Greetings, my fellow fantasy baseball waiver degenerates. We have made hay this season so far picking some solid players to beef up lineups. Everyone is going to have a few missteps, but Walking the Waiver Wire is crushing leagues with the right adds. Let’s hope that streak continues.
There are far less pitchers to recommend this particular week. The gap between full-fledged guys and also-rans has not changed very much. The bats, however, are plentiful. We are going heavy on position players this week, whether they could be fill-ins, utility spots, or creating a solid bench. That is up to the parameters of your league. As always, I’ll mention the caveat that some of these players will not be available in deep leagues. This column is for all managers in all leagues. Enough screwball-ing around, let’s get to some waiver wire adds and see if we can’t help your team get deeper and fill some holes.
You can find previous editions of Walking the Waiver Wire right here. Be sure to follow all of our baseball content here.
***All availability percentages are from Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues.***
Upside Adds
Alec Bohm (3B – PHI) 53% owned
There are plenty of guys eligible at third base, but Bohm needs to be rostered in leagues as a leading breakout contender. After a dazzling .338/.400./.481 in 44 games during the 2020 season, the high-end prospect regressed last season to the tune of .247/.305/.342 and had 111 strikeouts. This year, he is off to a great start and is under-owned in a season that could carry his career. He does not need to be a fantasy team’s starting third baseman, but a springboard forward where he duplicates his 2020 season (which was shortened by COVID) could turn him into one.
Joey Wendle (2B, SS, 3B – MIA) 52% owned
Wendle has been a DFS darling for many thus far in 2022. The Wilmington, DE native holds a career 11.9 WAR and has begun this season at 0.6. Off to a great start, Wendle stuffs the stat sheet, ideal for any league. The man generally hits seventh in the order, but has batted in the top-half of the lineup while dropping a .304 average with nine runs scored, a homer, eight RBI, five walks, and four swiped bases. The most attractive part is that Wendle plays across the infield, meaning if he is a bench player on your roster, he is most likely still an everyday filler. When someone takes a day off, he will be there. However, it would not surprise me to see you struggling to find him a spot in your lineup as often as possible by the end of the season.
Miles Mikolas (SP – STL) 66% owned
The “Lizard King” is likely taken in most leagues whose owners are reading this article. If he is not, he should be added over that schleb or rookie you keep waiting for. Mikolas has flown completely under the radar, aside from those who have rostered him from the beginning of the season. All he has done is compile a 1.52 ERA with a sub-1.00 WHIP. He has had a few tough-luck no decisions, and his seven-plus K/9 is not blowing owners away, but he has been reliable night-in and out. Mikolas is boring for a fantasy manager. Sometimes the boring ones are the ones you depend on the most, though. Just wait until the Redbirds really unleash the bats.
Eric Hosmer (1B – SD) 60% owned
Let’s get this out of the way. Generally, I attempt to recommend players who are rostered in 50 percent of leagues or less. This week, the guys listed here are screaming to be added, so I extended the profile. Hosmer has always been a tremendous talent. An approach like Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds goes a long way. It is hard to believe the Royal-turned-Padre is in his 12th year already, and he is making the most of it. Hosmer is raking at the plate. After four years of batting sub-.300 and not driving in as many runs (save 99 in 2019), he has started 2022 strong, leading the league in batting with a .389 average in San Diego with three dingers and 10 runs scored while plating 19 teammates. First base eligibility is crowded in fantasy baseball, but Hosmer being available in 40 percent of leagues is a crime.
Closing Time
Dylan Floro (RP – MIA) 24% owned
Not much has changed on the closing front. Recently, I recommended Lucas Sims of the Reds; I still do. The problem is Cincinnati is not going to win very often. He is still an option in deep league with a roster spot to spare.
The closing situation in Miami is more turbulent than fluid, which is why Floro (currently poised to return from the IL) is a great add for a fantasy team that has the space. Anthony Bender has pitched his way to a 4.32 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP, and two losses to compliment his six saves. He is clearly not the guy. Lefty Tanner Scott holds a 5.40 ERA in 10 games and recently converted a save opportunity when Bender was unavailable. The case for Scott is the strikeouts, as 15 in 8.1 innings is nothing to sneeze at. However, he still needs more opportunity in the shutdown role before he can be trusted.
Enter Floro, who should return from the IL shortly, and who closed games at the end of the 2021 season, He finished last year with 15 saves despite taking over late in the campaign. He’s an add for anyone seeking a closer. Ignore the IL designation, as he is just about ready. If you are in need of a closer and have a roster spot, grab him.
Roster Immediately if Available
Taylor Ward (OF – LAA) 80% owned
Yeah, he’s gone already. Although, 20 percent of leagues have not rostered him, which is insane. I’ve not done well with Angels outfielders yet this season but Ward was obviously a slam-dunk from the beginning.
Charlie Blackmon (OF – COL) 74% owned
26 percent of leagues are not rostering Blackmon, who has four moonshots with the boom-stick, scored 14 times, and driven in 11. .257 average? Who cares. Get him.
Stash/Watch List
Adley Rutschman (C – BAL) Spill a roster spot and grab him now and be patient
Jorge Soler (OF – MIA) Heating up, not worth adding yet, but keep watching
Tommy Pham (OF – CIN) Quickly becoming a keystone in Cincy
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