Jesus Aguilar will still get regular at bats. Even when Eric Thames returns.
Pitching is our focus in this week’s installment of combing the wire. There are a lot of quality starting pitching options out there. Here are ten players you should target this week on the waiver wire.
1. Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Brewers: Aguilar has been hitting the cover off of the ball since taking over for the injured Eric Thames in early May. Aguilar has a .985 OPS and he has five multi-hit games in his last twelve games. He is hot right now so you might want to ride the wave before Thames comes back in a couple of weeks.
2. Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates: Meadows is not in an ideal situation in Pittsburgh having to compete for at bats in a crowded outfield but he is swinging a hot bat right now and as long as he is, he is worth owning. Meadows is currently owned in 53% of yahoo leagues and 56% of ESPN leagues.
3. Ross Stripling, SP, Dodgers: Given the Dodgers pitching injuries, owning Stripling makes sense right now. He has been very good in his last three starts racking up 26 strikeouts in that span. Stripling is owned in 57% of yahoo leagues and 41% of ESPN leagues.
4. Daniel Mengden, SP, A’s: Mengden has been the defacto ace for the A’s of late. He has won his last three starts including a complete game shutout of the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
5. Alex Reyes, SP, Cardinals: Reyes returns after missing last season due to Tommy John Surgery. The fire baller throws gas and is a must own, especially in standard leagues that have double digit starts.
6. Tyson Ross, SP, Padres: Ross has quietly been very good this season. He has a 4-3 record with a 3.43 ERA. Ross has struck out 68 batters in 65.2 innings pitched. If you are looking for veteran depth, Ross is worth owning because he has the ability to pile up the strikeouts.
7. Brandon Nimmo, OF, Mets: Nimmo would be an everyday player on most other teams. He is playing every day right now thanks to the injury to Yoenis Cespedes. Nimmo should remain in the Mets starting line-up for at least another week. If he you are looking for a bench piece, Nimmo is worth owning. He is currently available in 22% of yahoo leagues and 17% of ESPN standard leagues.
8. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox: Pedroia is back and has reclaimed the starting second base job for the Red Sox. The power numbers aren’t what they used to be Pedroia still hits for average. Red Sox manager Alex Cora moves him around in the line up which gives him an opportunity to drive in runs.
9. Joe Musgrove, P, Pirates: Musgrove dominated the Cardinals in first start back after missing time with a shoulder injury. Musgrove is entrenched in the Pirates rotation. If you are looking for an extra starter or a viable stream option for the week, Musgrove is worth rostering.
10. Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees: Bird is back but don’t get too excited. He has a lengthy injury history. Everyone wants a piece of this Yankees line up in fantasy but proceed with caution. Between injuries and the presence of Tyler Austin and Neil Walker, Bird may not be an automatic everyday play.