Deeper Hitter Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - NFBC Waiver Wire Report for Week 18

We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 18. 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 pick-ups for Week 18, August 8 through August 14.

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

This week is a pretty blah week when it comes to the schedule. Most teams play six games. However, we do have six teams playing seven games and four teams playing only five games, so you can look to add certain players and avoid others when streaming if necessary. In addition, we have six games in Coors this week, so the Cardinals and DBacks get a bit of a boost, while the Cubs get three in Great American Small Park.

• 7 Games- ARI, BAL, CWS, KC, MIA (4 in 2H), PIT
• 6 Games- ATL (2 in 1H/4 in 2H), BOS, CHC (2 in 2H), CIN (2 in 2H), CLE, COL, DET, HOU, LAA, NYM, NYY, OAK, PHI, SD, SEA, SF, STL, TEX, TOR, WAS
• 5 Games- LAD, MIL, MIN, TB

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers

• Zac Gallen (vs. PIT, @ COL)
• Tommy Henry (vs. PIT, @ COL)
• Jordan Lyles (vs. TOR, @ TB)
• Kyle Bradish (vs. TOR, @ TB)
• Keegan Thompson (vs. WAS, @ CIN)
• Graham Ashcraft (@ NYM, vs. CHC)
• Shane Bieber (@ DET, @ TOR)
• Ryan Feltner (vs. STL, vs. ARI)
• Lance Lynn (@ KC, vs. DET)
• Tyler Alexander (vs. CLE, @ CWS)
• Brady Singer (vs. CWS, vs. LAD)
• Julio Urias (vs. MIN, @ KC)
• Braxton Garrett (@ PHI, vs. ATL)
• Chris Bassitt (vs. CIN, vs. PHI)
• Jameson Taillon (@ SEA, @ BOS)
• James Kaprielian (vs. LAA, @ HOU)
• Zack Wheeler (vs. MIA, @ NYM)
• Roansy Contreras (@ ARI, @ SF)
• Zach Thompson (@ ARI, @ SF)
• Blake Snell (vs. SF, @ WAS)
• Alex Wood (@ SD, vs. PIT)
• Miles Mikolas (@ COL, vs. MIL)
• Martin Perez (@ HOU, vs. SEA)
• Yusei Kikuchi (@ BAL, vs. CLE)
• Anibal Sanchez (@ CHC, vs. SD)

Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

Luis Rengifo (2B/SS), Los Angeles Angels

48% Rostered

Talk about a fantasy surprise for 2022. Rengifo had some expectations in the draft and hold formats are coming into the season, but that was based on the idea he would get some run from time to time, but nothing like we are seeing now.

Rengifo plays every day, be it second base, shortstop, or even some third base. He is hitting third for the Angels and has been quite productive. Since July 1, Rengifo has been hitting .333 with four stolen bases.

He will not provide a ton of power, as he only has one home run in that stretch, but batting average and some speed is his calling card. The Angels' offense is terrible, so he only has seven runs scored with 12 RBI since the 1st, so do not expect a lot in that respect either. However, if you are looking for batting average and some positional flexibility, Rengifo is your guy.

Nicky Lopez (2B/SS/3B), Kansas City Royals

24% Rostered

Lopez is not duplicating his 2021 season, but he is showing some signs of life lately. He has hit safely in five of his last seven games for a .333 average. More importantly, he has stolen three bases and scored five runs while walking 18.2% of the time and striking out less than 5%.

Lopez has a .000 ISO over the last seven games but still has a .788 OPS and 139 wRC+, so the power is not necessary to be productive for Lopez. If Lopez can continue to provide a spark offensively, he will provide plenty of steals and runs scored over the last two months of the season. As a result, he will be pretty valuable down the stretch for fantasy managers.

Tony Kemp (2B/OF), Oakland Athletics

5% Rostered

Kemp has been steamable throughout the season, and with his recent production, he is steamable once again. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .293 with eight extra-base hits, including two home runs. In addition, he has scored five runs while driving in seven to go with a .293 ISO and 159 wRC+.

Kemp's recent production has even put him back in the leadoff spot for the A's, which will enhance Kemp's fantasy value. The A's face five RHP next week, so Kemp should have plenty of leadoff chances. They are not the easiest matchups, but they will result in plenty of at-bats. Kemp is again viable in deeper leagues, so do not sleep on the A's leadoff bat.

Harold Castro (1B/2B/SS/3B), Detroit Tigers

1% Rostered

Castro has come out of the All-Star break swinging it well. He has been hitting .300 since the break, but that is where most of the fun ends. Castro only has four runs scored, three RBI, and no home runs or stolen bases.

On the season, he is hitting .285 with four home runs, so a little pop is in the bat, but for the most part, you are adding Castro for his positional flexibility and batting average. For now, he is still strictly a deeper league add.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pick-ups

Brandon Marsh (OF), Philadelphia Phillies  

38% Rostered

Adding Marsh is a lot of speculation that a change of scenery could do wonders for him. He is hitting .375 over his last six games with a double, triple, four runs scored, and a stolen base. Marsh has even walked 11.1% of the time, a plus as he is a major stolen base asset.

Marsh has been known for some power and speed in the minors, which will hopefully translate with a better offensive team in Philadelphia. Additionally, he should get to play every day as his defense in center field is much needed for the Phillies. I am willing to take a flyer on Marsh to get it going and provide some nice fantasy production over the season's final two months.

Tyler Naquin (OF), New York Mets  

34% Rostered

I admit I was very nervous about Naquin leaving Great American Small Park and going to the Mets. I was worried about the ballpark and even consistent playing time. However, since joining the Mets, Naquin has played daily and hits in five straight games.

He has four extra-base hits, including two home runs, and is striking out around 5% of the time. Naquin is hitting farther down in the batting order most nights, which is not ideal, but he is still playing every day, and we all know how well he can hit RHP. As a result, Naquin went from being a drop for me when the trade was made to an add in most 12-team and deeper formats.

Jake Fraley (OF), Cincinnati Reds  

9% Rostered

With the Reds trading Naquin, Fraley has found a way to some regular playing time. He has started in three of five games since the 30th and has hits in four games.

He has a home run while striking out 8% of the time. In 2021 while playing for the Mariners, Fraley hit nine home runs and stole ten bases over 76 games, showing a nice set of power and speed. If he can improve his batting average from 2021, he could provide a nice fantasy boost playing for the Reds.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers