Week 19

Waiver WireCan you believe we are in August?  The season is more than two-thirds over but it feels like it just started.  In the final push with your fantasy team, we’ve got a number of options that might just help you fill in for an injury or the once-hot player that is no longer hot.

Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player.

Aaron Civale, SP, CLE (CBS: 9% owned)

Civale made a successful debut against the Tigers at the end of June, tossing six shutout innings. It’s time for a second look, and the 7-1 won/loss record between Double and Triple-A, combined with a 2.35 ERA and strikeout-per-inning makes for an intriguing option. Toss in the two-start week and it seals the deal.

Johnny Cueto, SP, SF (CBS: 7% owned)

The first stage in the recovery from TJS has now been completed with Cueto now scheduled to commence the rehab part of the program. If you have the bench space, he could be back pitching meaningful games in September.

Trent Grisham, OF, MIL (CBS: 17% owned)

The 22-year-old outfielder has enjoyed a monster season down on the farm, mashing 26 homers with 71 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and a stellar .407 OBP. The question yet to be answered is will he be able to garner enough at-bats to demonstrate that stellar all-around skill set.

Jose Leclerc, RP, TEX (CBS: 42% owned)

After a wait of more than three full months, Leclerc finally got his sixth save. Albeit a shaky effort, the Rangers seem at least for now committed to giving him opportunities moving forward. It beats the heck out of waiting for the Mariners to sort out their bullpen.

Dustin May, SP, LAD (CBS: 55% owned)

Was it a stellar debut? No, it wasn’t, but the fact that he made it through 5 2/3 innings while allowing only three earned runs and no walks were more than enough to get my attention. It will take a strong bid this evening to secure his services for the balance of 2019.

Wil Myers, 1B/3B/OF, SD (CBS: 53% owned)

Franmil Reyes is now a member of the Indians freeing up regular playing time for Myers and over the past seven days going back to July 27, he’s gone 10-for-27 with a homer and five RBI. It’s time to get him active and rolling in all formats.

Kevin Newman, 2B/3B/SS, PIT (CBS: 38% owned)

Newman has three stolen bases in the past week and is still batting .300+ on the year. Jung Ho Kang is no longer in the mix, meaning a steady diet of at-bats should be in order for the middle-infielder.

Daniel Norris, SP, DET (CBS: 11% owned)

In his past two starts against the Angels and Mariners, Norris has allowed only two earned runs while striking out 13 in 11 1/3 IP. Can he make it three successful outings in a row?

Scott Oberg, RP, COL (CBS: 39% owned)

Finally, the Rockies tired of the inconsistent and poor play of Wade Davis and have removed him from the ninth-inning role. Enter, Scott Oberg and that stellar 1.56 ERA. He successfully shut down the Giants Friday, earning his fourth save of the 2019 campaign. It’s now Oberg’s job to lose, and I’m betting he won’t.

Emilio Pagan, RP, TAM (CBS: 36% owned)

Kevin Cash moved Deigo Castillo into the opener role on Saturday. Emilio Pagan got the save. Jose Alvarado is still on the DL. One would have to think that Pagan is going to see the lion’s share of save opportunities until at the very least the return of Jose Alvarado.

Miguel Rojas, 1B/3B/SS, MIA (CBS: 6% owned)

Rojas has now moved into the leadoff role for the Fish and has responded in fine form. He has at least one hit in each of his past six games and even flashed a little power with two homers. A decent average, position flexibility, and runs scored are there for the taking.

Aaron Sanchez, SP, HOU (CBS: 31% owned)

On Saturday, Aaron Sanchez tossed six innings of no-hit, two walk ball, combining with three relievers in attaining the 14’th combined no-hitter in the history of Major League Baseball. Welcome to Houston!

Matt Thaiss, 1B/3B, LAA (CBS: 10% owned)

Andrelton Simmons has found his way to the 10-day IL with an ankle sprain. David Fletcher should move into the shortstop spot creating a vacancy and opportunity at third for Matt Thaiss. It’s a great opportunity for Thaiss to build on those five homers he has amassed in those first 50 at-bats.

Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF, CHC (CBS: 6% owned)

In a bit of a surprise, Ben Zobrist has dealt with the personal issues that have kept him sidelined in 2019 and is returning to the Cubs. He’s at least a couple of weeks away from a return, but in NL-only Leagues, an early buy-in will be cause to save a buck or two of that precious FAAB.

Five Under Five%

Aristides Aquino, OF, CIN (CBS: 1% owned)

The Yasiel Puig trade to Cleveland has created an opportunity in the Reds outfield and it didn’t take long for Aquino to get that first bomb under his belt. He did demonstrate the ability to hit the ball a long way and often by mashing 28 homers in 294 at-bats at Triple-A Louisville. He should be a regular fixture in the Reds outfield moving forward.

Yonathan Daza, OF, COL (CBS: 1% owned)

The high ankle sprain suffered by David Dahl could make the Daza promotion a lasting one. He hasn’t fared well in limited at-bats earlier in the season but has torn it up at Triple-A Albuquerque. In 387 at-bats, the 25-year-old has hit 11 homers, stolen 12 bases, and scored 67 runs. That .404 OBP has the potential to play very well with steady at-bats.

Travis Demeritte, OF, DET (CBS: 3% owned)

The Tigers have wasted no time in giving the rewards from the Shane Greene deadline deal with the Braves a good look. It only makes sense being that Nick Castellanos has moved on and Demeritte had very little left to prove in the Minors. The power, combined with the solid on-base skills makes for a very intriguing option for both Detroit and our Fantasy squads.

Jake Rogers, C, DET (CBS: 4% owned)

Acquired from the Astros in the Justin Verlander deal, Rogers has been deemed ready to fill a full-time role behind the dish for the rebuilding Tigers. In deeper two-catcher sets, the power displayed down on the farm (14-52) could prove to be an asset.

Stephen Vogt, C, SF (CBS: 4% owned)

Vogt has quietly been flying under-the-radar, but if one is looking for a second catcher in two-catcher sets that three-homer, 8 RBI, and .375 OBP production in July should have your attention. The fact that he’s off to a 5-for-10 start in August only reinforces that strong July.

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