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Upcoming Schedule Streamers
Patrick Sandoval: at PIT, vs. SF
Gage Jump: vs. TEX, at MIN
Grayson Rodriguez: vs. KC, at HOU, vs. CLE
Brady Singer: vs. MIA. vs. STL, at SF
Cody Bradford: at ATH, vs. LAA
Shallow League Pitcher Targets
Walbert Urena, Angels (55%): Simply must be owned now
Kade Anderson, Mariners (34%): Lots of rumors of his jump to MLB after Aug. 14. After dominating all season at Double A (10-1, 13.1 K/9, 1.13 ERA, 0.65 WHIP) has been ready for his MLB debut for weeks, if not months. Those numbers will not be that good this year, but they could be as soon as a year from now.
Tyler Mahle, Braves (43%): They have magic in Atlanta taking average to below average stuff and making it work (I’m looking at your Martin Perez, Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes). After moving over from San Francisco at the deadline, Mahle looks like the next in line.
Jacob Webb, Cubs (30%): We keep waiting for Cubs closer Daniel Palencia to return from his elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since June 15, but he doesn’t. Webb has stepped up with three saves in his last three appearances
Aaron Nola, Phillies (55%): 16% K-BB%, just a massive HR/FB that has held him down. Might be ready to finish the year as a fantasy help.
Andrew Painter, Phillies (32%): New changeup! Pitching a lot better through three starts. Bad fastball still, but you like to see experimentation with a young, talented arm.
Deep League Pitcher Targets
Samy Natera, Angels (11%): This is your Angels closer, now and next year.
AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves (5%): If Bryce Elder continues to look like Bryce Elder, the Braves will need another arm and it is likely to be Smith-Shawver over JR Ritchie or Owen Murphy. The 23-year-old just fired 5.1 scoreless in Triple A this week.
Jacob Lopez, Athletics (27%): Has been really good over the last couple months since coming back from the minors.
Gage Jump, Athletics (44%): Raw stuff is there, just needs to develop and figure out how to keep the ball in the yard. Great dynasty buy with Athletics moving to Vegas in two seasons.
Jackson Kent, Nationals (2%): Good K% in the minors, should have a leash in the Major League rotation with the Mikolas/Littell cuts.
Shallow League Hitter Targets
Zac Veen, Rockies (29%): The former speedster has filled out and become a power hitter while his prospect polish has worn away. He’s back in the MLB after hitting .327 with 24 HRs and stealing 18 bases in 100 games at Triple A. Hopefully the Rockies give him a chance to show them he is part of their near future.
Abimelec Ortiz, WSH (10%): K% and Brl% popping off, big time power, getting run in Washington now with Garcia out of the picture.
Luis Rengifo, Padres (17%): Another DFA find for the Padres. Rengifo looked to have a bright future with the Angels when he hit .264 with 17 home runs in 2022. He followed with another .264 season with 16 home runs in 2023 and hit .300 in an injury-plague 2024. But after one bad season, Rengifo was cut by the Angels. He signed late in spring training with the Brewers, but was terrible (.200/.280/.254) and released. With the Padres, he has been reborn (.318/.414/.447 with three homers and three steals in 25 games.
Chase Meidroth White Sox (41%): OBP league target, but he’s finding a way to get the ball over the fence of late as well!
Jake Mangum, Pirates-OF (29%): Hitting .320 with steals and some homers over the last several weeks.
Deep League Hitter Targets
Esteury Ruiz, Marlins-OF (15%): As Jon said in his daily notes this week, Ruiz is creating the most points per plate appearance in the MLB. Now looks like he may get extra playing time as well.
Griffin Conine, Marlins (15%): Showing big power, playing regularly now.
Harry Ford, Nationals (10%): .811 OPS in August, two bombs, good plate discipline has carried through to the Majors
Joshua Baez, Cardinals (12%): It seems the Cardinals are going to keep Baez in the minors despite his production. But with Jose Fermin and Bryan Torres taking up space in left field, hopefully the Cardinals want to see Baez challenged by MLB pitching before next season. He’s already on the 40-man, so let’s make this happen.
Brett Bateman, Blue Jays (2%): He is starting nearly every day in center field after coming over to Toronto in the Kevin Gausman deal. Not even on most Cubs’ top 30 lists, Bateman is a light leadoff bat with some speed and good centerfield defense. This is all about the playing time opportunity he has now.
Jacob Young, Nationals: Has some power this year, hitting .347 with two bombs and five steals since July 1st
Last Week’s Waiver Wire Review
Shallow League Hits
Jackson Jobe, Tigers: Looked great in his MLB return with five shutout innings. Expect some more bumps this season.
Shallow League Misses
Heliot Ramos, Yankees-OF: Might have gotten a ballpark upgrade, but he’s returned to his bad defense, no impact both ways.
Deep League Hits
Mitch Bratt, Diamondbacks: After failing to get past five innings in his first five MLB career starts, the rookie lefthander has gone seven and six innings in his past two starts against NL West foes, allowing just two runs while striking out 13.
Cody Bradford, Rangers: In two starts since missing time with Tommy John surgery, the soft-tossing lefty is only averaging 88.6 MPH on his fastball, but also has a 2.38 ERA.
Deep League Misses
Hector Rodriguez, Reds-OF: Rookie is finding a rough start to his career going 2-for-26 (.087).
