🖥 CYBER MONDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18 (American League)

While the August 1st trade deadline has come and gone, the dust isn't about settle as the ramifications of all the moves as just starting to materialize. What the big ticket waiver wire additions players such as new Rangers additions catcher Jonathan Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress and starting pitcher Francisco Liriano will impact is rather clear, but what about all the positions vacated by the players traded away? We're about to find out in a rather exciting final two months of the season.

Here's a list of some of the players who are looking to take advantage of new opportunities (and some regular guys too), all 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. 

 

American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Gary Sanchez (C/DH, NYY) - 5% Owned

With the trade of designated hitter Carlos Beltran to the Rangers, the Yankees have opened up the position to serve as home for whichever one of their newly-paired catcher tandem of veteran Brian McCann and debuting rookie Gary Sanchez's isn't behind the plate. One of both New York's and the game's top prospects, Sanchez's first call-up is an exciting roster decision that could have large fantasy effects. The young catcher was hitting .285 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI and seven stolen bases in 309 Triple-A at-bats. With this promotion a 2017 job audition, Sanchez could be setting himself up for prime 2017 sleeper status.

J.J. Hardy  (SS, BAL) - 4% Owned

Shortstop JJ Hardy has been raking--well, for his current self, at least--since his June return from the disabled list. Over the past month and a half, he's hit .299 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 134 at-bats, raising his season average 31 points to .278 in the process. With the Orioles in the thick of the playoff hunt and the veteran Hardy presumably fresher than normal this late into the season due to his time off, there's enough hope here that he can maintain this pace that he should be picked up by any fantasy owners in need of shortstop or middle infielder help.

Raul Mondesi (2B/SS, KC) - 3% Owned

After an early season promotion to Triple-A did little to cool his bat, rookie shortstop Raul Mondesi made his Major League debut a little over a week ago. Since the Whit Merrifield experiment came to an end a couple weeks ago, the Royals are looking for someone to stabilize second base after Omar Infante and Christian Colon have failed to impress. After 24 at-bats, Mondesi has looked impressive for a 21-year-old, hitting .273 with two RBI and one stolen base. A dynamic player that has both speed and power, Mondesi could be a fantasy game-changer not unlike National League rookie sensation shortstop Aledmys Diaz.

Jorge Polanco (2B/SS, MIN) - 0% Owned

With the Giants taking Eduardo Nunez off the hands of Minnesota during the trade deadline craziness, the Twins are in need of a new backup infielder. Enter rookie Jorge Polanco. During his first full season at Triple-A this season, he was hitting .276 with nine home runs, 39 RBI and five stolen bases in 293 at-bats before the call-up. At the Major League level so far, that's translated into a .275 average with one home run, eight RBI and one stolen base in 40 at-bats. With the Twins playing for next year, Polanco is likely to continue to get additional chances to prove he deserves to be a part of the team's 2017 plans despite no clear path to at-bats.

Andrew Benintendi (OF, BOS) - 2% Owned

Unlike the majority of players to make this week's article, this one has everything to do with what moves his team didn't pull the trigger on. Instead of bringing in an upgrade from outside of the organization, the Red Sox decided to promote one of the game's top prospects, outfielder Andrew Benintendi, instead. He'll make his Major League debut having skipped Triple-A completely, coming from a Double-A slash of .295/.357/.515 with eight home runs and eight stolen bases in 237 at-bats.  With the Red Sox committed to giving Benintendi a chance to stick with in the Majors and energize the offensive as they make a playoff push, he could be the biggest fantasy producer from the five names here over the next two months.

 

Pitchers

Dario Alvarez (RP, TEX) - 1% Owned

Coming over in the Rangers' trade for starter Lucas Harrell, rookie relief pitcher Dario Alvarez brings with him serious strikeout potential. In 15 innings pitched for the Braves prior to the trade, he was 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a bonkers 16.8 K/9. That's an elite-level strikeout rate that puts above relief aces like Dellin Betances (15.8) and Andrew Miller (15.1) this season. The only knock on Alvarez is that his work has been only over a small sample size of 15 innings for a last place team. How well he'll respond to pitching for a first place team playing half of their games in the desert heat has yet to be seen. But with that strikeout rate, it is well worth it for fantasy owners to see where his journey goes next.

Jose Berrios (SP, MIN) - 20% Owned

Tuesday brought with it a glimpse of the Jose Berrios that many fantasy owners like myself have been waiting for since the top prospect made his Major League debut earlier this season. In his first start since his initial cup of coffee, he looked a lot more like the can't-miss prospect that was expected, holding the first-place Indians to three runs over six innings. Most important of all is that he was able to strike out five without walking anyone or giving up a home run after struggling with both his first time up. If Berrios can continue to keep those two things down to a minimum, his future ace-like skills can start to shine at baseball's highest level.

