Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Monday – Add Marcus Stroman

Marcus Stroman

With just one week until the All-Star break, there is an action-packed slate of baseball over the next seven days. Despite the upcoming break, do not forget about the waiver wire. There are still some solid players all across the wire that can help you to a fantasy championship.

Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.

Each week, XN Sports will present an option at each position (if there is anyone worth picking up), and why you should add them.

Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:

Catcher

Wilson Ramos

Ramos is available in about half of fantasy leagues, and if you want a potential top-10 fantasy catcher in the second half of the season, be sure to check the wire for the Nationals’ catcher. So far this season, Ramos is hitting .289 in 121 at-bats. He is 11 for his last 29, and has at least one hit in every game since his return from injury. Last season, he hit .272 with 16 home runs in just 287 at-bats, so the power will come. Add Ramos before his talents are recognized.

First Base

C.J. Cron

Cron has been the talk of the daily fantasy baseball community, but it is time for him to be on nearly every fantasy team in standard leagues as well. In his last 44 at-bats, Cron has 13 hits, four of them home runs for a .295 batting average. On the season, he is hitting .288 with nine home runs and 27 runs batted in, despite only having 153 at-bats. Cron is available in around 60 percent of leagues, so be sure to race to the wire before it is too late.

Starting Pitcher

Marcus Stroman

Stroman is being added at a rapid rate, so be sure to add him sooner rather than later. He has allowed just nine earned runs in his last seven starts, including seven innings of shutout baseball against the Athletics. Stroman is available in over 85 percent of fantasy leagues, but that number will diminish shortly. Stroman has an excellent set of numbers as far as batted balls are concerned as well, which could indicate potential progression. He has a ground ball rate of 49.3 percent, and a line drive percentage of just 16.2. Stroman also has a very impressive infield fly ball (pop-up) percentage over 13.7 percent, which indicates very good, and deceptive secondary pitches.

In addition to his impressive batted ball numbers, Stroman’s ERA and WHIP have been very good as well. So far this season, with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. But, as a starter, Stroman’s ERA and WHIP have been even better with a staggering 2.08 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Moving Stroman to the rotation has paid dividends for the Blue Jays, and could have even more value for your fantasy team should you add him. Stroman’s next start will come on Wednesday against the Angels.

Relief Pitcher

Jake McGee

With the Rays committing to “closer by committee”, McGee is the most valuable. For those in leagues that use holds, he is a must-own. But even in standard leagues, McGee should be the first Rays’ reliever off the wire. So far this season, McGee has a 1.16 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP. He is currently in the midst of an 11 inning scoreless streak and has the trust of manager Joe Maddon. Add him if you need a reliever who can get a save a week, or more depending on the situation.

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Josh Collacchi
In addition to writing here at XNSports, my fantasy content can be seen at Pro Football Focus Fantasy, eDraft, and Project Roto. Member of the FSWA and the FWAA and can be reached on Twitter @JoshCollacchi