Kyle Wright (SP, ATL) - Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Atlanta Braves just optioned Mike Foltynewicz following a horrendous first start for the 2020 MLB season, and while Sean Newcomb put up a solid showing as a starter to kick off the year against the New York Mets, 2019 demonstrated just how much […]

Justin Smoak (1B, MIL) - Week 2 Waiver Wire

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: It's a surprise that Smoak is just 7% owned. We covered him as a Week 1 waiver pick-up, and then he went out and started three straight games as the clean-up hitter for the Brewers. He went 3-11 with a HR and one RBI […]

Chris Taylor (2B/SS/OF, LAD) - Week 2 Waiver Wire

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 36% of leagues ANALYSIS: With many baseball fans drooling over the potential of Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor was a fantasy afterthought until about a week ago. When Lux was sent to the Alternate Site, Taylor started two of the Dodgers' first three games, going 4-for-8 with an RBI. […]

James Karinchak (RP, CLE) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: It is truly a relief to once again be talking about players warranting a waiver wire selection, and in the spirit of the scale of this relief, let's kick off the 2020 MLB season by discussing one of the most promising young relievers in […]

Austin Hays (OF, BAL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: 25-year-old Austin Hays is a former highly touted prospect, and given the downtrodden nature of the Baltimore Orioles roster, is ready to take the reigns in the outfield at Camden Yards for the abbreviated 2020 MLB season. Whether or not you would slate the […]

Kyle Crick (RP, PIT) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: With the Pirates putting Keone Kela on the injured list, the team is in the market for a new closer to start the season, and Kyle Crick may just be the right guy. The 27-year-old had an ugly season last year, impacted by […]

Nick Solak (2B/3B, TEX) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: After being acquired from the Rays mid-season, Solak made a mark in his MLB debut with Texas, hitting .293/.393/.491 with 5 HR, 19 R, 17 RBI, and 2 SB in 33 games. The knock against the 25-year-old coming into the season was a […]

Aaron Hicks (OF, NYY) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues ROSTERED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Want to invest cheaply in a likely regular piece of the Yankees' offense who might've slipped past your opponents due to the long COVID-19 layoff? The switch-hitting, slick-fielding Aaron Hicks appears close to a return after recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in […]

Ryan Helsley (RP, STL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: When asked about the Cardinals' closer role earlier in July, general manager John Mozeliak's first response was relief pitcher Ryan Helsley. Although Mozeliak also mentioned Giovanny Gallegos, he was placed on the injured list on July 18 for undisclosed reasons, despite the fact […]

Trent Grisham (OF, SDP) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: Last year, Trent Grisham spent most of his time in the Minor Leagues, making him a somewhat unknown commodity. Throughout stops between Double-A and Triple-A for the Brewers' organization, he accumulated 26 HRs, 71 runs, and 71 RBI, while also stealing 12 bases in only […]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C/3B, TEX) Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in two-catcher leagues OWNED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa got pushed down the catcher rankings before a majority of drafts. That makes a lot of sense, as he only showed a meager ability to hit the long ball -- only five career home runs in 618 plate appearances is very underwhelming. Another […]

Wil Myers (OF, SD) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS: Wil Myers is coming off a very disappointing 2019 season where his strikeout rate rose to a career-high 34.3% while his batting average fell to a career-low .239. While those were both disappointing stats, Myers was still able to power his way to 18 […]

Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS:  It appears the time is now for Mariners prospect Kyle Lewis. Lewis made his MLB debut last September and there were no signs of a previous knee injury. Lewis managed to hit six home runs with a .268 average and an insane .324 ISO. […]

Travis Shaw (3B, TOR) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ team leagues OWNED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS:  Travis Shaw is coming off a horrendous year in Milwaukee that saw his average plummet to .157 with only seven home runs in 86 games while battling various injuries. Shaw blamed some of his struggles on a swing change, and there's reason to […]

Sam Hilliard (OF, COL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS:  Sam Hilliard’s power exploded in 2019, clubbing 42 home runs between the majors and Triple-A last season, this after just hitting nine dingers with a .126 OPS in 2018 at Double-A. The 6’5”, 238-pounder is surprisingly fleet of foot as well, swiping at […]

