Pirates bats crash the fantasy waiver wire
ESPN’s Tristan H. Cockcroft says Pittsburgh’s surprise run-scoring surge has made Esmerlyn Valdez and Nick Gonzales waiver-wire targets.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Pittsburgh Pirates, fresh off a season in which they ranked last in MLB in runs per game, have become one of fantasy baseball’s loudest waiver-wire stories.
ESPN senior writer Tristan H. Cockcroft wrote Monday that Pittsburgh is second in the majors at 5.33 runs per game, a level the club has not reached in the category since its 2000 lineup led by Brian Giles and Jason Kendall. ESPN also noted that the Pirates have scored at a higher rate this season than the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The surge has continued even while Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin have missed time. According to Cockcroft, those three hitters were sidelined for 73% of Pittsburgh’s games across June and July, yet the Pirates led MLB in runs per game during that span at 5.80.
Two Pirates getting the fantasy spotlight
Cockcroft identified outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez and infielder Nick Gonzales as widely available ESPN fantasy options benefiting from Pittsburgh’s unexpected offensive pop.
Valdez, rostered in 42.2% of ESPN leagues, has brought serious power. ESPN cited his 27.4% Statcast Barrel rate, which would rank first in MLB if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. Since being recalled on June 11, Valdez has produced 92 fantasy points, 17th among hitters over that period, despite starting 22 of the Pirates’ 32 games.
Valdez has hit 10 home runs since that recall, sixth in MLB over that stretch, according to ESPN. Cockcroft also flagged risk in his profile, noting that among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances, Valdez has the fourth-worst swing-and-miss rate on pitches inside the strike zone.
Gonzales, rostered in 17.7% of ESPN leagues, has been quieter but useful across formats. ESPN listed him with 204 fantasy points, ranking 16th among third-base eligible players and 17th among second basemen. On ESPN’s Player Rater, he stands eighth at third base and 13th at second.
Cockcroft wrote that Gonzales, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 draft, has shifted into a steadier line-drive and contact profile. ESPN credited swing and contact-point changes for adding roughly 20 to 25 points to his expected batting average, giving him a realistic path to a .300 season.
Pitching streamers and deep-league names
For managers chasing starts, Cockcroft pointed to Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle, rostered in 51.9% of ESPN leagues. With Ranger Suarez expected to return from the injured list and slot into Boston’s open rotation spot Tuesday, ESPN said Tolle lines up for two home starts in Week 16 against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.
Tolle has topped 20 fantasy points in two of his past four outings and has totaled 52 points across that stretch, according to ESPN. Cockcroft also noted that his strikeout rate is higher at home, 30.2%, than on the road, 20.4%. Baltimore and Toronto rank 23rd and 29th in wOBA against left-handed pitching, respectively.
Zach Thornton, New York Mets: ESPN called him a 12-team mixed-league option after a 22-point outing July 12 and multiple emergency starts for an injury-hit Mets rotation.
Kyle Leahy, St. Louis Cardinals: Cockcroft described him as a 15-team mixed-league streamer after double-digit fantasy points in his final four first-half starts and a 2.94 ERA in 10 starts at Busch Stadium.
Tommy White, Athletics: ESPN listed the third baseman as an AL- and NL-only flier after he hit .303 with a .353 OBP across Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.