X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

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

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

NL-Only Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 1

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to take advantage of breakouts or impact bats before others sure can.

The primary challenge of playing in an NL or AL-only league is often the lack of options regarding adding and subtracting players when needed. In mixed leagues, the players on the waiver wire are usually starting for an NL-only staff. So then how does one wade through the names of players that even regular fantasy players have never heard of, and that often will not even start for their teams, to begin with? That is where this series comes in.

Instead of owners spending time digging the waiver wire of 0% owned players, this article will give owners a player at each position to fill the gap, or at the least, keep an eye on to add or stash. Not all of these players will replace that injury, but offer the best option off the scrap heap. Often the players advocated for here are long shots due to the nature of shallow leagues. No quick fixes, but some upside that could turn into much more. With that, onto the Island of Misfit Fantasy Toys.

 

C - Austin Hedges (C, SD) - 7% owned

Anyone who plays for the Padres needs to be owned, especially if they are playing regularly. Not only is the overall offense legitimate, but playing multiple games versus Colorado, at Colorado, and the Arizona Diamondbacks “pitching staff” adds real helium to early season projections. More specifically on Hedges, the power is real, with the only downside in the past being the batting average. For example, in 2017 his xWOBA and xAVG both placed him in the bottom 15% of the league. Still, the good news is that even when posting most of the same numbers in 2018, he moved up to the bottom 40% of the league.

While Hedges might never be a good contact option, the rest of the league seems to be drifting down to his level. This means that the impact of a regular Hedges season does not hurt as much as it has in the past. The even better news is that the K and BB rates moved in positive directions in 2018, adding a bit more of a floor to the production. For owners in need of catching and power, and willing to bank on 20 plus bombs, the Friar’s backstop is the pick this week.

 

1B - Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, ARI) - 14% owned

What limited Flores's fantasy value in New York was the lack of regular playing time, which a move to the desert should fix. With no Paul Goldschmidt, Flores looks to be the starting option at first, when Lamb is out of the team, and at second on most other days. Slated to hit fourth in front of Lamb, this is a good spot for a player who has posted batting lines around .270 over the past three campaigns. Add in a K rate that was top 15% in the league, and the overall package looks to be one that will fit into what the Diamondbacks are trying to do.

The launch angle also tipped up last year from 16.8 to 17, and even without the gains, Flores still was good for at least 16 homers a season in a part-time role. Playing time, with fits around the fantasy line-up, all mean that Flores will produce with counting stats, even if at a slower rate, due to the playing time alone.

 

2B - Ian Kinsler (2B, SD) - 9% owned

When he signed with the Padres, baseball fans were wondering where and when Kinsler would play this year. With the demotion of Luis Urias to Triple-A, the keystone is open for Kinsler. Batting lead-off will only help, as productive seasons from Wil Myers, Manny Machado, and Eric Hosmer all boost the base for the production that Kinsler owners can expect.

The downside on Kinsler is that he does not hit the ball hard, with an 85.3 exit velocity, placing him in the bottom 20% of the league. The good news is that singles count just as much as other hits when playing in front of the run producers that San Diego has acquired. Another playing time over raw skills option, Kinsler will be worth the add and fits best as a MI over a full season.

 

3B - Yangervis Solarte (2B/SS/3B, SFG) - 3% owned

The Giants are not going to be a good team this year, and even that might be overselling what this campaign will look like for Giants fans. The good news is that Solarte can play around the field, and looks to be the starting option at third with Evan Longoria’s injury. Even if Longoria comes back soon, and early reports are positive, the NL-style will only help Solarte, with expected double switches and pinch hitting chances to get him opportunities off the bench.

The reason he was going undrafted looks to be the second-half decline that dropped his season-long numbers to .226/.277/.378. In the first half with the Jays, he hit .241 with 16 homers, as opposed to the .175 batting average and one homer to finish the season. Even with all of that the .233 BABIP cannot be overlooked and should help some positive regression to push the numbers up closer to his career norms.

