X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Deep League Waiver Wire: Week 20

Hello and welcome to the Week 20 deep waiver wire targets. The fantasy baseball season is entering the final stretch, especially for those of you with league playoffs. For those of you in leagues with exceptional depth, these six widely available players could bring you ever closer to that league championship. Featured this week will be a certain Hall-of-Famer, a "Splash Brother's" brother, and a super sleeper in an all rookie rotation.

For other waiver wire options, check out RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list. It's updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging deep league options.

iPhone Fantasy Baseball App - Waiver Wire PickupsAndroid Fantasy Baseball App - Waiver Wire PickupsPrefer using a phone? Our famous 2015 Sleepers & Waiver Wire Pickups app is free, and available in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Deeper Leagues Waiver Wire Analysis

Trayce Thompson (OF, CWS, Owned in 0% of fleaflicker leagues)

It is hard to say a player is a surprise or a sleeper when his brother is one of the best basketball players on the planet. Having said that, Trayce Thompson is available in nearly every league. He has displayed very well-rounded offensive abilities in the minor leagues. In 2,765 AB since 2009, Thompson recorded 101 HR, 94 SB, 163 doubles, and a .747 OPS. In his first 12 major league AB, Thompson hit a HR, recorded a .500 BA, a 1.372 OPS, and a 284 OPS+.

Currently, the Chicago White Sox are 25th in the league in OPS with .683 and are 29th in the league in runs with 422. They're still only five games out of the second AL-wild card spot. If the Sox continue to give Thompson opportunities to propel them into October in place of players like Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia, and Adam Laroche, fantasy baseball managers can look for Thompson to produce in almost every offensive category.

 

Danny Valencia (1B/3B/OF, OAK, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)

This season has seen quite a jump in production from Danny Valencia. So far in 201, Valenica has hit ten HR, 36 RBI, scored 30 R, produced a .302 BA, and a .887 OPS in 189 AB. In his 27 AB since being claimed by the Oakland A's Valencia has hit three HR, produced a .333 BA, and a 1.178 OPS. Valenica hits his best when at home as he has a home OPS of 1.045 on the season and he hits exceptionally well against both arms with a .836 OPS vs LHP and a .927 OPS vs RHP.

Valenica's hot hitting and triple eligibility make him a must have for any fantasy baseball manager in a deeper league heading into crunch time. The A's have installed him as their regular cleanup hitter. He should produce plenty of runs down the stretch.

 

Martin Perez (SP, TEX, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)

Martin Perez is the epitome of a pitcher getting passed over due to terrible luck. At first glance, Perez looks none to appealing with a 5.81 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 5.5 K/9. However, his statistics tell a clear story. With a fantastic 2.80 FIP, it can first be determined that Perez has been the victim of unlucky fielding. With 0.0 HR/9 and a 2.4 BB/9, Perez is keeping batters well under reasonable control.

Perez allows 10.6 Hits/9 which would be the cause of his high WHIP and ERA. He has a .348 BABIP, which is quite high especially when considered that Perez has a 1.50 GB/FB ratio and a 2.50 GO/FO ratio with a 21% LD%. Perez is a prime candidate for a major statistical bounce back.

 

Keyvius Sampson (SP, CIN, Owned in 3% of fleaflicker leagues)

The Reds are putting out an all rookie rotation and Keyvius Sampson may be the last member of said rotation that fantasy baseball managers would expect to target. Sampson is certainly a sleeper under more highly touted rotation mates such as prospects Raisel Iglesias and John Lamb. Sampson's 4.11 FIP indicates that he has a better isolated performance than fellow sleeper Cincy prospect David Holmberg.

This season in the minors, Sampson had a 3.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, an impressive 0.3 HR/9, and a solid 8.1 K/9. So far in 17 MLB IP Sampson has a 3.18 ERA, 1.118 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9 to go along with his 4.11 FIP. Sampson's main problem in the minor leagues related to walks. That may gradually be fixed with MLB experience - an opportunity Sampson will get because the Reds chose to send Michael Lorenzen back to Triple-A. Cincinnati has been quite tentative with Robert Stephenson's advancement. Sampson should produce decent fantasy numbers through the remainder of the season.

 

Ichiro Suzuki (OF, MIA, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)

If I told you many years ago that Ichiro Suzuki would one day be owned in just 6% of fantasy baseball leagues, your mouth would hang agape. If I told you last year that Ichiro Suzuki would ever be worth owning again, your mouth would hang agape. So here we are, condescendingly analyzing one of the greatest players of a generation...we'll get over it.

