10-Team Leagues

Shohei Ohtani , LAA OF (40% ownership), FAAB Bid - $14-16 - Ohtani was taken off the disabled list prior to Tuesday’s game and will serve as the team’s DH going forward. The team needs his bat in their lineup as they’ve struggled without him. Before his injury, Ohtani had a .535 SLG, .246 ISO and .385 wOBA on the year. The problem with Ohtani is he’s done horrible against southpaws and has done all his damage against righties. Versus RHP, Ohtani is hitting .337 with all six of his homers and 19 of his 20 RBI this year. The bonus with picking him up is obviously that if he does indeed pitch again at some point this year, you get that usage out of him as well.

Rich Hill , LAD SP (67% ownership), FAAB Bid - $15 - Since returning from the disabled list, Hill has fired two really good starts and one decent one. He had 10 K’s in just six innings his last game and was stretched all the way out to 110 pitches which is shocking considering who his manager is. He has 21 K’s in the three starts since returning as well, something he’s always been elite at. Hill is an high end SP2 at his peak.

Avisail García , CWS OF (44% ownership), FAAB Bid - $13-16 - Garcia is on an absolute tear of late hitting six home runs over his last eight games. He has at least one hit in all 12 games he’s played in since returning from the disabled list as he’s 19-for-51 which translates to a .372 AVG. We saw the breakout last season and we’re getting an even better version right now, especially in the power department. He’s a must own in all formats.

12-Team Leagues

Matt Chapman , OAK 3B (35% ownership), FAAB Bid - $11 - Chapman was activated off of the DL by the Athletics on Tuesday and is set to resume as the team’s everyday third basemen. Chapman was rolling at the dish before his injury slashing .368/.489/.553 over a 12-game span. He’s been a bit inconsistent this year having two good months and one bad, so before he’s someone added in all formats, he needs to show us some steady play month after month after month. He’s still a very solid add and has top-10 third base potential.

Tyler Clippard , TOR RP (31% ownership), FAAB Bid - $7-9 - This isn’t a long-term waiver signing, or is it? With Ryan Tepera on the disabled list, Clippard has two saves and two holds since June 23rd. Clippard has only allowed one earned run over his last six appearances too, so he’s pitching pretty well right about now. His 10.49 K/9 will help contribute in other categories than just saves as well. If you’re desperate for saves this could be someone you look at for the immediate future.

Dereck Rodriguez , SFG SP, RP (12% ownership), FAAB Bid - $8 - Through seven outings, six starts, Pudge’s son has really looked impressive. In five of his six starts, he’s allowed three or fewer runs and has struck out five or more in four of the six. His 20.4-percent K-rate plays in all formats and so does his sub four SIERA and xFIP. His ability to be used at both reliever and starter is super valuable as well.

15-Team Leagues

Wily Peralta , KCR SP, RP (15% ownership), FAAB Bid - $7-8 - This isn’t the safest pickup in the world, but it’s clear that right this second, Peralta is the guy in the ninth for the Royals. He has a save in two straight appearances and hasn’t allowed a run in four straight. Peralta averages 96.8 MPH on his fastball which is the fastest of any Royals reliever by a mile. He’s risky, but he’s another reliever that could give you saves if you’re desperate.

Steven Souza Jr. , ARI OF (21% ownership), FAAB Bid - $6 - He’s only played 14 games this year and has been injured for the rest of the time. He’s currently on a rehab assignment now and should be back to the big league level shortly. He’s stolen a few bags during this latest rehab assignment and if that’s what’s to come as well as the power he’s flashed in the past, than he has a lot of fantasy upside.

Willians Astudillo, MIN C, 3B (2% ownership), FAAB Bid - $2 - Astudillo has been hot to start his big league career going 5-for-11 with three RBI. The thing that Astudillo does REALLY well is put the ball in play. He had 176 at-bats at Triple-A this year and he struck out a whopping nine times. The last two seasons at Triple-A he’s flashed some power upside too, posting a .558 SLG in 2017 and a .489 mark this season. He’s multi-position eligible as well, giving him even more value than your run of the mill catcher. He’s probably an AL-only league pick up right now but he can easily be more than that if he continues playing well.

 

*Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo

** FAAB bids based on $100 budget