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

Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers from Week 8: Sal Perez, J-Mart, Mazara, and More

It's Week 8 of Risers and Fallers. The weather is warming up, and so are many hitters around baseball. Some of these guys won't remain on your league's waiver wire for long.

There's a nice influx of youth around the game and some of the top prospects could soon get the call to the big leagues. Some of these names need to be on your roster.

Editor’s Note: to read about waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Fantasy Baseball Risers

Hitters

Salvador Perez (C, KC) – Perez has stepped up big time lately, with three straight multi-hit games and a 5-for-5 game against Minnesota earlier this week. He is up to seven home runs and 25 RBIs and should continue to be among the game’s best backstops.

Matt Wieters (C, BAL) – Wieters recorded his fifth straight multi-hit game this week and is hitting a solid .294 on the season. The 30-year-old backstop has some mileage on his legs and a move to first base at some point in the future is likely. For now, he is catching and is a very strong. Keep in mind that he hasn’t played in more than 75 games since 2013.

Cameron Maybin (OF, DET) – Maybin has hit safely in all nine game he has played this season, including seven multi-hit games and two three-hit games. His .545 average won’t hold up for too long, but ride the wave as long as you can. The 29-year-old has been leading off for the Tigers the last few games, which would boost his value.

Eric Hosmer (1B, KC) – Hosmer has his average near the .300 mark and has three steals to go with his eight home runs. The Royals seem to have gotten past their early season doldrums as a team and Hosmer should continue to produce all year.

J.D. Martinez (OF, DET) – J-Mart has now completely shaken off the slow start he had in April, with five multi-hit games in his last nine contests. He’s now hitting .261 with 10 bombs on the season and should continue to produce at a nice clip. The 28-year-old is in his prime and capable of very big things again this year after hitting a career-best 38 home runs in 2015.

Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX) – Mazara went deep for the second straight game and has three home runs in his last four games entering Thursday. The blast he hit on Wednesday traveled an estimated 491 feet. He’s hitting .320 with eight home runs and at just 21 years-old could be a monster in the making.

Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) –  Now 32, Gardner has five home runs and eight steals and should have something left in the tank if he maintains his health. It’s nice to see the power and speed combo that Gardner flashed the last two seasons, when he combined for 33 home runs and 41 stolen bases. The warm weather should be a blessing for Gardner and the Yankees.

Evan Gattis (DH, HOU) – Gattis has four home runs in eight games since returning to Houston. If he acquires eligibility at the catching position he will have a sharp uptick in value. He is capable of homering in bunches and has three straight seasons with over 20 home runs entering 2016.

Leonys Martin (OF, SEA) – Martin ran his hitting streak to nine games on Wednesday before being removed from the game with a lower body injury. It would be a shame if he is out for any length of time, as the 28-year-old is displaying a terrific blend of power and speed with nine home runs and eight steals so far.

Paulo Orlando (OF, KC) – Orlando has collected multiple hits in five of his last seven games, including a trio of three-hit games. He is sitting on a .397 average (29-for-73) and if he maintains anything close to this pace will have to be taken more seriously. Veteran Alex Gordon just hit the disabled list with a wrist sprain, so the opportunity will be there for Orlando.

Khris Davis (OF, OAK) – Davis continues to display the power that allowed him to hit 49 home runs over the last two seasons in Milwaukee. He is on pace for well over 30 home runs and if he can keep his average around the .250 mark and steal 10 bases or so, could be a real gem of a find for many an owner.

Rajai Davis (OF, CLE) - Davis recorded four straight multi-hit games last week, going 9-for-16 with two home runs, nine RBIs, 10 runs and two stolen bases. It doesn’t get much better than that as Davis was unstoppable in a four-game ‘home-and-home’ series with the rival Reds. He has five home runs and 11 steals thus far, and will continue to get at-bats with Michael Brantley still sidelined.

Jose Ramirez (2B/SS/3B/OF, CLE) – Ramirez has become very valuable to the Indians and has seen a sharp increase in ownership. The 23-year-old utility-man is hitting .287 and is gaining confidence by the day. He mashed two home runs during a doubleheader against the White Sox this week. He had six home runs, 14 doubles and 10 steals in 97 games a year ago.

