Fantasy Baseball: Week 10 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups

The 10th week of the baseball season has arrived, and, as always, new players thrive each week. Memorial Day marked the one-third point of the year, and many names have both improved and diminished. Here are my Week 10 "Hot" Waiver Wire Pickups:

Infielders:

* Kevin Millar (BAL) (1B)—Kevin Millar began the year as the cleanup hitter for the Orioles. However, his average struggled and he was shuffled throughout the lineup.  It seems as though that this shuffling may have worked. 

Millar is now hitting .246, with eight homers, 25 RBI, and 27 runs scored.  Those numbers are much improved compared to only a few weeks ago.  Millar is the regular first baseman in Baltimore, meaning that he will get his fair share of at-bats this season. 

Kevin can make a nice injury-reserve player or backup 1B.  He hit two home runs against the Yankees on Tuesday, and you never know when he will strike again.

* Jerry Hairston (CIN) (SS)—I know, this may seem a little confusing.  Everyone has known Hairston to be an outfielder; however, he is making a transition into the infield. 

Hairston told Reds' general manager Dusty Baker that he could make the transition. Baker said, "But he said that he could (play shortstop)."  Jerry is currently hitting .320, with one homer, eight RBI, eight stolen bases, and 12 runs scored. 

If he begins getting the starts at shortstop for the Reds, look for him to be a nice pickup for Week 10.

* Omar Quintanilla (COL) (2B, SS)—Now with both Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes out with injuries, someone needs to step up and be the starting shortstop for the Rockies.  Quintanilla is currently hitting .250, with no homers, two RBI, and 10 runs scored. 

I know that those numbers don't look great, but you have to remember that he's only played in 20 games this season. If he becomes the regular shortstop for now, look for those numbers to increase.

* Kazuo Matsui (HOU) (2B)—Matsui came back from an injury earlier this season, and since then he has steadily been improving his numbers. Matsui is currently hitting .277, with a homer, 12 RBI, and 27 runs scored. 

Note the stolen bases and runs scored. With Tejada, Berkman, and Lee hitting behind Kaz, he should be stealing a lot of bases and scoring a lot of runs. He could make a starter on any fantasy squad this week.

Outfielders:

* Jay Bruce (CIN)—Well, we all knew that he would be here, the question was when.  Jay Bruce was already the Minor League Player of the Year last year, he was rated the No. 1 prospect by many sites, and he has been waiting for the call-up with no sure center fielder in Cincinnati. 

Bruce finally got his shot, and, in his debut, he went 3-for-3 with two RBI, a stolen base, and two runs scored.  Expect more out of him as the year wears on. He should make a fine starting fantasy outfielder for now, and he may be nothing short of "great" by year's end.

* Juan Pierre (LAD)—Pierre had been struggling to find a starting spot in the crowded Dodgers' outfield, and now with Andruw Jones on the disabled list, he may have found his place. 

Pierre is currently the center fielder in Los Angeles. He is hitting .284, with zero homers, 17 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored. If you want a guy who is going to consistently steal a base, Pierre is that guy.

* Cliff Floyd (TB)—Floyd has now finally heated up in Tampa Bay, hitting .281 with three homers, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored.  He, Eric Hinske, and Jonny Gomes are still fighting for that right field spot, meaning that Floyd may get more bats than expected (especially since he is also a DH). 

Look for his numbers to increase as he gets more starts.

Pitchers:

* Clayton Kershaw (LAD)—Like Bruce, Kershaw was also a highly-touted prospect who was making a highly anticipated debut.  And, like Bruce, he had a great one.

In his first start, Kershaw allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. Not bad for a rookie. Kershaw is expected to get better and better as the season progresses.  Pick him up and start him in your fantasy rotation for now.

* Doug Davis (ARZ)—Davis returned from thyroid cancer treatment to dazzle opposing hitters.  That put him at 2-2, with a 4.57 ERA and 20 strikeouts.  Now that Davis is back in the rotation and back on track, he should be consistent enough to be a quality starter throughout the year. 

Like Kershaw, pick him up and start him as soon as possible.

Lawrence Barreca is a Fantasy Baseball columnist for Fantasy Maniaxs.com