NFBC Waiver Wire Report for Week 12 - Deeper Hitter Pickups for Fantasy Baseball

We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 12. 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 pickups for Week 12, June 27 through July 3.

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.

Fantasy Baseball Schedule Outlook

We have a pretty interesting week when it comes to maximizing playing time. First, there are three teams with eight games. Then, CLE and MIN play five games each to start the week, while TOR and TB play four games over the weekend. On the flip side, there are four teams with only five games, and those four teams only play two games over the first half of the week, really diminishing their overall at-bats. Another note to monitor is the Jays play all of their games in Toronto, meaning some Red Sox and Rays may not be eligible to play due to vaccination status. Lastly, the second half of the week has a series in hitter-friendly Cincinnati for the Braves while the Rockies play at home all week versus the Dodgers and DBacks.

• 8 Games- CLE, MIN, TOR
• 7 Games - LAD, NYY, OAK, PIT, SEA, TB
• 6 Games - ATL, BAL, BOS, CHC, CIN, COL, CWS, HOU, KC, LAA, MIA, MIL, PHI, SD, STL, TEX, WAS
• 5 Games- ARI, DET, NYM, SF

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers

• Charlie Morton (@ PHI, @ CIN)
• Tyler Wells (@ SEA, @ MIN)
• Michael Wacha (@ TOR, @ CHC)
• Keegan Thompson (vs. CIN, vs. BOS)
• Luis Castillo (@ CHC, vs. ATL)
• Triston McKenzie (vs. MIN, vs. NYY)
• Zach Plesac (vs. MIN, vs. NYY)
• Chad Kuhl (vs. LAD, vs. ATL)
• Lucas Giolito (@ LAA, @ SF)
• Luis Garcia (@ NYM, vs. LAA)
• Jonathan Heasley (vs. TEX, @ DET)
• Tyler Anderson (@ COL, vs. SD)
• Clayton Kershaw (@ COL, vs. SD)
• Pablo Lopez (@ STL, @ WAS)
• Eric Lauer (@ TB, @ PIT)
• Sonny Gray (@ CLE, vs. BAL)
• Devin Smeltzer (@ CLE, vs. BAL)
• Jordan Montgomery (vs. OAK, @ CLE)
• Jameson Taillon (vs. OAK, @ CLE)
• Paul Blackburn (@ NYY, @ SEA)
• Frankie Montas (@ NYY, @ SEA)
• Zack Wheeler (vs. ATL, vs. STL)
• Bryse Wilson (@ WAS, vs. MIL)
• Jose Quintana ( @ WAS, vs. MIL)
• George Kirby (vs. BAL, vs. OAK)
• Robbie Ray (vs. BAL, vs. OAK)
• Adam Wainwright (vs. MIA, @ PHI)
• Shane Baz (vs. MIL, @ TOR)
• Martin Perez (@ KC, @ NYM)
• Kevin Gausman (vs. BOS, vs. TB)
• Ross Stripling (vs. BOS, vs. TB)
• Erick Fedde (vs. PIT, vs. MIA)

Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

C.J. Abrams (SS), San Diego Padres  

45% Rostered

Here we go again with the C.J. Abrams experience. Abrams was a significant name coming out of spring training, but he did not produce for the Padres and was sent back to Triple-A. While in AAA, Abrams was amazing and forced the Padres' hands once injuries continued to pile up. During his 30 games in the minors, Abrams hit .314 with seven home runs and ten stolen bases. He scored 35 runs in those 30 games and drove in 28. There was not much left for Abrams to prove.

Since he was recalled five games ago, he has hits in three games but not much else. For now, Abrams appears to have an everyday job, and we know the power and speed he can bring to a lineup. Abrams will be a popular add this week, and if you believe that the second time around will be better than the first, then you should be pretty aggressive on Abrams in 12-team and deeper leagues.

