Deeper Hitter Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - NFBC Waiver Wire Report for Week 23

We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves heading into Week 23. 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 pickup. 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 23, September 12th through September 18th.

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 has some great schedules to target for Fantasy while also having some schedules to worry about. The Reds have nine amazing games, while the Guardians, Marlins, Pirates, Rays, and Jays play eight games, bringing fantasy value. On the flip side, the Orioles, Red Sox, Rockies, Brewers, Yankees, Mariners, and Nationals only play five games which is a lot of teams with short schedules. However, this late in the season, it is all about accumulating stats, so every extra game played or not played is enormous. Remember that when targeting players in FAAB this week.

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

Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers

• Ryne Nelson (vs. LAD, vs. SD)
• Kyle Wright (@ SF, vs. PHI)
• Nick Pivetta (vs. NYY, vs. KC)
• Mike Minor (vs. PIT, @ STL)
• Luis Cessa (vs. PIT, @ STL)
• Cody Morris (vs. LAA, vs. MIN)
• Xzavion Curry (vs. LAA, vs. MIN)
• Michael Kopech (vs. COL, @ DET)
• Eduardo Rodriguez (vs. HOU, vs. CWS)
• Hunter Brown (@ DET, vs. OAK)
• Kris Bubic (@ MIN, @ BOS)
• Tyler Anderson (@ ARI, @ SF)
• Trevor Rogers (vs. TEX, @ WAS)
• Sandy Alcantara (vs. TEX, @ WAS)
• Joe Ryan (vs. KC, @ CLE)
• Jacob deGrom (vs. CHC, vs. PIT)
• Chris Bassitt (vs. CHC, vs. PIT)
• Ken Waldichuk (@ TEX, @ HOU)
• Bailey Falter (@ MIA, @ ATL)
• Zach Thompson (@ CIN, @ NYM)
• Bryse Wilson (@ CIN, @ NYM)
• Yu Darvish (@ SEA, @ ARI)
• Alex Cobb (vs. ATL, vs. LAD)
• Jordan Montgomery (vs. MIL, vs. CIN)
• Jeffrey Springs (@ TOR, vs. TEX)
• Glenn Otto (@ MIA, @ TB)
• Alek Manoah (vs. TB, vs. BAL)
• Yusei Kikuchi (vs. TB, vs. BAL)

Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

Garrett Cooper (1B/OF), Miami Marlins

39% Rostered

Cooper is having an up-and-down season, but in the end, he has been productive with a .255 average, seven home runs, and 43 RBI in limited action while he has battled injuries. He heads into the weekend with five hits in his last three games, and hopefully, he is getting hot going into a very juicy schedule next week.

Next week, the Marlins play eight games, five in the first half of the week and three on the weekend. They face three very hittable lefties while playing the Rangers, Phillies, and NationalsFinally. Finally, they wrap up the week with three games in Washington, a lovely ballpark to hit in summertime.

Cooper is barreling the ball 10.6% of the time with a 43% hard-hit rate, and that kind of contact quality could lead to some massive numbers this week. Weirdly for Cooper, he hits much better versus RHP than LHP, but the lefties on the schedule are so juicy that he should be just fine. He hits in the middle of the lineup and should take advantage of the schedule to fill a lot of ROTO categories.

Nick Pratto (1B), Kansas City Royals

28% Rostered

First, let me mention that Vinnie Pasquantino returned from the IL on Friday, and Pratto was not in the lineup. That is a significant buzzkill but worth monitoring over the weekend. There is a way they can all co-exist in the same lineup, and let's hope the Royals do that. However, if Pratto does not play this weekend, then temper expectations for FAAB.

While Vinnie P was on the IL, Pratto played nearly every day and started to showcase that massive prospect pedigree many talked about. Since August 26, Pratto hit .277 with four home runs, eight runs scored, and 11 RBI. Pratto had an outstanding .340 ISO, .963 OPS, and 169 wRC+. He was also barreling the ball 13.3% of the time with a 47% hard-hit rate. Pratto was getting locked in while hitting third or fourth most games.

Let's hope the Royals do the right thing so we can add Pratto as they face five of six RHP this week, and they are very hittable pitchers.

Donovan Solano (1B/2B/3B), Cincinnati Reds

23% Rostered

The Reds have nine games on tap next week, which is fantasy gold for accumulating stats. Solano does not stand out to many as a fantasy asset, but with that upcoming schedule, he becomes viable in all 12-team and deeper leagues.

On the season, Solano is hitting .302 with three home runs. He is not a massive asset in power and other counting stats but will help on average and, with nine games, could get hot. It also helps that Solano has been hitting in the middle of the Reds order and plays all over the diamond, which keeps him in the lineup. For this week, and likely this week only, Solano is a great addition.

Triston Casas (1B), Boston Red Sox

0% Rostered

It finally happened this week. Casas finally got the call to join the Royals and play every day. With Eric Hosmer likely done for the year, Franchy Cordero now done for the season, and Bobby Dalbec getting demoted, Casas will get a lot of playing time in September.

Casas hit safely in two of his first four games, with a home run. He has yet to barrel the ball but does have a near 45% hard-hit rate, and the barrels will come based on his minor league production. In Triple-A, Casas hit .281 with 12 home runs and a .219 ISO. In addition, he showcased nice plated discipline by walking 14.7% of the time while striking out 21%. Add Casas on teams where you need first base/corner infield help.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups

Nick Senzel  (OF), Cincinnati Reds  

42% Rostered

It has been a disappointing season for Senzel as he only hits .240 with four home runs and eight stolen bases. He continues to battle injuries that have prevented consistent playing time and production. However, the ability is there with Senzel, and with nine games in the upcoming week, Senzel returns to fantasy relevance. Use the nine-game schedule to add him for the week, and I hope he stays healthy as he could have a fantasy impact down the stretch.

Tyler Naquin (OF), New York Mets

33% Rostered

With Starling Marte out with a fractured finger, Naquin has returned to everyday playing time. In the three games since Marte has been out, Naquin has hit safely in each game with a home run. Since joining the Mets at the trade deadline, Naquin is hitting .254 with nine extra-base hits, including four home runs. In addition, he has a .268 ISO, .814 OPS, and 129 wRC+, just showcasing quality production.

The Mets have an outstanding schedule on tap this week with seven games versus suspect starting RHP from the Cubs and Pirates. Naquin is hitting .279 on the season versus RHP with a .197 ISO. Naquin could be in for a monster week and should be rostered in all 12-team and deeper leagues. Especially with Marte out.

Corey Dickerson (OF), St. Louis Cardinals

22% Rostered

I wrote about Dickerson last week as the Cardinals faced seven RHP, and he's been hitting well. He has made me look good, as he is having another solid week. Since August 17, Dickerson has been hitting .429 with eight extra-base hits while only striking out 12.7% of the time.

The Cardinals play seven games next week, including four over the weekend. They face five RHP on the week, so Dickerson should be locked into the middle of the Cardinals batting order for at least five games with a chance of playing more. I am not done rostering Dickerson yet, and neither should you with another favorable schedule on tap.

TJ Friedl (OF), Cincinnati Reds

12% Rostered

Look, another Reds player to the roster with nine games on tap this week. The difference is Friedl has been a fantasy monster of late, and I am shocked at his 12% roster rate. Since August 16, Friedl has been hitting .377 with five home runs and a stolen base. He is only striking out 10.1% of the time with a .377 ISO and 218 wRC+. Friedl even went 2-5 on Friday night with another home run. So run to roster Friedl as he leads off for nine games next week and likely continue to roster him for the rest of the season.

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