AL-Only and NL-Only: Deeper Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12 (2024)

Welcome RotoBallers to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 12 -- June 10 through June 16. 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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Jake McCarthy, Arizona Diamondbacks

2% rostered

Stolen bases and batting average are two of the toughest categories to fill in fantasy baseball. Luckily, there is a low-owned player out there that can help with both of them. His name is Jake McCarthy and he is practically free in all leagues right now. Armed with a below-average strikeout rate and a walk rate just below 10%, the fourth-year outfielder is looking comfortable at the plate. He's maintained a batting average of around .280 all season while also getting on base at a healthy clip.

What's even better is the fact that though he has nine steals this season, four of them have been in June. He is receiving everyday at-bats in the outfield and should help fantasy teams stay afloat at these tough categorical needs. This upcoming week, the Diamondbacks are at home to the Angels and the White Sox, and the matchups are optimal enough for this run to continue. Add him if you need batting average and/or stolen bases.

JP Sears, Oakland Athletics

12% rostered

JP Sears enters Week 11 on a bit of a hot streak, hence the recommendation here. Over his last three outings, he has issued a 2.84 ERA over 19.0 innings pitched while striking out fourteen batters. He did this at home against the Astros and Mariners and also on the road at the Braves. In that small but notable timeframe, he's been alternating his pitches. He is throwing his changeup more, but also using his fastball against the Mariners to perfection.

Yesterday - Most Chases Generated

Tanner Houck: 22 Chases
JP Sears: 17 Chases
Yusei Kikuchi: 16 Chases
Pablo Lopez: 15 Chases
Tanner Bibee: 14 Chases
Randy Vasquez: 14 Chases
Walker Buehler: 14 Chases
Hunter Greene: 13 Chases
Reynaldo Lopez: 12 Chases

— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) June 7, 2024

Will that continue this week? It's hard to say as he does have two tough matchups. Oakland's schedule features matchups at San Diego and Minnesota, both of which present some challenges. That being said, he's handled tough lineups before, and with two starts, he's a good bet to handle them again.

Joey Loperfido, Houston Astros

5% rostered

After the news about Kyle Tucker headed to the Injured List came out, Joey Loperfido almost immediately got the call back up to the Astros. This makes him a must-add in all formats because of the everyday playing time opportunities that are waiting for him, plus the power potential. During his first run with Houston, he only hit one home run, but he did have a .333/.381.436/.817 slash line over 43 plate appearances. The biggest downfall for him was his high strikeout rate of 39.5% coupled with his 38.6% chase rate.

JOEY LOPERFIDO. That is all. 🕸️#SCTop10 x @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/XLK4yGW7Pq

— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) June 8, 2024

Still, the biggest reason for his demotion wasn't because of his gameplay, but rather the fact that Jose Abreu was ready to return to the team. Now, with no real hurdles in place, Loperfido has a chance for everyday at-bats to see if he can keep the momentum he had earlier in the season going. This week the Astros play three games at San Francisco before heading home to play the Tigers. Get him in your lineup.

Yariel Rodriguez, Toronto Blue Jays

4% rostered

After the season-ending injury to Alek Manoah was announced, an opening appears to be ready within the Blue Jays rotation. Enter Yariel Rodriguez, who is just about ready to return from thoracic spine inflammation, which put him on the shelf at the end of April. Since then, he has been recovering and rehabbing but appears to be on the verge of returning. Over his four rehab outings, he has surrendered just one run over seven innings while strikeout six batters. In his latest rehab outing, not only did he throw three near-perfect innings, but he also stretched himself out even further with fifteen bullpen pitches.

This recommendation comes with a bit of warning, however. At the time of this writing, he has not yet been cleared to return, so there is a chance that he may not pitch this week. If he does not, then this would be a stash-worthy pickup. That being said, all signs point to a return soon, making him someone to target.

Justyn-Henry Malloy, Detroit Tigers

3% rostered

Justyn-Henry Malloy comes to the Tigers as a Top 10 Tigers prospect with some pedigree to back it up. Last season he split time at third base and in the outfield, accumulating 23 home runs in the process. This year, his power returned with six home runs in 45 games played, but all of them have been in the outfield. His patience is his calling card, exhibited by his 20% walk rate in Triple-A this season and his two walks already with the Tigers.

Detroit sent down Spencer Trokelson with this move, so they are going to give him the time and opportunities needed to see if he is ready. He's already given us a peak to his future potential with a towering home run. This upcoming week the Tigers play three games at home against the Nationals before heading out to Houston to play the Astros. He has an opportunity here to keep himself in the running to remain in Detroit for good.

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