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Points Leagues Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 2

Players to target or add from the waiver wire in Week 2 for fantasy baseball points leagues. Andrew Le identifies the top pickups of the week based on fantasy value.

Happy baseball season to all our diamond-dwelling RotoBallers! For the past five months, we’ve settled for pass interferences, technical fouls and busted brackets but now it’s time to pull up our stirrups for summer’s pastime.

One week into the season, the clouds of Opening Day fireworks are starting to subside, and it’s time to begin scrutinizing our teams and their preliminary weaknesses. While patience is an underrated virtue in fantasy, it’s reasonable to consider turning over the bottom of a scuffling roster.

Our points league waiver wire column will default to standard scoring and try to unearth three players under 50% ownership and three players under 25% ownership. For each group, we’ll identify an infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Let’s get hunting!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Points League Pickups to Consider

Ketel Marte (2B/SS/OF, ARI) – 41% Owned

Arizona’s offense is off to a blistering start, averaging almost six runs per game. One person of interest is Ketel Marte, whose .290 average and 11 R+RBI have earned him a jump from sixth to second in the batting order. He is a well-rounded player with positional versatility, highly regarded in points league circles.

Marte’s BB/K rate for the past two seasons has been north of 0.65, well above the league average of 0.45. Along with his ability to register double-digit pop with 14 homers in 2018, Marte contributed 26 doubles and 12 triples. The marginal points contribution from his gap ability makes him a much more relevant points league player than in standard formats. Marte’s never profiled as a speedster, but already has two stolen bags and is rarely caught. Without playing time restrictions, Marte is worth broad fantasy consideration while the D-Back bats remain hot.

Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL) – 14% Owned

After struggling through his first two full seasons in the bigs, Dansby Swanson is on a mission to silence critics, slashing .353/.478.765 through 23 plate appearances. He’s launched two home runs and posted a phenomenal .496 wOBA over that span. Is this for real?

For us fantasy critics with chronic short-term memory deficiency, Swanson was the first-overall pick in 2015 and still just 25 years old. He plays excellent defense so while there are some lineup risks as the Braves juggle their starters, he’s likely in the pilot seat for starts. Swanson struggled last year with strikeouts (23% K%) and has yet to develop a consistent approach against breaking balls, but he smacked 14 homers and registered 43 extra-base hits despite hitting just .238. Early signs are encouraging, with Swanson talking a walk per strikeout. A post-hype breakout is certainly possible.

Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) – 45% Owned

Randal Grichuk was featured in our offseason column on barrel data as a player who consistently hits the ball hard. With 20-plus homers in three straight seasons, the bugaboo on Grichuk has been his inability to make contact and receive regular starts.

The latter issue is now resolved. Grichuk received a five-year, $52 million contract on April 2 while the Blue Jays shipped long-time center fielder Kevin Pillar to San Francisco. Grichuk is now the man in the North. For his part, Grichuk has shown his gratitude by smashing three homers in the early going. He’s hitting a paltry .200, but the .143 BABIP is sure to rise closer to the .303 career rate. Importantly, Grichuk’s walks have increased from 6% to 10%, which is material if sustained. As previously discussed, Grichuk has the batted-ball metrics to be a bonafide slugger. With regular playing time, a run at a career year is highly probable.

Alex Gordon (OF, KC) – 5% Owned

Alex Gordon? No, we promise our readers it’s not 2013. But yes, Alex Gordon has forced himself back in the fantasy discussion with a 1.129 OPS and 16 R+RBI through 27 plate appearances. At 35 years old, Gordon is trying to prove baseball can still be an old man’s game.

Firmly established at third in the order, Gordon and the Royals are currently the AL Central’s most high-powered offense at five runs a game. While his playing time has declined over the past few seasons, we’ll recall Gordon remains a doubles machine, lacing 24 two-baggers in 2018 and averaging 39 in his heyday between 2011-2014. It’s unreasonable to conceive Gordon maintaining his .353 ISO and 5.0 BB/K, but a .188 BABIP will support his current average even as the homers revert to singles and doubles. Yet to steal a base, Gordon is also dependable to challenge double-digit steals each season. Let’s give it up for the old guy!

Matt Shoemaker (SP, TOR) – 42% Owned

Another surprising start in Toronto belongs to Matt Shoemaker. Like Grichuk, Shoemaker had become an afterthought after making only 21 appearances over the past two seasons. He’s started the 2019 campaign hot, firing 14 innings of shutout ball with a 0.50 WHIP. Apparently healthy, Shoemaker is back on the fantasy map.

Prior to arm injuries derailing his promising career, Shoemaker made 71 starts between 2014-2016, recording a 3.80 ERA and 8.0 K/9. In his first two turns, Shoemaker is inducing a tremendous 18% SwStr% by relying on a splitter with a brilliant standardized pitch value of 6.41 (above zero is considered good). While it’s debatable if his endurance can last a full season, Shoemaker is worth riding until he starts fading. Shoemaker’s mettle will be tested with upcoming challenges against Boston and Minnesota. His fantasy ownership will likely skyrocket if he emerges triumphant.

Spencer Turnbull (SP, DET) – 1% Owned

After a mediocre first start on March 30 (five innings pitched, three earned runs), Spencer Turnbull turned it up on April 4, tallying 10 strikeouts and allowing two earned runs in six frames. Owned in just 1% of fantasy leagues, Turnbull’s recent quality start and unintimidating schedule give him deep-league appeal.

At 26 years old, Turnbull enjoyed a brief cup of coffee last season with four appearances. In 2018, he ascended from High-A ball to Triple-A, spending most of his time at Double-A. Through 98 2/3 innings with the Erie SeaWolves, Turnbull fanned minor leagues at 9.6 strikeouts per nine. While the 4.47 ERA wasn’t impressive, a 3.16 FIP gives reassurance that his stuff was effective. He hovers in the mid-90s with his fastball and has generated a 13% whiff rate this season. With matchups upcoming against the Indians and Pirates, Turnbull has an opportunity to make noise within the fantasy community.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Moises Ballesteros

Riding An 11-Game Hit Streak
Victor Mesa Jr.

Starting Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
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