With each day that passes, we are more and more in the thick of both MLB pennant races and fantasy baseball playoff races. For those of you in head-to-head leagues, each at bat takes on an even greater importance at this time of year. This is when you search around every corner for production, so let us take a look at some MLB waiver wire options to help improve your team. 

 

 

 

MLB Waiver Wire Hitters

Josh Jung, 3B (TEX); FAAB Bid: 3%

Jung has buzz as a top prospect and had he not missed most of the season due to injury, we likely would have seen him at the major league level sooner this year. Based on what we saw last season, a .308 batting average in Double-A and .348 in Triple-A along with 19 home runs in 88 games, Jung proved to be capable at the minor league level. In 22 games this year, he is hitting .274 with six home runs and 24 RBI so that this point, it makes sense to see what Jung can do over the final few months of the season. His strikeout rate at 27% is a little elevated, the sample size is small and generally has been closer to 20%, but it is something to keep an eye on. The talent is there though and Jung gives us more upside than the majority of players currently available on the waiver wire.

 

Oneil Cruz, SS (PIT); FAAB Bid: 5%

With Cruz being rostered in 51% of Yahoo leagues, he is just past the threshold I generally use for consideration, but that percentage is simply way too low. Yes, Cruz is hitting just .218 on the season, but his talent and tools cannot be questioned and it is hard to ignore his 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 64 games this season. Cruz should also get credit for the adjustments he has made to his swing as of late which is evidenced by him batting .360 over the last seven days. It is also quite clear that we do not have to worry about playing time for Cruz down the stretch. 

 

Cal Raleigh, C (SEA); FAAB Bid: 2%

The Seattle catcher is someone I have touted at multiple times this season, and with Raleigh being available in 70% of Yahoo leagues, he certainly is an interesting name. Over the last seven days, Raleigh has gone deep four times which gives him 23 home runs and 54 RBI on the season in 102 games. Of course, that power production does not come without a cost, and with a .210 batting average, Raleigh is far from perfect but most catchers are not. When Raleigh does make contact, you have to like his 15.1% barrel-rate and 22.6-degree launch angle and if you are looking for a power boost over the last few weeks of the season, he can help.

 

Aristides Aquino, OF (CIN); FAAB Bid: 1%

We have been down this path before with Aquino being hot, and when the Cincinnati outfielder is in the zone, home runs can come in bunches. Aquino has never been accused of not having power but making contact is not always easy for him. Over the last seven days, Aquino has three home runs and I expect the Reds to continue giving the outfielder a chance to show what he can do over the next few weeks. The disclaimer has to be added that the power comes with a cost and you have to live with a .199 batting average and 40% strikeout rate, but seven home runs and 25 RBI over 58 games does carry some value after he went deep twice on Wednesday.

 

Lewis Brinson, OF (SF); FAAB Bid 1%

Talent has never been an issue for Brinson, but turning it into actual production at the major league level has not been as smooth of a process. You could argue that things did come together for the 28-year-old in Triple-A this season as he hit .299 with 21 home runs and 63 RBI and Brinson was able to parlay that into getting a chance at the major league level with San Francisco. Through six games, Brinson has three home runs and four RBI while hitting .294 and this is the time of year where there is nothing wrong with simply riding the hot hand.

 

 

 

MLB Waiver Wire Pitchers

Hunter Brown (HOU); FAAB Bid: 2%

Talk about a debut. All Brown did in his first major league start was throw six innings of shutout baseball while allowing just three hits and a walk to go along with five strikeouts. Every start is not going to be like that for Brown but it is hard to argue with his fastball/curveball combination and the velocity he generates. In 23 games at Triple-A this year (14 starts) Brown struck out 11.38 batters per nine innings which gives us a fair amount of upside in that department although his 3.82 walks per nine innings are something to keep an eye on. However, the strikeout potential and 54.2% ground ball rate he had in Triple-A does allow him to get out of trouble and is reflected in his 2.55 ERA (3.31 xERA). 

 

Cole Irvin (OAK); FAAB Bid: 2%

We are very much at the streaming part of our program, and with Irvin’s next start coming at home, he should be on our radar. Through 88 innings in his favorable home park this season, Irvin 2.76 ERA with opposing hitters batting just .209 against him. At this point in the season, if you are looking for innings, I feel comfortable running with Irvin. 

 

Tyler Glasnow (TB); FAAB Bid: 1%

If you are in a league with keeper implications or have an Injured List spot to spare, Glasnow should be on your radar as someone to stash. There is no questioning Glasnow’s talent and the fact that he is already making rehab starts at Triple-A in anticipation of finishing out the season out in Tampa Bay makes him a viable option to target. 

 

John Schreiber (BOS); FAAB Bid: 2%

With two saves over the last seven days, we are back to Schreiber as he is up to seven saves on the season. The opportunity for Schreiber to step up is there as Tanner Houck is sidelined for the remainder of the year, and with a 2.08 ERA and 0.89 WHIP through 56.1 innings while striking 65 batters, he has certainly earned the opportunity. 

 

Pete Fairbanks (TB); FAAB Bid: 2%

With saves in each of his last two games, six overall, the focus is currently on Fairbanks when we are mining Tampa Bay’s bullpen for saves. Considering those six saves have come in just 18.2 innings, I feel pretty confident in Fairbanks over the next few weeks and his 1.45 ERA and 0.70 WHIP certainly do not hurt either and nor does his 28 strikeouts. 
 

 

 

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