in 72 games. He’s not the sexiest name you could possibly add off waivers, but he’s got teeth.