The calendar has flipped to July. It’s amazing to think we have been grinding since March and the lockout is a thing of the past. This is also the most critical part of the fantasy baseball season. This is when fatigue starts to set in, as we have remained focused for the past four months. Summer is in full swing so vacations are happening and most importantly, fantasy football draft season is approaching.
I have preached many times that there is still plenty of time to make a move to win a fantasy baseball championship. The distractions can impact everyone in the league so if we remain focused, good things will happen.
Waiver-Wire Targets:
Kansas City Royals First Baseman Vinnie Pasquantino — The influx of young prospects continues, as it seems we’re able to acquire one off the waiver wire every couple of weeks. Pasquantino is the latest and makes for a strong target. The 24-year-old has immense power, as he hit 24 home runs in 2021 and already had 18 this season prior to his promotion. Even more impressive, the first baseman doesn’t strike out. Usually, power hitters trade a high average to hit for power, leading to more strikeouts. Last season, Pasquantino only struck out 64 times in 116 games. This season, he has 36 strikeouts.
It’s not often we see a hitter have the ability to hit the home run, hit for a high average and walk as many times as he strikes out. There will be growing pains, but with the trade of Carlos Santana to the Seattle Mariners, the playing time should be secure. Pasquantino has the ability to get on base and provide power for fantasy owners, making him a strong target.
Atlanta Braves Relievers A.J. Minter and Will Smith — Closer Kenley Jansen has landed on the injured list due to an irregular heartbeat, which opens up the ninth inning. The Braves are red hot and will once again compete for a playoff spot, so we need to be invested. However, they have elected to go with the closer-by-committee. Both Minter and Smith have picked up saves during Jensen’s absence.
This is a nightmare situation, but I would recommend bidding on both pitchers. Minter (1.64 ERA) is the better pitcher. Regardless of whether he’s picking up saves or not, he will be used in big situations and will help with your ERA and WHIP. Smith is a fine backup option since he will get saves, too. I wish there was a clearer picture, but we need one of these guys on our team. Either one can give us a nice boost.
Oakland Athletics Reliever Lou Trivino — Fantasy baseball is a funny game. The Braves are a great team and have two strong options to pick up saves in Minter and Smith, but since they will split the opportunities, the fantasy value is capped. Then we have the A’s, an awful baseball team with a below-average reliever in Trivino who may just have a better fantasy outlook than Minter or Smith because he has a defined role.
Trivino was tasked to close two games for the A’s in the past week and converted both. However, he’s pitching to a 7.17 ERA and the A’s aren’t good. I would still rank Minter and Smith higher because I would rather have a good pitcher than a bad one. But in the end, if Trivino is going to continue to get the save opportunities, he’s fantasy relevant.
Chicago Cubs Infielder Nico Hoerner — Adding a player on a hot streak is always a strong option. Hoerner is on an eight-game hitting streak and is now batting .310 on the season. Hoerner has collected 17 hits during this hitting streak. I wish there was more power, as Hoerner only has four home runs, but he has chipped in with six stolen bases. He makes incredible contact, having struck out just 23 times this season. With his strong average, Hoerner can easily give fantasy owners a boost in that category.
St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder Dylan Carlson — The 23-year-old has been on a nice heater. He has a six-game hitting streak and hits in seven of his last eight games. For the season, Carlson is batting .259 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 25 runs scored and four stolen bases. If you need a boost in offense and are comfortable hoping this hot streak continues, Carlson is a fine option. Carlson has also batted second in recent games in front of sluggers Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, adding to his fantasy appeal.