Deeper Hitter Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - NFBC Waiver Wire Report for Week 15

We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 12. However, things will be slightly different for our weekly look into the high-stakes NFBC landscape. For those who do not know, in the NFBC, there are no IL spots and trades, making waiver moves a bit different. Also, offensive roster moves are made bi-weekly, so some waiver claims are made for the player in a great matchup early or later in the week. This weekly article will outline the upcoming schedule, two-start pitchers, and a few waiver targets that are rostered in less than 50% of leagues according to the 12-team online championships.

As the season continues and we are churning and burning on the waiver wire, sometimes a hot bat is worth a pick-up. Besides "hot bats," we can also look at upcoming schedules to try and maximize at-bats. With all of the injuries, we are also looking into players that may be receiving more playing time. Some of the lower rostered players, or some not mentioned here, are on the solid side of platoons, so make sure you are not adding them if they have a negative schedule. Lastly, the names in the article are in order of percentage rostered, not so much in my preference of adding to your roster. This article will discuss NFBC fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 15, July 18th through July 24th.

In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. Also, when you want to chat about outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, please message me directly on Twitter at @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of NFBC OC leagues.

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Fantasy Baseball Schedule Outlook

We have entered the All-Star break, which means we have shortened schedules to try and take advantage of from a FAAB perspective. Four teams play five games thanks to doubleheaders, and six teams play four games. I mentioned when the double headers take place as hitters lock in on Thursday and then lock again on Friday as if it is a regular week. At the same time, looking at teams with many games, especially double headers, can lead to possible reliever targets to fill in some pitching holes. Therefore, taking advantage of extra at-bats this week can benefit the long term.

• 5 Games- DET (Thu DH, Sat DH, no game Fri), HOU (Thu DH), NYY (Thu DH), OAK (Thu DH)
• 4 Games- CLE (Sat DH), CWS (Sat DH), LAD, MIA, SF, TEX
• 3 Games- ARI, ATL, BAL, BOS, CHC, CIN, COL, KC, LAA, MIL, MIN (Sat DH, no games Thu or Fri), NYM, PHI, PIT, SD, SEA, STL, TB, TOR, WAS

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers

• NONE THIS WEEK

Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

Owen Miller (1B/2B), Cleveland Guardians

38% Rostered

As you will be able to tell by the end of this article, I am focusing on maximizing at-bats, so let's kick things off with a Cleveland Guardian. Miller is not a world beater by any means but does come into the All-Atar break swinging a nice bat. After going 1-4 with a triple on Friday night, Miller has hit safely in seven of his last nine games. He has three extra-base hits but no home runs. Miller has an OPS around .750 with a wRC+ around 115 over this stretch.

Miller only has four home runs and one stolen base on the season but can hit for average, and the week's matchups are worth targeting. Miller gets four games on the Friday-Sunday schedule which will be an extra game over most teams. He does have to face Dylan Cease, but matchups versus Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Michael Kopech have potential. This could be a one-week move to maximize at-bats and move on.

Matt Carpenter (2B), New York Yankees

23% Rostered

I know I can't be the only one that is mesmerized by the Matt Carpenter comeback tour. I did not think much of it initially, but I have to believe as long as it happens. Since joining the Yankees on May 26, Carpenter has been hitting .338 with 11 home runs. He has an insane .529 ISO, 1.319 OPS, and 262 wRC+ while also walking over 13% of the time. In addition, Carpenter is barreling the ball 18.8% of the time with a 43.8% hard-hit rate.

It is just bananas what Carpenter is doing, which could continue this week. The Yankees play five games from the break, including a doubleheader on Thursday. They do face Justin Verlander and Luis Garciawhich will not be easy, but then they face three gettable RHP from the Orioles over the weekend. Carpenter should find his way into the lineup each game and should continue to mash. Carpenter is more than a one-week rental so add him wherever you need power. He may sit versus some LHP, but when it is a heavy RHP week, load up on Carp.

Josh H. Smith (SS/3B), Texas Rangers

15% Rostered

Smith enters the weekend hitting .238 in July with a home run and hitting leadoff most of the time for a Rangers lineup that has been quite productive. Smith has showcased some power and speed in the minors, which could translate to more at-bats in the bigs. The Rangers play four games this week, and three are against RHP. The best matchups are over the weekend versus the A's, which are always a nice target for fantasy. The last plus in Smith's favor is his eligibility which gives him MI and CI options. Smith may be better left for deeper leagues, but he has some 12-game relevance for the short week.

Jeimer Candelario (3B), Detroit Tigers

11% Rostered

Candelario has not had the best of seasons, but he has shown some signs of life of late. He has hit safely in four of his last six games with a home run, a .150 ISO, and a 108 wRC+. Again, not the best of numbers but it gives us hope. I especially hope for the short week and his solid matchups. The Tigers play five games this week, including two on Thursday. He has a juicy matchup versus Zach Logue and some excellent matchups versus Dylan Bundy and Sonny Gray. Candelario may be a one-week play, but one with many at-bats coming his way.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups

Steven Kwan (OF), Cleveland Guardians  

48% Rostered

The Kwan hype train has quieted down quite a bit, but he is starting to hit again, and the hype should follow. Over his last 13 games, he is hitting .291, but as usual, no power. He has four doubles, .073 ISO, and a .703 OPS. We already knew Kwan was not going to supply a ton of power, but he should be able to get on base, and hopefully, runs will follow (they haven't of late). The Guardians play four games over the weekend this week, and Kwan should be playing every day while leading off. Let the accumulation of stats begin as we exit the all-star break.

Leody Taveras (OF), Texas Rangers  

8% Rostered

Taveras has been raking of late as he entered the weekend riding a five-game hitting streak. Over his last couple of weeks, he is hitting .410 with two home runs and three stolen bases. More impressively, Taveras has scored eight runs while driving in 11. Taveras flexed his muscle with a .282 ISO, 1.107 OPS, and 212 wRC+. His 55% hard-hit rate is outstanding, and he brings this hot streak into a nice set of games out of the All-Star break. The Rangers play four games, including three nice games versus the A's, who Taveras just hit around the ballpark. Taveras is a great addition this week, and he should be an excellent play for more than just next week.

Akil Baddoo (OF), Detroit Tigers

3% Rostered

Baddoo was recalled from Triple-A a few days ago and immediately put into the lineup as the everyday left fielder. Baddoo hit .273 in AAA with three home runs and seven stolen bases. He still struck out nearly 22% of the time but walked 14% with a .183 ISO and .839 OPS. We have experienced the highs and lows of Baddoo, but for now, it is worth taking another chance on the power and speed upside in the coming weeks. Let's see what he does with five games after the All-Star break and maybe hang onto him for more than one week.

Josh Harrison (2B/3B/OF), Chicago White Sox

2% Rostered

It was a slow start to the season for Harrison, but over the last month, things are looking up. Harrison hit .321 this past month with three home runs, 11 runs scored, and nine RBI. Harrison has a .167 ISO and .885 OPS as he is producing for fantasy managers. The White Sox play four games over the weekend, giving Harrison a few extra at-bats. Not to mention Harrison brings insane positional flexibility to a fantasy lineup. It is time for Harrison to be back on the fantasy radar and should be rostered in more than 2% of OC's.

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