The Waiver Wire Watch List: Week 21

by Bill Dubiel 8/18/19 3:03 AM Follow Bill

Throughout the season, you want to get the jump on your competition and sniff out the breakout players before they break out. That's what this list is all about--using some in-depth research and advanced analytics to find the players who aren't quite there yet but are on their way. Some of these may suit your needs for an immediate pick-up depending on your team's situation.

This is not necessarily a list of players you should add right away at the start of Week 21 - it is a list of players to keep a very close eye on in most leagues as we further into June, and to consider picking up in deeper formats. In some cases, we will even caution you not to pick up a widely-added player, and steer you away from the fool's gold.

Use it to build your own watch list.

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Pitchers to Watch in 12+ Team Leagues

Dillon Peters (SP, LAA)

After some early-season bullpen outings and an early-June spot-start, Dillon Peters was called up to join the rotation for good on July 21st. Since that call-up he's rattled off five decent outings, going 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA across 28.2 innings. His last three starts have been particularly impressive, as he's tossed quality starts in all three and has posted a 19:2 strikeout to walk ratio.

I'm particularly encouraged by the control he's showing, and while he's no flame-throwing ace, he strikes out just enough batters (21.2% in 2019) to be useful. Peters has a pair of tough draws in the Rangers and Astros this week so you're not adding him now, but I'm giving him a vote of confidence moving forward.

Joe Ross (SP, WAS)

Not unlike Peters, Joe Ross has been on a hell of a hot streak. He's dazzled in three August starts, going 3-0 with a microscopic 0.50 ERA across 18 innings of work. He's making a case for himself as the Nationals' fifth starter even when Max Scherzer returns (Ross is currently occupying his spot in the rotation), and with the Nationals chasing the Braves and staving off wild card contenders they will likely give him that opportunity. The nine walks are much higher than you'd like to see, but no home runs across the three starts is outstanding given he's had trouble with the long ball in the past.

You do still need to wait and see if he holds onto a rotation spot, but Ross has some truly encouraging numbers at the moment and he's worth watching closely.

Batters to Watch in 12+ Team Leagues

Mike Yastrzemski (SF, OF)

Yastrzemski is on an absolute tear right now, with six homers in his last seven games, bringing him to 16 on the season. This kind of power surge is unlikely to continue, but the 28-year-old is still seeing the ball extremely well right now. Yastrzemski isn't an immediate add given that his playing time still isn't a guaranteed thing every day (he does still head to the bench against lefties), but he also wouldn't be an everyday player in your fantasy lineup. As long as he's hitting this well, he could make for a nice injury replacement or bench player who gets in your lineup based on the matchup.

Luis Arraez (2B/3B/OF, MIN)

Arraez has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins this season, and he's been particularly productive in August. He's hitting .349 this month, and that has his average at an impressive .355 on the season as a whole. There isn't a ton of pop in his bat, as he has just three homers in 55 games, but his contact abilities and position in the potent Twins offense make him a useful asset in roto leagues. His 34 runs scored and obviously the batting average and .421 OBP earn him a platoon spot in your fantasy lineup if you're looking for a late-season boost.

Manuel Margot (SD, OF)

Remember when Manny Margot was an up-and-coming blue-chip prospect? He's never truly panned out, as he's never hit over .263 or hit more than 13 homers. He did set all those career highs and swipe 17 bags in his best overall season (2017), but that's not anywhere near living up to the initial hype. Margot still probably isn't much more than a middling MLB outfielder, but he's hitting extremely well in August in a part-time role. Across 27 plate appearances, he's hitting .375 with four homers and seven RBI, which might be enough to earn him some extra playing time. Watch and see if that becomes the case, and if it does Margot's speed and middling average/power combo would merit a roster spot for fantasy.