Time flies when you’re having fun. A cliché that has been used for years, but in fantasy baseball it explains how we are already in the 13th week of the season, just a few weeks away from the break. The landscape of your league is shaping, and the good teams have separated from those who are struggling. Now is the time to add a contributor off the waiver wire to aid your roster.
Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.
Each week, XN Sports will present an option at each position (if there is anyone worth picking up), and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
Catcher
Vogt is playing outfield for the Athletics often, but in fantasy baseball he is eligible behind the plate. That bodes well for those interested in him because as long as he is in the lineup, he is a starting catcher. So far this season, Vogt is hitting .346 with five runs scored, two home runs, and 11 runs batted in. He will not be a huge source of power, but in the potent A’s lineup he can score a lot of runs and drive in a few more while hitting for a high average. That is tough to find, especially at catcher. Add Vogt if you need help behind the plate.
First Base
Among first basemen in the last seven days, only Freddie Freeman has more hits and total bases than Pearce. Only Ryan Howard and Edwin Encarnacion have more runs batted in, and no one has a higher batting average than Pearce. So far this season, the Orioles first baseman is hitting .339 with 13 runs scored, six home runs, 19 runs batted in, and two stolen bases. He has two hits in each of his last five games, and will have every opportunity to drive in runs in a very good Orioles lineup. Add him if you need help at first base.
Second Base/Third Base
The Pirates’ Harrison is eligible at second, third, and even outfield, so keep that in mind when you look at adding him. So far this season, Harrison is hitting .306 with 25 runs scored, 22 runs batted in, five home runs, and five stolen bases. He can contribute in every category, but is not terrific in any one specific category. Harrison is the guy you want to fill a void caused by injury, or to be a stabilizer in a position that has caused issues. Add him to play second or third, and you won’t notice him, in a good way.
Outfield
In addition to Pearce and Harrison being eligible for the outfield, J.D. Martinez will be one of the hot adds this week. Martinez was one of the premier prospects in baseball a few years ago, but his early struggles in Houston caused him to change his swing. That move has proven to be one of the best decisions Martinez has made in his career, as he is hitting in the Tigers lineup as an everyday player. Martinez is batting .310 with 14 runs scored, seven home runs, 27 runs batted in, and two stolen bases in just 113 at-bats. Martinez has turned his career around, and at his current pace, he is a must add. His production prorated to a full season based on his first 113 at-bats is a .310 average with 70 runs scored, 35 home runs, 135 runs batted in, and 10 stolen bases. Think about that, then add him before it is too late.
Starting Pitcher
Kevin Gausman and Andrew Heaney
These two youngsters have a chance to be stars at the next level, and their time has arrived. Heaney was called up last week and threw six innings of one-run baseball for the Marlins. In Gausman’s last three starts he has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings of work. Both Heaney and Gausman are likely available in your league, so be sure to look at one (or both) to add to your pitching staff for the remainder of the season. Heaney will be off the waiver wire before Gausman, but the latter may be the safer choice at the current time.
