Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Top 10 Pickups for Week 12
Compared to the last couple of weeks, fewer eye-popping fantasy baseball adds jump out from the waiver wire.
Part of that is the absence of a superstar prospect receiving a promotion. Although the Chicago Cubs briefly teased everyone with Kyle Schwarber, they're sending him down with no more upcoming games in American League ballparks.
Also, many notable names were already covered in previous weeks. It'd be easy to tout Justin Turner or Mitch Moreland, but they already had their moment in the spotlight before more owners started to pay attention.
Sorry if these picks seem tame, but a few big names from years past frequent the list. That includes some former fantasy superstars and a couple of projected breakout stars who took a while to pan out.
Heating up heading into summer, these guys are worth a look if they remain available.
Honorable Mentions
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Missed the Cut
Jace Peterson, 2B/3B, Atlanta Braves (23 Percent Owned)
Chris Parmelee, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (9 Percent Owned)
Ike Davis, 1B, Oakland Athletics (2 Percent Owned)
Erasmo Ramirez, SP/RP, Tampa Bay Rays (13 Percent Owned)
Matt Wisler, SP, Atlanta Braves (6 Percent Owned)
Previously Touted, So Why Are They Still Under 50 Percent Owned?
Justin Turner, 1B/2B/3B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (41 Percent Owned)
Mitch Moreland, 1B, Texas Rangers (31 Percent Owned)
Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (38 Percent Owned)
Trevor May, SP, Minnesota Twins (8 Percent Owned)
Carson Smith, RP, Seattle Mariners (40 Percent Owned)
10. Miguel Sano, 3B/SS, Minnesota Twins (6 Percent Owned)
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Rather than appreciate the flock of young talent infiltrating the majors in recent weeks, it's human nature to want more. Who's the next top prospect to join Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, Joey Gallo, Noah Syndergaard and Francisco Lindor?
The popular pick is Corey Seager replacing the disappointing Jimmy Rollins, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are in no rush to jettison a decorated veteran acquired last winter. Instead, the best prediction is Miguel Sano.
Minnesota Twins manager Paul Moliter opened the door to his arrival by telling the Star Tribune's Phil Miller, "Every day that goes by, he’s closer to getting here. That’s kind of a general answer, but whether it’s in a couple weeks or September, we’ve been looking for him to get consistency.” That certainly doesn't give fantasy managers a specific range, but at least he hinted at a chance.
After missing all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Sano is hitting .249/.351/.493 with 13 homers and five steals during 61 Double-A games. Two years ago, he crushed 19 dingers in 67 games before a torn ulnar collateral ligament cut his season short.
With Trevor Plouffe handling third base, Sano would have to move elsewhere, most likely to the outfield. If Kennys Vargas continues to struggle, the 22-year-old could also seize at-bats as the designated hitter while Minnesota figures out where to play him going forward.
Due to his high strikeout numbers, Sano immediately projects similarly to Plouffe, but with a bit more speed and a lot higher ceiling. He's a prime stash candidate for someone with ample bench spots.
9. Chad Bettis, SP/RP, Colorado Rockies (8 Percent Owned)
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It's tough to recommend anyone pitching for the Colorado Rockies. Few in recent memory have conquered Coors Field, but Colorado also hasn't rostered many talented starters over the past few years.
Chad Bettis' success is all the more impressive considering the venue he calls home. The 26-year-old has registered a 3.44 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 3.13 fielding independent pitching (FIP). He is somehow performing even better at Coors, where he sports a 2.84 ERA.
Brandishing 7.79 strikeouts and 2.72 walks per nine innings with a 48.6 ground-ball percentage, he at least has staying power as a streamer to use on the road. A pitcher amassing his numbers on any other squad would attract some attention, so let's give Bettis his due praise as a deep-league add.
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8. Randal Grichuk, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (10 Percent)
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There's a lot to dislike about Randal Grichuk. He has compiled 39 strikeouts and four walks through 128 plate appearances, a recipe for disaster. Such poor plate discipline will cause his .285 batting average to decay once his .367 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) dwindles.
Now for the good part. He also has a .577 slugging percentage on the strength of 10 doubles, four triples and six homers. The 23-year-old doesn't get shortchanged at the plate, accruing a 43.4 hard-hit percentage.
After pelting 25 homers in 108 Triple-A games last year, he has hit 16 doubles and nine long balls in 86 career games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He's not a future superstar, but Grichuk is a young power source available in 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.
7. Matt Duffy, 2B/3B/SS, San Francisco Giants (24 Percent Owned)
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Seriously, what's going on in the San Francisco Giants' infield?
First Brandon Crawford, a defensive-minded shortstop, started swinging a big stick. Almost three months into the season, he has easily been a top-five shortstop. Then Joe Panik, who hit one lone homer last season, already has six while hitting .304/.374/.459.
Now Matt Duffy continues the unlikely breakout brigade, hitting .290/.340/.435 with six homers through 58 games. No offense to Casey McGehee's .577 OPS, but it's safe to say third base is all Duffy's now.
In 282 previous professional games before 2015, he totaled 13 deep balls. Last season, he generated a .300 slugging percentage during a late call-up. This is way out of left field from a 170-pound utility man known for his speed and defensive versatility.
Speaking of which, he's eligible at three positions, a plus for deep-league owners. That's where the Duff Man belongs, as this unsustainable power isn't enough to vault him into shallow mixed-league discussion.
