AL-Only and NL-Only: Deeper Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 11 (2024)

June 2, 2024

Dave's AL-only and NL-only fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 11 (2024). These are deeper league free agents to add from June 3 through June 9.

Welcome RotoBallers to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 10 -- June 3 through June 9. 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.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa - 2B/3B/OF Toronto Blue Jays (10% owned)

Isiah Kiner-Falefa might be one of the most unexciting fantasy players in the game. He doesn't have much power, he has the ability to steal, and he hits for average. While those aren't necessarily the sexiest of traits, they are effective in their own right. As such, the versatile third-baseman comes into this week on a bit of a hot streak.

Isiah Kiner Falefa BABY! Over the last week he’s 10-for-26, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 0 K, 1.274 OPS! pic.twitter.com/6kuuByQ9dv

— Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) May 30, 2024

What makes him an intriguing pickup this week is his versatility. He has played all over the infield this season, giving him position eligibility at both the corner and middle infield spots. Additionally, he comes with a track record of success. He has recorded double-digit steals in each of the past three seasons, giving hope that he will add to his season-long total. This week he plays four games at home against Baltimore, before flying to Oakland for a weekend series. With his hit tool and ability to spread the ball all over the field, he should be able to continue his hot streak over the next little while.

Spencer Arrighetti - SP Houston Astros (5% owned)

The Houston Astros have struggled this season. A big reason for their demise thus far has been their lack of effective and healthy starting pitching. Luckily for them, Spencer Arrighetti has been able to sustain a few early bad outings and make a name for himself in 2024. How has he been doing it? He's been modifying his pitch mix and improving on what he throws.

Arrighetti has been increasing his curveball usage since the start of the season. Overall it has a .179 BAA, .168 xBA, and a 34.4% whiff rate, making it his best pitch to date. He compliments that with an increasingly useful cutter, making both pitches good weapons to have. He seems to be slowly fading his fastball, which has been hit hard, thus showing his ability to evolve and adapt. Over his last four outings, Arrighetti has a 3.63 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 22.1 innings pitched. He is a different pitcher than he was when the season started and can be useful in the deepest of formats. This week he gets the Cardinals at home in a nice matchup. Add him for this week with the potential for more down the road.

Mark Vientos - 3B New York Mets (6% owned)

The Mets have been looking for stability and production from third base for quite some time. The team thought that they had that when the season started with Brett Baty, but his recent demotion to Triple-A Syracuse eliminates him for the time being. That leaves the door open for another young player whose power potential makes for an intriguing profile going forward in Mark Vientos.

In terms of Brett Baty, he’s really improved defensively this season. Offensively, he’s just too far behind Mark Vientos.

Baty: .225 AVG, 7 XBH (4 HR) and 16 RBIs with .628 OPS in 169 PA

Vientos: .295 AVG, 7 XBH (3 HR) and 6 RBIs with .945 OPS in 48 PA

— Manny Gómez (@MannyGo3) May 31, 2024

One of the main reasons for Baty's demotion was Vientos' recent surge at the plate. While his three home runs in around 50 at-bats are impressive, what's even better is his increased patience at the plate. As of yesterday, he has lowered his strikeout rate to 18.9%, which is far lower than his numbers from last season. Additionally, he's hitting the ball hard and making great defensive plays with the glove. Next week, the Mets play three games in Washington before playing two games in London against the Phillies. He should play in all five games and chances are this hot streak gets extended.

Alex Kirilloff - 1B Minnesota Twins (6% owned)

For years, Alex Kirilloff was hyped up as one of the team's best prospects. He had a good eye at the plate and was able to make great contact in the minors. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't been able to stay healthy enough in Minnesota. As such, he's been labeled as somewhat of a disappointment. After multiple surgeries, he has returned to the Twins as a healthier version of his former self, and he might finally be starting to show the potential that was once promised.

Alex Kirilloff goes yard for the second straight day. And that's to left-center field, which is exactly, exactly what you want to see with Alex Kirilloff.

Huge homer, both for the Twins and for Kirilloff's own season.

Twins lead, 5-3. pic.twitter.com/D67AWJlqVk

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) May 25, 2024

This past week was a good one for Kirilloff. He broke out of an early-month slump and seems to have regained his confidence. With games at the Yankees and the Pirates, he has the chance to continue this surge. Batting near the top of the Twins' lineup, his opportunities should be plentiful. He's a good batter who needs to stay healthy. He seemingly has things going his way right now and might finally be on the path to reaching the potential many thought he had.

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