In short, Suzuki has been hot with XBH of late. In the last 14 days in 32 AB, Suzuki has a double, two triples, while producing a .344 BA, and a .921 OPS. In his 12 AB, Suzuki has a 1.104 OPS. Suzuki has excelled against LHP this season with a .849 OPS. With Suzuki's BA and subsequently OBP shooting up due to his recent hot streak, he becomes more and more of a base stealing threat. He has nine SB on the season. If in need of XBH, BA, SB, and nostalgia, Ichiro Suzuki is a justifiably trendy and smart add for fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues.

 

Kelly Johnson (1B / 2B / 3B / OF, NYM, Owned in 7% of fleaflicker leagues)

The Mets needed a little bit of everything at the trade deadline, and Kelly Johnson certainly is a little bit of everything. He comes with eligibility at four positions. Whenever a player offers that level of flexibility, he jumps up in value. So far in 224 AB, Johnson has 11 HR and a .755 OPS. Over the last seven days, he has hit a hot .846 OPS.

Johnson's season totals were dragged down by a sole poor month of June as Johnson's month by month OPS splits look like this: April - (.787), May - (.890), June - (.562), July - (.840), August - (.740). Johnson's solid performance at the plate can be attributed to the fact that his HR% of 4.6% is the highest of his career and his XBH% of 11.4% since joining the Mets is also the highest of his career. In deeper leagues where fantasy baseball managers may have to make the difficult choice between adding a solid hitting first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, or outfielder, Kelly Johnson makes the choice a no-brainer: he is all four.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Gabe Vincent25 mins ago

Upgraded To Probable Versus Dallas
Kyle Lowry39 mins ago

Will Not Play Wednesday Against Washington
Cam Reddish42 mins ago

Likely Unavailable Tuesday
Paul George44 mins ago

Ruled Out For Wednesday
Tua Tagovailoa46 mins ago

Dolphins Have "No Concern At All" About Tua Tagovailoa's Long-Term Health
Andre Drummond50 mins ago

Listed As Questionable For Wednesday
Zion Williamson56 mins ago

Set To Return On Tuesday Versus Minnesota
Joel Embiid60 mins ago

Listed As Out For Wednesday's Game Against Washington
Brandin Podziemski1 hour ago

Will Not Play Tuesday
Las Vegas Raiders2 hours ago

Raiders Fire Head Coach Antonio Pierce
David Montgomery2 hours ago

Expected To Return For Divisional Round
Tyreek Hill3 hours ago

Dolphins Say Tyreek Hill Did Not Request A Trade
Brandon Woodruff3 hours ago

Hopes To Be Ready By Opening Day
Zay Flowers3 hours ago

Not At Tuesday's Practice
Luke Clanton4 hours ago

A Player To Watch At Sony Open
Thomas Detry4 hours ago

In Solid Form Ahead Of Sony Open
Russell Henley4 hours ago

A Course Horse At Sony Open
Stephan Jaeger4 hours ago

A Risky Option At Sony Open
Kurt Kitayama4 hours ago

Makes 2025 Debut At Sony Open
Maverick McNealy4 hours ago

Looks To Stay Hot In Hawaii
Sepp Straka4 hours ago

A Safe Option At Sony Open
Michael Thorbjornsen4 hours ago

A Dark Horse At Sony Open
Tennessee Titans5 hours ago

Titans Retaining Brian Callahan As Head Coach
Tennessee Titans5 hours ago

Titans Fire GM Ran Carthon
Trey Murphy III8 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Dejounte Murray8 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Tuesday
Zion Williamson8 hours ago

Might Be Back In Action Tuesday
Bogdan Bogdanovic8 hours ago

Considered Probable Tuesday
Trae Young8 hours ago

Probable For Tuesday's Game
Anthony Davis8 hours ago

Likely To Play Against Mavericks
LeBron James9 hours ago

Probable For Tuesday's Action
Gary Woodland9 hours ago

Aims For Better 2025 Debut In Hawaii
Brent Rooker9 hours ago

Signs Five-Year Extension
Daniel Gafford9 hours ago

Likely "Out For Some Time"
Keith Mitchell9 hours ago

Attempts To Put Fall Behind Him
Robert MacIntyre9 hours ago

Tries To Learn Sony Open Lessons
Si Woo Kim9 hours ago

Makes 2025 Debut At Sony Open
Jacob Markstrom10 hours ago

Snaps Losing Skid On Monday
Tom Hoge10 hours ago

Tries To Keep Momentum Rolling In Hawaii
Devon Toews10 hours ago

Busy In Monday's Victory
Nick Suzuki10 hours ago

Tallies Three Points In Monday's Victory
Harris English10 hours ago

Begins 2025 At The Sony Open
Alex Tuch10 hours ago

Scores Twice On Monday
Jared Spurgeon10 hours ago

Placed On Injured Reserve
Jiri Kulich10 hours ago

Exits Early On Monday
Corey Conners10 hours ago

In Good Form For The Sony Open
PGA10 hours ago

Byeong Hun An A Strong Bet To Contend Again At Sony Open
Nolan Arenado18 hours ago

