This is a rare week in Major League Baseball where every team will play six games between Tuesday and Sunday. With Thursday being July 4th, every team is playing on that day, so no mid-week travel day and a light schedule. This provides plenty of waiver wire options to consider. We also get the gift of a full week of games at Coors Field in Colorado, so we have to try to capitalize on that and consider some Rockies. Let’s take a look at what is available.

Jhonkensy Noel – 1B/3B/OF – CLE – 16% Yahoo, 44% FanTrax, CBS 36%

Cleveland called up Noel last Wednesday and he proceeded to hit a home run in his first major league at bat.  He started four of the five games since being recalled and has gone 3-for-9, with two home runs and a double.  Power is Noel’s calling card and isn’t expected to bring much more to fantasy, though he does qualify 1B/3B/OF in Yahoo leagues which may offer some additional help. In 2023 Noel played 138 games at AAA, where he hit 27 home runs, to go with 81 runs and 85 RBIs. His slash line was a pedestrian .220/.303./420.  This season at AAA, he improved his plate discipline and was slashing .295/359/.578 to go with 18 home runs, 41 runs and 59 RBIs in 284 at bats. Noel started his first game at first base but won’t be supplanting Josh Naylor, so his chance for playing time is in the outfield, where he started his two other games or at designated hitter. If he hits for power, the Guardians are likely to find a way to get his bat in the order on a regular basis as his challengers are Daniel Schneemann, David Fry, Tyler Freeman, none of which should be a roadblock.  Even with his improved plate discipline in the minors this year, he had a low 7.1% BB% and 21.1K%, so isn’t like a good points league play. There is risk here, as power is his only elite skill, but the Guardians like his bat and if given the chance at regular at bats could be a sneaky good mid season pickup in categories leagues if you are in need of counting stats and outfield help.

League size recommendation: 12-team leagues or deeper.  Not recommended in points leagues.

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