The fantasy flames cooled off dramatically for a number of last week’s bat suggestions. It just goes to show how important it is to strike while the iron is hot. Be that as it may, there’s still plenty of time to find diamonds in the rough. With a number of younger guys getting recent calls up to the bigs, it’s safe to say your league’s waiver wire action is flying at a frenetic pace. Here’s another six bats to add to your roster by way of trade or waiver wire.
OF Juan Soto (Washington Nationals) – Seriously, this kids only 19? He sure didn’t look as such Monday night when it took him his first official start to send one into the cheap seats. With Washington suffering from a myriad of injuries in the outfield, Soto has been given a chance to shine. With regular at-bats expected, save for against a tough left-hander, he could turn into a set it and forget it type player oozing with talent. He could turn out to be last year’s Cody Bellinger, so if still on the wire, go all in and get him on your roster. Don’t be afraid to put a dent into your FAAB to seal the deal!
19 years old. Second career at-bat. First career home run.
Unbelievable, Juan Soto! pic.twitter.com/eqSbfiCuyz
— MLB (@MLB) May 21, 2018
OF Travis Jankowski (San Diego Padres) – I get it, San Diego stinks. However, there is some talent brewing within the Padres’ franchise. Jankowski is still relatively young having only started more than 35 games in one of his four seasons at the big league level. He’s slashing .359/.438/.469 since getting the call up in late April, and is a must fantasy start whenever San Diego squares off against a right-handed pitcher. He’s a solid fit for league’s with five outfielders, but be prepared to have him riding your bench whenever SD takes its hacks against a southpaw.
https://twitter.com/Mighty1090/status/998581558415187968
OF Austin Meadows (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Don’t fall in love with him just yet. It’s highly possible Meadows immediately gets sent back down to Triple-A once Starling Marte is deemed healthy enough to return from the oblique injury that’s sidelined him over the last week. That could be as soon as this weekend. However, if in need of an outfield spot to fill this week, I’d roll the dice with Pittsburgh lined up for three games in the launching pad otherwise known as Great American Ball Park. If he continues to rake, Clint Hurdle and his staff might be forced to find a spot for him.
Congrats to @austin_meadows on his first Major League HR, a 2-run shot off of Jordan Lyles in the 6th! @jordy_mercer followed with a solo shot…back-to-back jacks and we are tied at 4 after 6 on @ATTSportsNetPIT pic.twitter.com/hxv4yz92pP
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) May 20, 2018
1B Jesus Aguilar (Milwaukee Brewers) – The Brew Crew’s back-up first baseman and bench bat hit our watch list a couple weeks back. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t getting enough playing time to make an impact in 10 and 12 team leagues. That’s no longer the case with Ryan Braun back on the DL with another back issue. Since getting regular “PT” the big man is batting .302 with 5 HR and 10 RBI. Milwaukee is littered with injury prone players, so there’s always a chance he continues getting regular playing time once Braun returns. If your roster is in need of cheap power, Aguilar is your man!
Jesus Aguilar > The wind 💪
The @Brewers and the Twins are on #FOXSportsGO: https://t.co/WOa9v0vxdn pic.twitter.com/dXotxthZND
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) May 20, 2018
SS Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants) – Crawford is without a doubt the Rodney Dangerfield of shortstops. Year in and year out, fantasy baseball players give this dude no love. I recommended picking him up three weeks ago, yet his ownership percentage still only rings in at 35.1 percent. That’s flat out blasphemy! When this kid gets hot, you want to go along for the ride. He’s exactly that right now having collected hits in 13 of his last 25 at-bats while scoring five runs and knocking in 6 RBI. He’s the sixth ranked shortstop over the last 15 days and No. 3 over the last seven averaging 4.6 fantasy points per game. Only Jean Segura and Daniel Robertson, another recommendation from week’s past, have been better.
Brandon Crawford is batting .449 in the month of May (not a typo) 🔥
BLOG: https://t.co/ybn9nuyTfE#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/TKBpjNjRln
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) May 20, 2018
3B Christian Villanueva (San Diego Padres) – The Villanueva train has been a bumpy ride for a bulk of May, but it just might have gotten back on track over the weekend. The rookie took the league by storm in the month of April, only to find himself back on the waiver wire as he went on to collect a pair of hits over a 34 at-bat stretch. The young slugger hit a pair of bombs at PNC to move his tally to 12 overall on the year. This kid has loads of potential and I’m still a believer. When this fantasy baseball season is said and done, I firmly expect him to rate out as one of the top 10 players at the position provided he stays injury free. He’s currently less than 42 percent owned in ESPN leagues and is likely sitting there waiting for you to scoop him back up. Kiss and make up, he won’t hold it against you.
A rookie-leading twelve homers for Christian Villanueva. #Padres pic.twitter.com/SQAphDddT0
— Today in MLB (@TodayintheMLB) May 20, 2018
Add To Watch List: Mark Reynolds, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ian Happ, Max Muncy, Todd Frazier
