Waiver Flavor: Week 21
Week 21 is upon us and for most, myself included, the fantasy playoffs are just a few weeks away. With that being said let’s take a look at the top hitters and pitchers over the past week who are likely floating around your waiver wire and why they should be added to your roster for the final playoff push.
Catcher
10 Team League
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Gary Sanchez, NYY – Sanchez was named the A.L. Player of the Week for his production over the last seven days which saw him hit .455 with four runs, four home runs, five RBI and one stolen base. He is quickly rising through the catcher ranks and is currently just outside the top 10 at the position despite the fact that he has only played 18 games to date. As one of the Yankees top prospects he is proving to be all that they could have hoped for as he ushers in a new era of Yankees baseball. Sanchez is owned in just under 70 percent of standard leagues and he should see that number rise over the final few weeks of the season.
12 Team League
Sandy Leon, Bos – Sandy Leon entered the 2016 season in the minor leagues and is coming off a 2015 season which saw him hit .184 over 114 at bats so to say it’s a bit shocking that over 152 at bats this season he is hitting .375 with 28 runs, seven home runs and 26 RBI would be a massive understatement. Leon ranks inside the top 10 at the catcher position yet is owned in just 40 percent of standard leagues because many expect regression to happen at some point. Fortunately Leon is still on fire as he is hitting .348 with four runs, two home runs and five RBI over the last week so if you need an upgrade at catcher go look for him as he is a contributing member on the best offense in baseball.
15 Team League
Russell Martin, Tor- Russell Martin stayed hot over the past week, hitting .455 with four runs, two home runs and six RBI. On the year he is hitting .249 with 48 runs, 14 home runs and 53 RBI which has finally bumped him into the top 10 at the catcher position. He is owned in just over 50 percent of leagues because of his slow start but the Toronto offense can put up a lot of runs and right now Martin is contributing in a big way which makes him a solid off if you need an upgrade at catcher.
First Base
10 Team League
Adrian Gonzalez, LAD – Boy what a difference a week can have on the outlook of your season. A mere seven days ago Gonzalez was hitting .296 with 51 runs, 10 home runs and 57 RBI. The lack of power this season was certainly disappointing to fantasy owners and he was on pace for career lows in RBI and runs scored. Fast-forward seven days and AGon is hitting .301 with 57 runs, 15 home runs and 73 RBI after hitting .379 with six runs, five home runs and 16 RBI over the last week. Most of this production did come thanks to a two home run and five RBI game against the Phillies which he followed up with by launching three home runs and driving in eight RBI against the Reds on Monday. Gonzalez also currently has a 16 game hitting streak which is helping to stabilize his batting average. With a few weeks left in the fantasy baseball season Gonzalez looks to be a guy you want heading into the playoffs so check your waivers to see if any owners cut bait due to his lackluster season prior to this recent surge.
12 Team League
Brandon Moss, StL– The power continues to be there for Moss as he hit two more home runs over the last week to bring his season total to 23. With his 23 home runs he is also hitting .263 with 53 runs and 57 RBI. He’s going to approach the 30 home run plateau while driving in somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 runs which makes him more than worthy of being owned in all mixed league formats. He is currently owned in under 50 percent of leagues and also offers outfield eligibility so if you are looking for some additional power heading into the fantasy playoffs you should be looking to add Brandon Moss.
15 Team League
Chris Carter, Mil – Carter got off to a real fast start this season with both his power and batting average but in typical Chris Carter fashion his batting average dipped into the .220’s which saw owners cut bait despite his power production. As the fantasy playoffs near Carter is starting to heat up again, hitting .286 with six runs, three home runs and four RBI over the last week. He is the type of guy that you must own during a hot streak as he can win you the home run category by himself. On the year he is hitting .223 with 62 runs, 30 home runs and 70 RBI in his first year with the Brewers.
