The first full week of the baseball season is in the books. Fantasy managers are beginning to see how their rosters are shaping up. Several notable players are already on the shelf. Some players simply need to be replaced. How do we decide who to add? Never fear, as this fantasy baseball priority waivers is here to help, just like all of the other articles Belly Up writers are producing.

A common theme, at least among the pitchers, is prominent in this article. Those featured are looking at making two starts next week. Predictably, these starter’s value will be much higher than other pitchers and managers will want to make a move on them as soon as possible. As always, discussion and debate are encouraged. As a reminder, all ownership percentages are provided by ESPN. Now that is all out of the way, let’s get started!

Kenta Maeda, SP, Minnesota Twins, 10.3% Owned

Without doubt, recommending a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery can be dicey. However, Kenta Maeda deserves the shoutout after an outstanding performance in his first start of the season. Unfortunately for Maeda, he was the losing pitcher, but that is only because Sandy Alcantara pitched the first complete game shutout of the year.

As for Maeda, he only allowed one run on three hits in his five innings of work. Additionally, he struck out an impressive nine hitters while walking none. After the start, Maeda said he felt a little fatigued, but otherwise good and expects to make his next start, which lines up against the White Sox Monday.

The fact that he is taking an extra day of rest between his first and second starts will help him. If all goes well, it should be a two-start week for Maeda. He looks like he could be the pitcher that had a 2.70 ERA for the Twins in 2020 and if so, his ownership percentage will rise significantly.

Before that happens, beat your fellow managers to the punch and add Maeda to the roster. Note of caution: make sure that Maeda is clear of the day-to-day classification he currently has before making a move. Once that happens, dive in.

Wade Miley, SP, Milwaukee Brewers, 1.7% Owned

A pitcher who has completely disappeared from the horizon that needs rediscovering is Wade Miley. He is just around one percent owned and that is completely understandable. After all, Miley made only eight starts and won just two games for the Cubs last season.

Fortunately, like Maeda above, everything is now new, and it could hardly have gotten off to a better start for Miley. Pitching against the Mets, Miley held them to just five singles in six shutout innings. He also didn’t allow a single walk while striking out three.

The low strikeout total might scare some managers away. Quite frankly, that is a concern, as he has never been a strikeout pitcher. However, that is the only downside to Miley’s game at the moment. The proof is the 18 fantasy he provided Tuesday. Of course, any fantasy manager would take that.

He lines up to start against Arizona Monday, setting him up for a two-start week. The fact that he is making the two starts is enough to place Miley on this fantasy baseball priority waivers list.

David Peterson, SP, New York Mets, 13.6% Owned

As I wrote about David Peterson in my last article, I will only say a couple of words here. Obviously, the going this last time out wasn’t nearly as smooth as his first start. Fives were the unlucky number for Peterson against the Brewers. In four innings, Peterson allowed five runs on five hits, while walking and striking out five. At least he wasn’t stuck with a loss.

However, pitching against Milwaukee on the road is no easy task. Facing the Padres is not so simple, either, but at least he faces them at home. Citi Field is a pitcher’s paradise. Peterson’s place in the rotation is secure and managers should give him a little slack before sending him to the showers.

Bryce Elder, SP, Atlanta Braves, 4.3% Owned

Next up for discussion is Bryce Elder. It should be no surprise that the Braves can locate and know how to use starting pitchers. Making his season debut against a St. Louis team that can swing the bat, Elder was extremely impressive. In six innings, he held the Cardinals scoreless on just two hits while striking out six and walking three.

When Atlanta brought up Elder a year ago, he produced a losing 2-4 record, but had an excellent 3.17 ERA to go along with a 3.78 FIP. Further, he had a 1.241 WHIP and a 7.4 H9. His K9 in the majors is a less than stellar 8.0, but he put up a 9.3 in the minors. That number can improve going forward.

How long Elder remains in the starting rotation is unknown. Max Fried just went on the injured list with a hamstring injury and Kyle Wright can return April 11. Whatever the case, Elder will make his next projected start at home against Cincinnati. The Reds are off to a winning start, but they accomplished that in their own ballpark. They will be quite a different team on the road. Given Elder’s availability and his opponent, adding him to a fantasy roster is just too good to pass up.

Yoan Moncada, 3B, Chicago White Sox, 29.1% Owned

Just as soon as many of us were ready to write him off, Yoan Moncada has shown it is too early to send him to the waiver prison just yet. The White Sox began the season on the road against defending champion Houston. Not much was expected out of them in that series.

