CBS Sports identifies Roki Sasaki as top waiver priority amid Dodgers breakout

CBS Sports has released its Week 12 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire analysis, identifying Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki as the primary waiver priority following a notable performance breakout. The guide recommends adding a broad range of players, including Alvarez, Endy Rodriguez, Eldridge, Paul Goldschmidt, Antonacci, Jacob Gonzalez, Mead, Lewis, David Hamilton, Arroyo, Jett Williams, Marte, Dominguez, Nootbaar, McCarthy, Cowser, Detmers, May, Jump, Milbrandt, Taylor, and Lange.

The recommendations are based on recent statistical improvements, changes in roster eligibility, or injury contexts affecting playing time. Sasaki’s inclusion stems from a dramatic turnaround in his pitching metrics, with CBS Sports noting that he has delivered three of his best career starts over his past four outings. This surge includes a recent shutout performance against the Angels where he recorded 10 strikeouts over seven innings, marking the first time he has achieved double-digit strikeouts in a major-league start.

Since the start of May, Sasaki has posted a 2.55 earned run average with 38 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35.1 innings. CBS Sports attributes this stability to adjustments in his pitch selection, specifically a harder version of his splitter and a velocity bump on his fastball. The analysis suggests that while the sample size is small, the upside shown by the pitcher is significant enough to warrant immediate attention from fantasy managers, noting he remains available in approximately a quarter of CBS Fantasy leagues.

Beyond Sasaki, the report highlights several players benefiting from roster eligibility changes or team injury situations. Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees has started 15 consecutive games due to injuries to other corner and designated hitter options, maintaining a high expected weighted on-base average. Similarly, Jacob Gonzalez of the Chicago White Sox has been integrated into the lineup as a replacement for Munetaka Murakami, showing an average exit velocity that suggests he has not been overwhelmed by major-league pitching.

Other players recommended for addition include Alvarez, who is nearing a return from a knee injury after showing signs of a breakout prior to his absence, and Endy Rodriguez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose high walk rate makes him a viable option for on-base percentage-focused leagues. The analysis also points to David Hamilton of the Milwaukee Brewers, who has provided a bonus of hits in addition to stolen bases since the start of June, and Jett Williams, whose extensive infield and outfield eligibility makes him an attractive stash for a team with offensive struggles at those positions.

The guide further details players such as Nootbaar, whose performance may be aided by recovered heel injuries and the batting environment at Coors Field, and McCarthy, who has emerged as an everyday player for the Colorado Rockies. Pitchers such as Detmers, May, and Jump are also cited for their recent statistical resilience and potential upside, despite varying levels of historical inconsistency or early-season struggles.

The comprehensive list of players to target includes Mead, Lewis, Arroyo, Marte, Dominguez, Cowser, Milbrandt, Taylor, and Lange, each selected for specific contextual advantages ranging from delayed breakouts to bullpen role shifts. CBS Sports advises managers to act quickly on these recommendations, particularly for players like Sasaki, whose waiver availability is expected to diminish rapidly as the week progresses.

The analysis serves as a mid-season guide for fantasy baseball managers seeking to optimise their rosters through strategic waiver claims. It underscores the importance of monitoring roster eligibility changes and injury reports, as these factors often dictate playing time and fantasy value more than long-term projections.