10 Under 10%: Deep League Waiver Wire Targets

For those of you who play in competitive leagues—where recommendations to add players 40-60% owned just doesn’t cut it—this weekly article highlights 10 players who are more likely to be available in your league. The parameters are simple: any player owned in less than 10% of Fantrax leagues whose stock is trending up. I’ll try to get a mix of different positions and mix pitchers and hitters, but understand that we are digging a little deeper with this list and we’ll take the value where we can find it.

A quick review of how last week’s players performed after the article:

Hits

David Freese - .600/.667/1.267, 1 R, 2 RBI
Pablo Sandoval - .250/.400/.500, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Ehire Adrianza - .333/.333/.556, 1 HR, 1 SB, 4 RBI
Charlie Culberson - .231/.333/.462, 1 HR, 3 R
Justin Wilson - 2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 K, 1.50 WHIP

Misses

Luis Guillorme - .000/.333/.000 in 3 PAs
Robbie Grossman - .182/.250/.182 in 12 PAs

TBD

Brad Keller - N/A - pitches today
Erik Goeddel - 1 IP, 2 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP
Jesse Chavez - 2.1 IP, 1 K, 0.00 ERA, 1.714 WHIP

Now for this week’s picks:

Chris Young (LAA-OF) - 2% owned

Young has always been a streaky hitter, and we’re in the middle of big hot streak. In his last nine games, Young is hitting .241/.324/.517 with three home runs in his last four games. There’s no better power option available at this price point.

Ehire Adrianza (MIN-SS) - 6% owned

Another repeat from last week who has continued to produce, Adrianza is a must-add in AL-only leagues or 15+ teamers if you need middle infield help. He’s hitting .353/.405/.735 in his last 11 games with two home runs, a stolen base, seven runs and seven RBIs. Ride his hot streak out.

Elias Diaz (PIT - C) - 6% owned

Playing time is a bit of a concern with Francisco Cervelli also hitting well, but Diaz has been a force in limited time. In the last 15 days, Diaz ranks seventh in xwOBA (0.481) for hitters with 25+ PAs....SEVENTH!! If you can stream him in daily roster formats, Diaz is worth a look.

Pablo Sandoval (SF-1B/3B) - 9% owned

Just as Brandon Belt returns from injury, Evan Longoria goes down and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with hand surgery. Sandoval has been productive since his return and is going to continue to start at third base for the Giants. He’s a repeat for last week, and I expect the news of Longoria to bump him over 10% for next wee.

Jake Marisnick (HOU-OF) - 6% owned

Still one of the most tantalizing waiver options, Marisnick’s power/speed combo is difficult to beat, but playing time and inconsistency prevents him from fantasy relevance. The chart below of his rolling xwOBA shows exactly what I mean. Marisnick is making better contact of late, and I’m always willing to take a flier hoping this time it sticks.

Jace Peterson (BAL-2B) - 2% owned

Once part of the rotating leadoff parade in Baltimore, Peterson is starting to improve his production. He owns a .349 xwOBA in the past 15 days and even hit a home run while I was writing this.

Ryne Stanek (TB-P) - 3% owned

What the Rays are doing with their starting rotation is a pain for fantasy owners, but quality innings are quality innings no matter how they are accumulated. Stanek hasn’t allowed a run in his past eight innings and sports an 11:3 K:BB ratio during the same period. Quality relief innings that you can stick in the SP spot are a huge advantage in H2H formats, so give Stanek a look.

Wilmer Font (TB-P) - 3% owned

Similar to Stanek, Font is worth a look for SP-eligible relief pitcher. Font has been inducing a ton of weak contact lately with a .278 xwOBA in his past 15 days, and that doesn’t include his 4.1 innings of one-run ball against the Yankees. He comes with the same K/BB risk as Stanek, but still provides some sneaky value in the SP spot.

Justin Miller (WSH-P) - 16% owned

I know it’s a violation of the rules of the article and he likely won’t be closing any time soon, but Miller’s numbers have reached a level worthy of notice. Miller has a 0.42 FIP and 22 strikeouts and zero walks (!!!!) in 11.2 innings pitched this year. The stuff is nasty and he’s been super effective. A great ratio booster available in the majority of standard leagues.

Brad Keller (KC-P) - 7% owned

Keller threw surprisingly well against an Astros offense that dinked and dunked him for two runs in the first inning, but Keller followed that up with five more innings of one-run ball. Hopefully you weren’t trotting Keller out this week against the Astros, but he’s an intriguing arm moving forward that is still under the radar.

For more, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@BrianCreagh) or reach out via email (bcreagh119@gmail.com). Thanks for reading!