Welcome to the 2023 Fantasy Baseball Week 20 Waiver Wire.
This late in the season, some leagues are starting their playoffs or will be starting them soon, which means the stakes are high this week. A Fantasy manager can be one wrong move away from their season being over and the pride of being a Fantasy Baseball Champion taken away. However, the team over here at Fantasy Six Pack isn't going to let that happen. We scour the players and statistics to ensure our readers have the best chance of winning their league.
This week on the Waiver Wire: we have four pitchers and three hitters. Two pitchers are solid, reliable veterans who can help out any Fantasy Baseball team down the stretch and need to be added from the Waivers. Three of the players have recently been promoted to their respective Major League teams and are already showing signs of Fantasy relevancy.
I encourage you to become an All-Access member for the season's final stretch. This gives you access to our Discord channel, where you can ask questions to the entire staff. You also get access to the complete list of Waiver Wire additions. On the 2023 Fantasy Baseball Week 20 Waiver Wire, this includes 28 batters and 16 pitchers.
2023 Fantasy Baseball Week 20 Waiver Wire
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Jose Quintana, SP, New York Mets
José Quintana's 2Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/kZVCsSP34P
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 17, 2023
Jose Quintana does not have matchups in his favor, as he plays the Atlanta Braves this week, then the Texas Rangers next week. However, he has shown enough this season for Fantasy managers to trust him.
He's recorded a 3.03 ERA and 3.40 FIP across six starts this year. His strikeout rate (16.9%) is below the league average (22.1%), which has slightly limited his Fantasy value. While swing-and-miss pitchers with high strikeout rates are essential for Fantasy Baseball, pitchers such as Quintana, who limit hard contact and runs, are just as crucial to the roster. They provide more safety, whereas the strikeout pitchers offer a higher ceiling.
With a 19% roster percentage, Quintana is available in plenty of leagues. With his current stats, he is more than worthy of an add.
Lawrence Butler, OF, Oakland Athletics
Lawrence Butler x Elly De La Cruz pic.twitter.com/b2Jfqhju5Y
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) August 16, 2023
The Athletics have called up another top-five prospect this season. This time it's 23-year-old outfielder Lawrence Butler.
The outfielder has turned heads in the minors this season by slashing .285/.352/.465 with ten home runs, 53 runs, 47 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in Double-A. In Triple-A, he slashed .280/.340/.512 with five home runs, 14 runs, 23 RBI, and eight stolen bases.
Thus far, in his six MLB games, he's recorded five hits in 20 at-bats, including two doubles and one home run. Butler also has two runs and two RBI. It's not the hottest start, but he can be Fantasy relevant. His 60-grade raw power and 50-grade game power tools have already shown up with his three extra-base hits, and it looks like it will be his top Fantasy asset as well.
Emerson Hancock, SP, Seattle Mariners
Emerson Hancock is next on the 2023 Fantasy Baseball Week 20 Waiver Wire. He is another top prospect getting his first taste of MLB action.
Thus far, his two outings have been night and day. His MLB debut went well, as he allowed just two hits and three walks for one earned run across five innings. However, Hancock's second outing was the opposite, as he allowed five earned runs across five innings.
Interestingly, Hancock's strikeout rate has dropped immensely since joining the Mariners. In Triple-A this season, his strikeout rate was 26%, but over his two MLB appearances, it's been a measly 9.8%. His K-BB% has gone from 16.8% in Triple-A to 2.4% in MLB.
The rookie's next start comes on Sunday, August 20, versus the Houston Astros. Despite a shaky start and formidable opponent, I'm still buying into Hancock and his potential.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers
.@spennyt has 6 homers in his last 7 games for the @Tigers. pic.twitter.com/hpLUyanKub
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2023
Spencer Torkelson is the first baseman to target this week. The 23-year-old is slashing .225/.296/.633 with ten runs and seven RBI over the last 15 days. The lineup surrounding him isn't great, but his power is finally showing up in games, and MLB's former top prospect needs to be added where available.
Overall on the season, he is slashing .229/.310/.430 with a 104 wRC+. Torkelson also has recorded 21 home runs, 62 runs, and 66 RBI.
The Detroit Tigers first baseman also has an awe-inspiring Baseball Savant page. He ranks in the 93rd percentile for average exit velocity, 95th percentile for hard hit percentage, and 90th percentile for barrel percentage.
Masyn Winn, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
Masyn Winn's first big league hit! #STLCards
TV: Bally Sports Midwest
Stream: Bally Sports app pic.twitter.com/7SeqjeftKH— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) August 19, 2023
On Thursday evening, the St. Louis Cardinals promoted their number one prospect Masyn Winn to the major league team. This is no surprise as the Cardinals have nothing left to lose in their season, and Winn has been mightily impressive in Triple-A this year.
In 105 games, he recorded 498 plate appearances. He slashed .288/.359/.474 with 18 home runs, 15 doubles, and seven triples. Winn also scored 99 runs and 61 RBI while stealing 17 bases.
His MLB debut was on Friday, August 18, and he went 1-for-3 with a single and one strikeout. The Cardinals will likely play every day down the season's stretch, and I expect him to provide plenty of Fantasy value.
Tanner Houck, SP, Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are preparing to activate pitcher Tanner Houck off the injured list. The Red Sox have used Houck as a starter and reliever in the past, but it appears set that the pitcher will earn a spot in the starting rotation.
Houck appeared in three rehab appearances in August and started each of them. He pitched 8.2 innings in these outings, allowing five hits and two walks for two earned runs. Houck also struck out ten batters.
The righty is a two-start pitcher this week as well. He takes on the Houston Astros on Monday, and then his second start will come during the weekend versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mike Clevinger, SP, Chicago White Sox
Mike Clevinger, 98mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/KHwI10RELA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 17, 2023
Another two-start pitcher this week is Mike Clevinger of the Chicago White Sox. Clevinger faces the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, then is scheduled to meet the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
It's been a bounce-back season for the righthander after his 4.33 ERA a season ago is now down to 3.26 this year. While his strikeout numbers aren't as good now as in his Cleveland days, he is still a reliable option for Fantasy Baseball.
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