Two outfield studs, a pair of Baltimore Orioles and an underrated Toronto Blue Jay highlight my waiver wire pickup list this week.
Every Tuesday during this MLB season, I’ll take a look at some of the best player options that are generally owned in less than 50 percen of fantasy leagues. Enjoy!
1B / OF — Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost — 2 points
Yahoo leagues — 40% owned
Brandon Belt is on track for his best campaign since 2016. The veteran’s been on a tear, especially over the past 10 days with a season average over .330. This surge seems to be sustainable as Belt has increased his average exit velocity by five m.p.h. on batted balls, per Statcast, year-over-year.
Whatever the reason, this San Francisco slugger can immediately help across all your fantasy hitting categories.
SS / OF — Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost — 1 point
Yahoo leagues — 38% owned
This is an excellent shortstop waiver grab at this point in the season with bonus outfield eligibility to boot. Over his last seven games, Mountcastle has clobbered three homers, 10 RBI and 10 hits!
The former triple-A MVP winner is only 23, and until he cools off needs to be owned in any format. Makes for a nice mid-priced DFS play in Draft Kings contests too.
[snippet id=4722869]
RP — Trevor Rogers, Miami Marlins
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost — 1 point
Yahoo leagues — 9% owned
I really like Trevor Rogers as a streaming option for this week. Even though he wears a relief pitcher designation, the southpaw’s been a strikeout force in three straight starts (10Ks on Sunday). The rookie has increased his total innings in each appearance and is a definite bright spot on a middling Marlins club.
Rogers just needs to make sure the three long balls he gave up last time out don’t become a trend. Definitely worth an add the next time he takes the mound Friday versus the Phialdephia Phillies.
OF — Victor Reyes, Detroit Tigers
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost — 1 point
Yahoo leagues — 39% owned
If you’re looking to secure a straight-up OF for your fantasy lineup, then Victor Reyes is the man to lock down. One of the most scooped up outfielders off of waivers over the past couple of days, Reyes is a definite overachiever in 2020.
Projected 421st in pre-season fantasy rankings, the Detroit Tiger currently sits 188th overall with a gorgeous statline. As of Sunday, he’s hit safely in eight of his last nine outings, including multiple knocks in five of those games.
I’ve personally added Reyes in my two fantasy baseball leagues, and recommend that you do the same.
[snippet id=4939894]
SP — Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost — 1 point
Yahoo leagues — 3% owned
Baltimore and successful starting pitching haven’t exactly been words used in the same sentence in recent years. However, Kremer’s MLB debut last weekend could buck that trend. The 2018 strikeout leader in the minors fanned seven, allowing just one hit and a single run over six innings pitched.
Was that victory a fluke? Or is it the start of something special? We’ll find out Saturday when Kremer takes on the New York Yankees.
Blue Jays player to grab
It’s time for the fantasy world to stop ignoring Rowdy Tellez. The first baseman is ranked 150th overall in Yahoo leagues, while carving out a near everyday role in the Toronto lineup. He is one of the hottest hitters in the AL East with 13 hits, seven runs and a pair of dingers since August 30th.
Also, Teoscar Hernandez is expected to miss multiple games with an oblique injury. This could mean that manager Charlie Montoyo leans on Rowdy’s bat even more. He’s widely available in over 80 per cent of fantasy baseball leagues.
[relatedlinks]
4:29
