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Check out the podcast for some extra names that didn’t make the written piece, and a lot more detail on the guys we talk about below.
Shallow League Pitcher Targets
Sean Manaea (24%) - He’s on one of his Manaea runs where he pitches very well for a few weeks. He’s had moments, and now the Mets have finally let him get back into the traditional starter role, and he’s rewarded them with a 3.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 18.4% K-BB% in 31 innings since May 17th.
Robert Gasser (7%) - You always want to upgrade the Brewers pitchers a little bit. I think they’ve done enough to prove that they know how to develop some solid pitchers who seem to over-perform their raw talent level. Gasser looked very good against a weak Guardians lineup this week and has a deep mix of pitches with solid command.
Shane Drohan (23%) - The guy has a nasty slider and a fastball that is working really well (16.9% SwStr%). So far he has a 19% K-BB% with a .273 xwOBA allowed across around 700 pitches, and the Brewers seem to be building him up as a starter as they continue to search for the right back-of-the-rotation mix.
Griffin Jax (33%) - I think he’s figuring it out as a starter. The talent level is there, and I’m not giving up entirely. He has a 27% K% and a 4.7% BB% in his last five starts. That looks similar to what he was doing as a reliever, and the RP eligibility helps in certain league formats.
Javier Assad, Cubs (20%) - Chicago was desperate for starting pitching, so Assad got another chance. The long-time prospect saw his average velocity drop from 93 MPH in 2022-23 into the 91s the past two seasons. But was still able to keep his ERA under 4.00 despite an xERA that was pushing 5.00. In June he made three starts, going 18 innings and giving up just nine hits, 2 runs (both earned) and two walks. Never a strikeout pitcher, he has 11 Ks in those 18 innings. This is probably more luck (.221 BABIP) than skills, but he has outperformed his metrics his entire career, so why stop now.
Deep League Pitcher Targets
Matthew Liberatore (25%) - Well that start earlier this week sucked. He gave up a bunch of hard contact and a few homers. But it remains true that he has a very solid K-BB% in the last month. The curveball is very good, and he’s a decent guy for getting some volume as he’s taking the ball every fifth game and throwing around 80-85 pitches per game.
Jack Perkins (14%) - It’s tough to believe in the guy, but he’s been okay lately with a 25% K% and an 8% BB%. The home park is going to crush these guys as the temperatures stay high this summer - but you could do worse than Perkins.
Jacob Webb, Cubs (5%) - Looking for a speculative saves pick up, Webb is it. The Cubs closer Daniel Palencia in on the IL with elbow inflammation and no timetable for a return. Webb has been effective in stretches and picked up the save Wednesday. Unless they move Ben Brown back to the bullpen – which is unlikely – Webb may need to be the guy.
JR Ritchie, Braves (29%) - He is probably going to be one of the most dropped pitchers this week. But sometimes when everyone zigs, you need to zag. With Spencer Strider going to the IL, top prospect Ritchie was expected to lock into a rotation spot. Then he gave up five runs in five innings to a struggling Giants offense. The soon-to-be 23-year-old has put up sub 3.00 ERAs and 1.12 WHIPs in Triple A. He’s never going to be a strikeout leader, but he should eat innings and produce good ratios, eventually. It may not be this year, but he would be a prime buy-low candidate for dynasty next season.
Shallow League Hitter Targets
Kody Clemens (50%) - Roger’s son is making his dad proud. Unless he’s not. Maybe The Rocket has standards that are way too high. But I’d take a 1.006 OPS in June from my son. And this isn’t a small sample thing, he has a .493 SLG on the year with 11 homers now.
Jung Hoo Lee (76%) - Okay 76% owned… people have seen it. But I will leave him here anyway. He’s at .325/.358/.438 for the year with three homers. He has a .390 xwOBA and a 46% Sweet Spot% the last month - he’s a big boost in batting average if available.
Dylan Crews (36%): He has a .265 xBA with a 9% Brl% and an 18% K% since returning, so he’s doing some of the things we thought he could do before the year began, but the ownership has stayed low because of a .192 BABIP leading to a .189 average in his 100 PAs this year.
Endy Rodriguez (11%) - This would only be if you’re searching for a catcher that can hit a little bit. Endy has solidified himself as the primary catcher for the Bucs with an .875 OPS in his 76 PAs. He has three homers on a 14% Brl% and a 22% K% while walking almost 20% of the time. Solid points league option there.
Deep League Hitter Targets
Joe Mack (15%) - Hitting for power (OPS north of one in June) and staying in the lineup regularly with his elite defense behind the dish. I think Mack is the Marlins catcher of the future.
Andrew Vaughn (38%) - It’s good to be a Brewer. And Vaughn is healthy again and raking in June to the tune of a .367/.442/.579 slash at the time of this writing.
Blaze Alexander (15%) - He’s getting into the O’s lineup a little bit more, but still not every day, and he’s been hitting at the very bottom of the order. But he continues to crush the ball with a .310/.352/.424 slash in the Majors this season and a convincing .313 xBA with a .359 xwOBA.
Matt Shaw, Cubs (17%) - The Alex Bregman free agent signing put Shaw’s playing time on ice and then a back injury put him out of sight. But the 2023 first-round pick is back from the IL and starting to hit (.429/.500/.714 in his first six games back. Playing time may be the only thing holding him back from taking a leap forward.
Esteury Ruiz, Marlins (5%) - The Milwaukee Brewers are usually not wrong. When they dealt closer Josh Hader to the Padres, Ruiz was in the middle of an amazing .332/.447/.526 season that included 85 stolen bases, 16 homes runs and 114 runs scored in 114 games. Despite those numbers, his critics contended he would never hit for a high enough average or play good enough defense to stick in the infield. It took only 37 Triple A games for the Brewers to include Ruiz in a three-team trade that landed them William Contreras and the Braves Sean Murphy. So, yeah, the Brewers are probably very smart. In 2023, Ruiz led the AL in stolen bases (67). But 2024 went in the tank with a left wrist injury and by 2025 he was DFA’d by the Athletics and sent to the Dogers. While he did not become the next great Dodgers reclamation project. Traded to the Marlins, he is finally getting some playing time and taking advantage. Since June 1, he has a 269 wRC+. He brings speed, even when just pinch running and occasional power. If he gets a handle on his K-rate (his current 30% is at least 10% too much), he could become the 4th outfielder with 4-5 games started a week in Miami.
Last Week’s Waiver Wire Review
Shallow League Hits
Peter Lambert, Astros (SP): He was at the top of his game versus Detroit giving up just two hits, one run over seven innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Cole Carrigg, Rockies (OF): Two homers, seven RBI, five runs and a stolen base. The rookie continues to fill the stat sheet, while trying to keep a decent K-rate.
Shallow League Misses
Christian Scott, Mets (SP): Just as he was looking to get on a roll, he heads back to the IL. At least it is not his arm. This time it is a right hip impingement.
Colton Cowser, Orioles (OF): So much for the improving numbers. He is back to trending up on strikeouts and down on contact.
Deep League Hits
Blaze Alexander, Orioles (SS/3B): Went 8-for-16 over the past week with a stolen base and couple runs scored.
Yoendrys Gomez, Twins (RP): Two more saves this week gives him seven on the season. Not bad for a guy with one career save over three seasons.
Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals (OF): It’s only been 12 games, but after missing the beginning of the season recovering from double heel surgery, Nootbaar is posting a career-high wRC+.
Deep League Misses
Jared Young, Mets (1B): It was fun while it lasted. But it’s looking like it is over for the soon-to-be 31-year-old journeyman after going 1-for-16 over the past week.