Second Base
10 Team League
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Jonathan Schoop, Bal – Schoop has been off and on this list this season and it’s thanks to the career year he is having which sees him hitting .284 with 67 runs, 20 home runs and 66 RBI. Over the past week Schoop is hitting .360 with five runs, two home runs and four RBI. Despite this level or production Schoop is only owned in about 65 percent of standard leagues. The Orioles offense has the ability to put up plenty of runs and Schoop hits in a favorable spot in the Baltimore lineup which has helped sustain his production. So if you need help at second base check your waiver wire and see if the youngster from Baltimore is available.
12 Team League
Logan Forsythe, TB – Forsythe has really turned it on of late, and while he dealt with a minor injury for a few days last week he is hitting .333 with 17 runs, six home runs and 12 RBI during the month of August. On the year he is hitting .280 with 60 runs, 16 home runs, 41 RBI and six stolen bases to prove that his 2015 breakout season was no fluke. Forsythe is owned in just over 60 percent of standard leagues but now healthy he looks primed to have a strong finish to his 2016 season.
15 Team League
Addison Russell, ChC –Russell is really surging right now, hitting .357 with six runs, five home runs and 10 RBI over the last seven days. He just entered the top 15 at the second base position in most fantasy formats and owned in under 80 percent of standard leagues. Overall this season Russell is hitting .251 with 53 runs, 19 home runs, 82 RBI and four stolen bases. If you need help at second base or middle infield I would check to see if Russell is floating around the waiver wire.
Shortstop
10 Team League
Jean Segura, Ari – Segura is hitting .481 with seven runs, one home runs, four RBI and three stolen bases over the last seven days. He is owned in about 90 percent of standard leagues so the odds that he is a free-agent would be held strictly to 10 team mixed leagues. Overall this season he is hitting .321 with 78 runs, 11 home runs, 49 RBI and 27 stolen bases as he is having a career year in his first season with the Diamondbacks.
12 Team League
Brad Miller, TB – Brad Miller did not slow down last week as he launched three more home runs and drove in eight RBI. On the year Miller is hitting .262 with 59 runs, 25 home runs, 60 RBI and six stolen bases. He just recently added first base eligibility to go with his shortstop and outfield eligibility which only adds to his value. He is owned in just under 80 percent of standard leagues with most of his increased ownership coming over the past 15 days.
15 Team League
Starlin Castro, NYY – Castro is starting to heat up for the Yankees as he is hitting .346 with five runs, three home runs and three RBI over the last week. The three home runs brings his season total to 17 which is a new career high. He is owned in under 70 percent of standard leagues and while the Yankees offense has been rather uninspiring this season their infusion of youth into the lineup could provide some additional RBI and run scoring opportunities for a guy like Castro.
Third Base
10 Team League
Anthony Rendon, Wsh – Rendon continues to hit for the Nationals and his fantasy owners alike which is great news as the fantasy playoffs near. Over the last week he hit .360 with eight runs, one home run and four RBI. He is owned in under 90 percent of standard leagues which means he could be floating around some 10 team player pools. Overall this year Rendon is having a nice bounce back season, hitting .273 with 75 runs, 16 home runs, 58 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
12 Team League
Justin Turner, LAD – Turner was bound to slow down at some point as he was absolutely white hot for the better part of August but fortunately his “slowdown” saw hit .360 with three runs, two home runs and six RBI over the last week. His ownership levels sit around 80 percent despite the fact that he is hitting .279 with 60 runs, 23 home runs and 73 RBI on the year, most of which has come since the All-Star break.
15 Team League
Alex Bregman, Hou –Bregman really struggled to start his major league career but the top prospect is starting to figure it out as he is hitting .355 with seven runs, three home runs and eight RBI over the last week. He is owned in just under 50 percent of standard leagues so there is a chance that he is floating around the waiver wire in your league and given the talent this man possess he is worth a speculative add to see if he can finish out the season with a bang.
