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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves. However, things will be slightly different for our weekly look into the high-stakes NFBC landscape. For those that do not know, in the NFBC, there are no IL spots and no 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 goes on 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 8, May 30 through June 5.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter at @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Fantasy Baseball Schedule Outlook
This week, all teams play at least six or seven games. But unlike most weeks, we have three teams with eight games and one team with nine games. As a result, many at-bats are up for grabs this week, making even more players slightly attractive on the waiver wire this week. This also means we should have more two-start pitchers, but remember, not all two-start pitchers are worth a play.
- 9 Games - CHC
- 8 Games - DET, MIL, MIN, STL
- 7 Games - ATL, BAL, COL, LAD, MIA, NYM, SD, SF, TB, TEX, WAS
- 6 Games - ARI, BOS, CIN, CLE, CWS, HOU, KC, LAA, NYY, OAK, PHI, PIT, SEA, TOR
Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers
- Zac Gallen (vs. ATL, @ PIT)
- Charlie Morton (@ ARI, @ COL)
- Kyle Wright (@ ARI, @ COL)
- Tyler Wells (@ BOS, vs. CLE)
- Rich Hill (vs. BAL, @ OAK)
- Marcus Stroman (vs. MIL, vs. STL)
- Drew Smyly (vs. MIL, vs. STL)
- Kyle Hendricks (vs. MIL, vs. STL)
- Luis Castillo (@ BOS, vs. WAS)
- Cal Quantrill (vs. KC, @ BAL)
- German Marquez (vs. MIA, vs. ATL)
- Michael Kopech (@ TOR, @ TB)
- Rony Garcia (vs. MIN, @ NYY)
- Tarik Skubal (vs. MIN, @ NYY)
- Framber Valdez (@ OAK, @ KC)
- Jonathan Heasley (@ CLE, vs. HOU)
- Walker Buehler (vs. PIT, vs. NYM)
- Julio Urias (vs. PIT, vs. NYM)
- Pablo Lopez (@ COL, vs. SF)
- Cody Poteet (@ COL, vs. SF)
- Aaron Ashby (@ CHC, vs. SD)
- Eric Lauer (@ CHC, vs. SD)
- Dylan Bundy (@ DET, @ TOR)
- Joe Ryan (@ DET, @ TOR)
- David Peterson (vs. WAS, @ LAD)
- Trevor Williams (vs. WAS, @ LAD)
- Jordan Montgomery (vs. LAA, vs. DET)
- Paul Blackburn (vs. HOU, vs. BOS)
- Kyle Gibson (vs. SF, vs. LAA)
- Zach Thompson (@ LAD, vs. ARI)
- Nick Martinez (@ STL, @ MIL)
- George Kirby (@ BAL, @ TEX)
- Logan Webb (@ PHI, @ MIA)
- Jakob Junis (@ PHI, @ MIA)
- Jake Woodford (vs. SD, @ CHC)
- Adam Wainwright (vs. SD, @ CHC)
- Drew Rasmussen (@ TEX, vs. CWS)
- Ryan Yarbrough (@ TEX, vs. CWS)
- Glenn Otto (vs. TB, vs. SEA)
- Martin Perez (vs. TB, vs. SEA)
- Kevin Gausman (vs. CWS, vs. MIN)
- Erick Fedde (@ NYM, @ CIN)
- Patrick Corbin (@NYM, @CIN)
Infield Waiver Wire Pickups
William Contreras (C), Atlanta Braves
48% Rostered
Contreras has taken over an everyday role with the Braves as either a catcher, DH, and even a game in LF. After collecting another hit on Thursday, he has now hit safely in five straight games with three home runs. Contreras is hitting .277 with seven home runs and a 14.5% walk rate on the season. Contreras boasts a massive .468 ISO and 205 wRC+, making him a must every day in the Braves lineup. His 20% barrel rate and 46.7% hard-hit rate are elite, and the Braves are even hitting him in great spots in the lineup. Contreras is an excellent pickup from now on with everyday playing time and, more importantly, that catcher eligibility.
Frank Schwindel (1B), Chicago Cubs
45% Rostered
Since getting demoted for less than 24 hours, Schwindel has been swinging a hot bat. He heads into the weekend, hitting safely in nine of his last 12 games for a .271 batting average. Over this stretch, he has four home runs, a .313 ISO while only striking out 15.7% of the time, and has racked up a nice 147 wRC+. Schwindel has been hitting in the middle of the batting order, and with nine games on tap this week, Schwindel makes for a great add-in to all formats.
Brendan Donovan (3B), St. Louis Cardinals
31% Rostered
Donovan continues to produce for the Cardinals and is still well under-rostered. Over the last few weeks, he hit .356 with a .200 ISO and 200 wRC+. The most impressive part is Donovan is walking 20.7% of the time while only striking out 17.2%. Donovan will not provide a ton of power, but he will still sprinkle in a home run from time to time while also stealing a bag. Lastly, Donovan has been playing SS and the OF and 3B, so he should gain more eligibility.
Nico Hoerner (2B/SS), Chicago Cubs
11% Rostered
Hoerner returned from the IL two games ago and has hit safely in both games, including a home run on Thursday. He is now hitting .277 with three home runs and two stolen bases. Hoerner is barreling the ball 5.8% this season, well above his usual 1.5%. Perhaps we are seeing a new Hoerner that will provide plenty of power. With the Cubs playing nine games this week, with some juicy matchups in those nine, Nico becomes an excellent addition for middle infield help.
Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups
Nick Senzel (OF), Cincinnati Reds
27% Rostered
Senzel is back in the bigs, and he becomes pretty interesting again while healthy. He has hit safely in two of the four games since he returned, including a four-hit game on Thursday. There is no doubt Senzel has struggled with his time in the bigs, but one constant thing is the skills have always been there. Projection sites still like him, too, as most project him for close to ten home runs and stolen bases while hitting .250-.260. So add Senzel for the upside of playing home games in Great American Small Park.
Kyle Lewis (OF), Seattle Mariners
27% Rostered
Similar to Senzel, another once highly touted prospect re-enters the bigs. Lewis has returned to the Mariners and has two hits over his first two games. He was swinging it well in Triple-A since returning from injury, hitting .314 over ten games with three home runs. Strikeouts have always been a problem for Lewis, but in his ten AAA games (I know, small sample), he only struck out 14.6% of the time while walking 12.2%. Lewis has nice power and speed profile and is worth adding to deeper leagues.
Christopher Morel (OF), Chicago Cubs
12% Rostered
Morel has been a welcomed addition to the Cubs and should be a welcomed addition to your fantasy teams. He has hit safely in eight of his nine games since he was called up. Morel is hitting .313 with two home runs and two stolen bases. He has a 171 wRC+ and a near 48% barrel rate. Morel is swinging it very well with the Cubs. So well that he has even been leading off of late, I know it is repetitive, but with nine games on tap this week, Morel makes for one of the better additions for your fantasy teams.
Yonathan Daza (OF), Colorado Rockies
7% Rostered
We have seven games in Coors this week, end of the story. But ok, there's more. Daza is hitting .353 in May while only striking out 10% of the time. He will not hit for a ton of power, but the Rockies are hitting him near the top of the order, so he will score runs he has in May with 12 runs scored. Daza makes for a great deeper league add this week and going forward if your team needs help in batting average.
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