 

SS - Nick Ahmed (SS, ARI) - 2% owned

Starting at shortstop and batting seventh for Arizona, Ahmed has quietly been one of the more consistent options at the position over the past few seasons. Last year Ahmed entered the year with a new swing, and it did not work out, ticking his batting average down to .233. The upside was that the power popped, with 16 homers over the full season, after 20 total over his first four seasons in the Bigs.

His other calling card is speed, with a measured sprint speed in the top 25% of the league. While he only stole five bases last year, there are multiple 30-plus seasons in the minors, and little reason to think that the team will stop him from running this year. While only valuable in NL-only formats, the fact that he is starting, and offers 15/8 upside make him an easy add this week.

 

OF - Albert Almora Jr. (OF, CHC) - 4% owned

The first of two Cubs on this list, Almora looks like he might never reach the prospect ceiling that many had him primed for, but that does not diminish his fantasy value. Batting eighth is not ideal, but in a good offense, this will not hurt his value as much as other clubs. Most of his productivity comes from the batting average, with .277, .298, and .286 lines over the past three seasons. Admittingly, there is close to no pop in this bat, with only 1.4% barrels last year, so owners need him to single his way to productivity this year. And yet, he did hit 24 doubles last year, a product of his speed.

The downside is that he does not steal much, if at all. Owners looking for a batting average floor to balance out other adds on this list should target Almora. At the very least, he will play 130 games this year if healthy.

 

OF - Jason Heyward (OF, CHC) - 3% owned

The decline of Heyward might be one of the saddest stories in the Majors over the past two seasons, but owners should jump on that sunk value to add him for free off the waiver wire. Heyward appears to have the starting right field job to begin the year, and with the defense alone, will need to struggle to lose out to the bench options in Chicago. The best sign from 2018 was the drop in the K rate, from 13.9% in 2017 to 12.3% last year. This put him in the top 25% of the league and shows that the plate skills are still there. Launch angle was down a bit, but the exit velocity was up, so read into that what you will.

The other selling point is that all of his expected rate stats were higher than the actual, so there is some room to grow into what the peripherals are telling owners. Another player with value due to line-up context and playing time, there are worse players to add for free.

 

OF - Curtis Granderson (OF, MIA) - 2% owned

Ah, the Marlins. Who knows what they will do this year, outside of offering interesting pitching options. And yet, Granderson earned a spot with a good spring and should be starting the majority of the year, or at least until he is dealt to a contender to sit on the bench. Granderson has value in leagues that allow players to earn the return package in a trade to the American League, but also will be a solid outfielder while he stays with the Marlins.

Slated to hit lead-off on the long end of the platoon, Granderson should be a lock for 350 or more PAs. The carrying skill is OBP, with an xWOBA in the top 25% of the league. In 2018, his expected slash was .247/.341/.416 all look good, and coupled with a 34.3% hard-hit rate show that there is something left in the tank. If last year is a good predictor, owners can expect 12/5 from Granderson and will be happy to add him this week.

 

SP - Pablo Lopez (SP, MIA) - 8% owned

This pick could be any of the exciting young arms that the Marlins have to offer. Why Lopez? His ownership is much lower, and there is little to no risk he moves to the bullpen. Over 10 starts last year, Lopez posted a 1.26 WHIP, with an 18.6 K%. Expect the K line to move up with time on the Marlins, at least based on his track record in the minors. Even without the stuff, his breaking offerings posted 60% or higher ground ball rates, so he keeps the ball in play for outs. Add in that his home park is one of the better pitching options in the Majors, and all of this looks good for a break-out season.

While the Marlins will not rack up many wins for fantasy owners, the rate and counting numbers alone should make this at least an SP4 play if he can carry over a blazing hot spring training into the regular season.

 

RP - Reyes Moronta (RP, SFG) - 6% owned

While not an option for saves right now, with the chance that Will Smith leaves, there is a better than zero chance that Moronta adds eight or more saves this year. The main reason to add is the stuff, with a 30.2% K rate last year, and five through his first two innings this year. The other items of note from 2018 were the 2.49 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. If there is one thing that does not hurt fantasy owners on bad teams, it is the raw skills out of the bullpen. Wins will not be there in spades, but 12 holds should be the floor from the past few years. Add Moronta as a ratio play, and hope for saves over a full season.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mitchell Marner7 hours ago

Scores Hat Trick In Victory
Alex Lyon7 hours ago

Earns Third Consecutive Victory
Jeremy Swayman7 hours ago

Posts Shutout Against Sharks
Zach Charbonnet8 hours ago

Pete Carroll Believes Zach Charbonnet Has A Bruised Knee
CeeDee Lamb8 hours ago

Has Another Huge Game In Week 13
Kareem Hunt10 hours ago

Limited On Thursday
Matt McLain10 hours ago

Fully Healed
Shohei Ohtani11 hours ago

Wins Most Outstanding Designated Hitter Award
Chris Paul11 hours ago

To Be Re-Evaluated On Monday
Aaron Gordon11 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
Jamal Murray11 hours ago

Uncertain For Friday
Moses Moody11 hours ago

Shifts Into Starting Five
Grayson Allen11 hours ago

Removed From Injury Report
Devin Booker11 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
LaMelo Ball12 hours ago

To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week
Treylon Burks12 hours ago

Puts In Full Practice Thursday
Noah Brown12 hours ago

Limited Again Thursday
Kenneth Walker III13 hours ago

Officially Inactive In Week 13
LeBron James13 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Kelly Olynyk13 hours ago

Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk Remain Questionable
Dorian Thompson-Robinson13 hours ago

Still In Concussion Protocol
Anthony Davis13 hours ago

Likely To Play Against Thunder
Amari Cooper13 hours ago

Back At Practice Thursday
Markelle Fultz13 hours ago

Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz Both Out Friday
Kelly Oubre14 hours ago