 Ji-Man Choi (1B), Tampa Bay Rays

17% Rostered

The month of June has been quite kind to Choi as he is hitting .345 with a .190 ISO and 176 wRC+. Choi is walking nearly 11% of the time while only striking out 19%. He hits third or fourth most days for the Rays and does most of his damage versus RHP. On the season, Choi has a .203 ISO, .827 OPS, and 142 wRC+. This upcoming week he faces a few LHP early in the week, but in the second half of the week, the Rays play four games and they are against four RHP. Choi makes for a great matchup play and should be racking up at-bats for your NFBC rosters in the second half. Please do not sleep on Choi this week, as you can probably acquire him for cheap in FAAB.

Jose Iglesias (SS), Colorado Rockies

6% Rostered

Iglesias will not supply a lot of power for your team and he hits near the bottom of the Rockies' batting order, but he will bring a great batting average asset with the potential to score runs. On the season, he is hitting .303 with 20 runs scored. The most appealing reason to add Iglesias this week is that the Rockies play all six of their games in Coors this week, four of whom are versus LHP. The first three are tough lefties in Tyler Anderson, Clayton Kershaw, and Julio Urias, but they are LHP nonetheless. On the season, Iglesias is hitting .344 versus LHP with a .844 OPS and 126 wRC+. This is a week to acquire a cheap Iglesias to try and pad your batting average and add some runs.

Isaac Paredes (SS/3B), Tampa Bay Rays 

1% Rostered

Paredes likely won't help your team in batting average, but he can supply a ton of power when he is clicking, and right now he is doing just that. A few games ago, he had a three-home run game and has four home runs over his last three games. Paredes only hits .211 on the season but has a .333 ISO, .817 OPS, and 133 wRC+. Paredes and the Rays will play seven games this next week, five in Toronto and two games versus LHP. Paredes plays nearly every day between 1B, 2B, and 3B, so he may also grab more positional flexibility if he keeps hitting. However, Paredes is only a play in deeper leagues unless you want to take a flyer on some significant power in a 12-team league.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups

Tyrone Taylor (OF), Milwaukee Brewers

41% Rostered

A few weeks ago, Taylor was a popular commodity, but a slump has returned Taylor to the waiver wire. However, Taylor is hitting again, and it is time to jump back on board. Over his last ten games, he is hitting .242 with two home runs, a .273 ISP, and a 118 wRC+. The Brewers play six games this week, and most importantly, they finish the week with a four-game series versus the Pirates. A Pirates pitching staff that is usually very good at attacking with bats. It is time to jump back on Taylor for his power upside.

 Edward Olivares (OF), Kansas City Royals

38% Rostered

HE'S BACK!!!!! Olivares was activated from the IL on Friday and quickly announced his presence with two home runs. Before Olivares was injured, he rode a seven-game hitting streak where he hit .500 with three doubles, a stolen base, and an impressive 8.7% strikeout rate. More importantly, Olivares was leading off for the final four games. On Friday night, Olivares hit eighth, which is not ideal, but if he keeps hitting, he will move back up the Royals batting order. This upcoming week the Royals face the Rangers for three and then the Tigers for three, two very juicy offensive matchups. Olivares can bring power and speed to your lineups and is back in play for 12-team and deeper leagues.

Orlando Arcia (OF), Atlanta Braves

26% Rostered

With Ozzie Albies going to the IL for at least two months, Arcia has entered an everyday role and has been quite productive. Entering Friday, Arcia hit safely in eight games with a .375 batting average. Arcia has two home runs, a .219 ISO, 1.010 OPS, and 175 wRC+, which is insanely productive. Arcia will also gain 2B eligibility very soon, which will increase his fantasy value with MI and OF eligibility. The Braves have six games this week, wrapping up the week in good old Great American Small Park. Get Arcia in your lineups immediately.

Aaron Hicks (OF), New York Yankees

16% Rostered

Hicks is quite a streaky hitter, and he is now streaking for the better. Over the last seven games, Hicks is hitting .318 with a .273 ISO and 175 wRC+. Hicks had the big home run on Thursday off of Pressley in the ninth to tie the game for the Yankees, reminding the haters that Hicks does have some pop from time to time. This week, the Yankees get three versus the A's and three versus the Guardians, with one game against the Astros sprinkled in the middle. Six games are versus RHP, which should get Hicks in the lineup a lot this week. Look to add Hicks in some 12-team and deeper leagues where you are looking for outfield help.

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