FAAB Targets (Week of June 14)
The RotoWire Fantasy Baseball Podcast delivers a high-velocity, data-driven deep dive into the week's most actionable waiver wire pickups, emphasizing that mid-June is the sweet spot for roster optimization: late enough to assess team weaknesses, early enough for new additions to impact the rest of the season. The episode centers on a wave of rookie call-ups, with Braden Montgomery (White Sox) and Cole Kerrig (Rockies) standing out as immediate fantasy assets due to elite tools and favorable circumstances. Montgomery’s 95th percentile hard-hit rate and switch-hitting versatility make him a must-add, while Kerrig’s 30 stolen bases and Coors Field advantage offer speed and power upside despite a weak bat. The show also highlights under-the-radar contributors like Dalton Rushing (Dodgers catcher), whose temporary playing time behind Will Smith could yield strong offensive returns. For pitchers, Tatsuya Imai (Astros) and Shane Drohan (Brewers) emerge as promising depth adds despite early struggles, with Imai showing a 2.12 ERA in his last three starts and Drohan’s ground-ball profile making him a safe bet against weak offenses.
Add Braden Montgomery (White Sox) immediately—he’s a switch-hitting power threat with 95th percentile hard-hit rate and guaranteed daily playing time.
Cole Kerrig (Rockies) is a speed and Coors Field fantasy asset; his 30 steals and weak bat are irrelevant in Colorado’s hitter-friendly park.
Dalton Rushing (Dodgers) is a temporary but high-value add behind Will Smith; he’s hitting .360 in June with four extra-base hits in seven games.
Tatsuya Imai (Astros) has a 2.12 ERA in his last three starts; his walk rate remains high, but his 30.2% whiff rate and ground-ball profile make him a deep-league steal.
Shane Drohan (Brewers) is a reliable back-end starter with a 24% strikeout rate, 7% walk rate, and 46% ground-ball rate—ideal for matchups against weak offenses.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Mid-June Roster Reset: The Sweet Spot for Waiver Wire Moves
The hosts open by establishing mid-June as the ideal time to assess team strengths and weaknesses, balancing the need for immediate impact with long-term value. They emphasize that players added now can still contribute significantly over the final three and a half months of the season.
Rookie Outfielders: Montgomery and Kerrig Lead the Charge
“He's a switch hitter. He's better historically against right-handers than left-handers, but when your first hit against a lefty in the big leagues is a double off Chris Sale, I feel like that's a pretty good omen.”
Catchers and Platoon Players: Rushing, Valdez, and the Pirates' Dilemma
“I don't think it's going to be a super long stay on the injured list for Will Smith with the neck injury. We'll see if there are any sort of updates, nothing super definitive for a timeline, but as long as rushing is playing every day, he should be rostered very easily.”
Pitching Picks: Imai, Drohan, and the Case for Depth
“He's trending upward. The walks have to improve to a larger extent for us to be able to believe that he can unlock the frontline potential. But he generates a fair amount of whiffs, a 30.2% whiff rate. That's 85th percentile.”
Deep League Gems: Jordan, Lawler, and the Power of Context
“If you're in a deep league and he does indeed settle in as the strong side platoon guy, there's some power, some speed in an ice park. Definitely just a deep league ad, though.”
“If his name was not Lou James Groover, not sure I would have added him to the list. But anyway, we are pretty much done for today's show.”
“I don't think it's going to be a super long stay on the injured list for Will Smith with the neck injury. We'll see if there are any sort of updates, nothing super definitive for a timeline, but as long as rushing is playing every day, he should be rostered very easily, especially when catcher is such a tough position to come by for offensive value.”
“He's trending upward. The walks have to improve to a larger extent for us to be able to believe that he can unlock the frontline potential. But he generates a fair amount of whiffs, a 30 .2 whiff rate. That's 85th percentile.”
Hosts
RotoWire
organization
Braden Montgomery
person
Esmeralda Valdez
person
Cole Kerrig
person
Tatsuya Imai
person
Dalton Rushing
person
Shane Drohan
person
Nick Gonzalez
person
Grant Taylor
person
Jordan Lawler
person
FAAB Recap / Year of the Hamate Bone
1h 22m • 6/15/2026
How to Climb the Standings with Jake Halusker
1h 20m • 6/11/2026
MAGNIFICENT: White Sox Braden Montgomery WOWS with epic walk-off home run debut
30m • 6/10/2026
New Division Leader for the First Time Since 2022
1h 36m • 6/12/2026
Five NL Rookies to Fade, Trade or Target
1h 7m • 6/16/2026
Jared Jones FAAB Week
1h 14m • 6/1/2026
Eight May Stats Fantasy Baseball Managers Need to Know
56m • 6/2/2026
Minor-League Baseball Talk w/ Rhys White
44m • 6/3/2026
All the Adds and Drops in FAAB
1h 11m • 6/8/2026
Post-Hype Breakouts w/ Lucas Biery
1h 6m • 6/11/2026
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime