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.
Zach McKinstry, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Roster Percentage: 34%
With the news that star outfielder Cody Bellinger has a hairline fracture in his leg, the ability to sort out playing time on this juggernaut offense is crucial. Add Zach McKinstry into the player pool mix that we should be thinking about.
Who is this dude? The former Central Michigan University stud has been blasting the baseball. Could it be short-lived? Of course. But dude is legit ballin'. He's racked up a .974 OPS this season in a limited sample (40 plate appearances).
Playing time in a juicy Los Angeles Dodgers offense is certainly one to target, and McKinstry is a stud.
Jazz Chisholm, 2B, Miami Marlins
Roster Percentage: 48%
Is there a cooler name in baseball than Jazz Chisholm?
The dude has his problems -- he whiffs at an absurd rate (32.3%). But when he hits it, man does this dude let it fly. Dude owns a .706 slugging percentage so far, and he's paired that with three steals to boot.
The contact concerns ARE an issue, but Chisholm is a baller.
Adam Eaton, OF, Chicago White Sox
Roster Percentage: 48%
This is an intriguing one to watch, but I will be honest: I have always bought in on Adam Eaton and have been ruined many times before.
This is also an interesting situation that we need to watch and monitor closely. With the return of Tim Anderson, will Eaton still be a table-setter?
All indications are yes. He's often batted second even when Anderson is back in the lineup, and he's slugged his way to an .859 OPS mark with a steal and three homers.
If you need help on offense, peep Eaton.
Kendall Graveman, RP, Seattle Mariners
Roster Percentage: 37%
Is it weird if you start off a waiver add with an apology?
The closer position is absolutely bananas -- like, if you don't fathom it at this point, it's so darn bad. Graveman seems to have earned the moniker for now with the Seattle Mariners, and he's been truly outstanding this year in a small sample with a strikeout per inning.
If you are begging for saves like me (Are you begging? I'm not begging.), peep Graveman.
Notable Two-Start Pitchers to Consider This Week
Nick Neidert (MIA): vs BAL, at SF
Joe Ross (WAS): vs STL, at NYM
Games in Coors Field This Week
Houston Astros (2), Philadelphia Phillies (3)