X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

AL-Only Leagues: Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups For Week Eight

As May comes to an end, we are about to close the chapter on the first third of the season. No fantasy team is a lost cause at this point, but if your team is floundering, the time to pick up the pace and still have a reasonable shot at competitiveness is beginning to wane. Fantasy rosters are often like boats: they can stay afloat longer with some quick reflexes and plugging as many holes as possible.

One of the easiest paths to keeping a roster afloat on the fantasy high seas is improvement through the waiver wire. While determining who is a lost cause and who could still come around on one's roster is another matter entirely, who to target to fill those potential spots is not. That's precisely why we are digitally gathered here, sirs and madams of the fantasy world: to plunder for riches!

So pull out your best knapsack, fannypack or other "-ack" device and take a handful of these potential plugs to seal your leaks. These aren't guaranteed to last, but they can help owners get to the next roster port. All players are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

American League Targets - Hitters

Leonys Martin (OF, SEA) - 13% Owned

Long living under the weight of only glimpsed fantasy potential, outfielder Leonys Martin is starting to shows signs of it again. He enters Tuesday night on a seven-game hitting streak that also includes three home runs, five runs scored and five RBI. For the month of May, Martin is hitting .319 with four home runs, seven RBI and five steals, easily making him a must-start in all AL-only leagues. His ability to do this long-term is still questionable, but with stats that sizzling, try not to worry about that until he stops hitting.

Jarrod Dyson (OF, KC) - 4% Owned & Paulo Orlando (OF, KC) - 3% Owned

Fellow owners of outfielder Alex Gordon, and those looking to take advantage of his injury, huddle up. The Royals are looking to fill his spot in the lineup with outfielders Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando. Both outfielders bring a different skill set to the table, but neither has established themselves as a reliable fantasy option, hence the current low ownership rates. Which one fantasy owners should pick up will likely come down to the need (or lack there of) for speed.

Dyson is the safer pickup as he has more of a track record and has averaged one stolen base for every seven at-bats over his career (154 in 1,147 at-bats). He already has eight this year. But Dyson's career marks of six home runs and a .255 average are what have historically held his value down. Orlando is more of the unknown, debuting last year as a 29-year-old who hit 14 doubles, six triples and seven home runs in only 241 at-bats. He has followed that up this season by hitting .400 with one home run, 10 RBI and two stolen bases. With the lion's share of Gordon's at-bats going to Orlando, he has an ample opportunity to strut his stuff.

Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX) - 10% Owned & Ryan Rua (1B/OF, TEX) - 2% Owned

Texas received bad news this week on three of their outfielders, Josh Hamilton, Drew Stubbs and Shin-Soo Choo, losing the former all season and latter two to the disabled list. Now the Rangers will be looking to use both outfielder Ryan Rua and, more importantly, top outfield prospect Joey Gallo to solidify their outfield going forward. Rua once looked like a major offensive threat in the minors not unlike Gallo, but even with those hopes since diminished, he has shown enough this season to believe he could be an average fantasy outfielder, which in AL-only ain't half bad.

Joey Gallo and his big-time power bat have the might to put up All-Star numbers right away. He already has two 40-homer seasons in the minors, and had eight this year before the call up. How patient he can be at the plate will likely determine just how valuable he can be overall. But if Gallo's gains in that department this year (24 strikeouts versus 22 walks) hold up, he'll help wins leagues.

Johnny Giavotella (2B, LAA) - 5% Owned

I don't want to alarm anyone--especially any jumpy Royals fans--but second baseman Johnny Giavotella might have actually, finally unlocked his potential. He has followed up his successful debut with the Angels last season--one that saw him set a career high in batting average with .272--by hitting .279 so far this season. There isn't much in the ways of counting stats in this package, but AL-only owners could do far worse than an average-only middle infielder riding a 12-game hitting streak.

Didi Gregorius (SS, NYY) - 9% Owned

Shortstop Didi Gregorius brings to the table a fantasy package quite similar to Giavotella: an okay batting average with a sprinkle of counting stats. He is also amidst a hitting streak, though his is only at six games. After a tough April, Gregorius has put together a great May, hitting .294 with one home run, eight runs scored and 11 RBI. Normally a weaker hitter against lefties than righties, he is experiencing a platoon reversal this season. If he can raise the right back to his norm while keeping at least some of the gains in the left, Gregorius will easily top his current career-high in batting average of .265, much to the delight of his fantasy owners.

 

American League Targets - Pitchers

Michael Fulmer (SP, DET) - 5% Owned

After the failure of the hyped Twins and Athetics pitching prospects earlier this month, it is nice to see an AL pitching prospect experience some Major League success, even if it's just two starts. After his second through fourth starts of his career were duds, starting pitcher Michael Fulmer showed up in a big way in his last start against the Majors' current home run leaders, the Rays. Over seven innings, he limited them to one run on four hits and a walk, striking out 11. Consistency isn't his strong suit at the moment, but Fulmer brings enough potential as the Tigers' top prospect to be worth a roster space.