Outfield
10 Team League
Khris Davis, Oak – Davis is owned in under 75 percent of standard leagues which is something I just do not get. He ranks among the top 20 outfielders in fantasy thanks to his career year which sees him hitting .257 with 66 runs, 33 home runs and 82 RBI. He finds himself on pace for his first 40 home run season and should have little issue reaching the 100 RBI plateau. Sure the batting average leaves something to be desired but far from being a hindrance to the total package he presents. If he is on the waiver wire in your league I would suggest you stop being stubborn and pick up this power hitting outfielder from Oakland.
12 Team League
Alex Gordon, KC – Gordon has thoroughly enjoyed the month of August as he has hit .292 with 16 runs, six home runs and 10 RBI. Of that production the majority of it has come over the last seven days where he hit .350 with seven runs, four home runs and seven RBI. Gordon is a steady outfielder and if finally over his injuries he can also be a solid fantasy contributor thanks to the Royals offense which has little issue manufacturing runs. Gordon is owned in under 50 percent of standard leagues so there is a chance he is a free agent in your league.
15 Team League
Keon Broxton, Mil – Broxton has been filling up the stat sheet for his fantasy owners over the past few weeks which sees him hitting .279 with nine runs, three home runs, five RBI and six stolen bases. Overall on the year he is hitting a lowly .238 with 21 runs, six home runs, 15 RBI and 17 stolen bases which has his ownership levels hovering around 25 percent. His ability to hit for some power and swipe you a bag is what makes him an intriguing deeper mixed and NL-only option over the final month of the season as the Brewers are willing to see what the kid has.
Starting Pitchers
10 Team League
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Rick Porcello, Bos –It seems silly to see Porcello’s name in a waiver wire article given the season he has had but he finds himself owned in under 90 percent of standard leagues which means in some shallower mixed leagues he finds himself on the waiver wire. Porcello owns a 2.08 ERA over his last five starts which saw him go 4-1 with 30 strikeouts over 39 innings. His next start comes on Wednesday against the lowly Tampa Rays who were just held to one run by Clay Buchholz who has struggled for the majority of this season so one can only imagine what Porcello should be able to accomplish.
12 Team League
Jeremy Hellickson, Phi – Hellickson is just not getting the love he deserves this season as the Phillies starter is 10-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 127 over 150 innings. Since the All-Star break he has been even better, going 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA while striking out 34 over 44.1 innings. His next start will come on Saturday against the Mets whose offense has been struggling of late. Hellickson is owned in under 40 percent of standard leagues so he is likely floating around your waiver wire.
15 Team League
Robbie Ray, Ari – Ray has been a sabermetrics darling but has struggled at times to put it all together. Over his last three starts however putting it all together is what he has done, having allowing just two runs over 19 innings while striking out 22 and walking just three. He will toe the mound on Thursday against the Braves who are one of baseball’s worst offenses and have been horrid against left-handed pitching this season which bodes well for Ray. Seeing as he is owned in 40 percent of standard leagues there is a good chance Ray is on your waiver wire and I would suggest you go and add him before Thursday’s start.
Closers
10 Team League
Cody Allen, Cle –Allen had a bit of shaky go last week thanks to an Adam Eaton grand slam but on a whole Allen is enjoying a solid season as the Indians closer with 24 save and a 3.10 ERA while striking out 68 over 52.1 innings. He will compete with Andrew Miller for saves on occasion but it looks like manager Terry Francona would rather user Miller in the 7th and 8th innings with Allen saving games.
12 Team League
Fernando Rodney, Mia –Rodney is the new Marlins closer with former closer A.J. Ramos now acting as the setup man. As a closer this season Rodney has been nearly unhittable and that trend continued last week went notched three saves while allowing just one hit and no earned runs. The Marlins are vying for a playoff spot and Rodney figures to see plenty of save opportunities down the stretch.
15 Team League
Kelvin Herrera, KC – With all the injuries to the backend of the Royals bullpen right now Herrera is the man closing out games and he was impressive last week, notching three saves while striking out five over four perfect innings of work. The Royals are known for their bullpen and tend to play close games which should lead to plenty of work for Herrera while he is in the closers role.
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