2023 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week 13: Henry Davis Called Up By Pittsburgh Pirates

Published: Jun 26, 2023

Updated: Jun 26, 2023

The fantasy baseball waiver wire has been a busy one in the 2023 MLB season. Almost every week, there has been a player or two that have commanded big bids. It has resulted in some low FAAB budgets along the way. Prospects have been called up often and many have helped fantasy teams, but this week won't be one of those weeks. While there are some good players out there depending on the depth of the league, this won't be a big week for spending money on waiver wire pickups. This is a week to save some money unless you're in dire need of a player at a position or a category. There are a few catchers available, which is always a need in leagues that start two catchers. There are also a few players that can help in the stolen base category and a few pitchers to help fill in for injured players. The FAAB percentages listed below are a guideline and should be adjusted based on team needs and league bidding.

Top Waiver Wire Hitters

Henry Davis, C, Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-12%

Anytime you can roster a catcher that won't catch often and will play every day, it's an advantage. Davis isn't expected to catch often and is expected to play mostly in right field. In the first five games, Henry has started three games in the outfield and two as the designated hitter. He is hitting .267/.421/.533 with two runs, a home run, and a stolen base. Davis played 41 games at Double-A this season and played ten games at Triple-A. Davis had walk rates over 17% at both levels along with a .433 on-base percentage. He combined for 11 home runs and nine stolen bases.

Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds, 6-8%

The Reds are the talk of baseball. They have won 12 consecutive games to take over the lead in the National League Central. Votto is coming off rotator cuff and biceps surgery and returned this past week. He turns 40 in September and wasn't the same player last season. It remains to be seen if he can stay healthy, but he has looked good in the first few games and the lineup is very strong. Votto is 4-for-13 with four runs, three home runs, and seven RBI in his first four games.

Tommy Pham, OF, New York Mets, 4-6%

Not much has been going right for the Mets, yet Pham has been a pleasant surprise. He has been playing every day and producing. In June, Pham is 18-for-56 (.321) with 11 runs, four home runs, 14 RBI, and three stolen bases. Pham is in the 91^st percentile of hard-hit percentage and barrel rate.

Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros, 4-6%

Diaz should be on a roster in every league that starts two catchers. He's getting playing time because Yordan Alvarez is out and some may be hesitant because Diaz won't be a long-term asset but you can take the production now. Diaz has started nine of the last ten games and is batting .282 with four runs, two doubles, four home runs, and seven RBI.

Maikel Garcia, SS/3B, Kansas City Royals, 4-6%

Garcia has been hitting well in June and moved up the batting order. This month, Garcia is hitting 318 with 13 runs, two home runs, seven RBI, and seven stolen bases. He is hitting .288/.345/.399 with 20 runs, two home runs, 17 RBI, and ten stolen bases. He is in the 89^th percentile of hard-hit rate and can steal bases and is a good middle infielder in deeper formats for those in need of stolen bases.

Alek Thomas, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-5%

Thomas began the season with the Diamondbacks and struggled. He was sent to Triple-A and hit .348/.409/.518 with 24 runs, three home runs, 31 RBI, and two stolen bases in 26 games resulting in him being brought back to the Diamondbacks. He is 6-for-13 with four runs, one double, and three RBI since being called up.

Michael Tauchman, OF, Chicago Cubs, 3-5%

Tauchman has been getting playing time and often leading off against right-handers. Over the last two weeks, he is hitting .325/.429/.525 with 12 runs, two home runs, eight RBI, and one stolen base.

Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians, 3-5%

Naylor is off to a slow start in his first four games, but he's going to get most of the playing time against right-handers. He slashed .254/.393/.498 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI at Triple-A this season with a 19.3% strikeout rate and 18.1% walk rate.

Samad Taylor, 2B, Kansas City Royals, 2-4%

Taylor has started five of seven games since being called up from Triple-A. He has one stolen base and he could help with steals in deeper formats. In 62 games at Triple-A this season, Taylor hit .304 with six home runs and 34 stolen bases.

David Hamilton, 2B, Boston Red Sox, 1-2%

Hamilton has appeared in three games and has two stolen bases. That's where his value is for deeper formats if you're in need of speed. He had 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases at Triple-A this season and stole 70 bases at Double-A last season.

Top Waiver Wire Pitchers

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners, 10-12%

Woo was awful in his first start in a difficult matchup against the Rangers. He allowed seven hits, six runs, walked one, and struck out four. In his last three starts, he has pitched 15.2 innings and allowed nine hits, four earned runs, walked four, and struck out 21. He has a 33.8% strikeout rate, 6.8% walk rate, 5.09 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP with a xERA of 2.46.

Scott McGough, Arizona Diamondbacks, 10-12%

McGough has taken over the closer role lately. He was given the job to start the season and in his first 2.1 innings, he allowed three hits, three runs, and two walks. McGough has converted three straight saves. After throwing 22 pitches over 2.2 innings in a save on Wednesday, McGough got the save chance the next day and got two outs for the save on 13 pitches. He hasn't allowed an earned run over his last 21 innings.

Jordan Hicks, St. Louis Cardinals, 10-12%

Hicks is gone in most competitive leagues, but he's still available based on the roster percentages on some platforms. Hicks has converted the last three save chances for the Cardinals and did it on consecutive days. Walks have been a problem for Hicks in his career, but he has walked only five over his last 15.1 innings. He has 49 strikeouts over 31.1 innings.

Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians, 8-10%

Williams is a top pitching prospect and wasn't great in his debut against a poor Oakland offense. That might keep the price down in some leagues. He pitched 5.2 innings and allowed four hits, four runs, three walks, and struck out four. He made 11 starts this season between Double-A and Triple-A and had a 2.28 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 55.1 innings.

Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies, 4-6%

After a slow start to the season coming off injury, Suarez has been excellent. In a tough matchup against the Braves in his last start, Suarez allowed one run in six innings and struck out seven. In his last five starts, Suarez has a 1.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 29:9 K:BB ratio over 32.2 innings.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers, 3-5%

Skubal is getting closer to a return to the Tigers. Skubal is on a rehab assignment. He has made four rehab appearances and averaged 95.9 miles per hour on his fastball in his last game. In 21 starts last season, he had a 3.52 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with a 24.5% strikeout rate.