Matt Carpenter (3B, StL) – Carpenter homered and drove in six runs as part of a three-hit day against the Rockies recently. Carpenter now has nine home runs and 32 RBIs on the season, and the window to buy low on him has all but closed. The 30-year-old has a career .285 average and looks to be getting hot as the weather warms up.

 

Pitchers

Rich Hill (SP, OAK) – Hill (7-3. 2.18) continues to defy the odds as he puts up one of the best half seasons of his career. He just threw another eight shutout innings and has 65 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. It’s the most work he has had in a season since 2013, when he tossed 38.2 innings in 63 relief outings for Cleveland. It remains to be seen how long he can hold up physically.

Alex Wood (SP, LAD) – Wood (1-3, 4.03) piled up 13 strikeouts in six innings against the Padres in his last start. The 25-year-old southpaw has 43 strikeouts in his last five starts but hasn’t been able to crack the win column since April 13. He tossed a career-high 189.2 innings in 2015 and won 12 games with a 3.84 ERA. Pitching in a rotation with Clayton Kershaw has to have some benefits for Wood.

Martin Perez (SP, TEX) – Perez (2-4, 3.13) has completed at least six innings in eight of his 10 starts this season and has flown under the radar in Arlington. He deserves a few more wins but if he keeps pitching deep into games they should come. He could use a little more run support as well.

Jeanmar Gomez (RP, PHI) – Gomez (16 saves, 2.55 ERA) has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season. The 28-year-old had a 3.01 ERA in 74.2 innings in 2015 and has managed to improve upon those numbers while getting all the save opportunities. If the Phillies manage not to fall off in the second half, Gomez will continue to lock them down.

Nick Tropeano (SP, LAA) – Tropeano (3-2, 2.86) has been excellent for the Halos recently, allowing just three runs total in his last three start covering 18.2 innings. He’s kept his walks down the last two games, which has allowed him to pitch deeper into games. He’ll face Houston on home on Sunday, and it looks like a decent matchup for him.

Ivan Nova (SP, NYY) – Nova (3-2, 3.65) has been solid in May, posting a 2.92 ERA in 24.2 innings so far. He has 23 strikeouts and just five walks as well, but he’ll have to be consistent in order to gain the full confidence of potential owners. He has been oft-injured in the past. His next start is Monday in Toronto, and it may be one to avoid.

Sam Dyson (RP, TEX) – Dyson (5 saves, 1.96 ERA) has been pretty good thus far since taking over the closer’s role from Shawn Tolleson last week. He’s recorded four saves and allowed just one run in his last five outings. Scoop him up if he’s still available.

Colby Lewis (SP, TEX) – Lewis (4-0, 3.38) has completed seven innings in five of his last six starts. He has struck out 25 and walked just three in his last 40 innings. The 10-year veteran has a career ERA of 4.73 and a slight correction is likely in the offing. This year, he has pitched to a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings on the road and a 4.50 mark in 38 innings at home.

Matt Wisler (SP, ATL) – Wisler (2-3, 2.93) has been terrific in May, posting a 1.80 ERA over his first four starts of the month. He has been better on the road this season, with a 1.86 ERA in 29 innings as opposed to a 4.10 ERA in 26.1 innings at home. The wins will continue to be tough to come by, but Wisler should be a solid streaming candidate from time to time.

 

Fantasy Baseball Fallers

Hitters

Brian Dozier (2B, MIN) – Dozier has been hovering around the .200 mark all season, hitting just his fifth home run of the year this week. It’s not exactly hitter’s weather in Minnesota during the early part of the season, and Dozier will have to come up with a serious hot streak. He’s a career .237 hitter but it’s getting late early.

Gerardo Parra (OF, COL) – Parra was scorching in April but has cooled a bit in the last two weeks. He’s hitting just .209 with nine strikeouts and zero walks in the last 15 days. Parra and the Rockies offense tend to perform better at home, so pick your spots with him.

Brandon Belt (1B, SF) – Belt is hitting .163 over the last 15 days with 12 strikeouts, and suffered a mild ankle sprain on Wednesday night. It doesn’t’ look to be serious, but Belt will need to regain his groove to restore confidence in owners. He’s still stuck on just four home runs.