Clearly, however, Moncada wasn’t intimidated. He had a hit in all four games, including two three-hit gems. Further, he hit two home runs, drove in four and scored three runs. He then made his home debut against the Giants and had hits in the first two games of that series.

Truthfully, Moncada still has a strike out problem, as he has eight in the first six games. If that continues to plaque him and the hits dry up, the recommendation on this fantasy baseball priority waivers edition is to send him to the desert just as fast as you rescued him.

Brian Anderson, 3B/OF, Milwaukee Brewers, 48% Owned

Speaking of the Brewers mentioned earlier, raise your hand if you had Brian Anderson as their best hitter through the first week of the season. I see no hands in the air, and if I did, I would know someone is lying. Hard as it may be to believe, Anderson is swinging the hottest bat in Milwaukee at the moment.

Through the first six games of the season, he has a hit in all of them, including one with two hits and a three-hit game. As impressive as that is, however, it doesn’t come close to demonstrating just how red-hot Anderson is. Three of those hits cleared the fences. Further, he drove in ten runs while touching the plate seven times. Anderson threw in two doubles to boot.

Let’s be very clear here: this is not a season long recommendation. Anderson could cool off just as fast as he heated up, as demonstrated by his embarrassing 101 strikeouts in just 338 at-bats in 2022. Even so, managers can ride the hot hand until it goes cold, however long that takes.

Note: Anderson’s ownership rate has shot up over 20 percent since Friday. He may not be available in a lot of leagues, and if he is, he won’t be for long. Act now or he will be on someone else’s roster.

Myles Straw, OF, Cleveland Guardians, 18.0% Owned

Speaking of players on a tear, few are doing it better than Myles Straw. Entering this weekend’s rematch with the Seattle Mariners, Straw was hitting .364. That batting average is even more mind blowing considering he didn’t have a hit in the first game. After that, though, Straw hit in six straight, including two games with a pair of hits.

The early returns of how the new rules are affecting the game have shown that the stolen base is back in vogue. The Guardians are one of the teams using this to their advantage, especially Straw as he has five steals entering Friday’s play. In 2021, Straw stole a career-high 30 bases. Expect that he will far exceed that total in 2023. Straw won’t give a manager any power, but he will fill the other fantasy categories with enough stats.

Because of the reasons outlined above, recommending Straw on this fantasy baseball priority waivers edition is an easy call.

James Outman, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers, 28.5% Owned

Without question, James Outman was one of the rookies that few fantasy managers were paying attention to entering the season. Ten games in, though, that needs to change and quickly. Entering Monday’s play, Outman is hitting .296-3-9. He also has two triples and seven runs scored. Further, his other stats are over the moon as well: .457/.778/1.235.

In fact, Outman has been playing so well that the Dodgers have shifted Mookie Betts to second base on more than one occasion. If that continues, and he earns second base eligibility, Betts’ value goes through the roof. Outman’s play is the key to that move, however, and he certainly seems up to the task thus far.

Outman’s minor league stats strongly suggests that he isn’t playing over his head. In two stops last season, he hit .294-31-106 and scored 101 runs. He also stole 13 bases while being caught four times. Los Angeles isn’t off to the start they expected, but that sure isn’t Outman’s fault. Like Anderson above, his ownership percentage has surged over the weekend. Immediate action is absolutely recommended.

Nolan Gorman, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals, 26.2% Owned

As well as Nolan Gorman is swinging the bat to start the season, there hardly seems necessary to have another reason to recommend him. That is not the case, however. A glance at the schedule shows that the Cardinals begin the week playing a three-game series against the Rockies in Denver. Once completed, they return home to face the sorry pitchers the Pirates send to the mound.

Of course, I trust the reason is now clear, yes? How exactly hot is hot? Entering the weekend, Gorman was hitting .438. No, you didn’t misread that. He had a hit in every game, including consecutive games with two. Last Sunday against Toronto, Gorman homered twice.

The Cardinals began their schedule with games against Toronto, Atlanta and Milwaukee. With the above information, it is easy to conclude that the coming week will be much easier for St. Louis. With his ownership percentage rising fast, Gorman won’t be available for long. Don’t hesitate if there is a need for a second baseman and claim Gorman today.

Note: Gorman didn’t have a hit against Milwaukee this weekend. Because he is set to play in Denver, though, there is no reason to be concerned. At the very least, add him for this upcoming series.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball priority waivers edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will have a live fantasy draft this coming Sunday night at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in!