Hope you enjoyed a few days without baseball. A large chunk of the season is ahead, and a lot is going to change. This week I will be doing a shorter waiver column as only a few games were played between articles, and rostership has been stagnant for the week. Let’s get at it.
Pick Them Up
Jesus Aguilar – 1B, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 59%, ESPN: 68%
Aguilar is one of the players I expect to be moved, and the hope is he lands with a team like Milwaukee. He is familiar with the Brewers and had his best season with them in 2018.
Willy Adames – SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Yahoo: 60%, ESPN: 52%
He ended the first half of the season with four hits and three walks in Milwaukee’s four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. If there is an infielder squeezed out of playing time if/when Kolten Wong returns, it will not be Adames.
Myles Straw – OF/SS, Houston Astros
Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 36%
Free speed on the waiver wire and he is attached to the best offense in baseball. It's a no-brainer unless the Astros get a massive upgrade via trade.
Worth A Look
Akil Baddoo – OF, Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 29%
Detroit will decide if it is time to move players despite a surprise first half, giving the rookie as much playing time in the outfield as he can handle. He finished the first half with four hits, one home run and three RBI’s against the Minnesota Twins.
Garrett Hampson – 2B/SS/OF, Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 42%
Hampson is another speedster that will see a lot of playing time, especially if Trevor Story is moved. His position flexibility is also a plus.
J.P. Crawford – SS, Seattle Mariners
Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 33%
Considering the ineptitude of the Mariners offense, it is great to see Crawford putting up career numbers for the surprising Mariners.
Short-Term Solutions
Max Kepler – OF, Minneosta Twins
Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 67%
Kepler is hitting .256 away from Target Field and has two fewer home runs and one fewer RBI in 29 fewer plate appearances. He is also hitting .344 in July. The Twins open the second half in Detroit.
I Am Skeptical
Michael A. Taylor – OF, Kansas City Royals
Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 12%
Taylor entered the break with a five-game hitting streak. He also had two homers in July. He is too streaky a hitter and is a zero if he does not showcase his power. Prior to June 28, Taylor’s last home run was May 21.
