As we come down the backstretch, the waiver wire starts to get a little thin. But, there are still many quality players that could help your team now.
Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player.
Aristides Aquino, OF, CIN (CBS: 64% owned)
When we mentioned Aquino last week, he was owned in a scant 1% of Leagues. I checked Saturday morning and he was owned to the tune of 29%. He hit three homers Saturday night against the Cubs, and lo and behold this morning he’s owned in 64% of the Leagues using CBS. That’s a lot of Leagues that have daily pickups.
Jon Berti, 2B/3B/SS/OF, MIA (CBS: 3% owned)
In the past week, Berti has gone 10-for-23 with a pair of stolen bases and five runs scored, hitting at the top-of-the-order. He qualifies at every position other than first base and catcher. If you’re looking to fill your “need for speed”, and provide solid injury depth, go get him!
Lewis Brinson, OF, MIA (CBS: 7% owned)
16 homers and 16 stolen bases in 296 at-bats at New Orleans. A strikeout-to-walk rate of 100/32. It’s the same Lewis Brinson that we’ve come to expect, but the Marlins will wheel him out there on a regular basis over the duration of 2019. If the BA isn’t a concern, the counting stats could come in handy.
Tony Gonsolin, SP, LAD (CBS: 7% owned)
Gonsolin got the call last Monday and proceed to toss six innings of two-hit ball with seven strikeouts in gaining his first big league win. The reward for that outstanding effort was a quick demotion back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Don’t fret, as the Dodgers will be resting their regulars down the stretch. Buy now cheap and reap the rewards in September.
Derek Fisher, OF, TOR (CBS: 3% owned)
The return for Aaron Sanchez in the trade deadline deal with Houston has looked a lot better in the past week. He has hit a couple of homers and with the injury to Lourdes Gurriel, should see regular at-bats down the stretch.
Derek Law, RP, TOR (CBS: 4% owned)
Ken Giles could be on his way back to the 10-day IL. Derek Law is now up to three saves on the season, after his successful Saturday effort against the Yankees. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 11 appearances, dating back to July 21. The phrase, “I fought the Law and the Law won” is definitely a very relevant one.
Jorge Mateo, SS, OAK (CBS: 9% owned)
An ankle injury currently has him sidelined, but here’s hoping he recovers in time to flash some of that amazing speed for both Oakland and our Fantasy squads in September. In 454 at-bats at Triple-A Las Vegas, he has 17 homers and 21 stolen bases. We can take the homers with a grain of salt, being that he calls Las Vegas home. The stolen base potential shouldn’t be ignored.
Mark Melancon, RP, ATL (CBS: 28% owned)
The Braves made the right moves to strengthen their bullpen at the trade deadline, but they simply haven’t worked out. Shane Greene has struggled and has been replaced by former Giants veteran Mark Melancon. In his second appearance since being named closer, he allowed four earned runs, getting only one out in a loss to the Marlins. He still has the job, but his hold on it is tenuous at best.
Joe Ross, SP, WAS (CBS: 12% owned)
He’s now pitched back-to-back scoreless outings totaling 11 1/3 innings. The walks are still a concern but the strong Washington offense combined with the Reds, Pirates, and Cubs next up on the schedule, make Ross an intriguing streaming option in deeper formats.
Pedro Strop, RP, CHC (CBS: 16% owned)
Craig Kimbrel hits the IL with right knee inflammation. Brandon Kintzler hits the IL with a right pectoral injury. Brandon Morrow hasn’t tossed an inning since July 2018. Steve Cishek, who was supposed to be filling in for Kimbrel, was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday with left hip inflammation. Things are currently so bad, the Cubs are longing for the days of Carl Edwards and Brad Brach. In a case of “the last man standing”, Pedro Strop who was just this past week activated off of the 10-day IL due to neck tightness issues, is the go-to guy in the ninth for the Cubs until the return of Craig Kimbrel.
Mike Tauchman, OF, NYY (CBS: 51% owned)
Tauchman has now mashed five homers while driving in 14 runs since the calendar flipped over to August. Yes, at some point there will be playing-time issues, but that time isn’t anywhere close-at-hand.
Rowdy Tellez, 1B, TOR (CBS: 7% owned)
Since his demotion in mid-July, Tellez has raked at Triple-A Buffalo. In 89 at-bats, he has mashed seven homers, driven in 21 runs, and is sporting a 1.154 OPS. It appears that whatever was ailing him earlier in the season has been resolved and we will see him back in Toronto come September.
You must be logged in to post a comment.