2011 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Gems: National League

Fernando Salas, RP St. Louis Cardinals (48% owned in Yahoo, 68.6% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 2 W / 0 L / 19 K / 0.92 ERA / 0.81 WHIP / 6 S

Salas may not have the best stuff in the Cards’ pen but, he has enough (91.1 AVG FB, 10.8 SwStr%). Salas has good control for a closer with a 2.29 BB/9 and he only has one walk in his past seven appearances. No other reliever has gotten a save opportunity since May 13th.

Projection: 4 W / 2 L / 70 K / 2.20 ERA / 1.01 WHIP / 19 S

Ryan Vogelsong, SP San Francisco Giants (25% owned in Yahoo, 30.2% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: 3 W / 0 L / 29 K / 1.93 ERA / 1.04 WHIP

Ryan Vogelsong’s resurgence continues. In his last three starts he has a 16:4 K:BB ratio and has not given up an earned run. His BABIP of .242 is rather low and his strand rate is a high 83.3% so expect an ERA correction. Other than that, his peripherals look good.

Projection: 9 W / 7 L / 135 K / 3.65 ERA / 1.20 WHIP

Ryan Ludwick, OF San Diego Padres (37% owned in Yahoo, 58.7% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: .241 AVG / 19 R / 8 HR / 29 RBI/ 1 SB

In the past two weeks, Ludwick has been a top 10 player in fantasy. During his 10 game hitting streak he has, 4 HR, 14 RBI and is batting .436. He will work out great as a spot start on the road (.280 AVG, 4 HR) but his high fly-ball rate will limit him at home. It would be wise to grab him while he’s hot.

Projection: .255 AVG / 73 R / 23 HR / 80 RBI / 2 SB

Chris Johnson, 3B Houston Astros (6% owned in Yahoo, 1.3% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: .225 AVG / 12 R / 5 HR / 22 RBI / 1 SB

After a rough start, Chris Johnson may have found his stroke. In the past seven games, he has four multi-hit games and nine RBIs. He is batting sixth in the order for the Astros so expect the RBIs to keep coming.

Projection: .265 AVG / 55 R / 18 HR / 75 RBI / 3 SB

Jason Bartlet, SS San Diego Padres (10% owned in Yahoo, 18.1% in ESPN)

Current Stat Line: .261 AVG / 14 R / 0 HR / 16 RBI / 8 SB

Honestly, I am not a Padres fan but Bartlett has also been on a roll of late. He should continue to hit second in the order where he could be a cheap source of runs and steals. This is especially helpful coming from a talent-thin position. At only 10% owned, he should be available in your league.

Projection: .270 AVG/ 75 R / 4 HR / 52 RBI / 25 SB

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Brian "Killboy" Kilpatrick is a Senior Writer for 4thandHome.com where this, and other work, can be found. Additionally, he is co-host of The 4th and Home Show on Blog Talk Radio.