With the All-Star break behind us, it’s time for the stretch run in fantasy baseball. There are players still out there on the waiver wire who can make a difference during a push for a championship. Let’s highlight five players to consider adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets For Week 18
Trent Grisham, OF, New York Yankees (46% rostered)
Grisham is one of the many members of the Yankees who have spent time in the injured list this season. He is healthy now, though, and has two home runs and three doubles over 10 games since making his return. He has shown a good eye atop their lineup, recording a 13.5% walk rate to go along with his 16.8% strikeout rate. Although his power numbers are down compared to last season, his 47.4% hard-hit rate is on pace to be the highest mark of his career. He can produce a valuable second half.
Sam Antonacci, 2B/3B/OF, Chicago White Sox (46% rostered)
At this point, there isn’t much of a case to be made for not rostering Antonacci in most formats. After hitting for a high average in the minors, he is batting .287 with a .381 OBP since being called up to the majors. He has also shown plenty of speed, racking up 13 steals. While he doesn’t provide a ton of power, he does have six homers, so he’s not a complete nothing in that department. Combine all of that with him being eligible at three positions on Yahoo and he makes for a great addition for any fantasy manager that needs a hitter.
Curtis Mead, 1B/2B/3B, Washington Nationals (31% rostered)
Mead has a career .143 ISO and .310 wOBA, but has far outproduced both of those with a .255 ISO and .365 wOBA this year. Still just 25 years old, he has shown a better eye at the plate with his 11.1% walk rate and 18.6% strikeout rate. Last season, he had a 5.7% walk rate and a 23.9% strikeout rate. Another big improvement has been increasing his barrel rate from 4.5% last year to 11.8% this season. While he might not be a big name, Mead is worth rostering in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Kyle Karros, 3B, Colorado Rockies (30% rostered)
After posting a .397 wOBA in the minors last year, Karros only had a .268 wOBA over 43 games with the Rockies. His strikeout rate during that span was 26.3%, which was significantly higher than it was during any of his stops in the minors. Given another opportunity in the big leagues this year, he has lowered his strikeout rate to 21.1% on his way to a much better .349 wOBA. At hitter-friendly Coors Field, he has a .377 wOBA. The Rockies will play three of their six games at home next week, making Karros a great fantasy option at third base.
Yoendrys Gomez, RP, Minnesota Twins (29% rostered)
The Twins are still in the hunt for the playoffs, sitting three games behind the White Sox and Guardians in the AL Central. Gomez has been their go-to option in the ninth inning, recording a save in four of his last seven appearances. He is up to 11 saves for the season, with his 1.26 WHIP being a significant improvement over his 1.39 WHIP last year. The downside with him for fantasy is that he only has a 20.2% strikeout rate. Long term, that’s not a good mark for a closer. Still, those in deeper formats who are desperate for saves should at least consider adding Gomez to their roster.
Takeaway
Grisham and Antonacci should be rostered in more leagues, while Karros and Mead can also provide value during Week 18. Fantasy managers in desperate need for saves could get a boost in that department from Gomez. Be sure to check back throughout the season as we provide the top waiver wire options to help you win your fantasy baseball league.
