Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups Week 9 featuring Clarke Schmidt and Alek Manoah
We are nearly two months into the fantasy baseball season, and there have been dozens of storylines that have affected managers. There have been some season-ending injuries to stars like Spencer Strider, Jung Hoo Lee and Shane Bieber, causing managers to scope the waiver wire to attempt to replace these players.
Luckily for fantasy baseball managers, there have been many players who may have gone undrafted and are in the middle of breakout seasons. These are the types of pickups throughout the year who could be the difference between winning and losing.
"Mason Miller strikes out Juan Soto on three pitches" - @TalkinBaseball_
Some of the emerging fantasy stars in 2024 include Mason Miller, Brent Rooker and Jo Adell. With several months remaining in the season, there will be plenty of names on the waiver wire who could help bolster clubs looking to reach the postseason.
Waiver wire targets heading in week 9 of fantasy baseball
Clarke Schmidt
The New York Yankees have been enjoying a hot run from starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt. The 28-year-old has been excellent over his last two starts, throwing 14.2 innings without allowing a run.
Over those innings, Schmidt has also racked up 14 strikeouts, something that will certainly help fantasy baseball manager with their ratios.
"Clarke Schmidt has been such a pleasant surprise this season. Easily one of the best back-end starters in the league. 2.49 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 158 ERA+" - @JacobBSpeaks
As of Monday, Clarke Schmidt has a 50.2% ownership rate in ESPN fantasy baseball, so his availability might be limited depending on the league. However, if the New York Yankees pitcher is sitting on the waiver wire, he's a must-add player across all platforms.
Alek Manoah
It has been a rough year and a half for Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah. The young pitcher was once viewed as a perennial Cy Young Award candidate following his breakout 2022 campaign.
After a dismal 2023 season, Manoah appears to be figuring something out at the major league level again.
"Alek Manoah tosses seven scoreless innings!" - @TalkinBaseball_
Although there will be plenty of managers skeptical of Alek Manoah's production lately, given the success he enjoyed in the past, hes' certainly worth a speculative add. After a poor first outing of the season, Manoah has bounced back in a major way, pitching 14.0 clean innings with 13 strikeouts over his last two starts.
While he may revert to his disappointing form, add Manoah while you can in case the bounceback is real. He's only owned in 13.2% of ESPN leagues, so he should be sitting on the waiver wire.