Fantasy Baseball: Top Pickups Available Right Now
The fantasy baseball season has hit an interesting transition period around leagues nationwide. Due to the abundance of injuries and disappointing star players, the waiver wire has become a do-or-die spot for many fantasy baseball teams.
When examining the waiver wire for the next fantasy baseball star, many factors come into account. A player’s production, combined with his availability in most leagues, contributes to a player being a top pickup. Players like Chase Anderson, Hector Santiago and Logan Forsythe are a few of the top fantasy baseball pickups currently available.
Here are the top ten pickups available in most fantasy leagues right now.
No. 10: Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (42.9 Percent Owned)
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Two-time All-Star Andre Ethier has received more playing time since teammate Yasiel Puig suffered a hamstring injury just 11 games into the season. Since taking over as one of the team’s starting outfielders, Ethier has flourished.
Ethier is hitting .307 this season with 19 runs scored and 14 RBI in just 120 plate appearances. What makes Ethier valuable is his ability to get on base, with a walk percentage of .133 so far this season. He has also improved his plate discipline, as his .142 strikeout percentage is his lowest since 2008.
The downside to picking up Ethier is the inevitable return of Puig. Before Puig ended up on the disabled list, Ethier was mainly used as a pinch hitter and occasionally as the team’s designated hitter. Ethier’s production will decline sooner rather than later when Puig returns which holds him back from being higher on this list.
As a short-term option, Ethier is a perfect fit for a team in desperate need of impact hitting. However, those who pick him up should stay updated on Puig’s rehabilitation process.
No. 9: Tony Watson, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates (19.0 Percent Owned)
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The Pittsburgh Pirates’ set-up man for closer Mark Melancon has proved to be a reliable reliever in fantasy baseball. While the 29-year-old Tony Watson may be a temporary fix for fantasy teams in need of bullpen help, his consistency separates him from the pack.
Watson has a 1.57 ERA in 21 relief appearances as of Thursday. In 2014, Watson recorded a career-high 34 holds along with ten wins as a reliever. So far this season, Watson has demonstrated great consistency and has scored at least three fantasy points (in ESPN.com standard leagues) in each of his last nine appearances.
What could steer fantasy owners away from Watson is his lack of save opportunities, due to the strong job security of Melancon. However, his production as a set-up man can help fantasy owners dramatically, especially in deeper leagues.
One of the golden rules of fantasy baseball is to ride the hottest players and Watson is towards the top in that category. Though he may not produce in big chunks, his consistency helps his value.
No. 8: Danny Espinosa, 2B, Washington Nationals (10.8 Percent Owned)
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The Washington Nationals’ infield has taken a by-committee approach ever since star infielder Anthony Rendon suffered knee and oblique injuries in spring training. Danny Espinosa’s power and knack for scoring runs has helped turn Washington’s season around dramatically.
This season it is hard to find a consistent second baseman, and Espinosa is easily the best player available at the position in most leagues.
Espinosa is hitting .269, which is solid for a player available in fantasy baseball. Where he really produces is scoring and driving in runs. Espinosa has recorded 23 runs and 13 RBI this season, which makes him an attractive fantasy option.
The downside to Espinosa is his lack of power. Espinosa has only recorded five home runs this season and three of those have been hit in his last 12 games. For those who target players who score runs on a consistent basis, Espinosa is a great option in that regard.
Once the Nationals’ infield gets healthy, Espinosa will more than likely get limited playing time. Ride that Espinosa train while you can, because it may be stopping soon.
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No. 7: Miguel Gonzalez, SP, Baltimore Orioles (44.2 Percent Owned)
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Miguel Gonzalez has been one of the most impressive starters in the American League this season, with a 5-2 record to go along with 42 strikeouts. The Baltimore Orioles have failed to score runs consistently so far and have been anchored by their pitching staff, including Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has been on fire since his first start of the season. He has won five out of his last six starts, including a come-from-behind win against the Seattle Mariners. Gonzalez gave up an early three-run home run to Nelson Cruz but proceeded to retire 13 of the last 15 batters he faced.
He has had some incredible starts in the fantasy baseball world as well. He has recorded at least 19 fantasy points three different times this season, including a shutout against the American League East rival Toronto Blue Jays.
What keeps Gonzalez lower on this list is his inconsistency on the road. Gonzalez has recorded two of his lowest fantasy-point totals on the road this season, while his three highest point totals have all come in Baltimore.
Gonzalez also has a history of giving up the long ball. Last season, he gave up an average of 1.42 runs per nine innings pitched and lost nine games. He may be an early-season juggernaut, but Gonzalez can make an impact depending on matchups.
No. 6: Trevor Plouffe, 3B, Minnesota Twins (25.5 Percent Owned)
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Trevor Plouffe has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Minnesota Twins, as he has 20 RBI this season. He also has an impressive .460 slugging percentage and has shown the ability to get big hits in big moments.
He has also improved his plate discipline the past few seasons. This season, he has recorded a .122 walk percentage, his highest since the 2013 season. The Twins rank seventh in the major leagues in runs scored due to Plouffe’s production in the heart of the batting order.
The downside to Plouffe is his injury history. He’s never played a full season during his nine-year career and has only played more than 119 games in a season three times.
One of the biggest surprises of this young season has been how Minnesota has played offensively, but this should change by the All-Star Break. Regardless of how the team performs the rest of the way, Plouffe is worth holding onto for instant power and production.
