X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Trending Waiver Wire Pickups - To Add, Or Not To Add?

Kyle Bishop analyzes some trending fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups, and advises on whether to add or avoid them for Week 20 of the MLB season.

With the default trade deadline having passed on all of the major platforms, fantasy owners’ sole recourse to improve their rosters down the stretch is our old friend, the waiver wire. It can be instructive to consult recent transaction trends, but sometimes it’s better not to follow the wisdom of the crowds.

Today, we’ll discuss a few of the most popular pickups and whether or not you should be adding them to your roster. For even more options to improve your roster, be sure to check out RotoBaller’s waiver wire Rankings Wizard tool, which is updated daily.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

Recent Hot Waiver Wire Adds

Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees

The Yankees prospect has gone from virtually unowned to being rostered in the majority of leagues in just a few days. It’s not hard to understand why. Judge went 5-for-10 in his first three games with two home runs, including one in his first Major League at-bat.

At 6-for-7 and 255 pounds, Judge certainly cuts an imposing figure. Despite that, he hasn’t put up elite power numbers in the minors, and he ran high strikeout rates as well. He does appear to have simplified his swing, however, and Yankee Stadium is a great place for a right-handed slugger to ply his trade.

Waiver Wire Verdict: Add

 

Joe Musgrove, SP, Houston Astros

Pitchers who rely on plus command often endure rough adjustment periods when they first break into the majors. Nobody bothered to tell Musgrove, apparently. He’s taken on two of the best offenses in baseball in three appearances (two starts) and absolutely dominated, posting a 1.47 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and just two walks.

With the Astros’ playoff hopes fading and Musgrove nearing his previous career high in innings, a September shutdown is a distinct possibility. For as long as he’s taking the mound, though, the rookie deserves a spot on your roster.

Waiver Wire Verdict: Add

 

Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves

The first overall pick in last year’s amateur draft, Swanson hit .261/.342/.402 at Double-AA this season. As you might expect from a player with his draft pedigree, Swanson is expected to develop into an excellent player. He’s a talented defensive shortstop with a compact, high-contact swing and enough pop to eventually hit 15 – 20 home runs.

This seems like a rather aggressive promotion, though, given his modest performance in the minors. Swanson is probably not worth picking up in shallow redraft leagues.

Waiver Wire Verdict: Avoid

 

Tom Koehler, SP, Miami Marlins

Unlike the other players on this list, Koehler isn’t a hot prospect; he’s a 30 year old veteran with middling career numbers. He has been excellent of late, however. In his last five starts, Koehler has produced a 1.36 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with 28 strikeouts against seven walks over 33 innings.

This run of success is unlikely to last, since it’s been fueled by an extremely low BABIP and high strand rate despite no tangible changes in skill or approach. Koehler is a good bet to regress to his established career norms going forward.

Waiver Wire Verdict: Avoid

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Max Fried

Keeps Rolling With Seven Strong Innings On Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Shuts Down Brewers On Wednesday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Gem Against Pirates
Joe Ryan

Scratched From Thursday's Start With Illness
TJ Friedl

Blasts Two Home Runs
Wilyer Abreu

Launches Two Home Runs
Dylan Cease

Dealing With Forearm Cramp
Dylan Cease

Makes Early Exit On Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto

Exits Early On Wednesday With Foot Injury
Juan Soto

Smacks Two Homers
Hunter Greene

Leaves Wednesday's Outing With Groin Injury
Kris Bryant

To Have Surgery On His Back
Giancarlo Stanton

Could Return In Late May
William Contreras

Expected To Return On Friday
Clayton Kershaw

Might Need Just One More Rehab Start
Teoscar Hernández

Dodgers Hopeful Teoscar Hernandez Will Return In Two Weeks
Nolan Arenado

Scratched With Back Spasms
William Contreras

Playing With Fractured Finger
Yordan Alvarez

Has Hand Strain, Could Return When Eligible
Chris Sale

Fans 10 In Tough No-Decision Tuesday
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Fans 11 In Tuesday's Win
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
11
11
18
12
19
13
20
14
23
15
25
16
33
17
36
18
39
19
Max Fried NYY
42

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF