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Baseball season is officially in full swing. If you have an interest or a need in tweaking with your team, then you have come to the right place. This FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups series will be looking at Week 18-- July 22 through July 28 -- and will point out free agents to target and how much FAAB you should allocate for them.
We are officially in the stretch run of the fantasy season. For the next seven weeks, we must place bids and target players who will fill the remaining holes in our team. Pay close attention to this in category leagues and spend big on a player if you need a specific category filled urgently as you are running out of time. Do not be afraid to spend big on a player to boost a category that you are falling behind.
Below are a few players with ownership percentages under 50% in Yahoo! leagues that could benefit your roster and provide you with an added boost in several categories. This week we have a few prospects that have burst onto the scene and could become must-adds by next week. I will also include what percentage of your FAAB budget you should look to spend on each player. Let’s get started!
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Alex Vesia, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <7% if needing saves, <2% for others
Since June 22, the southpaw has posted a stellar 1.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. More importantly, he has earned two saves. Primary Dodger closer Evan Phillips has held a poor 5.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since June 24 with two blown saves.
While the Dodger bullpen has other strong ninth-inning options like Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson, Vesia has primarily been deployed in the eighth inning, which could suggest he might get the bulk of save opportunities if Phillips continues to struggle and is eventually moved into a lower-leverage role.
Alex Vesia, Elevated 96mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/DBtPd2A39v
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 9, 2024
This is a situation to monitor closely going forward. If you are desperate for saves in a deeper league, Vesia may be your best option. However, knowing how the Dodgers operate, I would not be shocked if they made a trade for a player like Tanner Scott from Miami next week to solve this issue.
River Ryan, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
A top prospect in the Dodger system is set to join the rotation after the All-Star break and could remain in the big leagues for the foreseeable future. After logging two short stints in the Rookie League and Single-A during his rehab stint as he recovered from a shoulder injury, where the right-hander did not allow a run with a 1:8 BB:K ratio, he moved up to Triple-A.
7) River Ryan
Ryan popped up on a lot of top prospects lists this Spring, and it's easy to see why. He has a 5-pitch mix which all grade out very well. It is highlighted by a high 90s 4-Seam, hard slider, and new cutter with more rise. He also has a decent changeup and curve pic.twitter.com/hIEJhZsA4b
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) July 10, 2024
Then, in 16 innings at Oklahoma City, Ryan posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 6:19 BB:K ratio.
With other starters like Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list and Tyler Glasnow (back) and Walker Buehler (hip) both on the 15-day IL, Ryan could carve out a permanent role going forward.
Robbie Ray, SP, San Francisco Giants
35% rostered
FAAB Bid: <11%
Remember when Ray won the Cy Young? I know the southpaw has been a fantasy disappointment since his supposed “breakout” season, but he is nearing a return to the major leagues and is worth a look in all formats.
He looked dominant in his ninth rehab stint on July 14 as he struck out nine in five shutout innings at Single-A.
T5: Giants 4 | Visalia 0
Robbie Ray was DIALED IN for his 3rd start with San Jose 🎯
5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 9 Ks 🔥@MiLB | @SFGiants pic.twitter.com/mxzgEfwuXZ
— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) July 15, 2024
This may have been the final step in his long recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2023. The 32-year-old could return to San Francisco any day now and produce upside strikeout numbers if he can rekindle his former 2021 self.
Coby Mayo, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Mayo has been a recurring member of this column. Every week that passes, his FAAB price continues to rise, and once he is promoted, it will skyrocket. However, Baltimore's GM recently made a statement regarding their budding superstar, stating that “he’s very close, and he will help us this year.”
Over his past 11 games, the third baseman has held a .286/.388/.500 line with two home runs, eight RBI, and a 7:11 BB:K ratio with an incredible .302/.381/.606 slash line and 19 home runs across the entire summer at Triple-A.
Mayo is a high-impact bat that can win you your league. Get him before he blows your remaining budget.
Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
25% rostered
FAAB Bid: <6%
Another popular stash candidate of mine is currently in the midst of his rehab assignment after being sidelined for over a month with a quadricep strain. In 34 games at Triple-A this summer, Caminero has held a .261/.333/.478 line with eight home runs, 24 RBI, and a 14:35 BB:K ratio.
If the Rays continue to fall out of the Wild Card picture, they may opt to sell at the deadline, making it even easier for their top prospect to reach the majors.
Lawrence Butler, OF, Oakland Athletics
2% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15% if needing an outfielder, <10% for others
Butler has been one of, if not the hottest hitters in baseball and has entered must-roster territory for now.
Since June 30, the 24-year-old has held a .326/.356/.837 slash line with seven home runs, 17 RBI, and three stolen bases.
LAWERENCE BUTLER 3 HOMERS!! A’S ARE CRUSHING IN PHILLY pic.twitter.com/ItmKId37SY
— Blazin' Baseball (@BlazinBaseball) July 14, 2024
In addition, he was moved up to the leadoff spot in the final two games before the break. Going forward, Butler is a high-upside bat and could be a five-category contributor in the second half.
Michael Toglia, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8%
Toglia made headlines when he went deep three times on July 14 to close out the first half of the season. However, throughout all of July, the 25-year-old has been very productive, especially in the power department. Since July 2, Togila has posted a .244/.311/.756 line with seven home runs and nine RBI.
In addition, more than half of these games were played on the road, which shows that he is not just receiving the benefit of playing in Coors Field. Toglia is the everyday first baseman in Colorado and is a must-add if you are looking for some power.
Jose Iglesias, 2B/SS/3B, New York Mets
2% rostered
FAAB Bid: <3% if needing a middle infielder, <1% for others
Iglesias has had fantasy managers saying ‘OMG’ all month.
Gary Cohen drops an "OMG" for José Iglesias' first-career multi-homer game! 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/r7BJQWMMwA
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 13, 2024
The 34-year-old has had a career revival in Queens. He has established himself as the primary second base option over Jeff McNeil and has held a stellar .372/.400/.698 line with three home runs since June 29.
His excellent on-base percentage gives him more value in points league, but if you need a middle infield to stabilize your batting average, ride the hot hand.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
30% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12%
The veteran third baseman was a popular late-round target when needing a power and RBI boost, and he was shaping up to be a key contributor in the middle of a strong Arizona lineup. However, much has gone wrong in the desert this season, and Suarez’s poor.216 AVG has not been helpful.
Since June 28, the slugger has been heating up with a .333/.438/.630 line, four home runs, and 16 RBI. The 32-year-old’s big power seasons are well past him, but if he can get it together in the second half and build on his strong July, he could be a valuable asset in all standard leagues down the stretch.
Tyler Stephenson, C, Cincinnati Reds
25% rostered
FAAB Bid: <20% if needing a catcher, <10% for others
After a rough June in which the backstop sported a .221/.303/.353 line, he began to look like himself once again in July.
Since July 3, the 27-year-old has held a .286/.318/.667 line with four home runs and 10 RBI. During this stint, he has logged three multi-hit games with a total of eight extra-base hits.
Tyler Stephenson over his last 5 games:
.409 AVG
4 HR
10 RBI
6 Runspic.twitter.com/AjL487bGOx— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) July 12, 2024
If you are looking for a backstop with an upside for power, add Stephenson this weekend, as he may not be available much longer.
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