Our waiver wire list has a bunch of closers (what else is new) as well as some kids that have arrived and could help down the stretch. There’s no Juan Soto or Gleyber Torres in the list but Jesus Luzardo has arguably been the best pitcher in the minor leagues this year and Tyler O’Neil has hit home runs in bunches. Of course, will they be successful? There are always warts as Luzardo’s curveball still is not major league ready and O’Neil is more brute power over bat speed. But, this time of year, go by the stats and cross your fingers.
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Scott Alexander, RP, LAD (CBS: 6% owned): The leading candidate for saves in Los Angeles, with Kenley Jansen hitting the DL with a recurrence of his heart problems, lasted two batters in first save attempt. Dave Roberts confidence was definitely underwhelming and today the Dodgers moved both Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling into the bullpen. A small bid is warranted, but keep it small.
Tyler Austin, 1B, MIN (CBS: 6% owned): He managed to hit three homers in only 38 at-bats at Rochester, gets the call, and promptly hits a two-run shot for the Twins. This begs one to consider the following question. Did the Yankees trade the wrong First Baseman?
Harrison Bader, OF, STL (CBS: 21% owned): For a team that had a glut of outfielders, the trade of Tommy Pham and injuries to Dexter Fowler and Tyler O’Neill, solved that problem in a hurry. Homers in back-to-back games this weekend have further cemented Bader’s status in center field for the stretch run.
Jake Cave, OF, MIN (CBS: 5% owned): In 132 at-bats he has managed to hit four homers, drive in 21 runs, and score 24 times. It doesn’t appear that Byron Buxton will be returning anytime soon, if at all this season. In deeper formats, he’s definitely worthy of a roster spot.
Adam Conley, RP, MIA (CBS: 2% owned): Drew Steckenrider might be the current favorite to replace the injured Kyle Barraclough in the ninth inning, but he’s not mine. Steckenrider’s recent history isn’t all that much better than his predecessor. I’ll go sneaky cheap and put my money on former starter Conley to pick up the bulk of the remaining 2018 saves for the Fish.
David Dahl, OF, COL (CBS: 33% owned): The oft-injured Dahl gets the call and looks to be manning the good side of a platoon in left field. It’s hard to believe that he’s still only 24-years-of-age. The kid can hit, there’s no doubt about it. The bigger issue is can he stay healthy long enough to demonstrate that hit tool?
Jake Faria, SP, TB (CBS: 19% owned): After a lengthy stay on the DL, the Rays activated Faria at the beginning of August. As a “quasi-starter” in that injury-wracked Rays rotation, he has the potential to provide value down the stretch. You don’t have to start to garner Wins.
Heath Fillmyer, SP, KC (CBS: 5% owned): Fillmyer is coming off a seven-inning three-hit shutout performance against the Cubs and combined with the injury to Danny Duffy, should lock up a spot in the Royals rotation for the stretch run. Tossing a few bucks his way if you’re playing in an AL-only format is a prudent move.
Ken Giles, RP, TOR (CBS: 39% owned): Toronto Manager, John Gibbons, has said that he will give Giles the opportunity to close, and he did exactly that today as Giles successfully pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his first save as a Jay. At 27-years-of-age there should be some gas left in the tank. If there isn’t, he won’t need much gas to find his way to Buffalo.
Danny Jansen, C, TOR (CBS: 7% owned): The Jays made the move today, and have called up Jansen. John Gibbons stated that they didn’t bring him up to sit him, and have moved Russell Martin to the hot corner to accommodate the Jansen move. The 12 homers, five thefts, and outstanding .390 OBP posted at Triple-A Buffalo is warranting of a solid FAAB expenditure this evening.
Jesus Luzardo, SP, OAK (CBS: 14% owned): The 20-year-old southpaw is sporting a combined 2.01 ERA in 20 starts at three levels. He has amassed 117 strikeouts in 98 1/3 IP. Can the “Amazing A’s” keep this kid down for the stretch run? Even a handful of starts in Oakland could help our Fantasy teams in the strikeout category.
Ryan Madson, RP, WAS (CBS: 27% owned): Remember when the Gnats were simply adding pieces to complement the strong one-two punch of Sean Doolittle and Kelvin Herrera? Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? Herrera has resumed throwing, so his stay on the DL could be relatively short, but for now, the go-to guy in Washington is veteran Ryan Madson.
Wade Miley, SP, MIL (CBS: 18% owned): Wade Miley? What am I thinking, better yet what is the Brew Crew thinking? He’s getting it done. I don’t know how, but he is. He has now allowed nine earned runs in six starts since the beginning of July. Buy him quick and get him active, before the Prince turns back into a frog.
Cedric Mullins, OF, BAL (CBS: 6% owned): In Week 18 we mentioned D.J. Stewart as an option to get a call-up. We had the right idea, just missed it by that much. Last week the Orioles made their first of potentially many moves and called up Cedric Mullins. He’ll take a walk, hit for some power, swipe the odd base or three, and looks to be the center fielder for both now and the future as Adam Jones has been moved to right field.
Jacob Nix, SP, SD (CBS: 4% owned): After only one start at Triple-A, the Padres called up the 22-year-old Nix and he didn’t disappoint. He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and then cruised through six shutout innings against the Phillies. Go get him!
Tyler O’Neill, OF, STL (CBS: 31% owned): O’Neill is currently on a rehab stint at Triple-A Memphis and is expected to return when first eligible on Tuesday. Right field is his for the taking and that massive power potential (26 homers in 234 at-bats at Triple-A) simply can’t be ignored.
Sean Reid-Foley, SP, TOR (CBS: 5% owned): The future is starting to arrive in Toronto and Reid-Foley should have a bright one. He has posted a solid 3.50 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A with better than a strikeout per inning. In a two-start week, he has the Royals in KC on Monday, with the second start against the Yankees in New York. I like that first start much better than the second, but won’t be dissuaded in tossing a few dollars his way to take a look at the Jays future, now.
Franmil Reyes, OF, SD (CBS: 10% owned): Reyes got the call (again) August 5, and all he has done since then is hit three homers, drive in four runs, and score five. Maybe he learned something on his last stint at Triple-A. Maybe he didn’t? The jury is still out on his future, but there is no doubting what he will do to a ball if he puts the barrel of the bat on it.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD (CBS: 48% owned): I find it hard to believe that the return of Hyun-Jin Ryu has forced the Dodgers into moving Ross Stripling into the pen, but alas, the Dodgers don’t share my thoughts. Ryu will make his return this Wednesday against the Giants and has looked sharp in his two rehab starts. It’s worth a quick look to see if he found his way to your League Waiver Wire.
Kohl Stewart, SP, MIN (CBS: 3% owned): He’s no Fernando Romero, and proved that today while allowing eight hits and three earned runs in 4 1/3 IP against the offensive juggernaut known as the Tigers. In deeper AL-only formats, toss a buck his way and pray.
Touki Toussaint, SP, ATL (CBS: 10% owned): A “Touki” sighting could be right around the corner, as the Braves have a double-header scheduled for Monday against the Marlins. It’s likely to be a one-and-done for Toussaint, but for those looking to stream starters, it is a great opportunity to get the week started off on a positive note. The fact that in his last ten starts at Triple-A Gwinnett he has allowed a scant eleven earned runs and isn’t a Top-5 pitching prospect in the Braves system, illustrates the insane level of talent in Atlanta.
Joey Wendle, 2B/3B/OF, TB (CBS: 17% owned): In Week 18 we suggested giving Wendle a look when he was owned to the tune of ten percent. Our thoughts haven’t changed. He’s still undervalued at a 17 percent ownership level.
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