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MLB Fantasy: New Set of Waiver Wire Options for You to Grab!

By Ricky Olshansky

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 19: Albert Almora Jr. #5 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after getting the game-winning hit in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers as teammates in cluding Willson Contreras #40 (L) tear off his jersey at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 19: Albert Almora Jr. #5 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after getting the game-winning hit in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers as teammates in cluding Willson Contreras #40 (L) tear off his jersey at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 19: Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a two run home run against Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) MLB Fantasy
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 19: Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a two run home run against Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) MLB Fantasy /

MLB Fantasy: New Set of Waiver Wire Options for You to Grab!

Welcome back to FantasyCPR for your new set of MLB Fantasy Waiver Wire Options that you should be aware of. Once again, we have reached a tough part of the fantasy baseball season with the All Star Game coming soon. Every-day players are starting to feel the effects of a grueling season which is why it is crucial to find those spark plugs off the wire.

If you’re team is lacking home runs or stolen bases, this list will be geared more for you. But that’s not all we’re offering you here! There are a few pitchers to keep an eye on as well. One reliever that I’ve loved the last few seasons who calls Coors him home.

For those of you that are new to MLB Fantasy “Waiver Wire Options” posts, take a look below to see how it works!

  • Regarding league-wide ownership, you will be provided the website(s) that applies to the player listed (i.e. Byron Buxton is 33.7% owned on ESPN and 56% owned on Yahoo!).
  • Stat line if it applies.  A rookie being called up to the bigs for the first time may not have a line yet.  In this scenario, you’ll find a description of their minor league stats.

    • Long-term or short-term help.  Some players listed may only help in short-term.  Others may fill long-term needs.

  • Advanced statistics to help determine potential success

    • Now that we got that out of the way, let’s see if we can find you some help off of your waiver wire!

    To get things off and running, let’s look at some outfield options that might be available.

    CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 19: Albert Almora Jr. #5 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after getting the game-winning hit in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
    CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 19: Albert Almora Jr. #5 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after getting the game-winning hit in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

    MLB Fantasy: New Set of Waiver Wire Options for You to Grab!

    OF Harrison Bader STL (ESPN 2.4% – Yahoo! 3%)

    Bader plays the game with an edge similar to how Eric Byrnes played. He really lays it all out on the line, 100% effort the entire game. His numbers may not prove it right now, but he has the potential to be a major contributor for this Cardinals team.

    He has very good speed and solid power. Prior to his call-up in 2017, he had 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Through 58 games this season, he has five homers and six stolen bases and a batting averaged of .254.

    Bader has improved his underlying statistics across the board compared to last year with a BABIP of .319, wOBA of .307, and K% at 6%. If you haven’t had a chance to watch this guy play, you’re missing out!

    OF Albert Almora Jr. CHC (ESPN 19.2%-Yahoo! 10%)

    I’ve been saying this for a while, but it is time Almora Jr. gets regular playing time in the Cubs outfield. He is spectacular defensively, but has proven his worth with the bat as well. He has a .322 batting average and a OBP at a career high of .367.

    Almora has a BABIP that is the best it’s been at any professional level since 2012 at .382. Like some other younger hitters in baseball, he’s not a guy looking to hit the 500 foot home run. He uses the whole field going to center 34.1% of the time and opposite field 31.3% of the time.

    OF Delino DeShields TEX (ESPN 27.9%-Yahoo! 35%)

    A guy that is slightly more owned than the previous options and the son of a familiar name. He brings the speed much like his dad with 15 stolen bases through 54 games. If steals is the one category you need to improve, look to DeShields for that, as he won’t help you out in too many other categories.

    On a team that is struggling to produce, his runs are down. If the team starts getting hot, DeShields will be one of those guys likely crossing home plate.

    OF Aaron Hicks NYY (ESPN 44.7%-Yahoo! 46%)

    Hicks may be gone at this point as his ownership is rising quickly. He’s been hot as of late going three consecutive games with multi-hit performances including a home run in each.  You may give up a little bit of batting average with Hicks, but he is showing you the power with double digit home runs already.

    He is part of a high powered Yankee offense that feature’s Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and young superstar Gleyber Torres. Hicks is more than just a good power hitter though as he has also swiped six bags.

    MLB Fantasy: New Set of Waiver Wire Options for You to Grab!

    2B/3B/OF Jace Peterson BAL (ESPN 0.7%-Yahoo! 1%)

    He has only played in 42 games so far this season but is eligible in the infield and outfield. Peterson brings a good deal of speed with eight stolen bases already. If he can improve his OBP and earn regular playing time, he could be valuable in your lineup.

    In Peterson’s last four games, he has five hits, two home runs, two runs and six runs batted in. At times, he is in the leadoff spot for the Orioles. This gives a great opportunity to be knocked in by established hitters, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, and Adam Jones.

    SS/3B Matt Duffy TB (ESPN 23.7%-Yahoo! 16%)

    Duffy broke onto the scene in a big way in 2015 with San Francisco. He finished his first full season with a .295 AVG, 12 home runs, 77 RBI and 12 SB.

    Through 58 games this season in Tampa Bay, he has a career high batting average at .317. Duffy is also creating a lot of run opportunities with a wRC+ of 123. An area he needs to improve upon is his K% as he is striking out at a bit of a high rate. But he is rarely making soft contact when he puts his bat on the ball with hard hit rate of 33.7%.

    Duffy can be versatile for your line up as he is eligible as a corner or a middle infielder, especially if you are in a deep league.

    SS Franklin Barreto OAK (ESPN 1.3%-Yahoo! 2%)

    This 22-year old is getting playing time due to Matt Chapman going to the DL. He is showing the pop with an amazing performance today against the White Sox. He went 2-4 with two HRs and six RBIs.

    Just two days ago the last opportunity Barreto had, he went 2-5 with a homer and three RBIs and two runs scored. As long as Chapman is on the DL, look for Barreto to continue to earn playing time.

    PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 29: Relief pitcher Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the opening day MLB game at Chase Field on March 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
    PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 29: Relief pitcher Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the opening day MLB game at Chase Field on March 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

    MLB Fantasy: New Set of Waiver Wire Options for You to Grab!

    RP Adam Ottavino COL (ESPN 39.6%-Yahoo! 53%)

    I don’t care that he pitches in Coors, and not many players on Yahoo! care either. Looks that he is less owned in ESPN leagues and would be a great addition to any fantasy team. He brings value in ERA, WHIP, and K.

    More from FanSided

    Through 32.2 innings, Ottavino sports a 0.83 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP. He has 52 strikeouts compared to three earned runs. He has a 44.8 K% and a 1.70 SIERA. He is injury prone, which might be the only thing that slows him down this year.

    SP/RP Collin McHugh HOU (ESPN 6%-Yahoo! 12%)

    Similar to Ottavino, McHugh has been used in a relief role this year and it’s been successful thus far. He is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. The 6’2” righty has experienced success in a starter role starting in 12 games in their championship year, and over 30 starts in 2015 and 2016.

    This experience gives the coaches a comfort level leaving him in for more than an inning. We have also seen a large uptick in his K/9 at a career high 12.09.

    SP Shane Bieber CLE (ESPN 8.5%-Yahoo! 17%)

    Shane “Don’t Call Me Justin” Bieber has been a nice piece for the Indians. In his two starts this season, he has gone 5.2 innings with six and seven strike outs and one win. He has had success in all levels of the Indians organization and could stick, even when Carlos Carrasco returns.

    Next: Which RB should go #1 in your Fantasy Football draft?

    Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest DFS news and analysis and all your Fantasy Baseball coverage all season long!

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