Alexei Ramirez (SS, SD) – Ramirez went 3-for-20 over the last week and is hitting only .235 this season. The 34-year-old has a career average of .272, but San Diego is far from a hitter’s haven. He has six double-digit home runs seasons entering 2016, but has yet to leave the yard in 166 at-bats. Look elsewhere.

Kendrys Morales (DH, KC) – Morales played in 158 games a year ago, hitting .290 with 22 home runs, but has been a shell of that player so far this year. He’s hitting .187 with 38 strikeouts and 11 walks to go with his five home runs. It looks like manager Ned Yost will give him every opportunity to find his swing.

Corey Dickerson (OF, TB) – Dickerson has not been close to the player who hit .312 with 24 home runs in 436 at-bats with the Rockies in 2014. The move to Tampa has not worked out so far as he’s sporting a .197 average with eight home runs and 38 strikeouts in 128 at-bats. He should be able to get a little something going in the near future.

Yasmani Grandal (C, LAD) – Despite homering on Wednesday, Grandal has been terrible for the better part of a month. He’s hitting a brutal .114 (5-for-44) with 16 strikeouts and one walk over the last 15 days. There are plenty of other catching options, and Grandal will face the Mets gauntlet of starters this weekend.

Matt Kemp (OF, SD) – Perhaps nobody has been worse than Kemp lately. The polarizing Padres outfielder has seen his season average fall to .222 during his current 8-for-62 stretch. He’s racked up 43 strikeouts and walked just four times all season.

 

Pitchers

Sonny Gray (SP, OAK) – Gray (3-5, 6.19) just hit the DL with a strained trap muscle but is not expected to be out beyond the minimum 15-day period. Maybe this explains his poor season to date, as he’d allowed 21 runs in his last 19.2 innings. There’s still plenty of season for Gray to give owners a better return on their investment, but he’ll have to avoid any more setbacks.

Chris Archer (SP, TB) – Archer (3-5, 5.16) continues to get hit hard, as he allowed six runs on eight hits in just three innings to the Tigers earlier this week. He does have 65 strikeouts in his 52.1 innings this year, so his stuff seems to be there. Now would be the time to buy low on Archer, and for his owners, be patient.

Carlos Martinez (SP, StL) – Martinez (4-5, 4.25) has a 6.84 ERA in five May starts. In his most recent outing, he allowed six runs on six hits and three walks in five innings, marking the fourth straight start he failed to go beyond five frames. The Cardinals will need more from him and the rest of their starters, who have all been faltering lately. It would not be wise to cut bait with Martinez at this point.

Matt Harvey (SP, NYM) – Harvey (3-7, 6.08) was tattooed yet again this week, this time by the Nationals. He gave up five runs on eight hits with just one strikeout in five innings. He will remain in the Major League rotation and next pitch Monday at home against the White Sox. He has been very hittable the third time through the lineup and hasn’t had much life to his pitches later in games. The Mets don’t seem to be inclined to remove him from the rotation.

Michael Wacha (SP, StL) – Wacha (2-5, 5.04) has been pummeled his last two starts to the tune of 14 runs on 16 hits and five walks in just eight innings. Owners have not gotten what they paid for on Wacha, but he has shown flashes of excellence at times this season. He should turn things around before long, but he’ll face a stiff test in Washington this weekend.

Jaime Garcia (SP, StL) – Garcia (3-4, 3.59) gave up five runs on 10 hits in just 2.1 innings against the D-backs earlier this week. He has fallen off considerably in his last two outings, a troubling sign for owners who thought he had finally found some consistency in the big leagues. He faces the Nationals on the road this weekend.

Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD) – After a great start to his Major League career, Maeda (3-3, 3.29) has not gone beyond five innings in any of his last three starts. The scouting reports have evidently gotten around the league, so he’ll have to readjust in order to get the results he did in the early going.

Adam Conley (SP, MIA) – Conley (3-3, 4.15) has gotten beaten up in two of his last three starts, most recently allowing six runs on seven hits and a whopping seven walks in 5.1 innings to the Nationals. It was the third time he had pitched against the Nats this season, so perhaps a few starts outside of the division will serve Conley well. He takes on the Braves in Atlanta on Friday, a team he has not pitched against in 2016.

 

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

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF