Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Catch This Tiger By the Tail

Plus, the Orioles called up a rookie who is looking like a keeper.

As we head into July, it’s time to take a good look at your fantasy rosters and gear up for the second half. Bear in mind that your league’s trade deadline may also be approaching in the next 30 days, so start to assign value to your players accordingly. Many times you can fill your needs from the waiver wire, but don’t pass up a good trade opportunity while you can.

Jordan Westburg is an interesting rookie to target this weekend, and I’ve also got a few veterans to keep in mind when you are placing your bids.

Here are five players to consider for your waiver claims this weekend. 

Spencer Torkelson, 1B (DET)

Raymond Carlin III/USA Today Sports

I’ve been stashing Tork for a while, so no one is more excited that he hit two home runs Thursday night – bringing his total for June to seven. With a hard-hit rate, average exit velocity and max exit velocity all in the 83rd percentile or better, Torkelson was due for a power breakout. The weather is warming and I am not too concerned about his batting average, which Statcast says should be closer to .260. If you need cheap power, Torkelson could be your guy. 

Jordan Westburg, SS (BAL)

Westburg made his debut for Baltimore on Monday, and he quickly logged a hit in each of his three games played. The Orioles' current no. 3 prospect was having a strong season at Triple-A, slashing .295/.372/.567. He has the chance to secure an everyday role with the Orioles, who are one of the best teams in MLB. 

TJ Freidl, OF (CIN)

It wouldn’t be a waiver wire article if we didn’t feature a Cincinnati Red. This week we are looking at TJ Friedl, who is hitting .320 this season with 14 stolen bases. Who doesn’t need a guy that hits .320 and steals? It may not be the sexiest name, but Friedl plays in a stacked lineup and even recorded three home runs in June, bringing his total for the season to six. 

Tommy Pham, OF (NYM)

Pham is hitting the ball hard this season -- really hard. HIs average exit velocity is in the 98th percentile of the league. He’s been red hot in June, hitting .329 with five homers, 17 RBIs and four stolen bases, and he’s earned an everyday role. There’s no reason to doubt Pham until he shows us otherwise, so go ahead and put those bids in.

Kenta Maeda, SP (MIN)

Maeda has been solid in his two starts since returning from the IR, allowing only two earned runs across 10 innings pitched, while striking out 12. According to Statcast, Maeda’s xERA for the season is 4.04 -- much lower than his actual 6.23 which became grossly inflated after one horrible start vs. the Yankees in April before he hit the IL. He’s a career 3.95 ERA pitcher who’s striking out batters at a rate better than nine per nine innings, and I’ll be adding him to most of my benches this weekend.