Memorial Day weekend is upon us and the season is just about two months complete. It’s time to seriously look at your roster and determine where you need to improve if you want to make a legitimate run to the postseason. Be careful not to get complacent as there are always upgrades to be made.
Waiver-Wire Targets:
Miami Marlins OF Jorge Soler — After a slow start to the season, Soler suddenly finds himself tied for second in baseball with 15 home runs, thanks to 10 this month and six in his last 10 games. It’s not just a power surge, either, as he’s batting .303 in May and has 12 hits in his last six games. Soler tends to hit in bunches and raked last May before slowing down in June, but his metrics this year are similar to those he posted in 2019, when he led the American League with 48 long balls. There’s clearly massive home run upside here.
Milwaukee Brewers INF Owen Miller — I typically wouldn’t advocate for a utility player, but Miller has carved out a regular role in Milwaukee thanks to a recent 13-game hitting streak. He’s not an exciting name and he doesn’t post exceptional exit velocities, but his bat-to-ball skills are pure. He homered in back-to-back games against the Astros this week, each coming on an inner-half sinker breaking toward his knees. As long as he’s in the lineup on a regular basis, Miller is a solid option with multi-positional eligibility.
Chicago White Sox RHP Michael Kopech — Two straight scoreless outings for Kopech of eight and seven innings, respectively, is a great sign. Even better are the 19 strikeouts he’s recorded in those two starts. Best of all, he’s allowed just four baserunners to reach in that stretch. Kopech is absolutely dialed in right now and is showing flashes of what made him a top pitching prospect. I don’t know if he can maintain this level of success throughout an extended period of time, but what I do know is that he’s lined up for two starts next week, one of which will come against the Tigers, and I want him on my squad while he’s hot.
Texas Rangers RHP Dane Dunning — Since being thrust into the Rangers’ rotation following the injury to Jacob deGrom, Dunning has done nothing but provide solid innings. He doesn’t rack up strikeouts but does limit walks and, so far, runs, as his ERA on the season is a sterling 1.67. Dunning boasts a 50 percent ground ball rate and is one of two pitchers who have yet to surrender a home run this season (minimum 40 innings pitched). His six-pitch mix keeps hitters guessing and the increased usage of his cutter is a big reason for his success.
Honorable Mention:
Miami Marlins OF Bryan De La Cruz
Cincinnati Reds 1B/3B Spencer Steer
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Bobby Miller
San Diego Padres RHP Michael Wacha