MLB Fantasy Baseball 2011: 10 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups for Week 2 (4/4/11-4/10/11)
Week one of the 2011 fantasy baseball season is just about in the books. Some of you may feel quite optimistic; while others may be a bit discouraged. Just remember that the fantasy baseball season is long, just like the MLB regular season. If you panic now, you're probably not cut out to play fantasy sports.
Week one has already been an interesting one. There have been some key injuries including Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria, who just so happens to have been my own first-round draft pick. It appears like he will be out for around three weeks with a strained oblique.
So what to do?
I've already made a move which I hope will be adequate until Longoria returns.
I'll mention some players here that could be possible injury replacements, and others who just warrant a pick-up because of their solid play.
Let's get it started!
3B Brent Morel, Chicago White Sox
1 of 10
Morel has some confidence at the moment, and he has been showing it on the field. In two games through today, Morel has been productive with three hits, three runs, two RBI and one stolen base.
He should continue to get most of the at-bats at the hot corner for the Sox.
If your league counts errors against you in scoring, he may not be your best choice. He has already committed two in two games.
Even after I picked this guy up, Morel is still only owned in two percent of all Yahoo leagues. The odds are he's available in yours
SP Kyle Drabek, Toronto Blue Jays
2 of 10
This isn't a huge surprise, but rookie pitchers are always risky. Drabek went out and showed why he will be a successful MLB starting pitcher for quite some time.
Drabek shut the Twins down completely: 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 SO
I think we all know that the Twins aren't a feeble hitting team, and that's why it's an even more impressive performance.
Drabek is owned in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues. I think that just went up when I acquired him less than an hour ago.
SP Travis Wood, Cincinnati Reds
3 of 10
I wanted to vomit yesterday. No, I didn't have the flu or anything. I was watching the Reds play the Brewers. I was sick because Wood man-handled a good hitting club in the Brewers. I tabbed Wood as a sleeper a couple weeks ago, but he didn't have to take it to heart until Milwaukee left town.
I won't say too much more than: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB and 7 SO
He did all of that in something like 83 pitches.
Wood is only owned in 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. I expect to see that closer to 75 percent by the time games start on Monday.
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C J.P. Arencibia, Toronto Blue Jays
4 of 10
I have said for awhile that Arencibia is a one-trick pony. Don't expect to see a catcher that can call a brilliant game or throw out base runners at the drop of a hat. Expect a hitter playing catcher.
If he gets enough at-bats, he will be able to help your team from the catcher position. He has started two of the first three games behind the plate and has tallied three hits, two runs, one triple, two home runs and five RBI.
He is owned in only 51 percent of Yahoo leagues, and I can guarantee (not money-back) that he will put up better offensive numbers than a few of current starting catchers in your leagues.
OF Cameron Maybin, San Diego Padres
5 of 10
A few weeks ago, I picked Maybin to be a sleeper for the Padres. So far, he is making me look much smarter than I have any right to look.
While he went hitless in three at-bats on Sunday, Maybin has accumulated three hits, three runs, one home run and 2 RBI through three games.
He's available in 86 percent of Yahoo leagues. I have already picked him up and stashed him on my bench in two leagues. You might want to do the same.
SP Jeff Francis, Kansas City Royals
6 of 10
Francis has a track record. He's had some success in Colorado, but he has also battled injuries. He's started fresh in Kansas City and his first start was impressive.
Against the Angels, Francis came with the thunder. Well, maybe not thunder, but he was working it.
He finished with a line of: 7 IP, 5H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
While expecting that on a regular basis would be a bit foolish, I think you can expect Francis to find his form once again and have a successful season.
He is currently owned in only three percent of Yahoo leagues.
3B Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers
7 of 10
Inge is streaky. He always has been. If Evan Longoria hadn't gone down Saturday, I wouldn't recommend picking him up. But Inge could be a capable stop gap until Longoria returns.
Discounting last season, Inge has been a decent backup option for mainly home runs and runs batted in. If strikeouts count against you, you may want to look elsewhere.
In his first three games so far this season, Inge has four hits and an RBI.
Don't expect too much.
SP Jonathon Niese, New York Mets
8 of 10
Niese had a nice start to the 2011 campaign by stymieing the Marlins for much of the evening on Saturday.
7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP
Things may have just started to click for the young lefty. He's probably still available in your league since he is only owned in 15 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Take a closer look.
UTIL Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians
9 of 10
Get him while he's healthy. He can clearly still hit as evidenced by his five hits, one home run, two RBI and four runs in his first three games of 2011.
There was never a doubt about his hitting. He already seems to be dialed in at the plate.
I say use and abuse the guy until he gets injured again. He is only owned in four percent of Yahoo leagues.
You heard it here first.
SP Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
10 of 10
Britton is one of the O's top prospects and had nothing to prove in the minors, yet the Orioles still decided to send him to Triple A to start the season. Thank goodness for injured pitchers at the MLB level. At least that's probably what Britton was thinking.
He had his first start this afternoon against Tampa Bay and was very effective. He threw 96 pitches with this line: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
I expect him to have growing pains, but he will have more days like this. Get him now.
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