Hello and welcome Fantasy freaks and geeks to the 2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 6 Waiver Wire.
One type of Fantasy owner that I cannot tolerate is the one that gives up on their team early. Things don't go their way. Players get injured. Your team just seems to always face the team with the hottest team that week. If you play Fantasy sports long enough, you will experience all of these frustrations. Do you give up? Heck (PG version) NO!
Did the Boston Red Sox give up after going down 3-0 to the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS? Do you think the Chicago Cubs gave up after going down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series?
The MLB season is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Fantasy owners should not give up and stay active throughout the season. Do NOT Deep Six your Fantasy team and subsequently, your Fantasy league. If you are thinking of even attempting this, please let me help. I came up with nine players that Fantasy owners can pick up to help your roster. Find out who I think can help you stop from being THAT owner in the 2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 6 Waiver Wire.
2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 6 Waiver Wire
Looking for a Fantasy advantage? Get the ultimate in-season edge with customized Fantasy Baseball advice for your team using MyPlaybook from FantasyPros.
Hitters
Brian Goodwin, OF, Los Angeles Angels
There is shockingly little difference right now between the batting lines for Mike Trout and ... Brian Goodwin? pic.twitter.com/WoEhoCL5NP
— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) May 1, 2019
The Los Angeles Angels were forced to make a move in late March to replace outfielder Justin Upton, who had been diagnosed with turf toe. The Angels claimed Brian Goodwin off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.
All Brian Goodwin has done is be in the Top 15 in batting average (.323), while hitting four homers and knocking in 11 runs and led the team with 22 runs. He served as the Angels' No.3 hitter for the fifth time in six games and looks to keep the Angels offense going until the returns of Shohei Ohtani and Justin Upton to the lineup.
Goodwin is an excellent pickup for leagues that start five outfielders. He will help in multiple categories and won't kill in any of those categories either. It worked for the Angels, and maybe it can work for your Fantasy team.
James McCann, C, Chicago White Sox
In today's #SoxFacts, new catcher James McCann is swinging a hot stick (.421 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI) in his last nine games. Will McCann continue his streak tonight at Cleveland? #WhiteSox #CWSvsCLE #MLB #SouthSideHitmen #SoxRebuild #SoxTwitter #SoxNation pic.twitter.com/YKBt282Q5h
— ͏Sidney Brown (@sidkid80) May 6, 2019
James McCann signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the White Sox after hitting .220 with eight homers and 39 RBI in 118 games with the Detroit Tigers last season. McCann has been a welcome surprise as a part of the catching rotation with veteran Welington Castillo.
McCann is slashing .351/.400/.595 while hitting four homers and nine RBI and even stole two bases. The Tigers also have the right-handed hitting McCann hitting cleanup against southpaws.
Finding a serviceable catcher in Fantasy has been a chore this season, so why not hop on the James McCann train and see where it takes you? Do you have a better alternative?
Jorge Soler, OF, Kansas City Royals
#Royals Jorge Soler CRUSHES this baseball💥 pic.twitter.com/ZYadBLn5VK
— MLB on uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM_MLB) April 30, 2019
I initially mentioned Royals' outfielder Jorge Soler way back with the Week 1 Waiver Wire. Remember Week 1? Yeah, me either! Not surprisingly, nothing has changed. Soler still strikes out a ton as evidenced by his whopping 51 strikeouts so far this season, which is leading the MLB.
It is hit or miss with Jorge Soler. When Soler hits the ball, it usually goes far with 18 out of his 35 hits going for extra bases (10 doubles and eight homers). He strikes out at a ludicrous 34.2% of the time so far this year while still possessing a .254 batting average.
Fantasy owners looking for power and only concerned with improvements in the power categories should see if Jorge Soler is available. Owning Soler will sacrifice your other categories, but if started while Soler has a hot bat, it will be worth it.
Pitchers
Anthony DeSciafini, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Anthony DeSclafani's strike three fastball to Conforto was his fastest pitch of the year (96.4 mph). His velocity is up in the early part of 2019. I wrote about it today (#shamelessplug): https://t.co/SlbtrZwLSE
— Matt Wilkes (@_MattWilkes) May 1, 2019
After recovering from what seems like endless injuries for Anthony DeSclafani, he entered the 2019 season as the No.4 starter in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation. DeScalafani is promptly becoming the Reds' second-best starting pitcher behind Luis Castillo.
The right-hander has pitched well this season; he has a 2-1 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.135 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts in 37 innings. In his last three outings, he has allowed just nine hits and one earned run, while striking out 20 batters. One of the critical factors in his success is that he has decreased his hard-hit rate to 33.8%, which is down 8% from last season.
With the Reds' offense on fire, grabbing a starter who helps you in the strikeout category along with assisting you in wins is a successful formula.
Shawn Kelley, RP, Texas Rangers
Contemplating retirement before the season, Shawn Kelley has become the Rangers' most important reliever | @Evan_P_Grant #TogetherWe https://t.co/E0gFStm2vF
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) May 7, 2019
Fantasy owners scrounging for saves? I know a reliever who has a high strikeout rate (10.26) but only 17 saves in his career. How is this reliever going to help? Veteran reliever Shawn Kelley has been an effective set-up man for the majority of his career. Presently, Kelley has taken over for Jose Leclerc, who has found himself out of the closer’s role in Arlington.
In 14 appearances this season, Kelley owns a 3-0 record with a 1.29 ERA, 0.714 WHIP, and 12:1 K:BB. He has converted on two of his three save opportunities while also contributing four holds.