No. 5: Joe Mauer, 1B, Minnesota Twins (52.7 Percent Owned)
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The 32-year-old Joe Mauer is more than likely past his All-Star days, as evidenced by the fact that he made the switch from catcher to first base last season. However, he has shown signs this season of the player he once was, and he is producing offense consistently.
Mauer is a low-risk, high-reward player who can produce for the short term. He has gotten off to a better start than last season with a .284 batting average and 24 RBI. Thanks to the abundance of young talent on its roster, Minnesota hasn’t needed Mauer to produce as much, which has taken the pressure off him.
First base is arguably the hardest position in fantasy baseball to judge, based on inconsistent hitting by players at the position. The veteran Mauer can fill a fantasy team’s need for an immediate first baseman based on his consistency.
The problem with Mauer is his age, in addition to a recent injury history and plate discipline issues. However, there is no doubt that when Mauer is in a hitting groove, he is often hard to stop.
Mauer is a great option for any teams in need of a first baseman because of injuries to other players or just an overall need of offensive talent. While he isn’t the player he once was, he can still produce in fantasy at a high level.
No. 4: Joe Panik, 2B, San Francisco Giants (19.3 Percent Owned)
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In his rookie season in 2014, Joe Panik rose to the national spotlight in helping the San Francisco Giants to another World Series title. Panik’s impressive .305 average and .361 on-base percentage helped the team add a much-needed bat late in the season.
Although his stats have dropped slightly so far this season, Panik has proved to be a reliable hitter with a .287 batting average and .412 slugging percentage. While a lack of home run power is a valid concern for Panik, his contact sets him apart. Panik has a .316 batting average on balls in play and sits towards the top of the Giants’ batting order.
The downside to Panik is his inconsistent plate discipline. While Panik has a walk percentage of .103, he also has a strikeout percentage of .122. Panik is often slow on the base paths and won’t steal many bases, which provides little value in leagues that score steals highly.
Panik won’t catch your eye with his power, but his ability to hit for a high average and ability to score runs gives him great value in fantasy leagues.
No. 3: Chase Anderson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (19.2 Percent Owned)
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The hard-throwing right-hander for the Arizona Diamondbacks is known for striking batters out, which is valuable in fantasy baseball. This season, Chase Anderson has been the sole bright spot for an Arizona pitching staff that has struggled mightily this season.
As a rookie last season Anderson made an impact early and often for the Diamondbacks with an average of 8.27 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. This season his strikeout ratio isn’t as high (6.16 strikeouts per nine innings) but his 2.54 ERA has placed him near the standard of fantasy star pitchers.
Anderson has allowed one run or less in each of his past four starts and has produced double-digit fantasy-point performances in six of his past eight starts. Anderson’s consistency so far this season should attract fantasy baseball owners in need of starting rotation depth.
The downside to Anderson is his lack of professional experience. He is in just his second season in the major leagues and still has a long way to develop on the mound. Arizona has provided great run support so far this season for Anderson, but there is no telling whether or not the offense will stay consistent all season long.
Anderson is a diamond in the rough for the Diamondbacks, and he should provide fantasy owners with a great pitching option if he can stay healthy.
No. 2: Hector Santiago, SP, Los Angeles Angels (39.8 Percent Owned)
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A former relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, Hector Santiago has made a name for himself since joining the Los Angeles Angels last season. Santiago and Anderson’s statistics are very similar, but what separates Santiago is his ability to win consistently.
Santiago has a 3-2 record so far this season with a stifling 2.45 ERA, which is impressive for a No. 5 starter. He also has the ability to get out of early-inning jams, leaving 87% of runners left on base.
Santiago is riding a hot streak of allowing just one run or less in six of his last seven starts. He doesn’t give up many big hits and has a ground-ball percentage of .309.
What keeps Santiago from earning the top spot on this list is the fact that in past seasons he’s gotten off to fast starts but has slowed down after the first two months of the season. If he can stay consistent, Santiago can be scary going forward.
His unpredictability, especially later on in the season, may sway fantasy owners away from Santiago, but his current high level of production gives Santiago fantastic short-term value at the very least.
No. 1: Logan Forsythe, 2B/1B/DH, Tampa Bay Rays (35.0 Percent Owned)
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The top candidate on this list is also the most versatile, playing three different positions for the Tampa Bay Rays. Logan Forsythe has switched between the three different spots due to injuries on the team. His offensive promise shows that he has made the most of his opportunity.
Forsythe struggled the past two seasons with poor hitting, but this season has been completely different for the 28-year-old slugger. Forsythe is hitting .301 this season with a slugging percentage of .485, and he has given the Rays a big bat to go alongside third baseman Evan Longoria.
Forsythe also has the best plate discipline of all the hitters on this list. He has a strikeout percentage of just .136, his lowest since the 2012 season. On the flip side, Forsythe doesn’t walk a lot, either, with a walk percentage of just .091.
The only problem with Forsythe is that, based on how his career has gone, his numbers this season seem too good to be true. He also has a history of moving up and down from the minors to the majors, due to both injuries and lack of production.
There is no doubt that Forsythe is the hottest player available on the fantasy baseball waiver wire, but only time will tell if he can stay hot for the rest of the 2015 season.
All ownership percentages and fantasy point calculations are from ESPN.com fantasy baseball leagues as of May 21, 2015.
Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis
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