With the trade market eliminated as a method for teams to improve their rosters, it is now just the minor league system that is available as resource. This week saw multiple minor leaguers of varying pedigree get the promotion, including Brett Baty for the New York Mets and Stone Garrett for the Arizona Diamondbacks, which also means that fantasy managers have the same opportunities to improve their teams via the MLB Waiver Wire. Now, let us take a look some MLB Waiver Wire claims for this week. 

 

 

 

Waiver Wire Hitters

Brett Baty, 3B (NYM); FAAB Bid: 4%

Talk about making an entrance. Inserted directly into both a pennant race and a crucial series in Atlanta, all Baty did in his first career at bat was hit a two-run homer. While it was the only hit of the night for Baty, it was a big one and the rookie should the ability to make strong contact throughout the night. The good thing here is that Baty will be hitting towards the bottom of the order with Eduardo Escobar on the Injured List and both regular playing time and minimal pressure will pay dividends here. In 89 games at Double-A this season, Baty hit .312 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI prior to hitting .364 in six games upon his promotion to Triple-A. Baty has proven to be strong hitter throughout his minor league career and that should continue in New York.

 

Stone Garrett, OF (ARI); FAAB Bid: 2%

Garrett tore up Triple-A this season as he hit .275 with 28 home runs, 95 RBI, and 15 stolen bases and while at age 26 he is not necessarily considered a prospect, it certainly was attention getting. It is not the first time that the outfielder has proven to be a power and speed threat in the minor leagues, so it will be interesting to see how that translates to success with Arizona to close out the season. Garrett figures to get a chance to show what he can do, and in his debut, he was immediately slotted in the middle of their order and picked up his first major league hit and RBI. 

 

Estevan Florial, OF (NYY): FAAB Bid: 2%

This is not the first time that Florial has gotten the call to the big leagues, but with Aaron Hicks taking struggling to the next level, it would not surprise me to see the prospect get an extended look in center field. Being a highly regarded prospect is nothing new for Florial but this could be the first time he really gets a chance to show what he can do with the Yankees. The big thing here, is that with 32 stolen bases this season in Triple-A, Florial could truly be an asset in the speed department, but with 14 home runs and a .286 batting average, there are some plate skills here as well. 

 

Shea Langeliers, C (OAK); FAAB Bid: 2-3%

After a strong 92 game stint in Triple-A this season, Oakland promoted one of their top prospects earlier in the week and it helps from a development standpoint that he will also be used as a DH and strictly behind the plate at first. Langeliers posted a career best .283 batting average this season to go along with a 10.7% walk rate while also showing some power and run production skills with 19 home runs and 56 RBI. The rookie has already gone deep once in his first two games and he could be an intriguing option moving forward as Oakland did not promote him to sit on the bench. 

 

Sam Haggerty, OF (SEA); FAAB Bid: 1-2%

And we now have arrived to the chasing part of our program. With three stolen bases over 17 at bats in the last seven days, Haggerty is now getting enough playing time to warrant a look for those in need of stolen bases. Haggerty is batting .310 this season with eight stolen bases, and for those in need of speed, that is all you need.

 

 

 

Waiver Wire Pitchers

David Peterson (NYM); FAAB Bid: 3%

If you are thinking we have been here before with Peterson this season, you are completely correct. The left-hander continues to be extremely valuable rotation insurance for the Mets. This time, Carlos Carrasco is sidelined for New York which means Peterson will be re-joining the rotation for the next few weeks. We know run support is not an issue here and in 79 innings so far this season, Peterson has been dependable with a 3.30 ERA (4.04 xERA). There is a lot to like as the left-hander strikes out 10.37 batters per nine innings while also benefiting from a 52.8% ground ball rate. 

 

Nick Pivetta (BOS); FAAB Bid: 2%

Pivetta is generally a pitcher that will bounce back and forth on the waiver wire as a streaming option, but if you are looking for innings, he is worth a closer look. The right-hander is coming off an outing that saw him throw seven shutout innings against Pittsburgh while picking up his ninth victory of the season and striking out six. With 130 strikeouts in 136.2 innings this season, we pick up some value there as Pivetta continues to make up for a rough July (9.38 ERA) after strong performances in both May (2.11) and June (2.25) by posting a 3.00 ERA to this point in August. 

 

Eduardo Rodriguez (DET); FAAB Bid: 2-3%

If you completely forgot about Rodriguez, you would be well within your rights as he has not pitched since May 22nd. Detroit’s high-priced addition to their rotation first went on the Injured List due a rib cage issue, and then he stepped away from the team for personal matters. Both appear to be in order now, and Rodriguez is slated to re-join the Tigers’ rotation on Saturday after finishing out his rehab stint with six innings of one run ball while striking out 11 in Triple-A. Rodriguez will be looking to improve upon his 4.38 ERA and 1.33 WHIP that he posted over 39 injuries prior to his injury.

 

José Leclerc (TEX); FAAB Bid: 1-2%

Prior to missing about two years of action, Leclerc threw just two innings in 2020 and did not pitch at all in 2021 and returned midway through 2022, the right-hander had some success in the closer’s role for Texas. The Rangers have eased him back into action and in 28 innings this season, Leclerc has a 3.54 ERA (3.21 xERA) while striking out 25 batters and recording a 1.11 WHIP. While Jonathan Hernández has been having success as of late for Texas with two saves over the last seven days, Leclerc did come through in his first save opportunity of the season earlier this week. If he begins to get some more chances, it is something to keep an eye on both for the rest of this year, but also next year for those in dynasty leagues. 

 

Matt Bush (MIL); FAAB Bid: 1%

While Bush does have some experience as a closer, the Brewers did not acquire him with that specific though in mind, but instead as a hard throwing option for the late innings. Circumstances saw Bush pick up his third save of the season a few games ago, and while that caught my attention, I would not go hunting for more unconditionally. We do know that Bush will be used in high leverage situations which puts him in place for the potential of more saves. Regardless of that, Bush has a 3.35 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 54 strikeouts in 43 innings so there is value regardless of the saves.

 

 

 

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