Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week 5: 17 Hot Players to Target ASAP

Chris Davis is off to a great start.
Rob Carr/Getty Images

So your team is plagued with injuries or underachieving players. Now is the time to hit the waiver wire. There are a bunch of players who are tearing it up but aren't getting much attention.

Here's a list of 17 players who you should target as soon as possible.

All own percentages are based off of Yahoo! leagues.

Gerardo Parra, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Parra's speed is hard to ignore.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 15 percent

2012 Stats: .270 BA, 2 HRs, 10 RBI, 7 SBs, 13 Rs

Gerardo Parra is more known for his defense, but he's getting it done offensively this year, especially on the basepaths. The batting average is decent, but if you're in a bind for steals, Parra could be your guy. He is getting regular starts, so you don't need to worry about that.

Jon Jay, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Jay seems to be fine after missing time with shoulder pain.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 25 percent

2012 Stats: .404 BA, 2 HRs, 8 RBI, 3 SBs, 7 Rs

Jon Jay missed some time with a shoulder sprain, but he is showing no ill effects since returning. Jay is 7-for-12 in the last three games. Jay is hitting at the bottom of a potent Cardinals lineup, so he should get plenty of RBI opportunities.

Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Baltimore Orioles

Davis is finally showing his potential.
Rob Carr/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 21 percent

2012 Stats: .319 BA, 4 HRs, 11 RBI, 0 SBs, 9 Rs

Chris Davis is finally living up to the potential. After hitting five home runs in 2011 and just one the year before, Davis already has four this season. The Orioles have been playing good baseball, so expect more of the same from Davis.

Jeanmar Gomez, SP, Cleveland Indians

Gomez has looked very good in 2012.
Jason Miller/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: Two percent

2012 Stats: 15.1 IP, 1 W, 2.35 ERA, 13 Ks

Aside from serving a suspension, Jeanmar Gomez has looked very good in 2012. Gomez dominated at Triple-A last year, so it's not a surprise to see him get off to a good start. Gomez' 13:3 K:BB ratio has been very impressive so far.

A.J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates

Burnett has been lights out since returning from injury.
Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 26 percent

2012 Stats: 13 IP, 1 W, 1.38 ERA, 15 Ks

After having a nasty accident trying to bunt, A.J. Burnett has started the 2012 season on fire. He threw seven scoreless innings against the Cardinals and then yielded two earned in six against the Braves. Burnett could be in for a decent year after leaving the big media network of New York.

Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros

Altuve is playing big for a small guy.
Bob Levey/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 62 percent

2012 Stats: .373 BA, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 4 SBs, 15 Rs

Since April 23, Jose Altuve has gone 13-for-27 (.481) with one homer and two stolen bases. He's absolutely on fire, and you better not wait to snag him because he's going fast. He's going to be a solid option for batting average and stolen bases.

Tony Campana, OF, Chicago Cubs

Campana is a must if you need steals.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: Six percent.

2012 Stats: .435 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBI, 6 SBs, 6 Rs

Tony Campana is an asset for stolen bases. If you need steals, then you seriously need to consider picking up the young speedster. In the eight games Campana has played in 2012, he has collected 10 hits and is 6-for-6 in steal attempts.

Anthony Bass, SP/RP, San Diego Padres

Bass has been a pleasant surprise to the 2012 season.
Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: Nine percent

2012 Stats: 27.1 IP, 1 W, 2.30 ERA, 27 Ks

After being used primarily as a reliever last year, Anthony Bass has made a very smooth transition to the rotation in 2012. Bass' biggest improvement has been his strikeout totals. He had 24 Ks in 48.1 IP last year and already has 27 Ks in 27.1 innings. Bass is flexible because he has RP eligibility.

Henry Rodriguez, RP, Washington Nationals

Rodriguez will assume full closer duties with Lidge on the DL.
Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 67 percent

2012 Stats: 9 IP, 5 SVs, 2.00 ERA, 12 Ks

Henry Rodriguez has a blazing fastball that regularly hits 100 mph. It's that type of arm that will get the job done in the ninth inning. Rodriguez was splitting time with Brad Lidge for closer duties, but with Lidge on the DL, Rodriguez should take over full responsibilities. It's very surprising to see that Rodriguez is owned is less than 70 percent of leagues.

