BY: SOME GUY NAMED STEVE
Folks you know the drill! As we enter the third month of the fantasy season, the waiver wire seems to get thinner and thinner, but luckily I’m here to give you some less owned players to add to your squads!
Framber Valdez: Houston Astros SP (49.3% ESPN Ownership)
Before you read any of this, I want you to check all of your leagues and make sure you pick-up Framber Valdez in every league he is available in. Valdez is currently entering his fourth major league season and looks to continue his momentum from his breakout last year. Valdez was overlooked by many due to an injury heading into the season, but he is now healthy and should become a staple in the Houston Astros rotation for the remainder of the year. Last season, Valdez went 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts over 70.2 innings. He was the No. 27 ranked pitcher in all of fantasy last season and should be owned in 100% of leagues now that he’s healthy. So far this season, Valdez has made just one start. He pitched four innings against the Padres allowing just one run on two hits and two walks. He also struck out four batters in this short start while throwing a total of 72 pitches. I would expect Framber’s starts to be shorter for the first few as the Astros will look to stretch him out gradually. However, once he is at full strength you can expect six and seven quality innings every time Valdez steps on the mound. If he is available in your league, I would go grab him now!
Shane McClanahan: Tampa Bay Rays SP (29.8% ESPN Ownership)
The next player on this week’s list is a rookie pitcher who is quietly having a very good season. Shane McClanahan has made six starts so far this season for the Tampa Bay Rays and has been quite effective. On the year, McClanahan is 2-0 with a 3.29 ERA, 2.98 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts over 27.1 innings. McClanahan has walked only seven batters over those 27.1 innings and has allowed just three home runs. He has a FIP of 2.98 on the season and has a strike out rate of 29.6% which is well above the major league average 23.8%. The only downside to McClanahan so far this season has been the amount of innings he throws per start. Although it is a very small sample size, we have yet to see McClanahan make it through six innings. In fact we have only seen him pitch beyond the fifth inning just once all year. This is normally a red flag for me, but because McClanahan is just 24-years-old and pitching in his first major league season I will give him a pass. The Rays have always been extra cautious with their young prospects so I am not overly worried about the short starts. If McClanahan continues to pitch as effectively as he has, then the Rays will have no choice but to let him go longer into games.
Patrick Wisdom: Chicago Cubs 1B (1.7% ESPN Ownership)
The final player on this week’s list is a player who came out of nowhere and is currently mashing the ball for the Chicago Cubs. At age 29, Patrick Wisdom is having an unprecedented hitting explosion these past few weeks. Since being called up on May 25th, Patrick Wisdom is batting .474/.500/1.158 with nine hits and four home runs in just 19 at-bats. Translation: He’s been on FIRE! Wisdom was originally called up when Matt Duffy was placed on the IL, but with his recent performance he has shown the Cubs that he is capable of getting everyday at-bats. Wisdom is currently 1B eligible and can give a nice power boost to those owners who are in need for a very shallow position. Although Wisdom doesn’t have the upside of highly touted prospects, he fits under the category of a free agent that you should ride while he’s hot. Wisdom is a career .268 AVG batter and has never hit above .300 AVG in the minors, but he is clearly is great form right now and available is essentially every single league. Wisdom may not be a player who you keep long term but there’s no harm in picking him up and enjoying the scorching hot stretch he is having. Players like Patrick Wisdom can be the difference maker in a win or a loss for the week. Ride the wave folks!
Be sure to check out the TWS Fantasy Baseball Podcast that will drop later this week!
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