Drew Storen (RP, SEA) - 17% Owned

Relief pitcher Drew Storen failed miserably in Toronto after fantasy owners were hopeful the former lights-out closer could re-find his form. The team decided it had seen enough after half a season and cut him loose, ultimately agreeing to swap bad relievers with the Mariners. He did nothing to make a good impression with his new team, giving up four runs in his first appearance for Seattle, pushing his season ERA up to 6.81. It was only last year that Storen was one of the best closers in all of baseball, there has to still be some of that magic in his arm...right? With the Mariners' turning over the closer role to unproven rookie Edwin Diaz, there's still a chance Drew Storen, if he's able to get right, could be in line for some saves before the season's ends.

Matt Andriese (SP. TB) - 17% Owned

With starting pitcher Matt Moore traded to the Giants, rookie Matt Andriese returns to the rotation after a successful temporary turn as a reliever. He re-enters the rotation with a 6-2 record, 2.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 over 72 innings and eight starts. Though he doesn't strikeout a ton of batters, his ability to limit home runs and hits this season has helped keep him out of trouble so far this season. Andriese isn't the most electric rookie pitcher out there, but if he can continue to build upon this current success and keep working on improving the weaker parts of his game (as he has so far), there's no reason he can't help out fantasy teams in need of quality innings.

Cam Bedrosian (RP, LAA) - 15% Owned

The Angels had to place fragile closer Huston Street on the disabled list with a knee injury Tuesday, giving way to a closer-by-committee. But as much as manager Mike Scioscia wants to play it cool having just watched obvious choice Joe Smith traded away, he has to be as excited as fantasy owners should be at Bedrosian's potential. After 39 innings pitched so far this season, he's 2-0 with a 0.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.1 K/9. No one else in the Angels' bullpen comes close to this numbers. Unless he completes falls apart, the closer gig will be his for the remainder of the season.

 

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!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Neemias Queta

Won't Play Against Cleveland
Alex Caruso

Won't Suit Up Against Portland
Keon Coleman

Active for Week 13
Donovan Clingan

Sidelined on Sunday
Dalton Kincaid

Officially Inactive for Week 13
Kyren Williams

Returns in Week 13 After Injury Scare
Jarrett Allen

Won't Play Against Boston
Kristaps Porzingis

Still Under the Weather
LeBron James

Taking the Night Off on Sunday
Derrick White

Ruled Out on Sunday
Kyren Williams

Suffers Apparent Leg Injury in Week 13, Status Unclear
Woody Marks

Returns in Week 13 After Injury Scare
Sauce Gardner

Colts Rule Out Sauce Gardner With Knee Injury
Woody Marks

Questionable to Return With Foot Injury
Kyler Murray

Not Fully Healthy Yet
Keon Coleman

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Bucky Irving

Officially Back in Week 13
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
Baker Mayfield

Starting on Sunday Against Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Returns in Week 13
Chris Olave

Officially Active for Week 13
Darren Waller

Officially Active on Sunday
Tyler Warren

Suiting Up in Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Playing Through Multiple Wrist Fractures
Jayden Daniels

has a Chance to Return in Week 14
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Tyler Warren

Expected to Play in Week 13
Jalen McMillan

Cleared to Practice
Aaron Rodgers

Set to Play on Sunday
Joel Hofer

Shuts Out Mammoth
Owen Tippett

Amasses Three Points in Saturday's Win
Stuart Skinner

Bounces Back With Shutout
Brock Nelson

Notches Four Points in Big Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Logan Cooley

Hurt in Saturday's Loss
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Play in Week 13
P.J. Washington

Ruled Out Versus Clippers
Trae Young

"Progressing Well," Will be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Isaiah Hartenstein

Sidelined a Minimum of 10-14 Days
Daniel Gafford

Resting Against Clippers
Jalen Duren

Won't Play Versus Miami
Warren Foegele

Not Ready to Return Saturday
Simon Benoit

Won't Play Saturday
Henri Jokiharju

Lands on Injured Reserve
Anthony Davis

Ruled Out on Saturday
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Pavel Zacha

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles
David Pastrnak

Out for Second Consecutive Game
William Nylander

Available Saturday
Kyle Palmieri

Out for 6-8 Months With Torn ACL
Neemias Queta

Uncertain for Saturday's Game in Minnesota
Derrick White

Expected to Suit Up Versus Timberwolves
Jaylen Brown

Might Miss Saturday's Game
Jake Walman

Sidelined for Third Consecutive Game
Jack Roslovic

to Miss Two Weeks
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

to Return Saturday
Mattias Samuelsson

in Concussion Protocol
Kyle Palmieri

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Lukas Dostal

Ruled Out for 2-3 Weeks
Anthony Davis

Available, Will be on a Minutes Restriction
Kyshawn George

Returns to Lineup After One-Game Absence
Paul George

Set To Start Friday Against Nets
Kevin Huerter

Set to Return Against Charlotte
Jarrett Allen

Back in Action on Friday
Kirill Marchenko

Misses Third Straight Game
Jaden Schwartz

to Miss Six Weeks
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP