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Players to target or add from the waiver wire in Week 25 for fantasy baseball points leagues. Andrew Le identifies the top pickups of the week based on fantasy value.
Welcome to the RotoBaller waiver wire column that skews towards points league. Yes, there is positive correlation to standard 5x5 scoring but in our format, specific categories matter less and the accumulation of total stats is the ultimate objective.
The home stretch of fantasy baseball is upon us. By now, the data for 2019 is plentiful; we know what we know. For the remaining weeks left, we’ll try to stay brief and prep our managers to a strong finish.
Our points league waiver wire column will default to standard scoring and try to unearth three players under at least 50% ownership and three players under 25% ownership. For each group, we’ll identify an infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Let’s get hunting!
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Points League Pickups to Consider
Nick Solak (2B, TEX)
26% Owned
Attention fantasy owners, we have a prospect alert in Nick Solak. The Rangers No. 13 prospect hasn’t endured any growing pains since his call-up on August 20, slashing .360/.473/.600 with nine extra-base hits (four bombs), and 32 runs-plus-RBI. He’s turned it up a notch in September, rocking a 1.266 OPS.
A bonafide hitter at every stage of his career, Solak’s supported his lofty numbers with a strong 0.63 BB/K. While the average will surely come down, Solak’s speed can offset that with 48 minor league swipes across four seasons. Solak only has one steal thus far, despite an 83rd percentile sprint speed. This isn’t a tough decision, go get him.
Todd Frazier (3B, NYM)
5% Owned
Old man Todd Frazier has endured a bumpy season but has found his stroke in September. Though nine games, Frazier has launched three homers and slashed .333/.440/.857 in limited action. Frazier’s past few years have suggested he’s washed, but the 33-year-old just surpassed 20 homers for the fifth time in six seasons. Frazier should be a reliable bat in deeper leagues with a palatable BB/K (0.35), and certainly against left-handed pitching (.936 OPS).
Jason Heyward (OF, CHC)
26% Owned
We’re recycling Jason Heyward in this column as he’s posted his best offensive campaign since 2012. Heyward has launched 21 homers, eight steals and 132 R+RBI while posting a .788 OPS. The 30-year-old has ratcheted his performance in a heated pennant race, with a 1.035 OPS and three dingers in September. Without any glaring indications that Heyward’s year has been fluky (.330 xwOBA), he deserves consideration as a regular OF3 and must-start streamer against righties.
Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA)
11% Owned
Another recent call-up is Kyle Lewis, the 2016 11th-overall pick and the Mariners No. 10 prospect. Lewis fell off the radar after a debilitating knee injury in 2017 but he finally appeared healthy this season, posting a .337 wOBA in Double-A this season. Importantly, he was able to log 517 plate appearance and earned a promotion on September 10. Through three games, the 24-year-old has collected homers in as many games and should get plenty of reps on the hapless M’s. One of the brightest prospects before his injury, Lewis should have every opportunity to prove himself in the majors ahead of spring training.
Alex Young (SP, ARZ)
37% Owned
Alex Young has been a steady arm in the Diamondbacks rotation since a late-June call-up, recording eight strong outings in 14 appearances (13 starts). The 26-year-old holds a sturdy 3.38 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a cake matchup against the Miami Marlins upcoming. Young doesn’t miss many bats (22 percent strikeout rate), but he’s a four-pitch junkballer that that induces plenty of groundballs. His 4.51 FIP doesn’t necessarily support the results, but he’s 100% worth a stream against Miami and approved for deployment in a not-too-daunting showdown with the Cardinals the following week.
Chad Green (SP/RP, NYY)
11% Owned
For our players with innings limitations, Chad Green is a valuable dual-eligibility pitcher to consider. Green has served as both opener and reliever and despite a volatile season holds a 1.23 ERA with an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in September. With a 30 percent strikeout rate, his efficiency is a no-brainer for anyone needing counting stats with restrictive innings. Green’s penchant for taters and a 46 percent hard-hit rate explains his ugly 4.57 ERA, but a 3.68 FIP is comforting. A valuable arm on a team with World Series aspirations, he’s worth the risk.
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