Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds: Week 10
The waiver wire. Free agent budgets (FAB). It's back, it's real and it's glorious.
With the 2021 baseball season in full swing, nailing the waiver wire and the players available are critical to beating out your league-mates in season-long leagues.
Each week we will take a look at players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues and can help out your season-long squads. Remember, if you aren’t scouring the waiver wire, you are falling behind.
Luis Garcia, SP, Houston Astros
Roster Percentage: 29%
Youngster Luis Garcia had a statement outing in his last start, and if you've been hesitant to jump on the bandwagon, get on board right now.
In a home outing versus the potent Los Angeles Dodgers, Garcia gave up one unearned run and only two hits while fanning seven over six innings. Dude is officially for real.
For the season, Garcia has 54 punchouts in 46 innings, supporting those beautiful ratios of a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. His 3.60 SIERA is a tad worse than his ERA, but a 3.60 clip is still a real solid number. He's also got a 29.0% strikeout rate and 12.1% swinging-strike rate.
As a guy who has spent time as a reliever, Garcia is starting to be fully unleashed, throwing at least 92 pitches in five straight starts, including a career-high 100 in that Dodgers game.
It's hard to believe Garcia is out there in nearly 70% of leagues. Don't let your league be one of them. Go get him.
Alek Manoah, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Roster Percentage: 51%
Rookie Alek Manoah burst on to the scene in Thursday's doubleheader at the New York Yankees.
Over six scoreless innings, Manoah allowed just two hits and fanned seven with an 11.4% swinging-strike rate against a powerful Yanks lineup -- in Yankee Stadium no less. While he's thrown only 35 minor-league innings prior to yesterday's start, he clearly showed he is big-league ready.
If he sticks in the rotation, which he almost surely will for at least a little while, Manoah gets a gorgeous opportunity against the Miami Marlins next.
Martin Perez, SP, Boston Red Sox
Roster Percentage: 18%
I'll be very transparent with you -- I have rostered Martin Perez repeatedly over the years, and I feel like I have gotten burned by him season after season.
But 2021 looks like he may have turned a corner. Throwing his fastball less and his breaking pitches more, Perez has recorded a respectable 3.55 ERA along with a strikeout per inning this season. That'll play.
And with the juggernaut offense of the Boston Red Sox, Perez can be a factor in the win column if he keeps churning out solid innings. He's worth a look in deeper formats.
Tyler O'Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 29%
If you are looking for a shot in the arm for your outfield, Tyler O'Neill of the St. Louis Cardinals could be just what you need.
O'Neill has been bugged by nagging injuries this year, but he's back in the lineup and announced his return with a long home run Thursday. That marked his ninth tater to go with four steals so far this season in only 105 at-bats. He offers a power-speed combo that is worth picking up.
With Harrison Bader now out, O'Neill should be locked into an everyday role. This is his time to shine, and he's a great bat to pick up.
Notable Two-Start Pitchers to Consider This Week
Nick Pivetta (BOS) -- at HOU, at NYY
Tyler Mahle (CIN) -- vs PHI, at STL
Jordan Montgomery (NYY) -- vs TB, vs BOS
Rich Hill (TB) -- at NYY, at TEX
Games in Coors Field This Week
Texas Rangers (3), Oakland Athletics (3)