Ivan Nova (SP, NYY) - 5% Owned

Starting pitcher Ivan Nova has been great since taking over the rotation spot of oft-injured starter C.C. Sabathia. In his three starts so far, he has given up one run in each, walking two and striking out eight along the way. Other than in walks--where he is allowing far less--Nova is producing right along his career norms and appears primed to return to the land of double digit wins. But with an ERA of 5.65 in the past two seasons, he'll have his work cut out for him to stay near his 4.28 career mark or produce his third season under 4.00. Current results say he's up for the task.

Sam Dyson (RP, TEX) - 10% Owned

Texas' new closer Sam Dyson has not missed a beat since inheriting the role from Shawn Tolleson earlier this month. He already has four saves since his first on May 11th. Houston gave him a headache during one of those saves, scoring a run off of two hits, but he was still able to close the door. As Tolleson was simply a pleasant surprise and not an established closer, the Rangers have no obligation to reinstall him when he recovers. Look for Dyson to run with this gig all season, putting up average closer stats.

Michael Feliz (RP, HOU) - 1% Owned

Relief pitcher Michael Feliz makes the list week despite having a 5.29 ERA on the season. But outside of two disasterous appearances in April that saw him allow nine runs in 5.1 innings, he has been absolutely bonkers. In 11.2 innings in May, Feliz has a 0.77 ERA, 0.26 WHIP and 19 strikeouts. He should be used in all AL-only leagues while he's hot, especially on teams with ERA and WHIP bloat from bad starters.

Luke Hochevar (RP, KC) - 2% Owned

Since opening May with a terrible appearance against the Nationals, relief pitcher Luke Hochevar has pitched eight scoreless innings in a row, picking up five holds and 13 strikeouts along the way. He's now sitting at 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 24 strikeouts on the season. Since fizzling out as a starter, Hochevar has been a fantastic reliever for AL-only teams. With so many struggling starters out there, don't be afraid to seek some relief.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

WIN MORE IN 2024

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

ROTOBALLER PLAYER NEWS

RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Alexis Diaz fantasy baseball closers rankings draft sleepers waiver wire pickups

MLB Closers and Saves: Fantasy Baseball Depth Charts

Saves are an important component for many fantasy baseball leagues. Closers are one of the most volatile positions in fantasy baseball, and one of the highest turnover positions in MLB. Each year, closers drop like flies and many MLB teams make in-season changes due to injuries or poor performance. In addition to closers and saves, relief... Read More


Do These Prospects Matter for Fantasy Baseball?

The 2023 fantasy baseball season has been highlighted by the promotion of nearly two-dozen top prospects to the major leagues to impact fantasy rosters. This week's edition features one player who was called up as the piece was being written. Will these strong performers join the ranks of those who have moved to the majors... Read More


clayton kershaw fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers MLB injury news

articles report test

this is a test


Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 24

Welcome back! It's Week 24 of our fantasy baseball Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups series! There are just two precious weeks left, and every start is becoming more and more important as most of the fantasy baseball world is in playoff matchups. If you've made it this far, there's a good chance you don't really... Read More


Aaron Nola - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Starts & Sits for MLB Week 23 - All Starting Pitcher Matchups for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back RotoBallers! Big week in fantasy leagues as we approach the end of the season and playoffs! As always, we are here with our starting pitcher starts and sits series to help you set those winning lineups for the week ahead! For those who are not familiar, RotoBaller puts out a weekly grid of... Read More


Gunnar Henderson - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Prospects, Draft Sleepers

Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 24

Welcome to Week 24 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire hitters. We'll be doing this roundup of points leagues every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver wire targets and streaming pitchers being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, and Fantrax. Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform,... Read More


Brayan Bello - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 24

Yo, it's Jon Anderson, continuing to run the show here in terms of late-summer fantasy baseball writing. There are just two weeks left of streaming pitchers, so let's make it count! This weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups column aims to identify starting pitchers expected to make two starts in the upcoming fantasy baseball week,... Read More


Fantasy Baseball Week 24 Injury News and Updates: Tyler Glasnow, Ozzie Albies, Starling Marte, Anthony Rizzo, Zack Wheeler

September is now more than half over. The baseball season is slowly coming to a close. At this point, fantasy players are pushing for their league titles or just playing for pride. Major League Baseball teams continue to do the same and injuries continue to happen, now with the dreaded term "done for the season"... Read More


Joe Musgrove - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Free MLB Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (9/17/22)

Happy Saturday, RotoBallers, we're back for another weekend of MLB betting picks! Make sure you're following my Twitter, as I can't guarantee that I'll always be able to get the added plays written here in the article, but I will typically add whatever else I'm playing throughout the day. The entire RotoBaller team has been... Read More


DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (9/17/22): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Today's MLB slates are split up as is the norm for September baseball. Half the guys I think will play will not, so you have to be as flexible as Gumby to play MLB DFS in September, but that also means that there is a lot of money out there should you dare to dive... Read More


Max Fried - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Free MLB Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (9/15/22)

Happy Friday, RotoBallers, we're back for another weekend of MLB betting picks! Make sure you're following my Twitter, as I can't guarantee that I'll always be able to get the added plays written here in the article, but I will typically add whatever else I'm playing throughout the day. The entire RotoBaller team has been... Read More


