Let’s take a break from Acuña-mania for a little bit and dig into your league’s waiver wire. What Acuña has been doing lately is remarkable and damn fun to watch, even if Jose Urena doesn’t agree. But unless you already own him, he’s not helping your fantasy squad any time soon like these waiver wire targets below can.
This week’s report contains three areas a lot of fantasy owners are always chasing: speed, saves, and catchers. It didn’t start that way when I began writing this piece, but you can only play the cards you’re dealt, just like I only can recommend the players that are actually worth adding. And if it happens to work out that I have two catcher-eligible hitters in one article, so be it. But don’t worry, there’s still some fire power to add in the outfield, including two high-upside youngsters who have been on fire as of late.
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Top Waiver Wire Targets
Harrison Bader (OF – STL)
Ownership: Fantrax 43%, Yahoo 17%, ESPN 17%.
It’s like a damn revolving door in the St. Louis outfield this season. Nobody was excluded from the hot and cold tendencies of Mike Matheny, but new skipper Mike Shildt seems to have a better idea on how to utilize the outfielders at his disposal. And lately, that has meant good things for Harrison Bader. The 24-year-old Bader, who was still considered a prospect entering this season, has hit fairly well all season long but hasn’t had the consistent playing time to become a real fantasy asset. Now he does.
In 249 at-bats Bader has a .285/.354/.446/.800 slash line with nine home runs, 12 steals, and 47 runs scored. That’s a 600 at-bate pace of 22 homers, 28 steals, and 114 runs scored. He’s been even better over the last two weeks, hitting .341 with a trio of dingers, 8 RBI, and 10 runs scored. Everyone needs to do two things right now. Firstly, we all need to to thank Shildt for playing Bader every day lately, and then after you’ve done that, make sure Bader isn’t hanging out on your league’s waiver wire.
Harrison Bader goes deep for a second straight night and increases the #STLCards' lead to 6-2!
Tune in now for more #I70Series on FSMW or FSGO. pic.twitter.com/hn8pbr7eqf— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) August 12, 2018
Brandon Nimmo (OF – NYM)
Ownership: Fantrax 64%, Yahoo 37%, ESPN 31%
Remember him? Let me reacquaint you. Nimmo was a hot waiver wire addition a few months back but went into a major funk before the All-Star break which caused many owners to jump ship. Well, you better get swimming back toward the ship because Nimmo is on a tear since the All-Star break and is still available in nearly 40 percent of Fantrax leagues. Since the break, Nimmo is slashing .296/.430/.543/.973 with 17 runs scored. He might only have two homers and one steal in that time, but Nimmo showed earlier in the season that he can contribute enough in these categories and be more than an AVG/OBP asset. It’s time to scoop him back up if he’s still available.
Yes, I know he just got hit on the hand and left the game. But x-rays were negative and it’s not sounding like he’s going to miss more than a game or two if any time at all.
Taylor Ward (C/3B – LAA)
Ownership: Fantrax 31%, Yahoo 27%, ESPN 8%
You know what the best type of catcher is? A catcher who doesn’t actually play catcher anymore but still qualifies there. That’s what we have with Mr. Ward. The catcher turned third baseman looks poised to play regularly at the hot corner for the Angels down the stretch with no real threat to his playing time. And this isn’t just a waiver wire addition for those that need a catcher. Ward has the upside that warrants adding in all leagues, even if you don’t play him at catcher.
Not a bad way to start a career. @Angels No. 8 prospect Taylor Ward gave his club an early lead with an RBI double for his first @MLB hit. Watch live: https://t.co/ei2V2zerpB pic.twitter.com/hMZ5aNwfmg
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 15, 2018
Before his promotion, Ward was on a near 20/30 pace with a .349/.446/.531/.977 slash line. On top of that, he was showing plus plate discipline with a 14.6% walk rate. So, let me just recap that a little. We have a catcher that has both pop and speed, makes a lot of contact, and can work a walk. What’s not to like? Do yourself a favor and add Ward in all standard mixed leagues of 12 teams or more.
Danny Jensen (C – TOR)
Ownership: Fantrax 31%, Yahoo 22%, ESPN 6%
Wait, what? Two catchers in one article? Is this the first sign of the apocalypse? The world might not be ending, but your window to add Danny Jensen to your fantasy squad sure is. Jansen has started three of the last four games for Toronto, collecting four hits in 10 at-bats, including his first career tater. There’s a lot to like here, especially those in OBP leagues. Jansen had a 12.2% walk rate and .390 OBP for Triple-A Buffalo this season to go along with 12 homers and five steals.
