Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that looks at the best players in baseball that you should be adding to your rosters. We’ll look at the players that are likely to be available in most leagues, as well as some deep league waiver wire options, and we’ll also look at the most added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites, and let you know which players to add and which players you can leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
This is it. It’s wild, isn’t it? Remember when we were excited about adding Chris Paddack on the last day of March for a start against the White Sox? Alright, excited might be a stretch, interested maybe. Alas, that didn’t work. There I go again, reminiscing. Tony Soprano would be appalled. Anyway, I hope that I helped point you in the right direction at least once, if not more (A broken clock is right twice a day!), and I salute those managers still scratching and clawing through this final week of mayhem. May fortune be with you. As always, be sure to follow The List for all things pitching. Scott Chu’s Hitter List is invaluable, too. Alright, let’s do it! One last dumpster dive. I’m not crying, you are.
Alejandro Kirk (TOR) C (40% rostered on Yahoo)
If you missed out on Drake Baldwin, who was featured yesterday, consider Kirk. He has a similar profile, including excellent Contact Ability+ (116) and above-average Power+(107) while hitting in the middle of a good lineup. The Jays finish the season in Toronto, facing Brayan Bello on Thursday, followed by three average-ish arms in Houser, Boyle, and Seymour.
Addison Barger (TOR) 3B (32% rostered on Yahoo)
Barger has fallen off a cliff in the second half (84 wRC+), and I would avoid him if possible. But he is still on the radar if you need HR/RBI with the Jays in Toronto the rest of the way, while facing some beatable matchups, save Crochet tonight.
Nathaniel Lowe (BOS) 1B (32% rostered on Yahoo)
He’s been awful, hitting .224 with a 90 wRC+. However, he will at least have the platoon advantage the rest of the way, save Sunday against Skubal.
Brett Baty (NYM) 2B, 3B (17% rostered on Yahoo)
Baty feels like a forgotten man, and perhaps rightfully so, given the star-studded lineup he’s in, but let’s give him his due; the man is hitting .288 with a 132 wRC+ in the second half (181 PA). The Mets get two left-handers in Boyd and Imanaga at Wrigley today and tomorrow, but finish the season at Miami against three right-handers. I wish the matchups were better (Sandy, Eury, and E-Cab). Still, the Met lineup is loaded, leaving Baty with RBI opportunities. And PLV adores Baty’s recent swing decisions. Color me enthused. Very enthused.
Romy González (BOS) 1B, 2B, 3B, SS (15% rostered on Yahoo)
Romy was in the lineup last night against Gausman, so I think we can feel alright about his playing time. He has very quietly been one of Boston’s best hitters (125 wRC+). The Red Sox finish the season facing Scherzer and Bieber in Toronto, followed by Mize, Paddack, and Skubal.
Samuel Basallo (BAL) 1B/C (15% rostered on Yahoo)
Basallo hasn’t exactly hit the ground running, hitting .188 with a .618 OPS. Yikes, well, look at it this way. There’s a chance this time next year we’ll be laughing that this kid was ever on waivers as one of baseball’s best prospects. He should be in the lineup save Thursday, with the lefty Rodón on the mound for the Yankees. He is worth a shot if you are chasing home runs/RBI.
Jesús Sánchez (HOU) OF (5% rostered on Yahoo)
He hasn’t been great this year (94 wRC+). However, the Astros get some great matchups the rest of the way, with Severino tomorrow, followed by three against a beleaguered Angels staff. He has another good matchup today against Ginn, who has struggled against LHB.
Carter Jensen (KC) C (4% rostered on Yahoo)
The Royals’ second-best prospect via Pipeline, Jensen has been playing regularly and has done well, hitting .279 with a .902 OPS through his first 49 ABs. The Royals finish with one more game against the Angels (Farris), followed by three in Sacramento, so he’s not a bad dart to chase.
Christian Moore (LAA) 2B (3% rostered on Yahoo)
Top prospect who has hit seven home runs in 164 PAs and is also hitting .201 with a 33.5% K rate. He’s a desperation play in deep leagues.
Nasim Nuñez (WSN) 2B, SS (1% rostered on Yahoo)
Mitch Steinberg mentioned Nuñez yesterday. But I think he deserves another mention for you deep leaguers after he hit lead off for the Nats again last night. The 25-year-old switch-hitter is not much of a hitter, judging by his 81 wRC+ in Triple-A. But he stole 36 bases in 63 games. The Nats will face Elder today, are off Thursday, and finish the year hosting the White Sox.
