FAAB Frenzy and Waivers Wild: Week 8
Fantasy baseball managers, brace yourselves! Our game demands relentless attention and strategic moves, especially when it comes to free agent acquisitions and drops. This week, we delve into the top adds on Fantrax and the NFBC Online Championship, analyzing player performance and providing insights to help you dominate your leagues.
Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper Lead the Charge
The Philadelphia Phillies dominated Week 7 with a league-high 39 runs scored. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper emerged as home run hitters, with Schwarber leading the way at 5 home runs and Harper close behind at 4. Andy Pages also contributed 4 homers, showcasing the Phillies' offensive prowess. Brandon Marsh continued his strong performance, leading in hits (14 in 27 at-bats) and driving in 3 runs.
Byron Buxton's Stellar Week
Byron Buxton of the Twins had a remarkable week, topping the 5×5 roto leaderboard with 11 R, 8 HR, 14 RBI, 3 SB, and a .316 average. His performance has been consistent over the last two weeks, making him a valuable asset for fantasy managers.
Travis Bazzana's Base-Stealing Excellence
Travis Bazzana, a rookie second baseman, stole the show with 5 stolen bases for the Cleveland Guardians. José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio also contributed 3 steals each, showcasing the team's speed and agility. The Marlins' Esteury Ruiz, a potential fantasy unicorn, stole 6 bases in just 8 plate appearances, but his role as a pinch-runner limits his overall value.
Top Hitters in 5×5 Roto 12-Team Leagues
The top hitters in 5×5 roto 12-team leagues include Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Oneil Cruz, Jordan Walker, Shea Langeliers, Andy Pages, Elly De La Cruz, Liam Hicks, James Wood, Yordan Alvarez, CJ Abrams, Brice Turang, Sal Stewart, and Mike Trout.
Starting Pitchers' Performance
David Peterson, Ty Madden, and Eric Lauer were among the starting pitchers who pitched twice last week. Cristopher Sánchez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez each won twice, showcasing their exceptional skills. Wacha and Martinez's peripherals outperformed their ERA, indicating their potential for long-term success.
Davis Martin's Impressive Debut
Davis Martin made a significant impact in his debut, leading the league in strikeouts (19) and allowing just one earned run in 13 innings. His walk rate is down to 5.2%, making him a valuable addition for fantasy investors.
Closeout and Save Opportunities
Cade Smith earned a league-high three saves, while Brad Keller secured two saves for the Phillies. However, Jhoan Duran, the team's closer, was activated on Tuesday. Kyle Finnegan, on the other hand, walked 5 batters in 3 appearances and blew a save chance, making him a drop candidate in all formats.
Fantrax and NFBC OC Top Adds
Fantrax saw a surge in activity, with deeper format additions like Ezequiel Duran, Ty Madden, and Trevor McDonald as the most popular. Duran's performance in the two-hole of the Rangers lineup, despite a low batting average, showcased his potential. Twins infielder Brooks Lee's recent stretch of .355/.394/.516 with 2 HR, 3 SB, 12 R, and 12 RBI over 67 PA makes him a valuable streamer.
Zack Gelof's impressive performance as the Athletics' third basemen, slashing .316/.395/.553 with 2 dingers, makes him a worthwhile streamer in deeper formats. Trevor McDonald's exceptional debut against the Padres, allowing just one run in 7 innings, positions him for future success.
NFBC Online Championship Top Average Winning Bids
Robby Snelling, Ryan Waldschmidt, Gregory Soto, Travis Bazzana, Bryce Eldridge, Spencer Jones, Rico Garcia, Bryce Miller, Tony Santillan, Ben Brown, Caleb Kilian, Pierce Johnson, Michael McGreevy, JJ Bleday, Mike Burrows, Carson Benge, and Andrew Vaughn were among the top average winning bids in the NFBC Online Championship.
Drop of the Week
Ryan Walker, the Giants' closer, was optioned to Triple-A, marking a successful bid farewell. Erik Miller, a left-handed option, is expected to claim a piece of the ninth-inning role soon, according to Giants fans. Caleb Kilian remains a favorite closing option in the bullpen.
Stay tuned for more fantasy baseball insights and strategic moves as the season unfolds!
