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Welcome, RotoBallers, to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 15 -- July 1 through July 7. The waiver wire can be difficult to navigate. Knowing who to add and when is a game within the game of fantasy baseball. Doing this in a mono league where the player pool is half the size of a full league makes it even more challenging. Every drop and add is significant.
One of the keys to success with roster management is opportunity. A player given the chance to get on the field and produce is one of the first signs of potential. After all, they can't accumulate statistics if they're sitting on their team's bench. These opportunities can arise because of either a promotion from the minor leagues, an injury to another player, or simply because the team has moved on from another player. Whatever the case may be, these players are now given a chance to shine.
It's important to note that these players are on a short leash to see if they can produce. If they don't, then they can be dropped for the next man up. All that being said, here are some of the best players with opportunities.
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Hunter Renfroe - 1B/OF, Kansas City Royals
4% owned
The first person this week is someone who was actually going to be on a list a few weeks ago, but it was Hunter Renfroe who suffered a bone bruise from a stress reaction in his toe. He had been on a roll right before the injury and now that he is back and healthy, he is continuing to be an absolute force at the plate.
Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe go back-to-back for the @Royals. pic.twitter.com/5BanzTqqaZ
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2024
Since returning from his injury, Renfroe has batted just over .300 while hitting two home runs. On the season, he has lowered his strikeout rate to the second-lowest of his career and has increased his walk rate to the second-highest of his career. On top of that, he has a long-standing track record of success. He has hit at least 20 home runs in every 162-game season since his debut in 2016. Furthermore, outside of last season's disaster with the Angels, he's hit at least 26 home runs in five of his eight completed seasons. This upcoming week, the Royals play three games at home to the Rays before heading out to Colorado. He is a must-add this week with the possibility of some long-term sustainability.
Valente Bellozo - SP Miami Marlins
0% owned
With the Marlins rotation in a state of disarray, Miami is looking for healthy arms to lead the way. That's where Valente Bellozo enters the chat, as their latest attempt to find someone who can stay healthy and produce. He made his major league debut last week and did his best to keep the surprising Royals off of the scoreboard for five innings, limiting the damage to just two base hits allowed.
#Marlins prospect Valente Bellozo records his first big league strikeout in his debut. Miami acquired the right-hander in a trade with the #Astros in April. pic.twitter.com/LK0sVXTucR
— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) June 26, 2024
While he only posted two strikeouts in this game, he did throw for 9.2 K/9 over his 321.0 career innings pitched in the minor leagues. He also finished with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in that time. Nothing really stands out as overpowering or dominant, but he does have two nice matchups this week at home in both the Red Sox and the White Sox. If you're looking for volume, he could be a good two-start pitcher with a cost of next to nothing.
Harrison Bader - OF New York Mets
11% owned
Ever since Giancarlo Stanton got injured, the Yankees have been waiting for the next man up to take the open spot in the lineup and run with it. Bader wasn't able to do that, so he wound up across town in Queens. This week he went nuclear on his former team.
Harrison Bader vs. his former team:
.444 AVG
1.667 OPS
4 H
2 HR
3 RBIHARISON BADER REVENGE SERIES IN THE BOOKS 📚 pic.twitter.com/uJA109C5bK
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) June 27, 2024
Looking at his overall numbers, he is on pace for 12 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and a .270 batting average by season's end. Those are great numbers to find off the waiver wire, and something that he can most definitely do if he stays on the field. While health has been his major drawback for years, he seems rejuvenated this season, and fantasy players are encouraged to ride the wave here. He can be incredibly streaky too, so knowing when to start and sit is key. This week, the Mets play four games at Washington and three at Pittsburgh, making him a strong add to see if he can maintain this momentum.
Ben Rortvedt - C Tampa Bay Rays
4% owned
This recommendation is for two-catcher leagues only. Primarily in a platoon role with Alex Jackson, Rortvedt has come up with clutch at-bats all season long, impressing teammates, fans, and most importantly, the manager.
"He's quite the entertaining teammate."
Ben Rortvedt is delivering in all phases, with 13 RBI in his last 7 games. @RaysBaseball | #RaysUp
🔗https://t.co/6YbqEWG3tX pic.twitter.com/F4aQCwocz2— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 28, 2024
That is some high praise from his manager, and that means one thing: trust. As such, he will likely see more at-bats and opportunities to play. This season, Rortvedt has already tied his career high in home runs with three and has more runs batted in now than he had in both prior seasons combined. In the deepest of leagues with two catchers, you can do far worse with your second catcher. This week, the Rays are in Kansas City and then in Texas for a total of six games played. Pick him up and see how long this success can continue.
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