Then again, the same could have been said for Crawford and Panik.
6. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers (22 Percent Owned)
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Rougned Odor offers yet another case of the prospect who didn't immediately succeed. Those who debut like Correa get lavished with praise that won't vanish even in shortcomings. A youngster who struggles out of the gate, however, quickly becomes yesterday's news.
He wasn't amazing last year, but Odor did enough (.259, nine homers and four steals) to maintain some sleeper appeal this season. When he hit .144 and got demoted, everyone readily discarded the second baseman.
Since then, the 21-year-old earned his way back to the majors by procuring a .352/.426/.639 Triple-A slash line. He has gone 6-for-16 back in Texas, who faced a heavy portion of left-handed pitchers last week.
Although Odor never garnered superstar hype, he always looked to make a fantasy impact with above-average power and speed at second. Another post-hype sleeper candidate, follow Texas' lead and give him a second chance.
5. Joe Ross, SP, Washington Nationals (8 Percent Owned)
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There's no way the Washington Nationals can yank Joe Ross from the rotation now, right?
Through three outstanding starts, the rookie has notched a 2.66 ERA, collecting 23 strikeouts and two walks through 20.1 innings. On Friday night, he (should have) nailed down his spot in Washington's starting unit, striking out 11 in 7.1 masterful frames.
Following in his brother Tyson's path, Ross has dominated with a heavy use of his slider. According to Brooks Baseball, opponents are hitting .111/.111/.167 of the nasty pitch with a 19.05 whiff percentage. Teams tougher than the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates will make adjustments, but a dominating 22-year-old with a filthy out pitch seems worth owning.
Doug Fister returned from the disabled list on Thursday, and Stephen Strasburg isn't too far behind. With manager Matt Williams not considering a six-man rotation, either Ross or Roark will get bumped. Surely he can't be foolish enough to pick Roark's 5.07 FIP and 4.44 K/9, right? Right?
4. Brock Holt, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, Boston Red Sox (39 Percent Owned)
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Heading into the season, nobody would foreseen the Boston Red Sox allotting any playing time to Brock Holt. Now he's starting and occasionally leading off the lineup.
The do-everyting lefty is hitting .368/.468/.603 this month, highlighted by a cycle on Tuesday. It won't last, especially once his .402 BABIP normalizes, but this is a guy playable at five positions currently possessing a 150 weighted runs created plus (wRC+).
Last year, Holt hit .281 with a dozen steals through 106 games. He has also brandished better plate discipline this year, walking in 12.0 percent of his plate appearances. As long as he keeps playing, the 27-year-old deserves a look for anyone who can use extra depth at... just about anywhere.
Now get off your lazy bum and lock down catcher eligibility.
3. Yovani Gallardo, SP, Texas Rangers (54 Percent Owned)
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He's not the Yovani Gallardo who regularly cemented 200-strikeout seasons, but the 29-year-old is adjusting to a less dominant arsenal.
Gallardo has yielded five earned runs over his last six starts, recording a 1.22 ERA in the process. At his best, the righty never finished a full season with an ERA below 3.50. He now owns a 2.98 ERA this year.
This recent string of dominance won't last, but he was worked his way back from the grave to once again deserve a look in all fantasy leagues. Although his K/9 has fell to 6.78, he is generating a career-high 53.1 ground-ball percentage.
Based on his 3.52 FIP, last season's 3.51 ERA is a better baseline for where he finishes the season. Not incredible, but he's a short-term streaker to jump on and a matchup play down the road.
Note: His ownership rate rose above 50 percent over the weekend, so his inclusion bends this column's usual rule.
2. Carlos Beltran, OF, New York Yankees (26 Percent Owned)
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Hey, look, Carlos Beltran has a pulse. The former superstar clobbered two homers on Saturday night as he continues to amend an atrocious April.
Since hitting .162 during the opening month, Beltran is batting .296 (42-for-142) with all seven of his season's long balls. His early struggles seemed to signify the end for someone who didn't offer much more last year, but this is a future Hall of Famer who slugged above .490 in each of his final three years before joining the New York Yankees.
That's the same Yankees with a stadium tailor-made to maintain his power stroke. The plate discipline and speed are gone, but Yankee Stadium can wring out the last remnants of muscle left in Beltran's system. If he stays healthy, the 38-year-old can deliver one last 20-homer season.
Despite his name recognition, few owners cut him slack after his lackluster start. Don't go overboard with expectations due to past accomplishments, but Beltran is up for grabs in most mixed leagues.
1. Adam Eaton, OF, Chicago White Sox (34 Percent Owned)
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Long ago, Adam Eaton was considered a star ready to break out. Oh, to relieve that far away time of March, as he's now waiver-wire fodder with a .659 OPS.
He has slowed down on the bases, tallying five steals through 63 games after swiping 15 bags in 123 games last year. Still, the 26-year-old has a long track record of running wild on the bases, only needing a full season of health to reach his full potential as a 20-25 steal threat.
After hitting .300 last year, he's now batting a robust .242. That's the real problem here, as last year's success suddenly looks like an outlier for the career .272 hitter who benefited from a .359 BABIP.
Perhaps the full breakout will never occur, but Eaton is slowly ascending back to fantasy relevance by hitting .269 with four steals this month. As long as he brings a workable average and above-average speed to the table, he at least remains important in five-outfielder formats. It'd be even better if the rest of the Chicago White Sox offense also woke up to realize his 85-run potential.
Note: Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
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