Fantasy baseball 2019: Week 22 weekend waiver picks

If you’re looking for a late boost to win your fantasy baseball matchup, check out these six players available in most leagues.

The 2019 fantasy baseball season has just a couple of weeks left before coming to an end. This final stretch is time for owners to go all out and make the big moves in order to win your championship. Whether you’re in head-to-head, points or roto leagues, now is not a time to get complacent with your teams.

If a pitcher has a bad start or two coming up or if a batter is in the middle of a slump, cut them. Obviously, don’t cut your big stars. With such little time left, what’s more likely to happen; they right the ship or they continue to struggle? Adding someone who is performing off the waiver wire will help you in the final weeks.

When looking to add a player off the waiver wire, don’t get caught up in the name. When looking for a waiver wire add, seeing a specific player’s name could bring up some opinions about their past. As long as their numbers are good, they belong on your team.

The ownership percentages shouldn’t bother you either. Yes, there is a reason these players aren’t owned in more leagues. One of those reasons is that most owners tend to stop paying attention at this point if they haven’t already. If you’re still competing, take advantage and add those players heating up in the final month.

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I have three hitters, two starters and a reliever listed for your consideration with all of them having ownership percentages under 40 percent based on ESPN leagues.

Starlin Castro, 2B

Castro hasn’t been the same hitter in Miami like he was in New York. Yet, over the last week, he’s been making good contact with the ball. He has a .391 average with two home runs, three RBI and eight runs scored.

The Marlins finish up their series with the Royals before welcoming in the Brewers. Castro has been hitting in the top half of the Marlins batting order, giving him plenty of opportunities for at-bats and to rack up the counting stats.

It also helps that he is eligible at both second and third base.

Kolten Wong, 2B

Another second baseman, Wong is also making good contact with the ball over the last week. He has a .367 average with four RBI, five runs and two steals. Speed is at a premium in fantasy baseball. Even two steals in a weekly matchup could make a difference in a head-to-head league.

Wong has been batting second for the Cardinals over the last two weeks after batting sixth, seventh or eighth for most of the season. Hitting in front of Paul Goldschmidt also has its benefits.

The Cardinals have two more games against the Pirates before traveling to Coors Field for a three-game series. That boosts the value of all the Cardinals hitters.

Victor Reyes, OF

While the Tigers are eliminated from playoff contention, their players are still eligible for fantasy. Reyes is someone to target for average and speed as well. He has a .484 average with four RBI, three runs and two steals over the last week.

Do not expect any power from Reyes as he has just one home run this season. He’s been hitting leadoff for the last three weeks. Unfortunately, with the Tigers offense, Reyes hasn’t been able to rack up the counting stats like other players. But if you need hits or average, Reyes is your guy.

Trevor Williams, SP

In his last five starts, Williams is 3-1 with three straight quality starts, a 5.54 ERA and an 18:10 K:BB ratio. Most of those numbers are skewed because of his two-inning, six-run start against the Nationals.

Williams faces the Giants on the road in his next start on Sept. 9. The Giants offense is one of the weaker offenses in the league. Plus, pitching in Oracle Park helps pitchers greatly. He is a good streaming option or cheap play in DFS.

Zac Gallen, SP

Gallen has been great since being traded from Miami to Arizona. In his six starts with the team, he has a 2.25 ERA, 39 strikeouts, 14 walks, a 2-1 record and two quality starts.

The Diamondbacks are still competing for a Wild Card spot so the team will give its best effort to support Gallen. He makes his next start on Sept. 10 on the road against the Mets. With them giving up big leads, Gallen could end up with a win.

Mark Melancon, RP

The veteran righty has been recording some saves for the Braves in recent games. Since being traded to Atlanta, Melancon has a 5.93 ERA, 18:2 K:BB ratio and eight saves. The ERA can be attributed to a four-run outing against the Marlins.

While you may take a hit in your ratios, finding a closer with strikeouts is hard to find at this point in the season. Saves are being spread out among bullpens so even the three that Melancon may get in a week can help.

The Braves play the Nationals and Phillies in their next 12 games, so there’s some opportunity for a few saves.

You wouldn’t have thought about adding these players to your team in June. But things change in the final weeks. You need all the help you can get. Again, don’t worry about their “name,” just look at their production and potential going forward. Thanks for stopping by FanSided Fantasy!