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Welcome RotoBallers to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 9 - May 20 through May 26. 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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Jordan Beck - OF Colorado Rockies (4% owned)
The Colorado Rockies are known for many things, and not a lot of them are positive. One of their biggest flaws in years past has been their inability to develop young prospects at the Major League level, simply due to a lack of playing time given. This year seems a bit different, as they have been giving their future players time to play in the present. One such example of this is Jordan Beck, who had a high prospect pedigree heading into the season and has slowly started delivering on that promise.
Back-to-back games with a jack for Jordan Beck 💪
MLB's No. 66 prospect goes 410 feet to center for the @Rockies. pic.twitter.com/BbyWpRA5i9
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 18, 2024
Beck made his Major League debut on August 30 and collected five hits over his first 32 plate appearances. He has since rattled off a base hit in every game and has been doing so in the pitcher-friendly confines of San Diego and San Francisco. Next week, the Rockies will be playing three games in Oakland before returning home for a long homestand that will run into next week. Beck possesses potential with both power and speed and has a chance to stick in the lineup even when Nolan Jones and Kris Bryant return. He is worth rostering to see if this is a legitimate breakthrough.
Nick Gonzales - 2B Pittsburgh Pirates (5% owned)
The Pirates have struggled at the plate this year. They are near the top of the leaderboard in team strikeouts and knew that they needed to make some changes. What they did was call up one of their top prospects, Nick Gonzales, who had struggled in his first attempt in the majors. Since returning, the team and fans have seen a different batter than they had seen previously.
Going, going, Gonzo! Nick Gonzales is carrying a .836 OPS, 2 HR, 5 RBI since called up! pic.twitter.com/bXlTv4Qypk
— Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) May 17, 2024
In the offseason, Gonzales and management had a long talk about what improvements needed to be made if he were to succeed with the Pirates. The changes that were worked on in the offseason were the lengthening of his swing, adding muscle to his body, and maintaining patience at the plate. After tearing through Triple-A Indianapolis, he has started his re-energized tenure in Pittsburgh by being the spark that they needed. The Pirates play six games at home next week against the Giants and the Braves, and Gonzales should play every day.
John Schreiber - RP Kansas City Royals (13% owned)
This pick falls just above the threshold for less than or equal to 10% owned, but in this case, it seems warranted. Since the beginning of May, James McArthur has blown two saves and converted three. Of those successful save attempts, only one of them has been a clean outing. He has also surrendered four home runs in that time and has seen his ERA balloon well past four runs per game. Meanwhile, his setup counterpart Schreiber has totaled three holds, one save, and one win, all while just giving up one run. He also has three pitches that have held runners well under a .200 batting average against.
John Schreiber has been dominant out of the #Royals' bullpen. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/NUJnz628NT
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) May 15, 2024
This is a speculative pickup that could come to fruition down the road. McArthur is by no means solidified in his role as the team's closer, and the Royals are trying to compete in the AL Central. If you are in a "saves plus holds" league, he is a must-roster, but in all other formats, he is a luxury stash. If McArthur continues down this slippery slope, Schreiber could see more chances down the road to be the team's future closer.
Jason Heyward - OF Los Angeles Dodgers (0% owned)
If you're looking for an inexpensive way into the vaulted Dodgers lineup, Jason Heyward might be your best bet. After making his way out of Chicago due to a massive lack of production, Heyward found his way onto the Dodgers last season and made the most of his opportunities. He finished the year with fifteen home runs and a .269 batting average, marking the highest he's been in either category in years. He recently made his debut after a six-week-long back injury and did so in a tremendous way.
Jason Heyward homers in his return to the @Dodgers lineup. pic.twitter.com/DOWLYtZbkl
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2024
Not only did Heyward rack up the counting stats, but his approach at the plate also improved as well. He lowered his strikeout rate to 17.0%, which was largely due to primarily hitting against right-handed pitchers all season. Still, he produced when he was asked to do so and should be a benefactor of the lineup around him. If his debut was anything like what could be expected, this season may look a lot like the last, or possibly even better.
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