Fantasy Baseball: Week 11 Hot Waiver Wire Pick Ups

The week of the MLB first-player draft has arrived, and players continue to impress as teams fight into the All-Star Break. Week 10 boasted the rise of three young pitchers, and Week 11 is the time to pick them up.

Here are my Week 11 Hot Waiver Wire Pickups:

Chris Iannetta (C) (COL)

Most of us fans saw the fight that occurred between the Dodgers' young outfielder Matt Kemp and the Rockies' catcher Yorvit Torrealba.  This has resulted in a three-game suspension for Yorvit Torrealba and poses as another blow to a struggling Colorado organization. This, however, gives Iannetta the perfect opportunity to start for a few games. 

Chris was already hitting well as a pinch-hitter, with a .280 average, five home runs, 18 RBI, and 13 runs scored.  By him getting to start  a couple of games, fantasy owners can use him as a fill-in catcher for Week 11.

Chad Tracy (1B, 3B) (ARZ)

With Diamondbacks' starting first baseman Conor Jackson out with a quadriceps injury, Tracy has now gotten the starting job.  Tracy was struggling so far his season, hitting .207, with two homers, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Maybe a few extra at-bats will do him well for the short term. Monitor his status as the week progresses.

Jack Wilson (SS) (PIT)

Wilson just recently returned from the DL, and he is 8-for-20 (.400 average) in his six games back. Wilson is the definite starter in Pittsburgh, and his average should stay around .300 as the season progresses.

He should also drive in more than enough runs with hitters like Nate McLouth and Freddy Sanchez in the lineup. 

Jody Gerut (OF) (SD)

Gerut has now assumed the starting center field job in San Diego over Scott Hairston. Jody is currently hitting .256, with two homers, six RBI, three stolen bases, and 14 runs scored. This has all been done in only 28 games.

If he keeps up the runs scored, he could become an essential part of a fantasy outfield in head-to-head format. I know that the Padres' offense seems dull; however, Gerut has many RBI producers to help drive him home.

Brian Barton (OF) (STL)

With Rick Ankiel out with a knee injury, Barton will have a few days to get a start in the center field. Barton is hitting for a .250 average, with one homer, six RBIs, one stolen base, and 15 runs scored.

Like Gerut, watch those runs scored, they can help in any fantasy outfield. Even if Barton doesn't get the start, look for him to find a good amount of playing time in the next few days.

Delwyn Young (OF) (LAD)-  The Dodgers have outfield problems of their own, with Andruw Jones hurt and Matt Kemp suspended for four games. That's good news for Young, who hasn't had much playing time in the past few weeks.

Delwyn should get the starts in center, and I expect his bat to pick up as well. He's hitting .297 with two RBI and two runs scored. Watch the whole Dodgers' outfield over the next week.

Joba Chamberlain (P) (NYY)-  Every true baseball fan knows who Joba is, a hard-throwing righty who intimidates hitters every time he steps onto the mound. That was as a reliever. Now imagine him as a starter glaring at you from the rubber. 

Joba is expected to be one of the better starting pitchers this season, though he had a rough first outing. Don't let that affect you from picking him up; he's got potential to be an ace. He records strikeouts and keeps the ERA down. He should be picked up immediately.

Radhames Liz (P) (BAL)-  My No. 10 "rookie to watch" in Spring Training, Liz came out and proved that he could be a starter at the major-league level. In his first start of the season, Liz allowed two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings to pick up his first major league victory.

He's a hard thrower whose fastball ranges in speeds. He has a good slider and can throw a curveball. Look for Liz to continue to impress in Week 11.

Dontrelle Willis (P) (DET)-  I know that a lot of people have given up on Dontrelle, but he is beginning to show signs of a comeback. Willis went four shutout innings against the Athletics, recording three strikeouts and allowing two hits.

Watch his progress over the next week, because I believe that he still has the potential to be solid in the pros.

Salomon Torres (P) (MIL)-  The Brewers have a new closer. It is no longer Eric Gagne, who has struggled mightily since leaving the Rangers last season, it is now Torres.

Salomon has already recorded six saves this season, and with that Milwaukee lineup and starting rotation, we should see plenty more where that came from.

Lawrence Barreca is a fantasy baseball columnist for Fantasy Maniaxs.com