We are five weeks into the fantasy baseball season, and the cream is starting to rise to the top. Players like Mike Trout, Jose Ramirez and Shohei Ohtani are doing what was expected of them. Other former first-round picks are overproducing their ADP like Manny Machado, Aaron Judge and of course Justin Verlander.
Verlander in particular, for a guy of his age, having not pitched in almost two years, to be pitching this well in incredible. Thus far, he is the number one pitcher in fantasy baseball. Whoever nabbed him in the middle to late rounds of their drafts are smiling. I, having owned him previously in an auction keeper league, decided not to hold onto the veteran. Oops.
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Nevertheless, every team Sunday night should always be looking to improve their team heading into their next matchup. Therefore, I am here to break down the four top waiver wire targets for fantasy baseball managers heading into Week 6.
2022 Fantasy Baseball: Top 4 Waiver Wire adds for Week 6
1. Luke Voit – Padres Designated Hitter
I know, he has been pretty brutal so far this season in San Diego. He's only 11-for-63 with two home runs and seven RBI's so far. But he did miss a few weeks due to injury. After coming back last week, he reminded everyone how useful he can still be, going deep twice in a game against the Cubs.
More than likely, his batting average will come up to the .230-.240 range. But his patience at the plate has still been there, as shown by his 12 walks. His on-base percentage is still decent at .333. Considering how good the middle of the Padres lineup has been, if Voit continues to see at-bats there, the counting stats are sure to come.
As long as you can deal with a low batting average, Voit is worth scooping up.
2. Michael Wacha – Red Sox Starting Pitcher
This might sound crazy, but I am suggesting a starting pitcher from Boston's rotation to fantasy baseball managers. But this comes with a caveat. The only reason he is currently available in 66 percent of Yahoo leagues is because he is currently on the 15-day (yeah, not 10-day) IL. Wacha has been dealing with a left intercostal irritation. He threw a bullpen session Sunday and is slated to toss a simulated game Monday.
Michael Wacha threw a bullpen. Will throw sim game tomorrow. He should be back when his 15 days on the IL expires
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) May 15, 2022
Prior to the injury, Wacha was surprisingly the only Red Sox pitcher worth owning. He is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 26 innings. With Boston's lineup behind him, he is likely to win 10-14 games this year. Since he likely will have a rehab start before being activated, you can pick him up, place him on your IR spot, and still have the bench spot available.
But if you wait for him to come off the IL, it likely will be too late. When he returns, Boston has a stretch of games against the Orioles, Athletics and Reds. Go get him now.
3. Alek Thomas – Diamondbacks Outfielder
DBacks youngster Alek Thomas might already be the best player on Arizona. Ok, fine, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. But Thomas entered the season as MLB's 18th top rated prospect. He was just called up last week. In his first six games, he already has three double digit hit games under his belt, including his first career home run.
Thomas offers fantasy baseball managers a potential power speed combination that you typically don't just find on the wire. He's available in 70 percent of Yahoo leagues and is well worth taking a stab at.
4. Royce Lewis – Twins Shortstop
Royce Lewis got the call up in Minnesota once Carlos Correa went down with injury. Even though his numbers since his call-up haven't not been great, his talent is too great to overlook.
Even though his counting stats have been mostly empty, Lewis does have at least one hit in seven of his first nine career big league games. That includes his first grand slam home run the other day.
Royce Lewis's first career home run is a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/pi3Yvapt1A
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2022
As you can tell, he clearly has plenty of power for a shortstop. The only question will be what happens when Correa returns. If Lewis can remain with the big club, he could be in store for a big role as the months warm up. Fantasy baseball managers would be wise to gamble on him.
As an added little bonus, I want to mention a couple other names who should be fantasy baseball managers' radar. Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar has been warming up lately. We've already seen he is capable of 30-home run plus potential. Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has been on a tear lately, going 13-for-29 over the last seven games. Obviously he will not supply much power or speed, but if you need the percentages, you could do worse in a pinch.
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