Jr. Aiming To Return Next Week
Jerry Jeudy14 hours ago

Marvin Mims Jr. Limited Thursday
Joel Embiid14 hours ago

Questionable Friday With Illness
Andrew Wiggins14 hours ago

Not Playing Against Clippers
Dallas Goedert14 hours ago

Trending In The Wrong Direction
Zach Hyman14 hours ago

Ready To Return On Thursday
Juuso Valimaki14 hours ago

Back For Coyotes On Thursday
Ilya Mikheyev14 hours ago

Good To Go Thursday
Dougie Hamilton14 hours ago

Won't Play On Thursday
Aaron Rodgers14 hours ago

Takes The Day Off
Radko Gudas15 hours ago

On Track To Return Thursday
Andrei Svechnikov15 hours ago

Expected Back On Thursday
Mark Kastelic15 hours ago

Ridly Greig Placed On Long-Term IR By Senators
Trey McBride15 hours ago

Limited On Thursday
Thomas Chabot15 hours ago

Activated Off Injured Reserve, Could Play Friday
Gabriel Vilardi15 hours ago

Activated Off Injured Reserve, Could Play Thursday
De'Von Achane15 hours ago

Limited Again Thursday
Kent Johnson15 hours ago

Recalled From AHL
DET16 hours ago

Patrick Kane Hoping For Season Debut In 7-10 Days
Tee Higgins16 hours ago

Plans To Play Monday Night
Tim Hardaway16 hours ago

Jr. Questionable With Back Spasms
Mark Giordano16 hours ago

Week-To-Week With Broken Finger
Trey Murphy16 hours ago

III Could Make Season Debut Friday
Bojan Bogdanovic16 hours ago

Downgraded To Out Thursday
Devin Booker16 hours ago

Up In The Air For Friday
Rashid Shaheed16 hours ago

Out For Second Straight Day
Chris Olave16 hours ago

Participating In Practice Again Thursday
Diontae Johnson16 hours ago

Out Sick Thursday
Paolo Banchero16 hours ago

Probable With Sprained Ankle
Keenan Allen16 hours ago

Working Off To The Side Thursday
Chris Godwin17 hours ago

Pops Up On Injury Report
Anthony Edwards17 hours ago

No Shootaround For Anthony Edwards Thursday
Dylan Cease17 hours ago

Cardinals Interested In Dylan Cease
Demario Douglas17 hours ago

Absent From Thursday's Practice
Joaquim Silva17 hours ago

Looking To Return To The Win Column
Clay Guida17 hours ago

Set For 36th UFC Fight
Kelvin Gastelum17 hours ago

Returns To Welterweight
Tyler Glasnow17 hours ago

Cubs Have Held Trade Talks On Tyler Glasnow
Marquise Brown17 hours ago

Still Not Practicing Thursday
Sean Brady17 hours ago

Looking To Rebound After First Career Loss
Deiveson Figueiredo17 hours ago

Moving Up To Bantamweight
Rob Font17 hours ago

Set For Third Fight Of 2023
Jaden Schwartz20 hours ago

Lands On Injured Reserve
Robby Fabbri21 hours ago

Tallies Two Points Against Rangers
Nick Martinez21 hours ago

Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Reds
Alexis Lafrenière21 hours ago

Alexis Lafreniere Delivers Two Assists
Jackson Chourio21 hours ago

Brewers Expected To Complete Record-Breaking Deal
Mike Matheson21 hours ago

Posts Two Assists In Wednesday's Win
Charlie Lindgren21 hours ago

Impresses With Win Over Kings
Shayne Gostisbehere21 hours ago

Exits Early On Wednesday
Jalen Smith21 hours ago

Out On Thursday, Will Be Re-Evaluated Next Week
Joey Wendle1 day ago

Agrees With Mets
Devin Williams2 days ago

Wins NL Reliever Of The Year Award
Félix Bautista2 days ago

Felix Bautista Named AL Reliever Of The Year
Luis Severino2 days ago

Mets, Luis Severino Finalizing One-Year Deal
Shohei Ohtani2 days ago

Expected To Sign Before End Of Winter Meetings
Dylan Cease2 days ago

Trade Talks For Dylan Cease Have Intensified
Randy Arozarena2 days ago

Being Shopped By Rays
Bo Bichette2 days ago

Likely Staying Put
Emilio Pagán2 days ago

Emilio Pagan Agrees To Two-Year Pact With Reds
Dylan Cease2 days ago

Dodgers "Among Most Aggressive" Teams For Dylan Cease
Shohei Ohtani2 days ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto "Above All Other Options" For Giants
Juan Soto2 days ago

"Almost Certain To Be Traded"
Cody Bellinger2 days ago

Earns NL Comeback Player Of The Year Award
Liam Hendriks2 days ago

Earns AL Comeback Player Of The Year Award
Jackson Chourio3 days ago

Brewers Discussing Deal With Top Prospect Jackson Chourio

RANKINGS

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

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Rachaad White - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL DFS Week 13 Picks: Top DraftKings Plays for Daily Fantasy Include Brock Purdy, Rachaad White, Zack Moss, Tyreek Hill

Hello, RotoBallers, and fellow NFL DFS grinders. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is now in the rearview mirror and we are ready to embark on the Week 13 DraftKings Main Slate. As some of you might be falling out of the picture in your season-long leagues, DFS is a great way to stay plugged... Read More


Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Week 13 Matchups Analysis

Welcome back RotoBallers to our Week 13 matchups analysis and Start Em, Sit Em column for fantasy football. Last week started out with some lopsided Thanksgiving and Black Friday contests before the game of the week on Sunday between the Eagles and Bills. The schedule goes back to normal with just one Thursday matchup, but we... Read More


Ahmad Sauce Gardner - Fantasy Football

Week 13 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

Perspective means a lot in sports, as in many areas of life. An example of this would be Shaquille Leonard. We mention him here frequently because he remains a legend in many IDP circles. Even this year he's been a pretty productive tackler, despite limited snaps and conflicts with his team/coaching staff. So, obviously a... Read More