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Encarnacion is swinging a hot stick.
Brad White/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 82 percent

2012 Stats: .310 BA, 7 HRs, 20 RBI, 4 SBs, 14 Rs

There haven't been too many players who are swinging the bat like Edwin Encarnacion. The only difference: You still might have a chance at adding Encarnacion. He has displayed both power and speed in the first four weeks of the season. If Encarnacion is available in your league, then you must add him now.

Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals

Harper has made the most of his opportunities.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 71 percent

2012 Stats: 2-for-6 in two MLB games

I'm a little surprised that Bryce Harper isn't owned in more leagues. I mean, this is one of the most hyped up prospects in the history of the MLB.

With that said, he's been very impressive in his two games (minus that ridiculous haircut and that he wears his sunglasses upside down on the back of his head). If you have an opportunity to add Harper, then you have to do it. Just keep him on your bench if you don't think he's ready right now.

Jason Kubel, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Kubel would be a nice add for your team right now.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 40 percent

2012 Stats: .333 BA, 3 HRs, 12 RBI, 0 SBs, 7 Rs

Jason Kubel is off to a red-hot start, and he's been especially on fire the last two weeks. In the last 14 days, Kubel is hitting .372 with three home runs. For a guy who averaged 23 home runs from 2008-10, Kubel should love hitting at Chase Field much more than Target Field. It pays off to ride hot streaks, and Kubel could do that for you right now.

Mike Aviles, 2B/3B/SS, Boston Red Sox

Aviles has enjoyed moving to Fenway Park.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 82 percent

2012 Stats: .284 BA, 4 HRs, 13 RBI, 3 SBs, 16 Rs

For a middle infielder, Mike Aviles has done everything you could ask for. He's scoring runs sitting atop the Red Sox lineup, he's hitting for average, he's stolen some bases and he's showing some pop. With second base and shortstop as very shallow positions, Aviles should easily find a home on most fantasy rosters.

Jake Peavy, SP, Chicago White Sox

Peavy has strung together great starts.
David Banks/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 83 percent

2012 Stats: 37.2 IP, 3 Ws, 1.67 ERA, 33 Ks

Jake Peavy looks like the pitcher who won the Cy Young in 2007. Peavy has allowed just one earned run in back-to-back complete game efforts (and sadly, he got a loss in one of them). The road back has been particularly bumpy, but Peavy looks like he's putting it all back together. He's throwing harder now than he was last season.

Vance Worley, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Worley is trying to prove he's no one-year wonder.
Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 70 percent

2012 Stats: 25 IP, 2 Ws, 2.16 ERA, 27 Ks

After posting an 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA in 2011, Vance Worley is trying to prove that was no fluke. So far, he's proving his case. The Vanimal had an 8.13 K/9 rate last year, but he could be in for an improved rate this year. As a 24-year-old, you have to love the fact that he'll be learning from Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.

Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Houston Astros

Rodriguez is dominating his opponents.
John Grieshop/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 68 percent

2012 Stats: 31.1 IP, 2 Ws, 1.72 ERA, 22 Ks

Wandy Rodriguez has only allowed three or more runs once this season, and that was when he gave up three earned against the Braves in his second start of the year. He's pitched at least five innings in each of his five starts. He arguably owns the best curveball by a lefty. Rodriguez has been rock-solid the last four years. He has never had an ERA higher than 3.60 in that span.

Angel Pagan, OF San Francisco Giants

Pagan is starting to heat up.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Owned in leagues: 32 percent

2012 Stats: .250 BA, 4 HRs, 8 RBI, 2 SBs, 13 Rs

Angel Pagan got off to a pretty rough start, but he's starting to heat up. The average sits at .250, but he's hitting .298 with four homers and a stolen base in the last two weeks. Many managers probably forgot about Pagan after his bad start, so now you can get him cheap.