Red Sox Emerge As Strong Candidate To Land Nolan Arenado
Christian Watson19 hours ago

Packers Confirm Torn ACL For Christian Watson
Ezekiel Elliott19 hours ago

Signing With Chargers
Jalen Johnson20 hours ago

Ruled Out For Tuesday
Bilal Coulibaly20 hours ago

Could Be Ready To Return Against Houston
Malcolm Brogdon20 hours ago

Will Not Play Tuesday
Jordan Poole20 hours ago

Uncertain Against Houston
Bub Carrington20 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Tuesday
Michael Lorenzen22 hours ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Kansas City
Gavin Lux22 hours ago

Traded To Cincinnati
Kyler Murray23 hours ago

"100 Percent" Chance That Kyler Murray Will Start For Cardinals In 2025
Brock Purdy23 hours ago

Wants Contract Done Sooner Than Later
Christian McCaffrey23 hours ago

"Definitely Close" To Being Fully Recovered
Jayden Daniels23 hours ago

Commanders "Not Concerned" With Jayden Daniels' Leg Soreness
Amari Cooper23 hours ago

Bills Hopeful Amari Cooper Will Be Available In Wild-Card Round
Erik Haula24 hours ago

Expected To Miss "A Few Weeks"
Patrik Laine24 hours ago

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Adam Larsson24 hours ago

Available Monday
Dakota Joshua1 day ago

Out Week-To-Week
Elias Pettersson1 day ago

Remains Out On Monday
Quinn Hughes1 day ago

A Game-Time Decision For Monday
Aaron Ekblad1 day ago

Unlikely To Play On Monday
Chicago Bears1 day ago

Bears Seek Permission To Interview Mike McCarthy For Head-Coaching Job
Jalen Hurts1 day ago

Still In The Concussion Protocol
Anthony Richardson1 day ago

Will Be Colts Starter In 2025
Luis Arraez1 day ago

Yankees Talking With Padres About Luis Arraez
Las Vegas Raiders1 day ago

Antonio Pierce Expects To Return As Raiders Head Coach
Chicago Bears1 day ago

Chicago Requests Interview With Mike Kafka For Head-Coaching Job
Geno Smith1 day ago

Expected To Return To Seattle
Christian Watson1 day ago

Believed To Have Suffered A Torn ACL
Frank Vatrano1 day ago

Nets Two Goals On Sunday Evening
Sebastian Aho1 day ago

Leads Carolina To Victory With Three-Point Night
Bo Horvat1 day ago

Scores Game-Winner On Sunday
Filip Chytil1 day ago

Scores Twice On Sunday
Jake McCabe1 day ago

Exits Early On Sunday
Philip Tomasino1 day ago

Placed On Injured Reserve
Kris Letang2 days ago

Returns To Penguins Lineup
William Carrier2 days ago

Misses Sunday's Game With A Lower-Body Injury
Clayton Kershaw3 days ago

Intends To Pitch In 2025, Expected To Return To Los Angeles
Charlie Morton4 days ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Baltimore
Pete Alonso5 days ago

Angels "Looking At" Pete Alonso

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Khalil Shakir - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

NFL Playoff League FLEX Rankings for Fantasy Football: Brian Robinson, Khalil Shakir, Austin Ekeler, Keon Coleman, Rashod Bateman, Jayden Reed, more

If you've never played in an NFL playoff fantasy football league, there's never been a better time to jump in! Today, we will review our 2025 fantasy football playoff league FLEX rankings to help you make the best decisions for your playoff league rosters. Below, you will see where key FLEX options such as Brian Robinson Jr., […]


Bucky Irving - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Playoff League Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football: Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, J.K. Dobbins, Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Josh Jacobs

The 2024 NFL regular season is all wrapped up, meaning NFL postseason fantasy football contests are set to begin. We've got you covered with our 2025 fantasy football playoff league running back rankings to help you make the best decisions for your playoff league rosters. Below, you'll see where key running backs such as Saquon […]


