Fantasy Baseball FAAB Recommendations for MLB Week 14

We would all love to win our league on Draft Day, but that’s simply not possible. The fantasy baseball waiver wire is a necessary tool for fortifying your roster. How much FAAB should you be willing to spend on some of the hot adds? Here’s a look at some of the players, generally owned in 50% or less of leagues, who may be worth considering.

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Fantasy Baseball FAAB Recommendations

Catchers – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Patrick Bailey – San Francisco Giants (FAAB – 5-7.5%) – It’s easy to get excited about Bailey, who was once a much-heralded prospect. If you just look at the numbers, it would appear he’s figured it out. He entered Friday hitting .324 with 4 HR over 119 PA. He’s added 10 doubles and 1 triple. Obviously, his .416 BABIP is inflated, but a solid approach and 90.9 mph Exit Velocity shows upside.  Also promising is his Whiff%, with his 14.44% against offspeed pitches being his “worst” mark. It all comes together for a lot of promise. He should be a waiver wire target in all formats. In two-catcher formats, go extra hard.

Infielders – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Eduardo Escobar – Los Angeles Angels (FAAB – 1-1.5%) – Freed from New York, Escobar appears primed for regular AB in Los Angeles. Let’s not forget that he’s not far removed from a 28 HR, 90 RBI season.  Removing the COVID shortened 2020 campaign, Escobar has had 20+ homered in five straight seasons. With regular AB, now is the time to pluck him off the waiver wire. For those in FAAB, the upside is there for a player that won’t cost much.
• Maikel Garcia – Kansas City Royals (FAAB – 0-1%) – Garcia is known more for his speed than his power. That’s remained true in 2023, with 2 HR and 11 SB over 191 PA in the Majors.  He’s shown a good approach, with a 7.5% SwStr% and 21.9% O-Swing%. He’s only hitting .260, with his lack of power holding him back. That is likely to remain the case, and since he doesn’t hit towards the top of the order runs will likely also be tough to come by.  In other words, he’s a source of SB and little else. Only consider him off the waiver wire if you are pigeonholing him into your lineup for that.
• Jordan Westburg – Baltimore Orioles (FAAB – 2.5-5%) – Prior to joining the Orioles Westburg hit .295 with 18 HR over 268 AB at Triple-A. There’s no questioning his power potential. The question is if he will be able to hit for a high enough average to stick. Consider his 13.9% SwStr% at Triple-A.  He’s also appeared to be extremely pull-heavy over his first three games in the Majors (54.5%).  He’s obviously worth owning, just be cautious in redraft formats. There is a good chance he struggles and ultimately returns to the minor leagues.

Outfielders – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Corey Julks – Houston Astros (FAAB – 2%) – Julks has taken advantage of some injuries opening up playing time. Over 225 PA he is hitting .265 with 6 HR and 12 SB.  Last season at Triple-A he hit .270 with 31 HR, 22 RBI, 89 RBI and 100 R. His average home run distance of 402 feet helps support him maintaining his power. His 10.9% SwStr% (9.7% at Triple-A in ’22) is a great sign, especially for a player with his power potential.  With rumors that Houston may trade an outfielder, there’s a good chance Julks continues to get regular playing time.  That creates a great opportunity.  If he’s still sitting on your waiver wire, don’t be afraid to scoop him up.  For those in FAAB formats, if he’s still available the cost should not be great.
• Mickey Moniak – Los Angeles Angels (FAAB – $0) – The first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Moniak has been a disappointment. It’s easy to think that he’s figured it out, hitting .308 with 8 HR over 112 PA.  He’s benefited from a .391 BABIP and shown poor plate discipline (31.3% strikeout rate, 2.7% walk rate). His 20.4% SwStr% and 48.6% O-Swing% is abysmal.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking that he’s figured things out. Disappointment definitely awaits.

Pitchers – Waiver Wire/FAAB Options:

• Kenta Maeda – Minnesota Twins (FAAB – 1-2%) – After missing 2022 Maeda has returned to the mound. A 6.23 ERA is off putting, but the fact that he’s shown good control (2.42 BB/9) after the layoff is promising.  His luck should improve (59.2% strand rate), and while home runs could be an issue at the very least he’s a solid matchup play.
• Clarke Schmidt – New York Yankees (FAAB – 1-2%) – This is not the first time that we’ve discussed Schmidt in this column. While he has struggled at times, it appears he has finally figured things out.  After posting a 3.52 ERA in May, he has been ever better in June (3.04). Overall he’s shown good control (2.84 ERA) and enough ground balls (43.3%).  Those two things, coupled with about a strikeout per inning, make him appealing.  As long as he’s in the rotation, Schmidt is well worth owning.
• Mike Soroka – Atlanta Braves (FAAB – 3-4%) – Remember him? He did his job in his return to the Majors last night, allowing 3 ER on 5 H and 0 BB over 6.0 IP. Of course, he also surrendered a pair of home runs, though with 8 ground outs vs. 3 flyouts that’s not an issue we’d expect to continue.  He was pitching well at Triple-A (3.31 ERA over 54.1 IP).  Having seemingly figured out his control issues and rediscovering his strikeout stuff (7 K yesterday), the upside he once showed is there.  As long as he’s in the Majors, he’s worth targeting off the waiver wire.

Sources – CBS Sports, Fangraphs, Baseball Savant, Brooks Baseball, MLB.com