Week 1 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
With baseball finally underway and our first week in the books, we can take a look at our first week of waiver wire pickups. There are a few standouts including a new relief option you can grab for saves, and a few other intriguing pitching options to consider adding. A few hitters stood out this week as well and are certainly worth a look on the wire. Let’s take a look at who you should consider grabbing for your fantasy baseball squad.
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Week 1 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Grab Them While You Can (40-60% Owned)
OF/1B Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox (56% Owned)
Over his first three games, Vaughn has collected four hits. Two of those four hits have gone over the wall and he has six RBIs to show for it. Although he is generally used as a DH, for fantasy purposes you can slot him in at first or in the outfield. Vaughn is owned in more than half of the leagues right now. Another week of slugging may close your window on him.
SP Tylor Megill, New York Mets (55% Owned)
This may be the last call on Megill already as many people jumped at him once DeGrom’s injury news came out. Megill was very solid in his opening day start, striking out six over five shutout innings, and wound up collecting the win for the Mets. Preseason Megill was only drafted in under a quarter of leagues, he’s now owned in most leagues but if he somehow fell through the cracks in yours, make sure to grab him.
OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians (45% Owned)
Perhaps the hottest hitter in baseball right now, Kwan started his season 8 of 10 with four runs scored. Kwan had a 5 for 5 games with all 4 runs of those scored on Sunday night officially putting his name on the map. Even more impressive, Kwan is a lefty and has collected 8 of his 9 hits against lefty pitching this year. He’s also shown impressive plate discipline with three walks over his first three games.
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SP Kyle Wright, Atlanta Braves (41% Owned)
Wright was drafted in under ten percent of leagues, but after his impressive debut, many people jumped at the chance to grab him on their roster. Wright pitched six shutout innings allowing just one walk and two hits gaining himself a quality start and a win. He’s still owned in under half of the leagues, but another good start this week will most likely change that. It’s worth taking a chance on him this week if you have any weak links on your roster.
Deeper League Assets (0-39% Owned)
RP Jake Diekman, Boston Red Sox (18% Owned)
With Matt Barnes currently injured and possibly headed to the IL, Diekman could be the short-term answer if you need saves. He came in and mowed the Yankee sluggers down on national TV to collect the save and most likely hold down the closer position as long as Barnes is shelved.
RP Tanner Rainey, Washington Nationals (18% Owned)
The Nationals are no longer the team they once were when Bryce Harper and Trea Turner were leading the way. They even lost their elite pitching staff (Max Scherzer to the Mets and Steven Strasburgh is injured). Washington doesn’t have a clear-cut closer but Rainey picked up the Nats’ first save of the season against the Mets on April 10. He also struck out two in a scoreless inning on April 9. Although there is not a ton of clarity in Washington’s bullpen, Rainey was called upon over Kyle Finnegan to get the save against the Mets. After allowing a leadoff single from Mark Canha, he managed to get Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, and Brandon Nimmo to fly out consecutively. Rainey earned the save while throwing just 11 pitches in the ninth inning. Rainey is worthy of a speculative roster spot for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues.
OF Jurickson Profar, San Diego Padres (33% Owned)
You can never predict baseball. Profar hit four home runs in 134 games played last season. In just one series this season, he smashed two home runs and six RBIs against the Diamondbacks. He also collected two walks over those three games. Profar may not be the answer to your team’s slugging, but he’s worth a look in deeper leagues as an outfield option.
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