The waiver wire. Free agent budgets (FAB). It's back, it's real and it's glorious.
With the 2021 baseball season in full swing, nailing the waiver wire and the players available are critical to beating out your league mates.
Each week we will take a look at players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues and can help out your season-long squads. Remember, if you aren’t scouring the waiver wire, you are falling behind.
Yermin Mercedes - Chicago White Sox (UTIL)
Roster Percentage: 32%
Look y'all, I'll be honest here -- even I was wondering who Yermin Mercedes of the Chicago White Sox was until recently. So, if you were a bit perplexed, don't feel like a dummy. Or do, but I'm certainly a dummy right there with you.
So who is this guy? Well, he started his Major League career with hits in his first eight -- yes eight -- at-bats, which is an MLB record. He smashed Alex Cobb for a home run in Saturday's contest, and sadly, he did finally make an out in the game.
His only challenge is that he is utility only -- so that could limit some roster flexibility -- but the dude can rake in a good lineup. Give him a peek.
Cesar Valdez - Baltimore Orioles (RP)
Roster Percentage: 16%
We are all chasing saves in fantasy baseball, and just like everyone predicted of the undefeated Baltimore Orioles, Cesar Valdez is getting the first shot at the closer role.
Converting back-to-back save opportunities, the change-up artist converted both saves, and that's all that matters. In his first outing of the season Friday, Valdez fired 12 changeups out of 14 pitches.
A lot of strikeout upside doesn't necessarily lurk, but if you need the commodity, Valdez ain't a bad bet.
Donovan Solano - San Francisco Giants (2B/3B/SS)
Roster Percentage: 46%
The undervalued Donovan Solano does one thing, and he does it really well -- he smashes the baseball. A surprising 2020 season, where Solano posted a very healthy .365 on-base percentage (OBP), was followed up with a ridiculous 2021 spring training that saw 4 home runs and an 1.187 OPS.
And in the opening series against the Seattle Mariners? He had 7 hits in his first 14 at-bats and 4 runs scored. He also provides some juicy flexibility for your lineups, qualifying all over the infield.
He appears to have locked a solid lineup spot in a sneaky San Francisco Giants lineup, so consider the veteran if you need some help in batting average or runs scored.
Jonathan India - Cincinnati Reds (3B)
Roster Percentage: 33%
Jonathan India, a rookie for the Cincinnati Reds, surprisingly grabbed a late roster spot, and as long as Eugenio Suarez is manning shortstop, playing time looks to be available at third.
India won the job after a spring campaign that saw him launch 3 jacks in 59 plate appearances in the Cactus League. The pedigree is strong -- India was the fifth pick in the 2018 draft -- so it's clear the Reds think highly of him.
He also plays in Great American Smallpark (ok, Ballpark), a delicious venue for home runs. If you need help at the corner spot (and he may qualify soon at second base), peep India.
Notable Two-Start Pitchers to Consider This Week
Drew Smyly (ATL): at Washington Nationals, vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Logan Allen (CLE): vs. Kansas City Royals, vs. Detroit Tigers
Jordan Montgomery (NYY): vs. Baltimore Orioles, at Tampa Bay Rays
Adrian Morejon (SD): vs. San Francisco Giants, at Texas Rangers