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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 20. 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 20, August 22 through August 28.
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.
- 8 Games- CHC, STL
- 7 Games- CIN, CWS, LAA, MIN, OAK, PHI, TB
- 6 Games- ATL, BAL, BOS, CLE, COL, HOU, KC, LAD, MIA, MIL, NYM, NYY, PIT, SEA, TEX, TOR
- 5 Games- ARI, DET, SD, SF, WAS
Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers
- Jake Odorizzi (@ PIT, @ STL)
- Austin Voth (vs. CWS, @ HOU)
- Nathan Eovaldi (vs. TOR, vs. TB)
- Wade Miley (vs. STL, @ MIL)
- Drew Smyly (vs. STL, @ MIL)
- T.J. Zeuch (@ PHI, @ WAS)
- Nick Lodolo (@ PHI, @ WAS)
- Zach Plesac (@ SD, @ SEA)
- German Marquez (vs. TEX, @ NYM)
- Michael Kopech (@ KC, vs. ARI)
- Lucas Giolito (@ KC, vs. ARI)
- Drew Hutchison (vs. SF, @ TEX)
- Daniel Lynch (vs. CWS, vs. SD)
- Tucker Davidson (@ TB, @ TOR)
- Julio Urias (vs. MIL, @ MIA)
- Eric Lauer (@ LAD, vs. CHC)
- Sonny Gray (vs. TEX, vs. SF)
- Max Scherzer (@ NYY, vs. COL)
- Domingo German (vs. NYM, @ OAK)
- Adam Oller (vs. MIA, vs. NYY)
- Zach Logue (vs. MIA, vs. NYY)
- Noah Syndergaard (vs. CIN, vs. PIT)
- Ranger Suarez (vs. CIN, vs. PIT)
- Robbie Ray (vs. WAS, vs. CLE)
- Jordan Montgomery (@ CHC, vs. ATL)
- Adam Wainwright (@ CHC, vs. ATL)
- Jeffrey Springs (vs. LAA, @ BOS)
- Corey Kluber (vs. LAA, @ BOS)
- Cole Ragans (@ MIN, @ DET)
- Ross Stripling (@ BOS, vs. LAA)
Infield Waiver Wire Pickups
Kyle Farmer (3B/SS), Cincinnati Reds
43% Rostered
Since August 5, Farmer has taken over as the Reds' everyday third baseman. He has hit safely in ten 12 games with a .375 batting average and a 127 wRC+. He is only striking out 15.7% of the time, which is nice, but also a .021 ISO, so the power has not been there for Farmer.
Farmer now has six home runs on the season with four stolen bases. Farmer is more an accumulator that benefits from hitting third in the Reds batting order — only roster Farmer in deeper formats with no games in Great American Small Park this week.
Enrique Hernandez (2B/OF), Boston Red Sox
17% Rostered
Hernandez was on the IL for over two months but returned a few games ago and is already hitting for the Red Sox. He hit a home run on Saturday and has now hit safely in three straight games. He is only hitting .211 on the season with four home runs, but we know how Hernandez can get hot and produce in a big way.
He is currently hitting at the bottom of the Red Sox batting order, but a hot streak could bring him back to the leadoff role. Hernandez is a nice speculative add with a few good matchups this week and a juicy seven games the following week.
Christian Arroyo (2B/SS/OF), Boston Red Sox
12% Rostered
Let's stick with the Red Sox and talk about Christian Arroyo. Since returning to the Red Sox on July 30, Arroyo is hitting .382 with seven extra-base hits, including a home run. He is only striking out 15.3% of the time with a .147 ISO, .946 OPS, and 168 wRC+.
He has been getting on base at a .417 clip and taking advantage by scoring ten runs. Arroyo is red hot and deserves to be rostered in all 12-team and deeper leagues. Especially since he continues to start with Hernandez back and Jarren Duran losing playing time.
Shea Langeliers (C), Oakland Athletics
0% Rostered
A few prospects got the call this week, and Langeliers was one of them. The stud catcher for the A's has been playing DH most games and hit safely in three of four games with two doubles and a home run. In addition, he has three runs and three RBI, just proving he can regularly provide in the critical ROTO categories.
Langeliers hit .283 in the minors this season with 19 doubles, 19 home runs, and even tossed in five stolen bases. As long as Langeliers gets regular playing time, he deserves to be rostered in 12-team and deeper leagues, especially all two-catcher leagues.
Outfield Waiver Wire Pick-ups
Joey Gallo (OF), Los Angeles Dodgers
44% Rostered
I never thought I would write up Gallo this season, but here we are. Since being traded to the Dodgers, we have seen the Gallo we have come to expect. Sure he is striking out 40% of the time with a .231 batting average, but he also has three home runs.
The power is back with Gallo as he has a .385 ISO, .949 OPS, and 162 wRC+. The quality of contact is also through the roof for Gallo since joining the Dodgers with a 28.6% barrel rate and 71.4% hard-hit rate. Gallo is back to being Joey Gallo, and that power can be a game changer down the stretch.
Bubba Thompson (OF), Texas Rangers
37% Rostered
I wrote up Thompson last week, and he has produced like the stud we wanted him to be. He entered Saturday with a seven-game hitting streak. He has no extra-base hits, which we came to expect, but he also has two stolen bases. We want Thompson for his speed, and everything else is extra.
Thompson continues to hit near the bottom of the batting order so counting stats have not been great for Thompson, but steals will come in bunches and help move up the ROTO rankings as the season winds down.
Lars Nootbaar (OF), St. Louis Cardinals
24% Rostered
Nootbar has been a regular in the Cardinals lineup, even versus LHP. When an RHP is on the mound, Nootbar usually leads off, but the fact he still plays every day is enormous. Since August 1, Nootbar has been hitting .271 with five extra-base hits and two stolen bases.
He has scored ten runs and been on base at a .422 clip, thanks to a 20.3% walk rate. Nootbar went 2-3 on Saturday with a walk for an excellent .750 OBP. Nootbar has been a stud and will hopefully continue playing every day when Juan Yepez returns. He is a must-add in 12-team and deeper leagues, especially with eight juicy games this week.
UPDATE Monday 8/22: Nootbaar has been scorching hot and Juan Yepez has been sent to the minors, opening up guaranteed playing time at the top of a talented Cardinals lineup.
Kerry Carpenter (OF), Detroit Tigers
0% Rostered
Carpenter is another recent call-up that deserves some waiver wire attention. Carpenter has hit safely in three of seven games which may not seem significant, but he has two home runs with a .304 ISO and 156 wRC+. T
he power is not a joke, as he hit .313 in the minors with 58 extra-base hits, including 30 home runs. His .332 ISO and 1.025 OPS in Triple-A are impressive, and he looks to continue with the Tigers. Carpenter may fly under the radar in FAAB, which could be a nice power boost.
Brett Baty (OF), New York Mets
0% Rostered
Baty was one of the top offensive prospects yet to get the call and finally has. Entering Saturday, Baty had hit safely in all three games since his call-up with a home run. But, more importantly, is Baty's plate discipline, as he is striking out 18.2% of the time, which is strong for a first-time player.
In addition, Baty is barreling the ball 12.5% of the time with a 62.5% hard-hit rate in his small sample. For a good reason, Baty is an offensive stud and will be a popular add this week.
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