Kenneth Walker III - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For Week 13 (Thursday Updates): Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, Chris Olave, De'Von Achane, Tee Higgins, and more

With Week 13 ready to get underway with the Cowboys vs. Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, fantasy managers are busy tracking injuries to their key fantasy studs. We have the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, November 30, 2023. Fantasy football assets such as Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, Chris Olave, and more have... Read More


Adam Thielen - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

The King's Week 13 Lineup Rankings and Analysis (Premium Content)

Scott "The King" Engel issues his full Week 13 lineup rankings in PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard formats. He also includes insights on key players at each position, with chunks of relevant statistical indicators. Regular starting options are also included in the statistical highlights to show how well your best players might be performing. Much of... Read More


Aaron Donald - Fantasy Football Rankings, IDP Draft Sleepers, Defense (DST)

Week 13 Team Defense Rankings for Fantasy Football: Buccaneers DST, Chargers DST, Jaguars DST, Falcons DST, Rams DST

RotoBallers, Week 13 has arrived, and it's time to focus on setting those winning lineups. There are six teams on a bye, so there will be few options to stream this week. The Bears, Vikings, Bills, Ravens, Giants, and Raiders are off this week. For fantasy managers singing the bye week blues, we've got you... Read More


AJ Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Week 13 Power Rankings: Where Do All 32 NFL Teams Stand?

As we head into the fourth month of the NFL season, we are starting to get a better sense of who these 32 teams are. Injuries, inefficiencies, and mega-popstar distractions have impacted NFL teams in different ways through the league's first twelve weeks. On the other hand, there have been some major positive surprises and... Read More


Dak Prescott - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Seahawks vs. Cowboys TNF Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Tony Pollard, Jake Ferguson, Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Zach Charbonnet, more

Thursday Night Football for Week 13 will be a tale of two teams headed in opposite directions. The Dallas Cowboys are winners of five of their last six games, and those five wins have come with an average margin of victory of 23.2 points. The Seattle Seahawks, on the other hand, have lost three of... Read More


Kyler Murray - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Warning Signals for Week 13: Kyler Murray, Joe Mixon, and Drake London

Week 13 of the fantasy football season is underway and while we may have drafted certain players at a premium, it is okay to consider benching them despite their name value. We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. When injuries, tough... Read More


Russell Wilson - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Post-Waiver Pickups for Week 13 - Russell Wilson, Tyler Allgeier, Juwan Johnson, Jayden Reed, and More!

The byes are back. Wasn’t last week so nice -- where all you had to worry about was injuries? This week is a killer not just with six teams on bye, but with the high-quality fantasy options that the teams give us. You will not be able to use your Bills, Bears, Giants, Ravens, Raiders,... Read More


jaylen waddle fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

WR/CB Matchups to Target and Downgrade - Week 13 (2023)

Welcome to Week 13 of the WR/CB Matchups article. For those who are not familiar, this is a weekly series looking at fantasy football matchups for wide receivers versus the cornerbacks who are projected to cover them. During the past three seasons, I have tweaked my process to make the chart more user-friendly and predictive,... Read More


Bijan Robinson - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Rest of Season Half-PPR Rankings: Fantasy Football Top 200 for Week 13

December approaches and the fantasy football playoffs are on the horizon. Prepare for the championship push as best you can with our Week 13 fantasy football half-PPR rankings for the rest of 2023, as of November 30. Check where key players shifted, such as Bijan Robinson, Cooper Kupp, Zack Moss, and more. These half-PPR fantasy... Read More


Jessie Bates Atlanta Falcons Defense - Fantasy Football DST, Defense Streamers, Waiver Wire IDP

Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 13, 14, 15, 16) - Defense Streamers and Starts

If you stream defenses in fantasy football, you have come to the right place. This article will look at defenses to target in Week 13 and beyond. Interesting to note that Week 15 and Week 16 will be featured in the list below, which is the playoffs for most fantasy leagues. So, if you have... Read More