👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Deep League Waiver Wire: Week 20

Hello and welcome to the Week 20 deep waiver wire targets. The fantasy baseball season is entering the final stretch, especially for those of you with league playoffs. For those of you in leagues with exceptional depth, these six widely available players could bring you ever closer to that league championship. Featured this week will be a certain Hall-of-Famer, a "Splash Brother's" brother, and a super sleeper in an all rookie rotation.

For other waiver wire options, check out RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list. It's updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging deep league options.

iPhone Fantasy Baseball App - Waiver Wire PickupsAndroid Fantasy Baseball App - Waiver Wire PickupsPrefer using a phone? Our famous 2015 Sleepers & Waiver Wire Pickups app is free, and available in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Deeper Leagues Waiver Wire Analysis

Trayce Thompson (OF, CWS, Owned in 0% of fleaflicker leagues)

It is hard to say a player is a surprise or a sleeper when his brother is one of the best basketball players on the planet. Having said that, Trayce Thompson is available in nearly every league. He has displayed very well-rounded offensive abilities in the minor leagues. In 2,765 AB since 2009, Thompson recorded 101 HR, 94 SB, 163 doubles, and a .747 OPS. In his first 12 major league AB, Thompson hit a HR, recorded a .500 BA, a 1.372 OPS, and a 284 OPS+.

Currently, the Chicago White Sox are 25th in the league in OPS with .683 and are 29th in the league in runs with 422. They're still only five games out of the second AL-wild card spot. If the Sox continue to give Thompson opportunities to propel them into October in place of players like Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia, and Adam Laroche, fantasy baseball managers can look for Thompson to produce in almost every offensive category.

 

Danny Valencia (1B/3B/OF, OAK, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)

This season has seen quite a jump in production from Danny Valencia. So far in 201, Valenica has hit ten HR, 36 RBI, scored 30 R, produced a .302 BA, and a .887 OPS in 189 AB. In his 27 AB since being claimed by the Oakland A's Valencia has hit three HR, produced a .333 BA, and a 1.178 OPS. Valenica hits his best when at home as he has a home OPS of 1.045 on the season and he hits exceptionally well against both arms with a .836 OPS vs LHP and a .927 OPS vs RHP.

Valenica's hot hitting and triple eligibility make him a must have for any fantasy baseball manager in a deeper league heading into crunch time. The A's have installed him as their regular cleanup hitter. He should produce plenty of runs down the stretch.

 

Martin Perez (SP, TEX, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)

Martin Perez is the epitome of a pitcher getting passed over due to terrible luck. At first glance, Perez looks none to appealing with a 5.81 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 5.5 K/9. However, his statistics tell a clear story. With a fantastic 2.80 FIP, it can first be determined that Perez has been the victim of unlucky fielding. With 0.0 HR/9 and a 2.4 BB/9, Perez is keeping batters well under reasonable control.

Perez allows 10.6 Hits/9 which would be the cause of his high WHIP and ERA. He has a .348 BABIP, which is quite high especially when considered that Perez has a 1.50 GB/FB ratio and a 2.50 GO/FO ratio with a 21% LD%. Perez is a prime candidate for a major statistical bounce back.

 

Keyvius Sampson (SP, CIN, Owned in 3% of fleaflicker leagues)

The Reds are putting out an all rookie rotation and Keyvius Sampson may be the last member of said rotation that fantasy baseball managers would expect to target. Sampson is certainly a sleeper under more highly touted rotation mates such as prospects Raisel Iglesias and John Lamb. Sampson's 4.11 FIP indicates that he has a better isolated performance than fellow sleeper Cincy prospect David Holmberg.

This season in the minors, Sampson had a 3.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, an impressive 0.3 HR/9, and a solid 8.1 K/9. So far in 17 MLB IP Sampson has a 3.18 ERA, 1.118 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9 to go along with his 4.11 FIP. Sampson's main problem in the minor leagues related to walks. That may gradually be fixed with MLB experience - an opportunity Sampson will get because the Reds chose to send Michael Lorenzen back to Triple-A. Cincinnati has been quite tentative with Robert Stephenson's advancement. Sampson should produce decent fantasy numbers through the remainder of the season.

 

Ichiro Suzuki (OF, MIA, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)

If I told you many years ago that Ichiro Suzuki would one day be owned in just 6% of fantasy baseball leagues, your mouth would hang agape. If I told you last year that Ichiro Suzuki would ever be worth owning again, your mouth would hang agape. So here we are, condescendingly analyzing one of the greatest players of a generation...we'll get over it.

In short, Suzuki has been hot with XBH of late. In the last 14 days in 32 AB, Suzuki has a double, two triples, while producing a .344 BA, and a .921 OPS. In his 12 AB, Suzuki has a 1.104 OPS. Suzuki has excelled against LHP this season with a .849 OPS. With Suzuki's BA and subsequently OBP shooting up due to his recent hot streak, he becomes more and more of a base stealing threat. He has nine SB on the season. If in need of XBH, BA, SB, and nostalgia, Ichiro Suzuki is a justifiably trendy and smart add for fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues.