Austin Voth (SP, WAS) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 2% of leagues ANALYSIS: Austin Voth was a popular name in sleeper circles during spring training due to his breakthrough month-plus last year, but he seemed to be on the outside looking in for the fifth spot in the rotation. However, when Joe Ross decided to opt-out […]

Yoenis Cespedes (OF, NYM) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 36% of leagues ANALYSIS: All signs point to New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) being at, or close to, full health by Opening Day. Cespedes has looked impressive at the plate and in the field in summer camp. In fact, the Mets are so impressed by his progress from […]

Howie Kendrick (1B/2B/3B, WSH) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS:  Not many players have a career-year at age 36, but that’s exactly what Howie Kendrick did last season in Washington. The veteran infielder hit for a cool .344 with a .966 OPS along with 17 longballs in 370 PA. That performance wasn't a fluke […]

C.J. Cron (1B, DET) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 34% of leagues While his 2019 surface stats look unremarkable (.780 OPS, 25 HR in 499 PA), C.J. Cron made leaps in hit quality last year. He set career highs in average exit velocity (91.1 MPH), barrel rate (15%), and hard contact rate (41.1%). He also cut his […]

Justin Smoak (1B, MIL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: Justin Smoak is a big winner thanks to the universal DH and the new inter-divisional schedule. He figures to see regular at-bats for a Brewers team that has a top-10 schedule, and nearly 70% of Smoak's games will be in parks that are a […]

Tyler Rogers (RP, SF) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 310 CURRENT ADP: ~368 overall ANALYSIS: Rogers, the brother of Twins closer Taylor Rogers, will get his time in 2020 to save games for the Giants. Rogers has shown the ability to close out games throughout the Giants' farm system, so the ability to finish games has already been established. He […]

David Peralta (OF, ARI) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 235 CURRENT ADP: ~250 overall ANALYSIS: David Peralta played in just 99 games last season due to a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. Peralta was already expected to be in the Diamondbacks’ opening day lineup, but his surgically repaired shoulder should benefit from the extra healing time gained due […]

Shogo Akiyama (OF, CIN) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 230 CURRENT ADP: ~267 overall ANALYSIS: Once the 2020 season gets underway it will officially be “Sho Time” in Cincinnati! The Reds, who scouted him for three years, made signing Shogo Akiyama a priority this offseason. They felt Akiyama’s ability to make contact and his above-average on-base skills fit in […]

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 300 CURRENT ADP: ~318 overall ANALYSIS: Reynaldo Lopez is one of the most polarizing pitchers in fantasy baseball. He's a 26-year-old who can rotate between a complete-game, double-digit strikeout gem and a four-inning, six-run blow-up. Despite his inconsistency, it’s hard to avoid a pitcher who can put up lines like […]

Sandy Alcantara (SP, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 250 CURRENT ADP: ~297 overall ANALYSIS: Sandy Alcantara was once the jewel of the Marcell Ozuna trade, grading out as a solid pitching prospect with the potential to develop into a number two or three starter. Now entering his age-24 season, Alcantara showed some encouraging signs in September, providing optimism for growth […]

Marcus Stroman (SP, NYM) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 180 CURRENT ADP: ~208 overall ANALYSIS: Marcus Stroman was traded to the New York Mets at the trade deadline and took some time to adjust to a much different team and league. However, he improved during the month of September, likely because he began to feel more comfortable in his […]

Rich Hill (SP, MIN) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 170 CURRENT ADP: ~190 overall ANALYSIS: Rich Hill has been somewhat of a conversation centerpiece lately. Originally, Hill was going to miss the first half of the season, but with the delay, we could be seeing a "full season" of Hill. The left-hander has essentially never been a bad pitcher. […]

Luke Weaver (SP, ARI) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 170 CURRENT ADP: ~200 overall ANALYSIS: Luke Weaver seemed to be in the middle of a breakout before an injury halted his 2019 season. On the season, he pitched 64.1 innings in 12 starts with a 2.94 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. To further dive into this potential breakout, let’s take […]

A.J. Pollock (OF, LAD) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 280 CURRENT ADP: ~323 overall ANALYSIS: A.J. Pollock has typically been very productive when on the field but has always had a very hard time staying healthy. His upside has often made him an intriguing early-round pick, but he's reached 500 plate appearances just once in his career, and that […]