Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Overlooked Studs You Must Grab

With the first full slate of Major League Baseball games complete, the fantasy waiver wire is going to start heating up. The time for preseason talk is over, it is all about making sure you have the best team possible. 

So where do you go to find these hidden gems that no one else is talking about?

Here, of course. There are so many players out there just waiting to get snatched up by you, and you can't even see it because you aren't looking hard enough. 

No problem. Here are the best players sitting and waiting for a fantasy home right now. 

Justin Smoak, Seattle Mariners

We have heard about Smoak for a long time. He was one of the most-talked about first base prospects when he was in the Texas Rangers organization, and his stock soared after he was the key piece in the Cliff Lee trade. 

Two years of injuries and poor performance have left Smoak's stock at an all-time low. But he is poised to have the kind of year everyone has talked about. He still possesses the bat speed and power, he just needs to get more comfortable with his approach and stay on the field. 

The Mariners have shown a lot of confidence in him by inserting him in the middle of the lineup. He just has to hold his end of the bargain. 

Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox

Like Smoak, Beckham has been a huge bust since the start of the 2010 season. He looked like a budding superstar in his rookie year, posting a .270/.347/.460 slash line in 103 games in 2009. 

Even though there are clear signs that Beckham may not be the player he was supposed to be, like his approach at the plate or sharp decrease in bat speed, he can't be as bad as he looked last year—.230/.296/.337—right?

Since he is just 25 years old, he is going to get one more reprieve. He has great potential, it just a question of putting it all together. As a bench player for your team, he can play big dividends. 

Erik Bedard, Pittsburgh Pirates

Fantasy baseball is all about taking risks, and there are few pitchers who come with more risk than Bedard. 

He did throw 129 innings last year, which is his best total since 2007. That's hardly a ringing endorsement for him, but when he was out there he pitched very well. He averaged nearly one strikeout per inning pitched and had a 3.62 ERA. 

The Pirates need Bedard to stay healthy if they have any designs on improving upon last year's success. Fantasy owners can't deny the numbers that he puts up when is on the mound. It just takes a lot to make sure that happens. 

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