Last week’s waiver wire included, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Carter, and Joey Gallo. If you missed out, I have a fresh six ready to be scooped up. Chances are Carlos Correa was picked up in your competitive leagues, as another prospect has come in and made an instant impact. It is probably only a matter of time before another highly touted prospect makes their way to the bigs, and I am talking about Francisco Lindor for Cleveland.
Pitchers:
Mike Pelfrey – Twins – SP – Y! 22% – ESPN 33%
Mike Pelfrey has fantasy value. What? Yes, the guy is behind the Twins success this season. His groundball rate is higher than his career average, at 55%, and his walk rate is down. He is allowing a .295 wOBA and the ERA is sitting in the low twos. He gets the luxury of pitching in that big ballpark out in Minnesota, and if you aren’t a believer for the rest of the season, look at him for some spot starts.
Carson Smith – Mariners – RP – Y! 30% – ESPN 24%
He has been here a few times as a setup man, and now it seems he has the closer role for the meantime. Fernando Rodney faltered again, and Smith has picked up the last two saves. He has a solid 58% ground ball rate, and a 29% strikeout rate. Solid numbers from the young right-handed pitcher, and he is a guy to grab if you are chasing saves.
Vincent Velasquez – Rangers – P – Y! 1% – ESPN 20%
The prospects just keep coming from the Houston Astros, and this is a pitcher to take a chance on. Through 52 games in the minors, he had a 3.26 ERA and has a big strikeout rate. He had 37 in 5 starts in the minors this season, so you can see the potential he has for strikeouts. It is a risk I am willing to take to see if it transitions to the big league level.
Position Players:
Mitch Moreland – Rangers – 1B – Y! 8% – ESPN 15%
This is a temporary plug for any in need of a corner infield spot, or first base. Moreland has not been bad this season, and is red hot this month hitting .370. He is really fighting for his job right now, because once Adrian Beltre comes back, it will be between him and Joey Gallo for who gets the starting spot. His batted ball stats are impressive, and he has a .408 wOBA against right-handed pitching. He gets the perk of playing in Texas. He is definitely a guy to stream for the time being.
Leonys Martin – Rangers – OF – Y! 44% – ESPN 37%
Another Ranger, and this one adds value in the stolen base department, rather than home runs and power. Martin is another guy who is heating up in June, hitting .360. He will be a green light candidate every time he is on base with his speed. He has 10 already this season. He has hit 30 SB in the last two seasons, and I expect the same from him again.
Austin Jackson – Mariners – OF – Y! 34% – ESPN 24%
Austin Jackson has been stellar since coming off the DL, he is hitting over .400 in the month of June. His stolen base success rate is not a good one, but it doesn’t seem to keep him from running. He has seven stolen bases in 38 games, so it is an area he can help, but not tremendously. His success has come off left-handed pitching this season, but he has a 25% line drive so I expect his average to keep climbing when those hits fall.