The 35-year-old appears to have an opportunity to help owners searching for saves. More than likely, Leclerc will regain his role at some point, but Fantasy owners have to take advantage of this situation and grab Shawn Kelley while the moment exists.
Spencer Turnbull, SP, Detroit Tigers
.@spencerturnbull lowered his ERA to 2.31 on Sunday, which ranks 8th among all qualifying Major League pitchers.#MotorOn pic.twitter.com/xddfQwOcxI
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 6, 2019
Based on his current ownership numbers, there still seems doubt on the validity of Spencer Turnbull's pitching stats. The righty came out of nowhere to win the Tigers' last rotation spot out of Spring Training.
Turnbull is 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 39 innings in his seven starts. His 2.31 ERA currently ranks him second in the American League. Can Turnbull continue to pitch like one of the best pitchers in MLB?
His career numbers suggest otherwise. In 19 starts last season at Triple-A, he posted a 4.47 ERA. He made four appearances last season with the Tigers and owned a 6.06 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP in 16.1 innings.
Nothing suggests that Turnbull can keep producing this type of outstanding results. Also, he has yet to pitch more than 135.2 innings in a season, and he is currently on pace to pitch 200-plus innings. He is hot right now of course, so Fantasy owners should stream him in good matchups but be aware as that the innings limit creeps up and his production travels downward.
Deep Dive
Derek Dietrich, 1B/2B/OF, Cincinnati Reds
Derek Dietrich for Reds: 8 HR, 21 RBI
Marlins HR leader: Alfaro - 5
Marlins RBI leader: Granderson - 11Miami released Dietrich before season. He's batting cleanup today for Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/HLc41QcVnH
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) May 5, 2019
Derek Dietrich is one of the many additions to the Cincinnati Reds this offseason. The Marlins declined to offer him a contract, and the Reds came in and signed him to a one-year contract.
Dietrich was all over the baseball highlight scene this past weekend when he went 5-for-10 with four homers, eight RBI, and four runs. He was part of a trio that included Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez that became the first Reds players since at least 1988 to hit three consecutive home runs on three straight pitches.
The Reds have been playing the left-handed hitting Dietrich against righties mostly, but his power bat has been challenging to take out of the lineup. He qualifies at multiple positions-first base, second base, outfield and even third base in some leagues. His playing opportunities might vary due to the talented crew of Reds' hitters.
Currently, Dietrich is hitting .257/.361/.686 and is tied for second on the team in home runs with nine. His power is legit, and this includes achieving career highs in his lowest strikeout percentage at 16.9 while walking at a career-high rate 8.3 percent of the time. Who couldn't use a middle or corner infielder with power? Fantasy owners can play the matchups when Derek Dietrich faces righties and enjoy the highlights.
Luke Jackson, RP, Atlanta Braves
Updated Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart via @AppleGarthAlgar
⚾ Sober - Closer locked in
🍺 Buzzed - Vulture waiting
🍻 Drunk - Up for grabs #Braves
🥴 Hammered Wingmen - CommitteeKeep an eye on Luke Jackson if A.J. Minter's struggles continuehttps://t.co/ilZNr10GpD
— Fantasy Six Pack (@fantasysixpack) May 5, 2019
Currently, Jackson is the leading candidate to take over the Braves' closer role. After allowing four runs in his first appearance, he has pitched 15 straight scoreless innings while striking out 15 batters and walking only four hitters. On the season, Jackson is sporting a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 10.7 K/9 along with two saves in 16 innings this season. Finding relievers to get you saves is like finding gold at the end of a rainbow. Fantasy owners should add Luke Jackson and reap the immediate benefits.
Unfortunately, Jackson will be on a short leash like Minter was and most relievers are. The elephant in the room is the availability of free agent reliever and former Brave Craig Kimbrel. Atlanta won't consider the idea of the signing of Kimbrel until after the MLB draft, so they don't lose a draft pick. If Jackson or Minter falter, look for Kimbrel to land in Atlanta. Otherwise, get immediate fantasy output from Jackson as he continues to pitch as the Braves' closer.
Martin Perez, SP, Minnesota Twins
Another marvelous start from Martín Pérez, who recorded a new career-high with 9 strikeouts in 7 scoreless innings.
This will mark his first back-to-back scoreless starts since April 2014.
He has a 1.64 ERA in 33 innings since moving to the #MNTwins rotation.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) May 7, 2019
Martin Perez had the worst season of his career in 2018 while with the Texas Rangers. Perez owned a 6.22 ERA to go along with a 1.781 WHIP and a 5.72 FIP across 85.1 innings. After the Rangers understandably declined his option, the southpaw is revitalizing his career in the Twin Cities.
His agent along with getting him a contract with the Twins has been recommending that Perez should add a cutter. New pitch with a new team. The Twins coaching staff along with teammate Jake Odorizzi, who happens to be in a 4-2 start with a 2.78 ERA, has shown him how to throw the hard-cutting pitch inside to right-handed hitters. This adjustment opened up all four quadrants of the strike zone which has led to his career numbers across the board for Perez this season.
After starting the season in the Twins bullpen, Perez is now 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA. He lowered his season ERA to 3.41 with a 7.5 K/9 in five starts this season. In addition to adding a cutter to his pitching arsenal, Perez has also increased his velocity from 92.5 MPH to 94.8 MPH. That pitching combination should lead to Martin Perez being the most added pitcher whose ownership should continue skyrocket.
Want to see where these players rank at their position for the rest of the season? Take a look at the latest updated version of the 2019 Fantasy Baseball Rest of Season Rankings.
