Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 16): Be Wary of Andrew McCutchen & AJ Pollock
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images. Pictured: Andrew McCutchen.
Credit the ‘Ballpark Dimensions’ podcast for broaching the topic, but I am all in on an honorary position for each team during the All-Star Game. There tends to be at least one overwhelmingly positive story that deserves the national spotlight at a time when the players are together having fun. Trey Mancini will compete in the Home Run Derby, but should be recognized during the actual game for not only surviving cancer but putting together an All-Star-worthy season.
He is not the only one, but imagine this position being available for Cal Ripken Jr. and Ichiro while allowing for another deserving player taking their traditional roster spot. The game is for S’s and G’s so why not shine a light on players that have done something besides excel at baseball?
Pick Them Up
Willy Adames – SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Yahoo: 56%, ESPN: 47%
His move to Milwaukee may have been a wake-up call. In three more games with the Brewers than Rays, Adames has 12 more extra-base hits, 15 more RBI’s, and improved his slash line from .197/.254/.371 to .247/.318/.467.
Myles Straw – SS/OF, Houston Astros
Yahoo: 58%, ESPN: 41%
Straw enters the weekend with a six-game hitting streak with a 4:5 K/BB ratio and one stolen base.
Luis Urias – 2B/3B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 29%
The acquisition of Adames was made because Urias was struggling. His game has picked up and the injury concerns with Kolten Wong and the rotation at third base will keep Urias in the lineup. The power is sparse but an added bonus as the Brewers lead-off hitter.
Akil Baddoo – OF, Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 30%
The rookie had his worst week in a while, but it still included a multi-hit game. He has three games with multiple hits early in July.
Amed Rosario – OF/SS, Cleveland Indians
Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 34%
Rosario recorded his first RBI since June 25 this week but the Indians as a whole have been dealing with injuries. Rosario is still getting on base and is locked in the Indians lineup ahead of the trade deadline.
Work A Look
Ty France – 1B/2B/3B, Seattle Mariners
Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 44%
I was very high on France to start 2021, but an injury and slump saw him fall off the fantasy radar. France snapped an eight-game hitting streak July 8 that included one homer and six RBI’s.
Jose Iglesias – SS, Cincinnati Reds
Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 7%
It is amazing to see the veteran hitting in the middle of the Angels lineup. Iglesias is not a power threat but is at least hitting near his career averages. He has hits in eight of his last nine games.
Garrett Cooper – 1B/OF, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 8%
Cooper had an excellent series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week and has sneaky upside as a Marlin hitter who could see guaranteed playing time after the trade deadline.
Short-Term Solutions
Joc Pederson – OF, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 47%
The last time the St. Louis Cardinals came to Chicago, Pederson had a hit in every game and had two home runs. Pederson is predictably streaky but has liked playing the Cardinals in a small sample size this season.
Leury Garcia – 2B/3B/SS/OF, Chicago White Sox
Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%
The White Sox leader in RBI’s in June was Leury Garcia. Chicago has been hammered by injuries and Garcia has filled in admirably. The longest tenured current White Sox has a safe role until the trade deadline and more than likely the season.
I am Skeptical
Andrew McCutchen – OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Yahoo: 68%, ESPN: 83%
Highly rostered but should not be. He was excellent against the Cubs this week (7 RBI’s), but he has been difficult to trust for any stretch the past few seasons.
AJ Pollock – OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 43%
The Dodgers are that much better with a consistent Pollock, but his three homers in July may be the extent of his good play. Pollock is still hitting below his career slash line of .278/.334/.475.
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