This week’s list of fantasy wire gems includes some exciting rookie shooters that are either long-term options or cult favourites. This could be a good week for managers to fill all of their seats on the bench with pitching games, and roll hard for high totals innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins.
In terms of strikes, the answers are less clear. However, there are still a few bats to grab for short-term use.
Williams has hit 10 games with the Guardian since his debut on June 21 (2.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), and has been particularly dominant in his previous two outings (12 IP, 1 ER, 22 SO, 1 BB). When a stellar prospect like Williams shows signs of finding his groove, savvy managers jump right in. As an added bonus, the right-handed’s next start will come against the Tigers’ light-hitting lineup.
Chase Silseth (SP/RP, Los Angeles Angels, 38%)
Simply put, Silseth is making a good showing at the moment sitting on waivers in most of the mixed leagues. The right-hander has posted a 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 31:5 K:BB ratio across four starts since switching from the bullpen to the rotation, and all four of his games have come against teams with winning records. At this point, there is no reason to doubt Silseth will start at home against the Rays next weekend.
Called up from Double-A, Hancock enjoyed a solid MLB debut when he held San Diego to one run over five innings. The 24-year-old should bowl in the most leagues in his second outing, which comes tonight against the Royals who are ranked 27th in OPS baseball.
With his third start slated to come against the Astros next weekend, Hancock is exactly the one starter in my eyes.
Mikolas has had a disappointing overall this season, but by removing his slow start to the season, we can see that he’s posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.16 WHIP since May 1. Hit total, he’s good enough to excel tonight against the A’s offense that ranks last in baseball in OPS. And Mikolas could stay on the rosters until his reasonable home game against the Mets this weekend.
After appearing to outrun the majors in most of his 19 career debuts, Liberatore allowed just two hits across eight shutout innings against the Rays’ quality lineup in his most recent start. While it’s too soon to say the youngster has made a step forward, he showed enough against Tampa to earn a nod in the 12-team league to start at home Thursday against the first-place finisher.
Most fantasy hunters up to this point in August are lesser known names that remain available in most leagues. Fermin is unlikely to maintain his 0.875 OPS, but he posted a 0.845 OPS at Triple-A last season and a 1.122 mark at that level this year. The royals have room to keep Fermin and Salvador Perez in the lineup, which means Firmin just needs to keep hitting in order to keep his last turn. Unlike other hot masks like Ryan Jeffers (11%) or Gary Sanchez (25%), Fermin has a chance to post a respectable long-running batting average.
A left-handed hitter, Jones will be in prime position to get a memorable series when he takes on three Arizona starters at offensively exciting Coors Field early this week. And his effective run could continue into the weekend when the White Sox use three right-handers during their trip to the Coors. 267 with 11 homers and seven steals, Jones has the versatile skill set to contribute to fantasy teams in a number of ways.
Tyler O’Neal (52% St. Louis Cardinals)
O’Neal had a poor start to the season before finally finishing in the IL 60 Days. But since returning on July 20, the 28-year-old has recorded a .847 OPS that better represents his abilities. O’Neill has the strength and speed to contribute in multiple ways over an upcoming three-game series against the A’s with a 5.78 ERA, and he can stay active in most formats when the Cards host the Mets who messed up their rotation at the MLB trading deadline.
2282 with 15 homers across 252 at-bats, Carpenter has been surprisingly effective this season. Lefty hitter rarely starts against same-side pitchers, and a lack of total playing time has kept him on waivers in most leagues. However, Carpenter’s playing time has elapsed through July and he remains on a positive track in August, hitting . 395 with four homers and a 1.191 OPS. That’s a good time to grab Carpenter, who is slated to face the right-handed starter in each of his next five games.
A widely available member of the D linebacker, Pham is likely to benefit from a three-game series at hitter-friendly Coors Field that begins today. The right-handed batsman performs best against left-handers, which puts him in a perfect position to take on the Southern Ball starters tomorrow and Wednesday. Pham hasn’t found his best form since being traded at the deadline, but the guess here is that he made an impact this week.
