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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 9, June 6 through June 12.
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 NFBC OC leagues.
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Fantasy Baseball Schedule Outlook
Most teams play six games this week, with a few playing seven and the Cubs and Tigers only playing five. This is a week you can stack up some of the seven-game teams but realize the Rockies aren't even in Coors this week. If you are looking for something unique, the Rockies and Padres are playing a doubleheader this week to have four games in the three-game lineup setting period.
- 7 Games - ARI, BOS, CIN, CLE, COL, KC, LAA, SD
- 6 Games - ATL, BAL, CWS, HOU, LAD, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYM, NYY, OAK, PHI, PIT, SEA, SF, STL, TB, TEX, TOR, WAS
- 5 Games- CHC, DET
Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers
- Madison Bumgarner (@ CIN, @ PHI)
- Tyler Gilbert (@ CIN, @ PHI)
- Kyle Wright (vs. OAK, vs. PIT)
- Kyle Bradish (vs. CHC, @ KC)
- Michael Wacha (@ LAA, @ SEA)
- Garrett Whitlock (@ LAA, @ SEA)
- Hunter Greene (vs. ARI, @ STL)
- Graham Ashcraft (vs. ARI, @ STL)
- Cal Quantrill (vs. TEX, vs. OAK)
- Konnor Pilkington (vs. TEX, vs. OAK)
- German Marquez (@ SF, @ SD)
- Michael Kopech (vs. LAD, vs. TEX)
- Cristian Javier (vs. SEA, vs. MIA)
- Daniel Lynch (vs. TOR, vs. BAL)
- Brad Keller (vs. TOR, vs. BAL)
- Noah Syndergaard (vs. BOS, vs. NYM)
- Trevor Rogers (vs. WAS, @ HOU)
- Adrian Houser (vs. PHI, @ WAS)
- Bailey Ober (vs. NYY, vs. TB)
- Carlos Carrasco (@ SD, @ LAA)
- Nestor Cortes (@ MIN, vs. CHC)
- Cole Irvin (@ ATL, @ CLE)
- Ranger Suarez (@ MIL, vs. ARI)
- Jose Quintana (vs. DET, @ ATL)
- Blake Snell (vs. NYM, vs. COL)
- Robbie Ray (@ HOU, vs. BOS)
- Carlos Rodon (vs. COL, vs. LAD)
- Daniel Hudson (@ TB, vs. CIN)
- Corey Kluber (vs. STL, @ MIN)
- Jon Gray (@ CLE, @ CWS)
- Ross Stripling (@ KC, @ DET)
Infield Waiver Wire Pickups
Evan Longoria (3B), San Francisco Giants
39% Rostered
If you are looking for third base help or maybe a corner infielder, then Longoria becomes an exciting option. Sure, he is only hitting .228 since coming off the IL (19 games), but he has five home runs with a .298 ISO and 121 wRC+. The batting average is not excellent, but the power department and overall performance are pretty solid for deeper leagues. Longoria is barreling the ball 25% of the time with a hard-hit rate of 50%, so the power production should keep coming. Brighter days should be ahead for Longoria once healthy, and health is always the concern, but in deeper leagues, he is an excellent addition to the power categories your team is looking for right now.
Jon Berti (2B/3B), Miami Marlins
6% Rostered
With the injuries to Brian Anderson and Joey Wendle, we now get Jon Berti SZN!!!! If your team is looking for a stolen base gem, then Berti is your guy. He is walking 16.5% of the time on the seasons with a .277 average, which means the speedster is on base. He has already capitalized with six stolen bases while only being caught one time and scoring 15 runs. Since taking over for the other injured Marlins, Berti has been hitting leadoff, which ups his fantasy appeal. This week, Berti is a great pickup, so do not be shy when looking for the massive stolen base upside.
Ramon Urias (2B/SS/3B), Baltimore Orioles
3% Rostered
Urias is on fire right now, and it is time to ride the hot streak while it is happening. In 11 of his last 13 games, he has hit safely for a .314 batting average, with three home runs and a 170 wRC+. Urias has scored 12 runs to go with a .275 ISO, 16.3% barrel rate, and 53.5% hard-hit rate. Urias is locked in, and we have seen streaks like this from him before. Ride the hot streak while you can and benefit from the tremendous positional flexibility for the coming weeks.
Matt Carpenter (2B), New York Yankees
1% Rostered
I did not think I would be writing about Matt Carpenter this season, but here we are. It is hard to ignore his fantasy upside in deeper leagues; we are talking 15-team leagues. Since joining the Yankees, Carpenter usually hits in the heart of the order or even leads off. In his early days with the Yankees, he has hit four home runs while scoring seven runs and walking 13% of the time. Do I think this will last all season? Heck no, but I am willing to ride this out in deeper formats as Carpenter is hitting in great spots in the Yankees order, bringing significant fantasy upside.
Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups
Tyrone Taylor (OF), Milwaukee Brewers
42% Rostered
Thanks to Hunter Renfroe and Lorenzo Cain's injuries, Taylor has benefited tremendously from regular playing time. Over the last couple of weeks, Taylor is hitting .298 with nine extra-base hits, including five home runs. In addition, Taylor has a .333 ISO and 163 wRC+ while only striking out 12.9% of the time. Taylor has been hitting in the Brewers lineup's heart, which has led to 18 RBI over his hot streak. Taylor should continue to see regular playing time while the regulars are out injured, making him a great fantasy play for the time being. Hopefully, that persists even past the return of Renfroe and Cain.
Trevor Larnach (OF), Minnesota Twins
33% Rostered
Larnach returned to the Twins on May 22, and it has been some good and some bad. Larnach is only hitting .222 since his return, but he does have six extra-base hits, including three home runs. Larnach also showcases excellent plate discipline with a 17.8% walk rate, .333 ISO, and 154 wRC+. The batting average has not been ideal, but Larnach has been quite fantasy valuable hitting fifth for the Twins, which should continue for the time being. Make sure to add Larnach in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
Pavin Smith (1B/OF), Arizona Diamondbacks
18% Rostered
Batting average is not a strength of Smith, but his power is legit. Over Smith's last eight games, he has hit three home runs with a .333 ISO and a 15.2% walk rate. Smith is barreling the ball 15.8% of the time with a 42.1% hard-hit rate. When Smith makes contact, he usually makes it count. When looking at next week, Smith and the DBacks play seven games; four of the games are in Great American Small Park. Smith should be in line for a big week, making him incredibly fantasy viable.
Oscar Gonzalez (OF), Cleveland Guardians
15% Rostered
Gonzalez joined the Guardians a week ago and has been an offensive machine. After Friday night, he has hit safely in six of seven games with multiple hits in five games. Gonzalez has three doubles over this quick start with a 144 wRC+. Gonzalez has a hard-hit rate of over 55% and is producing while hitting in the middle of the Guardians lineup. As long as Gonzalez continues to play every day, not to mention the Guardians play seven games next week, he is a great fantasy addition in 12-team and deeper leagues.
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