RADIO
The trade deadline looms and some teams have already begun making moves (really just Boston). Some NL-only options have now become AL-only options, so choose wisely in the coming days before making waiver moves if you are in a single league format.
This list represents players who haven't yet garnered a great deal of attention in mixed-leagues, streaming options suitable only for deeper leagues, or category specialists who may fill a specific need on your NL-only roster. Fantasy owners needing help should be on the lookout for these potential additions in the coming week. The following players are owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.
Editor's Note: RotoBaller offers the best Premium MLB Subscription - only $1.99 per week. All the tools you need to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings for every player, Under-the-Radar Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, plus daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids.
National League Waiver Wire Targets
Hitters
Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B/SS, NYM) - 8% owned - Utility man extraordinaire Wilmer Flores has carved out a role for himself in the Big Apple during a season where the Mets will take the all the help they can get. Over the past month Flores is hitting .322 with six HR and 15 RBI. His ability to play every single infield position makes him a great fit in NL-only leagues. He isn't an everyday player, so he fills more of a utility role on fantasy rosters as well, but he has seen extended time at third base since David Wright was ruled out for the majority of the season.
Ryan Schimpf (2B/3B, SD) - 1% owned - On Wednesday, Schimpf hit his sixth home run in 73 at-bats, giving him an incredible .319 ISO. Schimpf will stick at second base as long as he is hitting, since the Padres have no other viable options at the moment. His average still sits at .219, but that's mostly a result of a rough start after his call-up in June. He is batting .295 is July and his power potential makes him a solid streaming option at either 2B or 3B in deep leagues. NL-only managers should have already taken note of him when his power surge began before the break.
Adonis Garcia (3B, ATL) - 2% owned - Garcia is still teasing fans and fantasy owners by flashing power every so often, including two homers since the All-Star break. Still, he is only up to seven HR and 28 RBI on the year. He is making better contact lately, with a .339 average in his last 15 games, but hasn't put together an extended hot streak this season. He may be worth streaming while he is hitting well, especially since he gets a four-game set in Coors Field starting today.
Ramiro Pena (2B/3B/SS, SF) - 0% owned - Pena isn't a huge offensive threat, but he has filled in for Matt Duffy and Joe Panik to the tune of .348/.377/.500 with nine RBI in 66 AB. Pena is a temporary stop-gap at best, but if you need someone who is multi-position eligible and won't hurt your average, this is a potential option. His run-scoring potential stems from the fact he plays on a quality team.
Tommy Pham (OF, STL) - 4% owned - Pham is a modest offensive prospect, hitting .258 over 11 minor league seasons and .263 in his Major League service time of three seasons. He is making the best of his chance since being recalled a few weeks ago and has three HR, five RBI in the last seven games. He is slashing .279/.354/.558 in July, although he just recorded his first stolen base of the year. He is best suited for the deepest of NL-only leagues.
A.J. Pierzynski (C, ATL) - 2% owned - It is with great reluctance that I put Pierzynski's name on here, but it was slim pickings this week. Tyler Flowers suffered a broken hand and will be out at least six weeks, meaning the Braves have no choice but to throw Pierzynski out there. He has responded well, with a modest seven game hitting streak and his first homer of the season on the 16th. He has a .294 AVG in July, but don't expect too much more.
Pitchers
Zach Davies (SP, MIL) - 24% owned - Davies continues to be undervalued this season and fantasy owners aren't buying into his success because of one rough outing against the Dodgers back on June 30th. Since then, Davies has only walked one batter and allowed two ER in his last 13.2 IP. He blanked the Reds for seven innings in his first outing after the All-Star break and now holds a 3.79 ERA on the season. His value is limited due to a modest 7.4 K/9 and six wins for a mediocre Brewers team. His ratios can help deep league owners, however, as he has shown no signs of wearing down yet.
Archie Bradley (SP, ARI) - 16% owned - Bradley keeps jumping in and out of fantasy relevance, as he is yet to display any sort of consistency. He may be getting there, as he has given up just three ER in his last two starts and has a 3.72 ERA in his last five starts. The lack of wins (3) is disturbing, but he strikes out nearly a batter per inning and has the potential to dominate when his control is on. If he can keep his pitch count down, he may be stretched out more in the second half and improve his chances at winning.
Brett Anderson (SP, LAD) - 1% owned - Maybe Anderson can be a better stash-and-play than teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu was. With Ryu, Clayton Kershaw and pretty much every Dodgers starter getting injured, they will gladly welcome Brett Anderson's impending return. He will likely need a couple more weeks, but a mid-August return is looking realistic. Anderson has a career 3.72 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a modest 5.8 K/9, making him relevant in NL-only formats, but not much else.
Edwin Jackson (SP, SD) - 0% owned - Well, that came out of nowhere. Edwin Jackson was called up as a desperation starter for the Padres after the Drew Pomeranz trade and promptly no-hit the Giants for six innings. His bid for a second no-no was quickly erased by a pinch-hit three-run homer, but Jackson still wound up with a quality start, if not the win. He has been successful in the past, but hasn't kept a sub-4.00 ERA as a starter since 2011. Jackson had a 5.91 ERA with Miami this year before being traded and a 7.93 ERA in the minors before being recalled, so tread carefully.
Mauricio Cabrera (RP, ATL) - 6% owned - Jim Johnson blew his third save chance of the year on Tuesday, which only improves Cabrera's outlook. Although the veteran Johnson is currently in the closer role while Arodys Vizcaino is on the disabled list, Cabrera may soon take over the reins if Johnson struggles again. The Braves have absolutely nothing to lose by giving their young arms a long look at this point. Cabrera may wind up with more saves down the stretch than Johnson or Vizcaino. He makes for a decent speculative add if you need saves and have the bench space.
Sergio Romo (RP, SF) - 9% owned - When Santiago Casilla gave away a 6-5 lead in the 10th inning against San Diego, it marked his fifth blown save of the year. Although a move may not be imminent, speculation is increasing about who the Giants could turn to down the stretch during a tough pennant race. Romo may be the best candidate, given his experience (80 career saves) and success this year (1.35 ERA, seven holds in eight games). If you are in a league that counts holds, you should add Romo anyway, but he is a strong handcuff add as a possible closer-in-waiting.
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!
