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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 21. However, things will be slightly different for our weekly look into the high-stakes NFBC landscape. For those who do not know, in the NFBC, there are no IL spots and trades, making waiver moves a bit different. Also, offensive roster moves are made bi-weekly, so some waiver claims are made for the player in a great matchup early or later in the week. This weekly article will outline the upcoming schedule, two-start pitchers, and a few waiver targets that are rostered in less than 50% of leagues according to the 12-team online championships.
As the season continues and we are churning and burning on the waiver wire, sometimes a hot bat is worth a pick-up. Besides "hot bats," we can also look at upcoming schedules to try and maximize at-bats. With all of the injuries, we are also looking into players that may be receiving more playing time. Some of the lower-rostered players, or some not mentioned here, are on the solid side of platoons, so make sure you are not adding them if they have a negative schedule. Lastly, the names in the article are in order of percentage rostered, not so much in my preference of adding to your roster. This article will discuss NFBC fantasy baseball waiver wire pick-ups for Week 21, August 29th through September 4th.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. Also, when you want to chat about outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, please message me directly on Twitter at @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of NFBC OC leagues.
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Fantasy Baseball Schedule Outlook
This week has some great schedules to attack for at-bats and some poor ones. First, we have five teams only playing five games which is a big negative when looking for waiver moves, at least when it comes to streaming. On the flip side, we have two teams playing eight games, with the Cubs and Cardinals playing a double-header in the first half of the week. Once again, the Rockies play half the week in Coors, and the Reds are on the road all week, so no Great American Small Park love.
- 7 Games- ARI, BOS, LAD, MIL
- 6 Games- ATL, BAL, CHC, CIN, CLE, COL, CWS, DET, KC, LAA, MIA, MIN, NYM, NYY, OAK, PHI, PIT, SD, SEA, SF, STL, TEX, TOR, WAS
- 5 Games- HOU, TB
Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers
- Madison Bumgarner (vs. PHI, vs. MIL)
- Zac Gallen (vs. PHI, vs. MIL)
- Max Fried (vs. COL, vs. MIA)
- Spenser Watkins (@ CLE, vs. OAK)
- Brayan Bello (@ MIN, vs. TEX)
- Kutter Crawford (@ MIN, vs. TEX)
- Javier Assad (@ TOR, @ STL)
- Brandon Williamson (vs. STL, vs. COL)
- Cal Quantrill (vs. BAL, vs. SEA)
- Jose Urena (@ ATL, @ CIN)
- Lucas Giolito (vs. KC, vs. MIN)
- Matt Manning (vs. SEA, vs. KC)
- Brady Singer (@ CWS, @ DET)
- Tony Gonsolin (@ MIA, vs. SD)
- Pablo Lopez (vs. LAD, @ ATL)
- Corbin Burnes (vs. PIT, @ ARI)
- Adrian Houser (vs. PIT, @ ARI)
- Dylan Bundy (vs. BOS, @ CWS)
- Taijuan Walker (vs. LAD, vs. WAS)
- Frankie Montas (@ LAA, @ TB)
- Cole Irvin (@ WAS, @ BAL)
- Ranger Suarez (@ ARI, @ SF)
- Mike Clevinger (@ SF, @ LAD)
- George Kirby (@ DET, @ CLE)
- Carlos Rodon (vs. SD, vs. PHI)
- Shane McClanahan (@ MIA, @ NYY)
- Dane Dunning (vs. HOU, @ BOS)
- Jose Berrios (vs. CHC, @ PIT)
Infield Waiver Wire Pickups
Brendan Donovan (1B/2B/3B/OF), St. Louis Cardinals
47% Rostered
Donovan heads into the week scorching hot. He is riding a nine-game hitting streak heading into Sunday and racks up the counting stats along the way. Donovan is hitting .429 during the hitting streak with seven runs scored and five RBI. The plate discipline is also great, as he is only striking out 5.3% of the time during the hitting streak, which is outstanding. Unfortunately, there is not much power, but we expect that from Donovan as he only has two home runs on the season.
This upcoming week, they face two LHP over their six games, meaning Donovan may play only four. However, the other four are juicy matchups and could still make Donovan a great play. Donovan and his great positional flexibility are a great addition if you are looking for batting average help with some runs and RBI.
Nick Pratto (1B), Kansas City Royals
6% Rostered
The great Vinnie Pasquantino hit the IL early this past week, and many thought that meant it was a full go for Pratto. It took a few days, but Pratto has now played back-to-back games and collected hits in both games. Unfortunately, Pratto is only hitting .179 in his time with the Royals with four home runs and is striking out almost 37% of the time. The lack of consistent playing time may hurt Pratto, so hopefully that will change in the upcoming week.
Pratto was hitting .240 with 17 home runs and eight stolen bases in Triple-A before he was called up. Pratto may be a short-term add, as Pasquantino may be back late next week or the following week. However, the skills Pratto possesses are excellent, and he may have some significant upside in deeper leagues as the Royals face six RHP this upcoming week.
Franchy Cordero (1B), Boston Red Sox
2% Rostered
You know it is not the greatest week for deep adds when we talk Franchy, but here we are. Eric Hosmer went on the IL last week, and Franchy got the call. He has collected four hits in the five games he has played, with three home runs. Franchy is still striking out way too much, 38.5% of the time, but is also walking 15.4% with a 34% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate.
We all know how hard Franchy can hit the ball, but consistent production has been a major problem. He should play nearly daily while Hosmer is out, but also know Triston Casas may get the call when rosters expand on the first. The Reds Sox play seven games this week with six versus RHP, making Franchy a very interesting streamer for the week.
Outfield Waiver Wire Pick-ups
Nick Senzel (OF), Cincinnati Reds
47% Rostered
I keep hoping Senzel will become something special, and it just doesn't happen with injuries and poor production. Here we are again, though, as Senzel shows signs of life. He has hit safely in six of his last seven games, albeit with only a .269 batting average. In addition, Senzel has one home run with a .115 ISO over the past week, so hopefully he can start providing a bit more pop.
Senzel is being utilized all over the diamond with appearances in the outfield, second base, and third base this past week. He will continue gaining more positional eligibility as the season winds down and hopefully can get hot at the plate to provide some fantasy upside.
Wynton Bernard (OF), Colorado Rockies
5% Rostered
The 31-year-old journeyman outfielder has finally made it to the big leagues and is producing a bit. He is hitting .286 with three stolen bases over his first 12 games. He plays nearly every day in the Rockies outfield and hits ninth, which may limit his production but is still enticing as he produced in a big way in the minors.
In Triple-A this season, Bernard hit .325 with 17 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Bernard is an excellent story with a bit of more profound league fantasy appeal. I'd much instead give Bernard a shot than his teammate Yonathan Daza if we dig deep for the week.
Harold Ramirez (1B/OF), Tampa Bay Rays
43% Rostered
Ramirez has returned from the IL and is raking. He has provided strong contact skills most of his career, which usually resulted in solid batting averages. He is doing just that now. Since August 16th, he has been hitting .304 in 10 of 11 games. In addition, Ramirez has three extra-base hits with seven runs scored and 10 RBI. Ramirez is playing every day and providing excellent fantasy upside. He is a near must-add in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
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