Jonathan Aranda, Jacob Wilson and more top waiver wire adds for fantasy baseball | FYM News

As June approaches, it’s time to assess which player breakouts are genuine and which slumps are likely to persist. This week’s top waiver wire additions feature a mix of overlooked players who have elevated their game and some highly-touted picks who have struggled to meet expectations. This article highlights the top 20 most added hitters in Yahoo! leagues, providing insights into their performance and potential fantasy value.

We’ll delve into players like Jacob Wilson, Ryan O’Hearn, and Jonathan Aranda, examining their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we’ll discuss pitchers who could revitalize your fantasy rotation, focusing on those with reliable strikeouts and favorable ratios. This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance your fantasy baseball team.

Top 20 Most Added Hitters

Here’s a rundown of the hitters making waves in fantasy leagues:

The fantasy baseball community is showing interest in hitters who significantly outperform the league average in wRC+. Jacob Wilson, reminiscent of Steven Kwan, excels in contact skills despite lacking raw power or speed.

Platoon Players and Undervalued Assets

Ryan O’Hearn and Jonathan Aranda are valuable platoon options, particularly in daily and weekly leagues. While their BABIP may be inflated, their power is worth considering. Max Kepler, though often sitting against lefties and hitting in the lower lineup, benefits from a strong lineup and has room for growth with improved batted ball luck.

Alec Bohm: The Streaky Hitter

Alec Bohm of the Phillies continues to be streaky, a trend from last year. After a rough March and April, he has been excellent in May. High-contact hitters often experience such fluctuations due to BABIP variations. Bohm is rosterable in 12-team leagues but not an absolute must-have.

Miguel Vargas: A Breakout in the Making

Miguel Vargas’s MLB stats might suggest his breakout is unexpected, but his minor league performance indicated his potential. His contact and hard-hit rates support his recent performance, suggesting he can maintain an acceptable average with above-average power.

Speed and Power Options

For those seeking a blend of speed and power, Dylan Moore is an option, albeit a volatile one. His steals are reliable, and he offers occasional power bursts, though his average is likely to decline. Chandler Simpson and José Caballero are pure speed plays, compensating for a lack of power. Kameron Misner is another Rays player known for steals but little else. Misner and Simpson primarily face righties, while Caballero is currently a regular.

Warming Up and Track Records

Bryan Reynolds is showing signs of improvement, making him a valuable addition if available. His xSLG and barrel rate are the best of his career. Michael Harris II, despite a challenging period, remains a strong source of steals. While his walk, strikeout, and contact rates are normal, his BABIP and x-stats indicate better performance ahead. However, his power may be a concern, with reduced bat speed and barrel rate. Consider sitting him against lefties, a strategy the Braves might adopt with Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return.

Hitter Targets Rostered in Less Than 50% of Yahoo Leagues

• Lourdes Gurriel Jr., ARI — Low BABIP disguising a typically solid performance
• Matt Shaw, CHC — He’s been better upon his return and could start climbing higher in the lineup
• Max Muncy, LAD — Coming out of the slump
• Ceddanne Rafaela, BOS — Making lots of hard contact and should get rewarded for it soon
• Spencer Steer, CIN — Perking up after a slow start
• Tyler O’Neill, BAL — Great IL stash
• Chase Meidroth, CHW — Good source of average and steals
• Agustín Ramirez, MIA — Catcher with legit power and he’s in the lineup regularly
• Ryan McMahon, COL — Hitting the ball hard and plays in thin air
• Victor Scott II, STL — No power but steals aplenty

Hitter Targets Rostered in Less Than 25% of Leagues

• Marcelo Mayer, BOS — Worth a gamble with Alex Bregman out for a while
• Kyle Manzardo, CLE — Low average, lots of power
• Nick Kurtz, ATH — IL stash
• Gavin Sheets, SD — Another platoon guy on the most added list. The power is real!
• Daulton Varsho, TOR — He hurts you in batting average but makes up for it with power

Pitchers

Pitching can be unpredictable, but strategic waiver wire pickups can revitalize a flagging rotation. While reliable pitchers with both strikeouts and favorable ratios may be scarce, focusing on either aspect can be beneficial.

SP Targets rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues

• Gavin Williams, CLE — Putting it together after an iffy start to the season
• Jackson Jobe, DET — Still figuring it out, but the stuff is so good
• David Peterson, NYM — Depends on HR suppression over Ks, but can improve your ERA
• Taj Bradley, TB — He scares me, but the stuff is legit, and at some point it’s all going to click
• Dustin May, LAD — Already at his career high for MLB innings. The ERA should come down some with better luck
• Grayson Rodriguez (BAL), Eury Perez (MIA) — Potential aces on the IL

SP Targets rostered in less than 25% of Yahoo leagues

• Zebby Matthews, MIN – Wild with lots of Ks so far. Worth stashing for good matchups and ace-level potential
• Cade Horton, CHC – Doesn’t quite have Zebby’s stuff, but should be much steadier
• Landen Roupp, SF – Solid arm in a great park

High risk/high reward

• Hayden Birdsong, SF
• Shane Baz, TB
• Max Meyer, MIA
• Luis L. Ortiz, CLE

Saves on the wire

There are decent closers who are under 50% rostered — go correct that!

• Camilo Doval, SF — Was just re-named closer
• David Bednar, PIT
• Daniel Palencia, CHC — Ryan Pressly might get the job back at some point, but it’s Palencia for now
• Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle, DET —They share the Tigers’ closer job

Relief aces

If you can fit them in, these non-closers can do nice things for your ratios.

• Hunter Gaddis, CLE
• Randy Rodriguez, SF
• Alex Vesia, Ben Casparius, LAD – Both could pick up saves with Tanner Scott struggling
• Bryan Abreu, HOU
• Griffin Jax, MIN — Look past the ERA, he’s still excellent

Conclusion: Strategic Waiver Wire Decisions

Making informed waiver wire pickups is crucial for maintaining a competitive fantasy baseball team. By evaluating player performance, understanding underlying statistics, and considering roster needs, you can identify valuable additions that address specific weaknesses. Whether it’s adding power, speed, or reliable pitching, strategic acquisitions can significantly enhance your team’s overall performance.

The waiver wire is a dynamic environment, requiring constant monitoring and timely decisions. Stay informed about player trends, injuries, and lineup changes to capitalize on opportunities and gain an edge over your league competitors. Good luck with your fantasy baseball season! By focusing on strategic waiver wire moves, you’re well on your way to a successful season!