This week’s list of fantasy waiver wire gems features some exciting starting pitchers that are either long-term options or prefer to be streamers. This could be a good week for managers to fill all their bench spots with hurlers, streaming aggressively to rack up high totals of innings, strikeouts and wins.
On the touching side, the answers are less obvious. However, there are still a few bats to grab for short-term use.
Williams has been successful in 10 starts with the Guardians since his debut on June 21 (2.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), and he has been especially dominant in his past two appearances (12 IP, 1 ER, 22 SO, 1 BB). When a top-notch prospect like Williams shows signs of settling in, savvy executives jump right on board. As an added bonus, the right-hander’s next start comes against a light Tigers lineup.
Chase Silseth (SP/RP, Los Angeles Angels, 38%)
Simply put, Silseth is currently throwing too well to be on waivers in most mixed leagues. The right-hander has logged a 1.59 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a 31:5 K:BB ratio over four starts since moving from the bullpen to the rotation, and all four of his outings have come against teams with winning records. At this point, there is no reason to doubt Silseth for a home start against the Rays next weekend.
Called up from Double-A, Hancock enjoyed a solid MLB debut as he held San Diego to one run over five innings. The 24-year-old should be streaming in most leagues for his second appearance, which comes tonight against a Royals team that ranks 27th in baseball in OPS.
With his third starting set coming up next weekend against the Astros, Hancock is strictly a one-start streamer in my eyes.
Mikolas has generally been a fantasy disappointment this season, but taking away his sluggish start to the season, we can see that he has registered a 3.69 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP since May 1. strikeout total, he’s good enough to excel tonight against an A’s offense that ranks last in baseball in OPS. And Mikolas could stay on the roster until his reasonable home game against the Mets over the weekend.
After appearing outscored in most of his first 19 appearances in the majors, Liberatore allowed only two hits in eight shutout innings against a quality Rays lineup in his most recent start. While it’s way too early to say the youngster has taken a step forward, he showed enough against Tampa to earn credit for a home start on Thursday against the final A’s in 12-team competitions.
Most of the best fantasy catches so far this August are lesser known names that remain available in most leagues. Fermin is unlikely to keep his .875 OPS, but he posted a .845 OPS in Triple-A last season and a 1,122 at that level this year. The Royals have room to keep Fermin and Salvador Perez in their lineup, meaning Fermin just needs to keep hitting to keep his recent role. Unlike other hot-hitting catchers like Ryan Jeffers (11%) or Gary Sanchez (25%), Fermin has a chance to put up a respectable long-term batting average.
Jones, a left-handed hitter, will be in prime position for a memorable series when he faces three right-handed Arizona starters at Coors Field early this week. And his effective run could continue into the weekend when the White Sox use a trio of right-handers on their trip to Coors. Jones hit .267 with 11 home runs and seven steals and has the versatile skills to contribute to fantasy teams in a variety of ways.
Tyler O’Neill (OR, St. Louis Cardinals, 52%)
O’Neill had a poor start to the season before finally landing on the 60-day IL. But since his return on July 20, the 28-year-old has logged a .847 OPS that better reflects his abilities. O’Neill has the strength and speed to contribute in multiple ways during an upcoming three-game series against an A’s staff with a 5.78 ERA, and he could stay active in most formats when the Cards host a Mets team that put their rotation on the map. MLB Trade Deadline.
Carpenter hit .282 with 15 home runs in 252 at-bats and has been surprisingly effective this season. The left-handed hitter rarely starts against pitchers on the same side, and a lack of total playing time kept him at bay in most competitions. However, Carpenter’s playing time increased in July and remained on a positive trajectory in August, during which time he hit .395 with four home runs and a 1,191 OPS. Now is the time to grab Carpenter, who will play against right-handed starters in each of his next five games.
Of the generally available members of the D-backs, Pham is most likely to benefit from a three-game series at batter-friendly Coors Field that begins today. The right-handed hitter fares best against left-handers, which puts him in the perfect position to rake against left-handed starters tomorrow and Wednesday. Pham hasn’t found his top form since being traded at deadline, but the bet is that he will impress this week.
