What a wild beginning to this MLB season as postponements, cancellations and player opt-outs wreak havoc on fantasy baseball. Unpredictability is the new normal, and it’s more important than ever to pay daily attention to your team.
To help out, I’ve picked a player owned in less than 50 per cent of fantasy leagues for each position group that can be grabbed from the waiver wire. There’s also a bonus Blue Jay at the end. Enjoy!
SP / RP – Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 47 per cent owned
I’m loving a Tyler Chatwood scoop off of waivers for this week and throughout the remainder of this 60-game sprint as long as his performance keeps up. The Chicago right-hander ranks 12th in all of fantasy baseball with a miniscule 0.79 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 12.2 innings pitched and two victories in his pair of starts. An incredible stat line!
The fact that you can place the Cubs pitcher in a SP, RP or P lineup slot is icing on the cake. Chatwood’s next appearance is scheduled for Thursday in Kansas City.
1B / 3B – Rio Ruiz, Baltimore Orioles
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 4 per cent owned
A shoulder inflammation issue that had Ruiz listed as day-to-day on Sunday doesn’t seem to be anything to be overly concerned about. The six-foot-one Oriole boasts a batting line of .318/.385/.727 through six games with three dingers, seven RBIs and a steal.
The dual-position eligibility is a definite plus since this unique MLB campaign definitely requires roster flexibility with of all the COVID-19 uncertainty. Get Ruiz into your lineup until he gives you a reason not to.
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2B / SS – Donovan Solano, San Francisco Giants
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 45 per cent owned
Donovan Solano’s ownership increased by 33 per cent over the last two days. A big reason for that is his ridiculous beginning to the season. Heading into Tuesday’s action he’s hit safely in eight straight, is batting an unworldly .484 and contributed 13 RBIs. There’s nothing not to like about the Giants infielder who you can pop in your roster at second, shortstop or utility.
While a plus .400 average is obviously not sustainable, Solano did bash .330/.360/.456 over 230 at-bats in 2019. Go grab him.
OF / DH – Matt Kemp, Colorado Rockies
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 2 points
Yahoo! Leagues – 4 per cent owned
Matt Kemp loves playing at Coors Field as the veteran can still mash the ball when suiting up in Colorado. This week the Rockies are at home until Friday, making him a nice short-term waiver acquisition or streamer play in DFS contests.
The designated hitter spot in the National League really benefits Kemp at this point in his career. Fade on the outfielder when the Rockies hit the road.
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Catcher
Hopefully you’re not hunting for a catcher replacement this week because it’s slim pickings, folks. Travis d’Arnaud (C/1B) was the most-added catcher over the past few days. However, he’s been on an every-other-day rotation with the Braves.
Oakland rookie Sean Murphy is super-talented, but has struggled early in the season. Keep an eye on the young backstop, but don’t roster him yet.
Blue Jays Player to Add
OF – Teoscar Hernandez, Toronto Blue Jays
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 2 points
Yahoo! Leagues – 53 per cent owned
It’s a shame Toronto’s series versus Philadelphia got postponed because of the roll Teoscar Hernandez was on. He was the most added outfielder in Yahoo! leagues, and why not with eight hits, five RBIs, four home runs plus a bonus stolen base to boot over five games.
We know that the 27-year-old is streaky, so get him into your lineup while he’s hot!
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