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Welcome RotoBallers to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 5 - April 22 through April 28. The waiver wire can be difficult to navigate. Knowing who to add and when is a game within the game of fantasy baseball. Doing this in a mono league where the player pool is half the size of a full league makes it even more challenging. Every drop and add is significant.
One of the keys to success with roster management is opportunity. A player given the chance to get on the field and produce is one of the first signs of potential. After all, they can't accumulate statistics if they're sitting on their team's bench. These opportunities can arise because of either a promotion from the minor leagues, an injury to another player, or simply because the team has moved on from another player. Whatever the case may be, these players are now given a chance to shine.
It's important to note that these players are on a short leash to see if they can produce. If they don't, then they can be dropped for the next man up. All that being said, here are some of the best players with opportunities.
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Luis García Jr. - 2B Washington Nationals
The Nationals came into this season behind the eight-ball. Situated in a division with powerhouse teams, they sought to make this season about growth and development.
With a lot of young players, they want to harness their development to see what works for next year and beyond. Little did they know that one of their best players to start the season would be someone they've been rostering for years.
There is a lot to like within the graphic above, and some of it is a little surprising. Not known as a power hitter, Garcia's Barrel Percentage and Hard Hit Rates are uncharacteristic of his past. While some may be willing to dismiss this as an early-season small sample, it's important to note that he spent the off-season working on his mechanics and batting stance. He has improved upon last year's output by correcting his body-weight transfer on his swing to help elevate the ball. He also lost weight, ate healthy, and ran a lot too.
If there is one drawback here, it's his Chase Rate. Last season he got himself into trouble by chasing more and more pitches as the season went on. If he can make better decisions at the plate, he's bound to be a better player than he was last year. As someone who can hit the ball all over the field, his speed and ability to hit should help fantasy owners with the categories of stolen bases and batting average.
Mauricio Dubón - 2B/SS/OF Houston Astros
Last year Dubón surprised everyone with an early-season mini-breakout. Filling in for the injured Jose Altuve, Dubón found success to the tune of a .309/.333/.389/.733 slash line, while accumulating 46 hits over 36 games started. This season he finds himself with everyday playing time all over the field, filling in as Houston's utility player. He's come up clutch when the team has needed him most.
Mauricio Dubon is hitting .636 (7x11) with runners in scoring position this season, which is the best in MLB
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) April 17, 2024
Dubón won't help fantasy teams with power or speed, but he has the upside to be elite with his batting average, which is a difficult category to manage. Since April 11, he has ranked within the top 20 in base hits in all of baseball. He should play close to every day while giving others their day of rest.
This upcoming week, the Astros play three games at the Cubs before two games versus Colorado in Mexico City. While the team only plays five games in total, those matchups are very optimal, making him someone to add in the deepest of leagues.
Michael Massey - 2B Kansas City Royals
This week's recommendations are filled with players who play in the middle infield, and Massey is the next in line. Having missed the beginning of the regular season with a lower back strain, the 26-year-old worked his way through a recovery process that led to a successful rehab outing.
After recording 13 hits in just eight games played with Triple-A Omaha, Massey was recalled to start for the Royals on Friday, and he delivered in a big way.
Michael Massey doubles for his 1st hit of 2024! pic.twitter.com/nSCEBE85H5
— Royals Daily (@RoyalsDaily_) April 20, 2024
Massey was one of the most unlucky hitters in baseball last season. Despite hitting fifteen home runs, his .261 BABIP was very similar to his .260 xBA in 2023. It's those promising numbers that prompted some hard work in the offseason.
The Royals and Massey focused on patience at the plate alongside controlling the strike zone and utilizing the entire field as their points of improvement. If he can increase his walk rate while also spreading the ball to all fields, he could be a force for the Royals this season.
Elehuris Montero - 1B Colorado Rockies
Montero was a player that many were high on entering the season. He made adjustments late in the season last year which led to a mini-breakout in September. He finished the season with 11 home runs and a respectable batting average, leading some to believe there was room for more. That hasn't necessarily been the case, but this could be the week where he breaks out.
Despite not yet hitting a home run this season, Montero has shown considerable improvement in areas of his game. First, his strikeout rate is cut in half from last year's gaudy 36.2% rate. What's different now is that he's making better decisions, with a chase rate that is significantly lower than last year. Finally, he's walking more, though to be fair, most of them came in just one game. There is some underlying power potential here for a player who is figuring things out in the early going.
The biggest reason for recommending him is because the Rockies are at home this week. After playing four games against the Padres, they travel to Mexico City to play the Astros. Last season when baseball was played in Mexico City, we saw a barrage of home runs hit by almost every starter from San Diego and San Francisco. Given the climate and elevation there, we may see another offensive outburst. If there was ever a week for Montero to break out, it's this one.
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