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Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 22 (American League)

Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 22. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.

With the final full month of baseball about to begin, it's time to scrap up together the best roster one can muster to either hold off or fuel any last minute runs at the crown or to prepare for the impending fantasy playoffs.

Here are some names to consider before the big prospect rush when rosters expand Thursday. All are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Leonys Martin (OF, SEA) - 12% Owned

Though his fantasy value may have peaked earlier this season, outfielder Leonys Martin is getting back on track as the season comes to an end. Since August 14th, he's hitting .281 with one home run, four RBI and five stolen bases in 63 at-bats going into Tuesday. Martin's hits haven't been coming together in bunches often enough, but he's been consistently able to collect at least one with an eight-game and five-game hitting streak within that time. With the Mariners fighting for a playoff spot and Martin needing to further make his case to stay a starter next year, he'll have plenty of opportunities to help fantasy teams.

Trevor Plouffe (1B/3B, MIN) - 12% Owned

Since returning from the disabled list August 8th, infielder Trevor Plouffe has really come alive at the plate in a way he hasn't for much of the year. In the 13 games he's played in since being activated, he's slashing a silly .340/.390/.528 with two dingers and 13 RBI. With the Twins' offense as a whole playing much better during the second half, Plouffe has had plenty of chances to drive in runners, something that will last through the end of the season. Infielders with run-producing power aren't easy to come by, especially on the waiver wire this late into the season.

Ryon Healy (3B, OAK) - 2% Owned

Rookie third baseman Ryon Healy went through a readjustment spell after a hot start to his MLB career that saw his production dip down below startable. But unlike some young players, he's made the necessary changes and has come back around to fantasy awesome. Since August 5th, he's hitting .312 with three home runs and seven RBI in 80 at-bats, including a 14-game hitting streak. The Athletics have been aggressive in prompting Healy since he put himself firmly on the prospect map earlier this season with his best minor league numbers yet, and he just keeps succeeding with flying colors. September isn't shaping up to be any different.

Tyler Saladino (2B/SS/3B, OAK) - 1% Owned

The owner of one of the best mustaches in the game, infielder Tyler Saladino's stat line is beginning to catch up with his awesome lip cover. After hitting .225 with four home runs and eight stolen bases in 236 at-bats as a rookie last year, he's hitting a much more palatable .265 with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases in 230 at-bats this season. Saladino has been especially great in August, hitting .293 with three home runs, 10 RBI and five stolen bases. He's still growing into his power, but the speed is already here and strong enough for him to deliver five stolen bases before the season closes.

James McCann (C, DET) - 5% Owned

Decent fantasy catchers on the waiver wire this late into the season are basically impossible to find, and James McCann might not buck that trend. But he has been decent at times over the second half, especially as of late. Though he's hitting only .239 during that time, he does have six home runs and 19 RBI in 99 at-bats. August has been McCann's best month of the year yet, hitting .271 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 59 at-bats. Injuries have kept McCann from getting as firm of a hold on the starting catcher job as was initially envisioned, so he'll have extra incentive to keep his bat solid through till the end.

 

Pitchers

Kendall Graveman (SP, OAK) - 17% Owned

Though he lacks that strikeout punch fantasy owners prefer in their starting pitchers, there's no denying right-hander Kendall Graveman's results so far this season. For the month of August, he's 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 35.1 innings as he's been getting better as the season progresses. Take his road stats on the season, for instance. Despite being 5-4 with a 4.98 ERA when pitching for the away team, he's 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA over his last five road starts. Deep league head-to-head owners should especially take note here.

Jason Grilli (RP, TOR) - 16% Owned

Though the "save Roberto Osuna's arm" job swap promised when the Blue Jays originally traded for Jason Grilli has yet to manifest itself, Grilli's been so great it almost hasn't mattered (almost). Until finally getting bit Tuesday against the Orioles, he had yet to allow a run during the month of August. So instead of zeroes, he finishes the month 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and one save in 13 innings. If he never sniffs another save chance, there's still a lot of good a repeat month could do to help fantasy owners with their last push to the promised land of victory.

Dillon Gee (SP, KC) - 2% Owned

Right-hander Dillon Gee has had some rough, rough months in 2016, including a brutal July that included a 0-3 record and a 6.04 ERA in 22.1 innings. But he has brought things around full circle in August, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. With a final schedule that's almost entirely division rivals that Gee has mostly had success against this year (minus the Tigers, whom he'll face twice), he's a low-end gamble for those desperate for anyone who can keep their fantasy head above water these final weeks.

Joaquin Benoit (RP, TOR) - 6% Owned

Another addition to the "case of new scenery" success collage, right-hander Joaquin Benoit has shined as a member of the Blue Jays in a way he failed to as a Mariner earlier this season. In 13.1 innings since being traded, he's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. Benoit had a 5.18 ERA with Seattle, so that piping hot bowl of zero is a big deal. His FIP of 2.77 during his scoreless time is a firm indicator he's getting a bit lucky, but results are results. Benoit is a known veteran commodity on a team fighting for a playoff spot, so the possibility of vulture wins during September is trending upwards with his continued greatness.

Joe Biagini (RP, TOR) - 0% Owned

While he is another Toronto reliever, right-hander Joe Biagini is quite a bit different than his fellow bullpen mates. The rookie reliever has adapted to the Majors nicely so far, going 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 in 55.1 innings this year. Exclusively a starter in the minors, he found only limited success. But Biagini's really coming into his own in the Blue Jays' bullpen, especially as of late. For the month of August, he's 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 12 strikeouts and three holds in 15.1 innings.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
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Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
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May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
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Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
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Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
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Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
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Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
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Remains an Overrated Road Racer
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Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
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Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
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Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
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Activated from 10-Day Injured List
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Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
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Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
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Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
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Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
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Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
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Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
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Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
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Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
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Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
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Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
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Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
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Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
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Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
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Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
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Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
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Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
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Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
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Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
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Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
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a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
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Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
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Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
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a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
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Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
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J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
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a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
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Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
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is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF