Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Potential 'major difference-makers' among pickups to target
Hopefully there is something for everyone among the 11 names tabbed for consideration this week. Managers are encouraged to consider grabbing multiple players who work primarily in a platoon role. And there are also a couple players, Addison Barger and Eury Pérez, who could be major difference-makers this summer.
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Addison Barger, 3B/OF, Toronto Blue Jays, 40%
Barger has started to turn elite skills into production, having hit .385 with four homers in 26 at-bats since May 28. The 25-year-old's Statcast page is covered in red, as he ranks among the top 15% of hitters in key stats such as average exit velocity, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, xBA and xSLG. He also has an absolute cannon of an arm that allows him to excel at third base or in right field. The Blue Jays have a clear need for another impact bat in their lineup, and the combination of skills and opportunity makes Barger the most exciting position player who is currently available in most leagues.
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Michael Busch, 1B, Chicago Cubs, 49%
Busch is the perfect player for default Yahoo formats. The slugger rarely plays against left-handers, which makes it easy for managers to stream him between their lineup and bench. Busch has been so good against righties (.952 OPS) that he ranks 11th among first basemen in both RBI and home runs. And his managers have received that production while also getting additional stats on his days off. Those in shallow leagues who are dedicated to monitoring their daily lineup should pick him up.
Hyeseong Kim, 2B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers, 15%
Kim has less of a track record and a much different skill set than Busch, but there are otherwise plenty of similarities between the two. The rookie has been in the majors a little over a month, and in that time he has established himself as a game-changing player against right-handers (.994 OPS). He has also proven to be impactful on the basepaths (five steals). Kim doesn't start against southpaws, which means that managers can get all of his production and more by moving him to the bench when the Dodgers do the same. He's a great fit in categories leagues.
Parker Meadows, OF, Detroit Tigers, 26%
Meadows is the third consecutive player in this article who has plenty of value despite being platooned by his team. The outfielder recently returned from a season-opening stint on the IL, and he immediately took over as Detroit's leadoff hitter against right-handers. Hitting atop a lineup that ranks 4th in runs scored should allow Meadows to accumulate plenty of counting stats, and he also has a balanced skill set that will lead to some homers and steals. Finally, Meadows has a lifetime .728 OPS against left-handers, which should earn him some opportunities in those matchups.
Willi Castro, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Minnesota Twins, 42%
Castro got off to a slow start this season and then spent about three weeks on the IL. But since returning exactly one month ago, he has been a balanced contributor who has hit .278 with 5 homers, 2 steals and 18 runs scored. The 28-year-old does not have a high ceiling, but he contributes in a variety of ways and is among the easiest players to fit into a lineup thanks to his four-position eligibility.
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Brett Baty, 2B/3B, New York Mets, 14%
Baty has fared well of late, batting .260 with a .795 OPS since the beginning of May. His effective play has led to a full-time role, which puts Baty in terrific position to thrive this weekend when the Mets work at hitter-friendly Coors Field against a team with a 5.93 home ERA. Managers in all formats should strive to have some shares of New York's lineup until Sunday night.
Eury Pérez, SP, Miami Marlins, 42%
Pérez is set to return from April 2024 Tommy John surgery on Monday, and he will immediately become the most talented pitcher who is available in the majority of Yahoo leagues. The youngster was outstanding as a 20-year-old in his rookie season, logging a 3.15 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and a 10.6 K/9 rate. Sure, there is risk involved with someone who is coming off such a long layoff, but Pérez has the upside of a mixed-league ace.
Michael Wacha, SP, Kansas City Royals, 50%
With a 2.88 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP, Wacha has been as effective as any full-time starter who remains widely available in Yahoo leagues. The veteran is the best pitcher to stream this weekend, as he is scheduled to start tomorrow against a 20-43 White Sox team that ranks 26th in runs scored.
Griffin Canning, SP, New York Mets, 41%
Canning bounced back from a pair of subpar outings when he struck out seven across six shutout innings against the high-scoring Dodgers. The right-hander walks too many batters (10.4%), but he minimizes the damage by getting his share of strikeouts and ground balls. Although Canning isn't effective enough to be recommended for long-term use, he will be one of the top available two-start hurlers next week when he will make a pair of appearances at his pitcher-friendly home park.
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Ryne Nelson, SP/RP, Arizona Diamondbacks, 6%
Nelson is an interesting dart throw in deeper leagues, as an injury to Corbin Burnes has opened a rotation spot for the 27-year-old, who logged a 3.23 ERA and a 67:14 K:BB ratio while working almost exclusively as a starter during the second half of last season. Nelson has been effective while mostly pitching in relief this year (3.43 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 35:11 K:BB ratio) and could be a permanent rotation member from this point forward.
Daniel Palencia, RP, Chicago Cubs, 46%
Palencia's roster rate has slowly climbed, but there is still a long way to go for someone who has established himself as the full-time closer for one of baseball's best teams. Palencia has pitched well this season (1.74 ERA, 0.77 WHIP) and will be a top-15 reliever as long as he holds his current role.
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