Robbie Ray - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, Draft Sleepers

DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (9/16/22): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Fridays are big MLB DFS days and offer a nice respite from the NFL, who command our attention on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. This slate, like most Friday slates, is a big one as all MLB teams are in action today and 28 of those teams are on tonight's 14-game DFS slate. This was a... Read More


kyle farmer fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers MLB injury news

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Fantasy Baseball - Week 24

There are only two weeks left of fantasy baseball! It's going to be very sad when the season comes to an end, but the impending end of the season means that these are the most important, and therefore most fun weeks of the year – for those of you still competing, at least. I have... Read More


TODAY’S MOST VIEWED PLAYERS

rotating JS ad test

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 

PrizePicks NFL DFS Picks - Monday Night Football

Hello everybody and welcome! The 2022 NFL season is finally underway and that means our friends over at PrizePicks have a TON of great props we can look to take advantage of. PrizePicks is a great DFS picks site where you can choose to select plays in terms of fantasy points or single stats. The... Read More


derrick henry fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

test publish 5 mins in future

Hello everybody and welcome! The 2022 NFL season is finally underway and that means our friends over at PrizePicks have a TON of great props we can look to take advantage of. PrizePicks is a great DFS picks site where you can choose to select plays in terms of fantasy points or single stats. The... Read More


D'Andre Swift - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL RBs: Updates for Aaron Rodgers

Warning: Undefined array key "amp_post_template_footer" in /var/www/rotoballer.com/wp-content/plugins/php-code-for-posts/Classes/Shortcode.php(91) : eval()'d code on line 6 Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/rotoballer.com/wp-content/plugins/php-code-for-posts/Classes/Shortcode.php(91) : eval()'d code on line 6 Featured Promo: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off and win big in 2022. Exclusive access to our Premium articles, 15 lineup... Read More


derrick henry fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

PrizePicks NFL DFS Picks - Monday Night Football

Hello everybody and welcome! The 2022 NFL season is finally underway and that means our friends over at PrizePicks have a TON of great props we can look to take advantage of. PrizePicks is a great DFS picks site where you can choose to select plays in terms of fantasy points or single stats. The... Read More


Justin Jefferson - Fantasy Football Rankings, DFS Lineup Picks, NFL Injury News

NFL DFS Prop Picks for Monkey Knife Fight - Monday Night Football

Welcome to NFL Monday Night Football, where we have two games scheduled between the Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills.  Monday's games mean our friends at Monkey Knife Fight are offering some fantastic props for us to play once again! The good people at Monkey Knife Fight offer some... Read More


D'Andre Swift - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL RBs: Week 2 Updates for Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, D'Andre Swift, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram

Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 2, as of September 17. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 2 including D'Andre Swift, Najee Harris, Alvin Kamara, J.K. Dobbins, and more. The fantasy football season may be just getting underway,... Read More


michael pittman jr. fantasy football rankings NFL DFS lineup picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL WRs: Week 2 Updates for Michael Pittman Jr., Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Allen Lazard, Julio Jones

Welcome to Week 2 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 2 as of September 16th. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 2, including Michael... Read More


justin herbert fantasy football rankings NFL DFS lineup picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports for QBs: Week 2 Updates for Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Jameis Winston, Mac Jones

Below you will find our updated fantasy football injuries report for quarterbacks in the days before Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season as of Friday, September 16. There are a few NFL QBs dealing with injuries, including Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Jameis Winston, and Mac Jones. Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give... Read More


Trey Lance - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Week 2

Every week, I share some of my favored choices and players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus... Read More


Saquon Barkley - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, Draft Sleepers

Week 2 NFL Pick Em Selections for No House Advantage

Hello everybody and welcome! The 2022 NFL season is underway and that means our friends over at No House Advantage have a TON of great DFS plays we can look to take advantage of. No House Advantage is a unique DFS prop picks site where you do not have to play against the house to... Read More


Wide Receiver Matchups to Target in Week 2: Greg Dortch, Terry McLaurin, Christian Kirk

Week 1 made some things come to light as we got some clarity on some murky situations. Unfortunately, many of our WR targets for DFS last week were victims of this. Robert Woods finished the game with one reception for 13 yards, as the Titans used the rookie receivers much more than him. Brandon Aiyuk... Read More


Carson Wentz - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Thunder Dan's NFL Betting Picks for Week 2: Top NFL Player Props Bets

Football season is back! Whether you like to bet game totals, sides, or player props, I have something in here for you, and try to cover a little bit of everything! This year, I started my own free sports betting newsletter, and the good people here at RotoBaller are allowing me to share my picks... Read More


Fantasy Football IDP Injury Reports For NFL Defensive Players: Week 2 Updates for T.J. Watt, Jamal Adams, Jalen Thompson, Ed Oliver

T.J. Watt owners, you know the feeling... I had T.J. Watt in my home league last season. He was constantly checking out of games early with nagging minor injuries, but he must have led every IDP manager who started him to the playoffs. I went back to the well and drafted him early this year.... Read More