Yoán Moncada (LAA) 3B (1% rostered on Yahoo)
Hey, look, if you are in a 16-teamer, like me, things are desperate. The Angels close out the season facing five right-handers, and Moncada has shown some pop (105 Power+). He hasn’t played much this year due to injuries. But he’s been decently productive with a .790 OPS and 119 wRC+.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Cristian Javier stymied the Rangers and outdueled Jacob deGrom before last night’s game at Sutter Health Park. He is tentatively scheduled for one final start on Sunday in LA, which could be a good one, given that the Halos have the worst K rate in baseball, and they are also missing Neto. However, be sure to double-check if you have limited transactions; the probable pitchers are constantly changing in the final days.
Dean Kremer started last night against the Rays, but it doesn’t appear he’ll get another turn; Bradish is Baltimore’s PP for Sunday. Even if Bradish were to get scratched for some reason, and Kremer pitches Sunday, it would be against the Yankees in the Bronx. We can probably do better.
Stephen Kolek randomly punched out a season-high eight batters against the M’s last Thursday and will make his final start against the Angels today, Wednesday. Kolek’s 9.5% K-BB is sketchy, but he has been effective (3.54 ERA and 1.14 WHIP), and could be a decent streamer if your league has same-day transactions. The Angels, meanwhile, don’t have a PP listed, so Kolek could get some run support.
Mitch Steinberg highlighted Ha-Seong Kim in yesterday’s column; his season line isn’t pretty, but he’s come along lately with a 130 wRC+ in September (78 PAs). Although he hasn’t stolen a base all month.
Bryce Elder made his final start of the year last night against the Nats. Carry on.
ESPN’s most popular additions start with Emmet Sheehan, who most recently held the Giants to a single hit across seven innings, striking out ten. He also earned a King Cole and a Gallow’s Pole. He’s got a 2.86 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 22.4% K-BB. He is tentatively scheduled to make his final start of the regular season this weekend in Seattle. But you know how it goes with the Dodgers; there could be shenanigans with the playoffs looming. Will they have anything to play for? Regardless, he’s a must-roster player.
Mitch Steinberg featured Drake Baldwin in yesterday’s column; the rookie backstop played kingmaker in plenty of head-to-head leagues last week, hitting .393 with three taters and 12 RBIs. I’ve stumped for him several times this year. He’s awesome, and his schedule is terrific.
Brady Singer got the Pirates last night and wasn’t great; he allowed four earned runs on seven hits and now walks over five and a third. His final start could be Sunday in Milwaukee. I don’t think Singer has given you enough of a reason to be too excited about that start. But maybe the Brewers sit everyone, with them having the best record locked up. It could work out, but it’s certainly not a must.
Mickey Moniak has had a career year with the Rockies. He deserves credit. But he still tends to get himself out with wonky swing decisions (77 DV+) and, more importantly, the Rockies are on the road in Seattle and San Fran. There are probably better darts to toss.
Caleb Durbin was featured in yesterday’s list, too. He is playing every day for the Brew Crew. He’s a contact guy with some speed. However, the Reds are one of the few teams off this Thursday, so keep that in mind. They’ll finish the season at home against the Reds, facing Littell, Abbott, and Singer.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streaming article.
With only a few days left, here are a few probable pitchers who are widely available with good matchups that stand out to me. However, be sure to double-check; you know how the last days can go.
Justin Verlander vs. COL on Sunday (51%)
Trevor McDonald vs. COL on Saturday (0%), I have no clue where McDonald came from, but if he can hold the Dodgers in LA to one run over six innings, you’re dang right I’m interested in starting him against the Road Rockies.
Cam Schlittler vs. BAL on Saturday (56%)
Connelly Early vs. DET on Saturday (39%)
Trey Yesavage vs. TBR on Friday (30%)
Jack Leiter vs. MIN on Thursday (45% rostered on Yahoo) I’d only go after Zippo if it’s the Twins; their lineup is a mess, especially if they are missing Keaschall, who left last night’s game with a thumb injury. If Leiter starts Friday in Cleveland, that’s a hard pass, unless you’re really desperate for a few strikeouts.
Will Warren vs. CWS on Thursday (41%)
Parker Messick vs. DET on Thursday (38%)
Michael Lorenzen at LAA on Thursday (10%). Our old pal, Mr. Thursday. Boring, I know, but the Angels strike a ton, and he should get run support, with his counterpart being Mr. Farris.
Best of luck!
