Depending on your league’s settings, you are likely 1-2 weeks away from the fantasy playoffs. Whether you’re fighting for your life or coasting at the top of the standings, odds are you’re already dealing with injuries that challenge your survival. If not, there is a strong likelihood you will be soon. Injuries, after all, are a major part of this game, and we’re reaching the point in the season where players begin to breakdown.
Fortunately, I’ve scoured the free agency market for potential impact players with sub-50% ownership rates (according to Fantrax) with a mind to help you out in this time of need. These players have the potential to either stand in for someone on your IL or replace a struggling player on the fringes of your roster.
Whether these players are available and useful in your league depends on its size and settings. However, in standard 12- and 14-team leagues, there’s a solid chance one or more of them is still out there, ready to help out in a pinch.
Here are eight waiver wire gems with sub-50% ownership rates who could save your season:
Kyle Teel, C CWS (48% ownership)
I like Teel as a steady bat with an elite approach and above average contact and batted ball skills for the catcher position. He might not post huge power numbers, but his bat packs more of a punch than you might think (89.7 EV, 10.1 Barrel %). With a .341 wOBA and .367 xwOBA, he’s having a really good rookie season. If he just logged a few more plate appearances a week and put up more counting stats he would be one of the better players at the position. That day will come. Unfortunately for teams in redraft leagues, it’s likely to come too late. For now, you’ll just have to settle for a solid injury stand-in who wont sink your ship if your starting catcher goes down unexpectedly.
Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF (45%)
We all know Sheets is inconsistent. It feels like every time I face him, he’s on a heater. But anyone who has rostered him this season knows he went ice-cold in the summer. Chances are someone in your league already dropped him, and maybe others followed suit. However, he’s showing signs of life lately, and this is the kind of player you can ride for 2-3 weeks with power production that could push you over the top. Inconsistent players like Sheets can be risky in the playoffs, but he has a .358 xwOBA this season despite ups and downs, making him a solid play against RHP. Assess your risk tolerance and roll with him if you’re willing to gamble.
Dylan Beavers, OF BAL (44%)
Generally, betting your playoff chances on a rookie with just 22 big league appearances is risky. Beavers is the riskiest play listed here, so don’t say I didn’t warn you if he hits his way back to the minors in the next few weeks. That said, he’s flashing an elite approach at the big-league level (22.7 BB%, 10.6 O-Swing%), and pitchers are struggling to make him miss (his 6.7 swing-strike rate is elite, despite a slightly elevated 22.7 strikeout rate). Granted, this is in just 22 plate appearances, and he might be too patient for his own good. However, if he combines his elite approach with above-average contact skills and solid batted-ball data, he could be a great player down the stretch. He’s a better long-term bet than an immediate fix, but if you have room for a flier, Beavers is an intriguing option.
Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF NYM (43%)
Mets fans have a love-hate relationship with McNeil, depending on whether he’s hot or cold. When he’s cold, he’s one of the most maligned players on the team. When he’s hot or steady, fans remember his strong approach and bat-to-ball skills. Right now, he’s relatively hot, having one of his best seasons in years (his .184 ISO and .341 xwOBA are both the second-best of his career). I’m a big fan of steady production. Nothing hurts a fantasy team more than a player constantly posting zeros. When McNeil is hitting like this, he’s the definition of steady, and I’m buying him as a reliable stand-in or even a replacement at 2B.
Mike Yastrzemski, OF KC (37%)
Yastrzemski has leveled up in KC. When I saw his five home runs and .907 OPS in 18 games with the Royals, I assumed it was fluky batted-ball luck. There’s probably some luck involved, but he’s also hitting the ball much harder, with a 92.2 EV and 15.2 Barrel % compared to 89.7 EV and 7.1 Barrel % with the Giants. I’m not sure what sparked this power surge, but it doesn’t matter, he’s raking and likely available. He could cool off, but there’s no harm in riding him while he’s hot.
Brett Baty, 2B/3B NYM (35%)
Another often-maligned Met, Baty seems to have turned a corner this season. He hasn’t gone full star mode as many hoped when he was a top prospect, but he’s starting to deliver on his potential. Baty has a 1.050 OPS in August, and his .342 xwOBA compared to a .318 wOBA for the season suggests he’s been a bit unlucky. It’s hard to find this kind of upside on the waiver wire this late in the season. If you have bench space, grab him immediately. Second and third base are tough to fill, and you won’t find better options if an injury strikes in the playoffs. He might already be an upgrade over your current 2B or 3B.
Parker Messick, SP CLE (31%)
I doubt his 31% ownership will last and odds are someone in your league is probably grabbing him as you read this. That’s how good Messick looked in his big league debut this past week. His stuff and command data back it up (104 Stuff+, 115 Command+). He didn’t miss many bats (8.4 Swing-Strike %), which is worth monitoring in his next start, but he’s a no-brainer pickup based on upside. As a young Guardians starter, he could be their next great pitcher. While rookie hitters struggle to break through, rookie pitchers can make an early mark, and Messick is a solid bet to do so. Grab him if he’s still available.
Brad Lord, SP/RP WAS (26%)
Lord has the stuff and numbers of a solid, not spectacular, pitcher. He’s a depth play for teams needing steady innings from a dependable starter. With a 3.97 SIERA and a strikeout rate just above 7.00, he’s unlikely to dominate. But if you want someone to keep your ratios in check while adding a few strikeouts, you could do worse. In the playoffs, I favor safety over risk with pitching. After all, one blowup can end your season. I wouldn’t fully trust Lord, but for a widely available player, he’s a decent option.
Hi Maks,
Would you start Zebby Matthews at CWS?
Thanks!