The beginning of his minor league career is nothing to write home about, but over the last two seasons, he’s displayed the ability to hit for both power and a high average. In 2017, Jansen hit .323 with 10 home runs in 368 at-bats across three levels. His average dropped nearly 50 points this season, but his walk rate rose 2.5% and he added those five steals for good measure. This is a catcher with a legit chance to post some .300/20 seasons in his career while being one of the top OBP assets at the catcher position. Unless you’re rostering a top-5 catcher right now, adding Jansen is a no-brainer.
Adalberto Mondesi (2B/SS – KC)
Ownership: Fantrax 46%, Yahoo 14%, ESPN 12%
I’ll be the first to say that I don’t have much faith in Mondesi’s offensive tools. But his speed? Yes, please. Over the last 30 days, only Trea Turner can match the 10 stolen bases that Mondesi has swiped. He’ not just a volume stealer either, as evident by his 83.3% success rate this season and 82.9% for his career. This speed shouldn’t come as much of a surprise either. Mondesi has always had 60 t0 65-grade speed and stole 36 bags per every 600 at-bats in the minor leagues. That number rises to 60 per 600 at-bats this season if you combine his MLB and Triple-A statistics.
On top of all that speed, Mondesi has actually been okay with the bat, too. Not great, but not atrocious either like he’s shown in the past. Even if his current .273 slips some, and it likely will, Mondesi’s speed and position eligibility make him an appealing target if your team has been a tad slow lately.
Cedric Mullins (OF – BAL)
Ownership: Fantrax 21%, Yahoo 5%, ESPN 5%
One of the many great things about fantasy baseball is that you can find value anywhere. Even on a Baltimore team that currently sits 49.5 games behind Boston and is on pace for a mere 48 wins this season. With Baltimore selling off various pieces at the deadline, an opportunity popped up for a top prospect in Baltimore’s farm system like Cedric Mullins to get everyday at-bats for the rest of the season.
He may not be one of the sexy prospect promotions we’ve been waiting on, but there’s some sneaky good fantasy upside here. Mullins has hits in each of his first five games including four doubles, five runs, and as many walks as strikeouts (3). He hasn’t recorded a home run or a steal yet, but did have 11 and 21 (in 22 attempts) respectively in 441 minor league at-bats before his call-up. With an everyday spot seemingly locked up moving forward, Mullins becomes an attractive waiver wire target for his ability to hit for a decent average, a little pop, and solid speed.
Jacob Nix (SP – SD)
Ownership: Fantrax 26%, Yahoo 5%, ESPN 11%
Often overlooked in the talent-rich Padres farm system, Nix certainly isn’t getting overlooked now after his Major League debut. In six innings against a good Phillies team, Nix allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four. The best number from his debut though? A big ol’ goose egg in the runs column. That strong performance earned him another start and likely a spot in the Padres rotation for the rest of the season. Sadly, five earned runs in 0.2 innings last night puts a real damper on that strong debut, but Nix is likely to remain in the rotation moving foward. Outside of strikeouts, Nix could provide some solid mixed league value down the stretch. He posted a 1.84 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and a 1.4 BB/9, but only managed a 6.8 K/9. Strikeouts have never been a part of his game, but if you need some help in ratios, give Nix a look.
Matthew Boyd (SP – DET)
Ownership: Fantrax 55%, Yahoo 25%, ESPN, 21%
If last night’s Nix meltdown left a bad taste in your mouth, then maybe you should take a look at Matthew Boyd instead. Boyd has a 2.37 ERA and 0.89 ERA over the last month and three of his last four outings have ended with quality starts. His upcoming three projected starts look very favorable, too. As it stands now, his next three starts will be today at Minnesota, home against the White Sox next week, and then on the road against a very bad Royals squad.
Trevor Hildenberger (RP – MIN)
Ownership: Fantrax 21%, Yahoo 18%, ESPN 4%
Is it me or does Hildenberger sound like something you’d order at a fancy burger joint in New York City? Well, if he’s on the menu that is your league’s waiver wire, I highly suggest him. Okay, highly is a major stretch, as he has a 4.58 ERA this season, but the great thing about him? He’s a closer with a pulse. Those always have at least some value in fantasy leagues. Hildenberger might have inherited the role due to no other good options left after the Fernando Rodney deal, but he’s converted his first three saves opportunities and Minnesota seems willing to let him run with the role for a little bit.
Eric Cross is the lead MLB writer and prospect analyst here on FantraxHQ and has been with the site since March 2017. He is also a member of the FSWA. For more from Eric, check out his author page and follow him on Twitter @EricCross04.