This past week was yet another one filled with notable injuries, as Grayson Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi hit the IL. So, who could fill the void for fantasy baseball players? Here are our 2024 Week 6 fantasy baseball waiver wire targets.
Jose Butto
We start our Week 6 fantasy baseball waiver wire target list with Jose Butto, one of two Mets pitchers listed here. Butto excelled against the Cubs this past week, as he struck out six over six strong innings on May 1 against the Cubs. On the season, Butto has 31 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA.
Butto doesn’t have a dominant fastball. However, he does have a plus changeup and two good breaking balls. That would explain why hitters have a 30.8% Whiff% on his four-seamer this season.
Luis Gil
We’ve featured Luis Gil on this list earlier in 2024 but it’s hard not to put him here again after what he did against the O’s this past week. Facing Corbin Burnes, Gil struck out five and didn’t allow a run in the Yankees’ win on May 1. Gil now has 40 strikeouts on the season, which puts him just outside the top 10 among American League pitchers.
Gil’s stuff, powered by a hard fastball, is legit. There have been bumps in the road, as the 24-year-old walked 20 over his first 31 innings this season. But with a high Whiff% (31.2%) and on a good Yankees team, Gil’s ceiling is high.
John Means
Orioles starter John Means returned from the IL on May 4 with a vengeance. Means struck out eight over seven scoreless frames on the 4th and a 43% Whiff% to beat the Reds in what could be considered a big boost for an O’s team down Grayson Rodriguez.
It’s a contrast from 2023 when Means returned from injury, as the lefty recorded just 10 strikeouts over 23.1 IP.
Christian Scott
Mets pitching prospect Christian Scott rolled through Triple-A before his Major League debut and shook off a tough first inning to have a great first outing in the Majors. Scott notched 18 whiffs — eight off his fastball alone — and struck out six over 6.2 gorgeous innings for New York.
Scott’s fastball/sweeper/split-change combo is formidable and with Adrian Houser in the bullpen in the interim, the young righty could be in store for more than a cameo.
Jameson Taillon
Things look much better after a rough first season in Chicago for Jameson Taillon. Taillon struck out a season-high seven batters against the Brewers on May 4, an impressive feat given Milwaukee’s ability to make contact. He didn’t allow a run in that start, as Taillon moved to 3-0 and a 1.13 ERA the season.
Don’t expect big strikeout numbers from Taillon, given his ability to work jam hitters with his cutter. Still, he can be a good source of wins if he can continue limiting hard contact.