Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 8 players to target if you need to make a splash
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 8 players to target if you need to make a splash
Cade Smith has been one of baseball’s best relievers since debuting last year. Josh Jung is day-to-day with calf soreness but should return by the end of the weekend. Tyler O’Neill is one of the most injury prone and streaky players in baseball. The Rockies will play 14 of their next 20 games at their hitter-friendly home park of Coors Field, which is a plus for fantasy owners. The Brewers did not need to address their first base position at the trade deadline, but Andrew Vaughn has caught fire at the position for the Brewers. The White Sox’ first-round pick in the 2021 MLB draft, Colson Montgomery, has started to heat up in recent games and has gone deep five times in his past eight contests. The Orioles’ Tyler ONeill has logged a 1.548 OPS since July 24, making him an excellent addition in shallow leagues for the next weeks. The Rangers’ Josh Jung has hit .367 with two homers and a .991 OPS since being recalled.
Cade Smith, RP, Cleveland Guardians, 46%
The league’s decision to place Emmanuel Clase on paid leave until at least August 31 makes Smith an exciting saves source. The right-hander has been one of baseball’s best relievers since debuting last year, posting a 2.37 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 24.2% K:BB ratio. Smith also excels at keeping the ball in the yard, having allowed just three homers in 121.1 career innings. He’s a top-15 reliever for the month of August and possibly for the remainder of the season.
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Slade Cecconi, SP, Cleveland Guardians, 30%
I mentioned Cecconi in this space last week, as he was expected to be a two-start pitcher during this seven-day stretch. Unfortunately, a rainout pushed him back a day, and he will now enjoy a two-start week starting next Monday. Cecconi has become a reliable starter, posting a 3.39 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his past 10 starts. And his two road starts next week against the Mets and White Sox are reasonable matchups.
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Nestor Cortes, SP, San Diego Padres, 15%
Cortes was slated to appear in this article before he was traded on Thursday and nothing has changed now that he is a member of the Padres. The left-hander has been a useful fantasy asset throughout his career, producing a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 rate. The start of his season was wiped out by a shoulder injury, but he should return any day and will enjoy being part of one of baseball’s best teams during the stretch run.
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Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers, 25%
Vaughn has caught fire as a member of the Brewers, which convinced management that they did not need to address the first base position at the trade deadline. The former elite prospect could never put things together with the White Sox, but his 1.157 OPS with Milwaukee is enough of a reason to give Vaughn a chance in standard leagues. It’s also worth noting that after having mediocre plate discipline throughout his career, Vaughn has logged a 7:8 BB:K ratio with the Brewers.
Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers, 32%
Since being recalled on July 21, Jung has hit .367 with two homers and a .991 OPS. The third baseman was having a dismal season when optioned on July 2, and last year he dealt with injuries that limited him to just 46 games. But in 2023, Jung hit .266 with 23 homers, and he is still just 27 years old. It helps that the slugger is part of a Rangers offense that has recently gotten hot after a slow start to the season. Jung is day-to-day right now with calf soreness but should return by the end of the weekend.
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Colson Montgomery, 3B/SS, Chicago White Sox, 22%
Chicago’s first-round pick in the 2021 MLB draft, Montgomery debuted on July 4 and has started to heat up in recent games. The youngster has gone deep five times in his past eight contests, which is not surprising when noticing that he hit 11 homers and 55 Triple-A games this season.
Mickey Moniak, OF, Colorado Rockies, 24%
Starting Friday, the Rockies will play 14 of their next 20 games at their hitter-friendly home park. And of the six road contests, three will be played against an Arizona team that unloaded some of their pitchers at the trade deadline. Moniak has logged a 1.013 OPS at home this season and an .848 mark overall, making him an excellent addition in shallow leagues for the next three weeks.
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Tyler O’Neill, OF, Baltimore Orioles, 50%
O’Neill is one of the most injury prone and streakiest players in baseball. We have already endured a long-term absence and a cold streak. Lately, we have seen O’Neill heat up at the dish, as he has logged a 1.548 OPS since July 24. Managers in five-outfielder leagues can enjoy the power surge while it lasts.