Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Picks: 7/7
In the world of fantasy baseball, the waiver wire is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It's where you can find players who are under-rostered or overlooked, but have the potential to become your league champions. Today, we're diving into the top waiver wire picks for July 7th, focusing on players who are available in most leagues and some deep league options. We'll also take a look at the most added players across major sites and provide insights on who to add and who to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Sean Burke (CHW), SP (57% Rostered on Yahoo)
Sean Burke is having a breakout season, and his recent performance against the Guardians is a testament to that. With a 3.56 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, Burke has been a must-roster player for a while now. What's particularly fascinating is the spike in his fastball velocity, which has risen to consistently above 96 mph. This increase in velocity has improved his entire arsenal, resulting in a 25.8% strikeout rate. Burke's dominance is not random, and he's proving himself as a must-start player until he shows any signs of cooling off.
Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT), OF (50% Rostered on Yahoo)
Esmerlyn Valdez has been on a tear since becoming an everyday player. With a .310/.359/.662 slash line, Valdez has a 27.3% barrel rate, 50% hard-hit rate, and 43.2% launch angle sweet-spot rate. While it remains to be seen if he can sustain this pace over a longer period, Valdez is a hot-hand streamer with the potential to stick on your team long-term. His performance is all the more impressive considering the spacious outfield of Coors Field, where he maximizes his launch angle sweet spot.
Jake McCarthy (COL), OF (56% Rostered on Yahoo)
Jake McCarthy is not slowing down, and his performance against the Giants on July 3rd is a prime example. With a .306/.343/.522 slash line, nine home runs, and 14 steals, McCarthy is a clear must-roster player. What makes his success even more remarkable is the fact that he's usually mediocre. However, sometimes it's best not to question a player having an elite season, as evidenced by Nolan Jones and Brenton Doyle. McCarthy needs to be rostered and started until he cools off, which may not happen as soon as you think.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Kyle Karros (COL), 3B (Yahoo Most-Added)
Kyle Karros is a viable streaming option at third base, batting .375 with two home runs over the past seven days and .360 with four homers over the past 30 days. The entire Rockies lineup has been hot, and Karros is no exception. With an elite 41.9% launch angle sweet spot, Karros maximizes the spacious outfield of Coors Field, allowing him to rack up hits and extra-bases.
Reynaldo López (ATL), SP (Yahoo Most-Added)
Reynaldo López delivered five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five. López recently earned his way back into the Braves' starting rotation and should continue to be a decent streaming option in the right matchups.
Streaming Pitchers
Payton Tolle (BOS), SP (57% Rostered on Yahoo)
Payton Tolle is a legitimate young talent who has the upside to be worth starting every time he takes the mound. With a 3.39 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, Tolle has held his own, and his peaks have looked even better. His performance against the Yankees, with seven shutout innings and seven strikeouts, is a prime example. Tolle is a must-stream today against the White Sox and should not be dropped afterwards.
These waiver wire picks are just the tip of the iceberg. It's important to remember that fantasy baseball is a game of patience and strategy. Don't be afraid to take a chance on a player who might be under-rostered or overlooked. Sometimes, the best players are the ones who are waiting to be discovered on the waiver wire.