Xavier Worthy - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFL Playoff League Wide Receiver Rankings for Fantasy Football: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Xavier Worthy, Puka Nacua, DeVonta Smith, Jalen McMillan, more

Hopefully, you had a great 2024 fantasy football season. However, whether you did or not, there are more contests to compete in! Our 2025 fantasy football playoff league wide receiver rankings will help you make the best decisions for your playoff league rosters. Here, you will see where our team ranked vital wide receivers, such […]


Sam LaPorta - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Playoff League Tight End Rankings for Fantasy Football: Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, Cade Otton, Dalton Kincaid, Tucker Kraft

The NFL postseason is here, which means it's time to compete in playoff leagues for fantasy football! To kick things off, we are here to guide you in setting the best possible lineup for your playoff rosters with our 2025 NFL playoff league tight end rankings. Today, you will see where our team ranked vital […]


Zach Ertz - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Tight End (TE) Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Wild Card Weekend (2024)

It's tough to navigate the tight-end position in fantasy on a good day. But as we head into the NFL playoffs, those playing in playoff contests are left to choose between 12 tight ends this week. Luckily, that is where I come in.  Do you go with Mark Andrews or Tucker Kraft? Can you trust […]


Lamar Jackson - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFL Playoff League Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football: Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield

If you're bummed that the fantasy football season is over, what if we told you it isn't? Playoff leagues are set to begin, and we're here to provide coverage through the Super Bowl! We've got you covered when setting the best possible playoff lineups with our 2025 NFL playoff league quarterback rankings. Below, you will […]


Chase McLaughlin - Fantasy Football Rankings, Kicker Streamers, NFL Injury News

NFL Playoff League Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football: Jake Bates, Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker, Jake Elliott, Tyler Bass, Wil Lutz, Brandon McManus

Week 18 has come and gone, meaning the fantasy football season is over. Not so fast, though, because it's time to compete in NFL playoff fantasy football leagues! In these setups, picking the right kicker is key, so be sure not to overlook the selection. Below, you will see where kickers such as Jake Bates, Justin […]


Chiefs Defense - Fantasy Football D/ST Streamers, Team Defense Rankings, IDP Waiver Wire

NFL Playoff League Team Defense Rankings for Fantasy Football: Chiefs D/ST, Lions D/ST, Bills D/ST, Ravens D/ST, Chargers D/ST, Buccaneers D/ST, more

On one hand, the fantasy football regular season is unfortunately over. However, it's time to take part in NFL playoff fantasy football challenges! We are here to guide you on selecting the right defense for your playoff league rosters with our 2025 fantasy football playoff league team defense (D/ST) rankings. Below, you will see where defenses such […]


Brian Robinson Jr. - Jayden Daniels - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Quarterback (QB) Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Wild Card Weekend (2025)

Just because the regular season has concluded doesn't mean the fantasy football season is over. With DFS still going strong and, of course, playoff contests in full swing, there is still plenty to discuss and break down during the NFL's Wild Card Weekend. This weekend we will be looking at those Wildcard card matchups and […]


Derrick Henry - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

2025 NFL Playoffs Picture: Wild Card Teams, Matchups, Schedules, Seeding, Odds for NFL Postseason

The 2024 regular season has wrapped up, meaning it's time for one of the most exciting weekends of football. Wild Card weekend is set to kick off on Saturday, and we're here to get you primed for the opening round of the NFL postseason. While this season lacked an abundance of late-season drama, we're left […]


Mike Evans - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Playoff League Rankings for Fantasy Football: Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Mike Evans, Kyren Williams, Joe Mixon, Puka Nacua, Terry McLaurin

While the traditional fantasy football season is over, the start of the NFL playoffs brings various types of fantasy football contests geared toward the playoffs. Fantasy football is not over yet, so let's get to the action! Below are our 2025 fantasy football playoff league rankings to help you make the best decisions for your playoff […]


QB Awards

Video: 2024 Fantasy Football Awards - Quarterback MVP, Sleepers, and Busts

With the 2024 NFL regular season wrapped up and the playoffs set to get underway, it's a great time to look start analyzing what went right - and wrong - this season. RotoBaller's David Rispoli breaks down his 2024 fantasy football awards at the Quarterback position in this new YouTube short. Who surprised, who disappointed, […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Wild Card Round Updates for Jordan Love, Zay Flowers, Jalen Hurts, Blake Corum, Christian Watson, Isaac Guerendo, Geno Smith

And just like that, the 2024 NFL regular season has come to an end. This was a very exciting regular season, and I hope you managed to win a fantasy championship this year. As great as the regular season was, the playoffs have the potential to be even better. Anything can happen, and injuries to […]