Deeper Hitter Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - NFBC Waiver Wire Report for Week 16

We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 16. 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 16, July 25th through July 31st.

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,

• 7 Games- BAL, BOS, CIN, CLE, COL, DET, HOU, KC, LAA, LAD, MIA, PHI, SEA, SF, TB, TEX
• 6 Games- ARI, ATL, CHC, MIL, NYY, OAK, PIT, SD, TOR, WAS
• 5 Games- CWS, MIN, NYM, STL

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers

• Tyler Gilbert (vs. SF, @ ATL)
• Max Fried (@ PHI, vs. ARI)
• Spenser Watkins (vs. TB, @ CIN)
• Josh Winckowski (vs. CLE, vs. MIL)
• Keegan Thompson (vs. PIT, @ SF)
• Hunter Greene (vs. MIA, vs. BAL)
• Zach Plesac (@ BOS, @TB)
• Chad Kuhl (@ MIL, vs. LAD)
• Austin Gomber (vs. CWS, vs. LAD)
• Rony Garcia (vs. SD, @ TOR)
• Tarik Skubal (vs. SD, @ TOR)
• Jake Odorizzi (@ OAK, vs. SEA)
• Kris Bubic (vs. LAA, @ NYY)
• Angel Zerpa (vs. LAA, @ NYY)
• Noah Syndergaard (@ KC, vs. TEX)
• Tony Gonsolin (vs. WAS, @ COL)
• Mitch White (vs. WAS, @ COL)
• Trevor Rogers (@ CIN, vs. NYM)
• Pablo Lopez (@ CIN, vs. NYM)
• Aaron Ashby (vs. COL, @ BOS)
• Jordan Montgomery (@ NYM, vs. KC)
• Adam Oller (vs. HOU, @ CWS)
• Ranger Suarez (vs. ATL, @ PIT)
• Aaron Nola (vs. ATL, @ PIT)
• JT Brubaker (@ CHC, vs. PHI)
• Sean Manaea (@ DET, vs. MIN)
• Chris Flexen (vs. TEX, @ HOU)
• George Kirby (vs. TEX, @ HOU)
• Jakob Junis (@ ARI, vs. CHC)
• Carlos Rodon (@ ARI, vs. CHC)
• Andre Pallante (@ TOR, @ WAS)
• Corey Kluber (@ BAL, vs. CLE)
• Shane McClanahan (@ BAL, vs. CLE)
• Glenn Otto (@ SEA, @ LAA)
• Dane Dunning (@ SEA, @ LAA)
• Jose Berrios (vs. STL, vs. DET)
• Josiah Gray (@ LAD, vs. STL)

Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

Joey Wendle (2B/SS/3B), Miami Marlins

27% Rostered

Since returning from the IL on July 1, Wendle has been a strong offensive contributor. He is hitting .310 with five doubles and two stolen bases. He has surprisingly only scored one run while driving in seven but is striking out only 7.7% of the time, which will always bode well. Wendle will not hit for much power as he only has two home runs on the season, but he will provide excellent batting average gains, some steals, and hopefully some more runs. Wendle has been hitting leadoff most of the time since his return, and that should continue with Jazz Chisholm out for most of the season. Lastly, Wendle brings great positional flexibility that will help nearly all fantasy teams.

Ramon Urias (2B/SS/3B), Baltimore Orioles

22% Rostered

Urias returned from the IL on July 4 and has been a hitting machine. He is hitting .372 with three home runs, eight runs scored, and 14 RBI. He is flexing his muscle to the tune of a .256 ISO, 1.041 OPS, and 191 wRC+. Urias is also producing well with a 10.9% strikeout rate which means a lot of balls in play which his 10.5% barrel rate and 47.4% hard-hit rate will flourish with. We can't expect Urias to contribute this well all season, but he can be a fantasy asset in deeper leagues and, for now, has solid skills for 12-team clubs. Enjoy his positional flexibility and production while he is raking.

Adam Frazier (2B/OF), Seattle Mariners

22% Rostered

It appears Frazier is finally returning to fantasy relevance. He brings an eight-game hitting streak into the weekend, which has seen him hit .400 with a home run and a stolen base. In addition, he has a .940 OPS with a 170 wRC+ and a strikeout rate below 10%. Frazier is now hitting .237 with three home runs and three stolen bases. Frazier has proven he can provide solid batting average gains with some power and speed. The Mariners are surging offensively, and Frazier has joined the party. He deserves some more love on fantasy teams for now.

Nick Pratto (1B), Kansas City Royals

1% Rostered

Pratto was recalled on Friday with Edward Olivares returning to the IL. Pratto has hit safely in three of five games this season, with multiple hits. He has three doubles and a home run with a 1.035 OPS and 188 wRC+. Pratto was a highly heralded prospect entering the season with some power and speed. He struggled a bit in the minors, but he appears to be finding his grove, and if he can make regular playing time, he becomes a fantasy asset for the rest of the season.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups

Tyler Naquin (OF), Cincinnati Reds  

36% Rostered

Naquin was an offensive force last season; we have been waiting for that to happen again this season. He has been dealing with injuries this season but is healthy for now. On the season, Naquin is hitting .246 with six home runs and three stolen bases. Despite his struggles, he has a .194 ISO, .749 OPS, and 101 wRC+. He has a 9.6% barrel rate and 39.2% hard-hit rate, so some of the skills for power are still in Naquin somewhere. The Reds play seven games next week, all in Great American Small Park, and he faces five RHP, including four Orioles pitchers. Naquin will get going sooner than later, so jump on the train before it leaves the station.

Seth Brown (1B/OF), Oakland Athletics  

32% Rostered

Brown is on a heater, hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games. He is hitting .273 over the stretch with two home runs and a respectable 18.2% strikeout rate. His .164 ISO is solid but needs to improve on a 6.7% barrel rate and 28.9% hard-hit rate. Power has always been an asset for Brown, so the improved average is excellent, and the power should follow. Brown has 12 home runs on the season with seven stolen bases, so taking a chance on Brown to continue his intense stretch is wise.

Robbie Grossman (OF), Detroit Tigers  

19% Rostered

Grossman has had a disappointing season but is still worth a look in deeper leagues. He is only hitting .221 since June 24 but has six extra-base hits and a stolen base. He is walking 11.4% of the time with a .103 ISO. Grossman only has two home runs on the season with three stolen bases, which is terrible considering his 20/20 season last year. However, Grossman still plays every day, so at-bats will still be aplenty, making Grossman an asset in deeper formats.

Austin Slater (OF), San Francisco Giants  

11% Rostered

Slater has usually been tough in fantasy as he plays on the short side of a platoon. That stops as he plays daily, thanks to injuries in the Giants outfield. Since July 2, Slater has been hitting .426 with five doubles and three stolen bases. He has a 1.011 OPS to go with a 194 wRC+. Slater is producing in significant ways and brings some power with his speed to your fantasy team. He will usually hit leadoff for the Giants, which improves his fantasy value. With everyday playing time, Slater becomes relevant even in 12-team leagues.

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