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 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.

 

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"]

 




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

Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Sunday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears Head Coach Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs

RANKINGS

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