Just when you really think the arsenal is going to run REALLY dry for deep league waiver wire adds, a window of opportunity opens up for several lucky and opportunistic players. We will once again be discussing six players who can provide a sneaky spark for fantasy baseball managers in the cloudy uncertainty that is baseball's final month.
Editor's Note: For other waiver wire options, check out RotoBaller's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list. It's updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging NL and AL-Only optioins, and also all other fantasy formats.
Deep League Waiver Wire Analysis
Shawn O'Malley (SS/OF, SEA, Owned in 0% of fleaflicker leagues)
If you are in need of high volume in steals, Shawn O'Malley is your guy in very deep leagues. In just his first 25 AB he has a HR, two SB, a .400 BA, and a 1.103 OPS. In 2015, in 321 AB, O'Malley produced a .293 BA, a .748 OPS, hit five HR, and stole an impressive 20 bases.
O'Malley has proven over time that he is a more than capable hitter for average with a decent amount of power upside for such a good base runner. If he gets on base, he is looking to swipe bags. Since he is hitting hot right now, he is a great SB candidate for fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues. The multi-position eligibility at SS and OF is pretty appealing as well.
Nolan Reimold (OF, BAL, Owned in 2% of fleaflicker leagues)
Nolan Reimold hasn't seen too much of the field this season, but he has produced well in limited time. In just 130 AB he has a .752 OPS and five HR. However, Reimold has lit it up in his last 33 AB, hitting three HR, producing a .333 BA, and a 1.056 OPS. Three-fifths of his season's HR total has come in the last 33 AB.
Besides impressive splits of a .785 OPS at home and .846 OPS vs. LHP, Reimold has been dragged down by two poor and short months. He started the year off great with a .880 OPS in June, but had just a .593 OPS in 35 AB in July and a .399 OPS in 27 AB in August.
Tom Wilhelmsen (RP, SEA, Owned in 9% of fleaflicker leagues)
The closer carousel has hit turbulence in Seattle this season, but it has allowed Tom Wilhelmsen to ascend. On the year, he has a 3.20 ERA, a 3.34 FIP, and a 1.39 WHIP with a very impressive 8.5 K/9 and just 0.5 HR/9. In Wilhelmsen's last 13 IP in 28 days he has a 0.00 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP, and has recorded nine saves. Wilhelmsen is a hot closer who should be owned in all leagues.
Kelby Tomlinson (2B, SFG, Owned in 1% of fleaflicker leagues)
Joe Panik is out for the rest of the season. Taking his place will be Kelby Tomlinson who in 114 AB this year has hit a HR, stolen five bases, produced a .307 BA, and a .770 OPS. Tomlinson has hit especially well against southpaws with a .872 OPS. He has surprisingly thrived in the pitcher friendly confines of San Francisco with a .954 OPS at home. Fantasy baseball managers in very deep leagues should trust in Tomlinson's newly found playing time to produce a good batting average and stolen base total.
Justin Ruggiano (OF, LAD, Owned in 2% of fleaflicker leagues)
Justin Ruggiano is a solid power/speed combo for very deep leagues. In just 100 AB this year, Ruggiano has five HR, three SB, a .836 OPS, and a fantastic 1.012 OPS vs. LHP. In his last 26 AB he has hit three HR, produced a .346 batting average, and a 1.316 OPS. Ruggiano has had his struggles, but they have been partly due to some terrible luck. In Ruggiano's worst offensive month, May, in which he had a .624 OPS; he had just a .211 BABIP.
Tom Koehler (SP, MIA, Owned in 11% of fleaflicker leagues)
With a 3.90 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 4.45 FIP in 2015, Tom Koehler is having a solid season. He is having a much better season when it is considered that his statistics are inflated by one very poor month. In the month of August, he had a 6.68 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. In no other month during the season has Koehler had ERA and WHIP totals over 4.50 and 1.36 (his April totals).
In his last three starts Koehler has a 2.25 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, and has allowed no home runs despite struggling with long balls all year. Tom Koehler is a great deep league streaming option who shouldn't be lost in the pile of starters with pedestrian season totals.
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