 

Kelly Johnson (1B / 2B / 3B / OF, NYM, Owned in 7% of fleaflicker leagues)

The Mets needed a little bit of everything at the trade deadline, and Kelly Johnson certainly is a little bit of everything. He comes with eligibility at four positions. Whenever a player offers that level of flexibility, he jumps up in value. So far in 224 AB, Johnson has 11 HR and a .755 OPS. Over the last seven days, he has hit a hot .846 OPS.

Johnson's season totals were dragged down by a sole poor month of June as Johnson's month by month OPS splits look like this: April - (.787), May - (.890), June - (.562), July - (.840), August - (.740). Johnson's solid performance at the plate can be attributed to the fact that his HR% of 4.6% is the highest of his career and his XBH% of 11.4% since joining the Mets is also the highest of his career. In deeper leagues where fantasy baseball managers may have to make the difficult choice between adding a solid hitting first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, or outfielder, Kelly Johnson makes the choice a no-brainer: he is all four.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Gradey Dick

Open to Trade Away From Toronto
Michael Porter Jr.

Wants to Stay in Brooklyn
NBA

Hornets Extend Charles Lee After 25-Win Improvement
Jarred Vanderbilt

Ruled Out for Game 2 Against Thunder
Luke Kennard

Cleared to Play Thursday
Ayo Dosunmu

Considered Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Anthony Edwards

Remains Questionable on Injury Report Ahead of Game 3
Mitchell Robinson

Probable for Friday's Action
Kevin Huerter

Remains Out Thursday
Sam Merrill

Unavailable Thursday
OG Anunoby

Tagged as Questionable for Friday
Joel Embiid

Listed as Questionable for Game 3 Against Knicks
Dan Vladar

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Thursday
Connor Dewar

Penguins Re-Sign Connor Dewar for Two Years
Mikko Rantanen

Played Through Torn MCL Late in the Season
Rasmus Dahlin

Ready to Go Friday
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Signs Franchise Tender on Thursday
Alexander Nikishin

Set to Return Thursday
Joe Burrow

Attending Voluntary Workouts, Ready for Monster Season?
Christian Dvorak

Available Thursday
Owen Tippett

Remains Out Thursday
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
T.J. Hockenson

Can T.J. Hockenson Bounce Back with Improved Quarterback Play in Minnesota?
Jordan Love

Is Jordan Love's Dynasty Upside Fading Entering 2026?
Dalton Schultz

Facing Increased Playing Time Competition in Houston Entering 2026
Kimani Vidal

Dynasty Value in Question Due to Uncertain Playing Time Outlook
Juwan Johnson

Facing Reduced Role in New Orleans Following NFL Draft?
Chuba Hubbard

a Prime Bounce-Back Candidate Following Offseason Moves
Indianapolis Colts

Kenny Moore Granted his Release by Colts
Minnesota Vikings

Chad Alexander a Candidate for Vikings GM Job
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Request to Interview RJ Gillen for GM Job
Drake Maye

Shoulder Doing "Great"
Gunnar Helm

a Clear Breakout Candidate Despite Crowded Offense?
Travis Hunter

Dynasty Managers Regret Drafting Travis Hunter?
Khalil Shakir

Offseason Addition a Threat to Khalil Shakir's Consistency?
Christian Watson

Can Christian Watson Overcome Injury History?
Pat Freiermuth

a Bounce-Back Candidate in New System
Tua Tagovailoa

Lacks Long-Term Appeal in Dynasty Leagues
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Jordan Mason

Still Holding Dynasty Value
Aaron Rodgers

Planning a Visit With Steelers
Dontayvion Wicks

What is Dontayvion Wicks' Dynasty Ceiling?
Paul George

Does a Little Bit of Everything in Game 2 Loss
Tyrese Maxey

Tallies Team-High 26 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks With 26 Points Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

Notches Another Double-Double
Stephon Castle

Scores Game-High 21 Points in Blowout Win
Ayo Dosunmu

Exits Game 2 With Heel Issue
OG Anunoby

Suffers Apparent Leg Injury Wednesday
Mark Stone

Nets Late Power-Play Goal in Losing Effort
Leo Carlsson

Pots Game-Winner Wednesday Night
Juraj Slafkovsky

Ends Point Drought in Game 1 Loss
Bowen Byram

Ties Franchise Record With Fourth Postseason Goal
Zach Benson

Posts Second Consecutive Multi-Point Game
Rasmus Dahlin

"Seems Fine" After Early Exit on Wednesday
Sam Merrill

Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Luke Kennard

Tagged as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Nils Hoglander

Will Miss World Championship Due to Injury
Christian Dvorak

Likely to Play in Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Owen Tippett

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Noah Cates

to Miss Rest of Round 2
Arber Xhekaj

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Wednesday
Brendan Gallagher

Scratched on Wednesday
Logan Stanley

Returns to Action Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Mats Zuccarello

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Headed for Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Carted Off With Apparent Hamstring Injury on Tuesday
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
MLB

Cardinals-Brewers Game Postponed on Tuesday
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Wrist Sprain
Jacob Misiorowski

"All Things Look Good" for Jacob Misiorowski to Start on Wednesday
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
MLB

Rockies-Mets Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win at Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF