Fantasy Baseball: Phil Hughes and the Top-15 Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12
Weekly, fantasy owners look to improve their squads via the waiver wire, building on an already impressive win streak or trying to remedy a disappointing losing streak.
Regardless, playing the waiver wire each week will allow you to put the finishing touches on your fantasy product, hopefully filling in the right pieces to become an admirable playoff opponent.
Pitching has been a major key in fantasy for 2011, as it always is, but hitting has done its part to force owners to pay attention to the must-add options.
With no further ado, here are the top-15 waiver wire options heading into the weekend and the rest of Week 12.
15. Dee Gordon, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Dee Gordon has been fairly good for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Through his first seven games, the 23-year-old has recorded three multi-hit games, two stolen bases and a triple.
While he's not going to produce like a Jose Reyes or Asdrubal Cabrera (still weird putting Cabrera in that elite group), Gordon has the ability to perform well enough to warrant mixed league consideration.
He's young, durable, fast and is going to be placed in the Dodgers lead-off spot more often than not.
Keep an eye on the young shortstop.
2011 Stats: .296, 1 Triple, 2 SB and 5 R
14. Jordan Schafer, OF, Atlanta Braves
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I'm calling it now, and you can hold me to it. Jordan Schafer is going to produce like a starting fantasy outfielder for the remainder of the season.
The 24-year-old has been on a base stealing frenzy, swiping six bags over the past seven games.
Schafer wasn't necessarily a great base runner in the minors, so this surge of speed comes as a little bit of a surprise.
While his .235 average is nothing to brag about, the young outfielder has produced even without his eventual power surge.
Schafer is a future 20-20 candidate, so his speed is for real.
If he continues to hit atop the Atlanta Braves lineup, he could become a very hot pickup at the end of the week.
2011 Stats: .235, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 SB, 2 Double, 1 Triple, 12 R, 9 K through 68 AB
13. Vernon Wells, OF, Los Angeles Angels
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Vernon Wells is on the verge of becoming a mixed league starter.
After a horrendous start, sparking some interesting "was it worth it" arguments regarding his offseason signing with the Los Angeles Angels, the veteran has responded with a nice start to June.
The former Toronto Blue Jay is starting to produce like the middle of the lineup threat the Angels hoped he'd be.
Wells busted back onto fantasy radars with two home runs and three RBI on Monday night, only a few games following his DL activation.
Going forward, Wells is going to have to prove his worth to fantasy owners once again, doing so by showing signs of consistent power and patient hitting.
He's more than capable of performer like a top-20 option when he's on a hot streak, so another good outing could mean he's doing just that.
2011 Stats: .196, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 2 SB, 23 R in 163 AB
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12. John Lanna, SP, Washington Nationals
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It happens year in and year out. John Lannan produces well enough to be added to most mixed league rosters, but his status as a Washington Nationals starting pitcher skews his value.
Regardless of the shame that might come from being a Nationals pitcher, Lannan has been on point for the majority of the 2011 season.
The 26-year-old has allowed only two runs over his last four starts, going 2-0 through 26.1 innings of quality baseball.
Lannan is right in the thick of things when it comes to strikeouts and walks. He could show improvement on either one from start to start.
He's currently rocking a 3.60 ERA and an overall record of 4-5.
With Ryan Zimmerman coming back and the Nationals picking up their offense, Lannan could be in for a mini-win streak.
2011 Stats: 4-5, 3.60 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 45 K in 80 IP
11. Paul Maholm, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Despite the 3-7 record, Paul Maholm has been one of the better run limiting pitchers in the National League throughout 2011.
His 1.14 WHIP says it all. Maholm doesn't allow many base runners, which is the main reason why he currently has a career-low 3.12 ERA.
Similar to John Lannan, many fantasy owners are put off by his value as a Pittsburgh Pirate, but just look at Charlie Morton and James McDonald; they've done fine.
Give Maholm a shot; he's deserved it.
The 28-year-old is slated to battle the hot-handed Carlos Carrasco in his next start, making it worthwhile to add him if he shutdowns the Cleveland Indians.
2011 Stats: 3-7, 3.12 ERA, 9 QS, 1.14 WHIP through 89.1 IP
10. Daniel Murphy, 1B/2B, New York Mets
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With second base eligibility, Daniel Murphy has done enough over the past few weeks to be considered a solid mixed league option.
Filling in for the still injured Ike Davis at first base, Murphy has been a solid offensive threat for the middle of the New York Mets lineup.
Through 203 at-bats, the 26-year-old has hit .305 with four home runs, 21 RBI, 25 runs and four stolen bases.
Not to mention he has only struck out 25 times to his 16 walks.
Murphy has been patient, he's been crafty and he's warranted some serious paying attention to as your fantasy second baseman.
2011 Stats: .305, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 25 R, 4 SB, 10 Doubles in 203 AB
9. Mike Leake, SP , Cincinnati Reds
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Mike Leake has pitched well of late, throwing back-to-back eight innings game on his way to two consecutive wins.
Now 6-2, the 23-year-old has become one of the most victorious pitchers in the NL, making him sort of a must-add.
His 4.09 ERA is everything short of elite, but his 1.29 WHIP is proof that he can be a dominant option at times.
Also, it doesn't hurt to be pitching for one of the most prolific offenses around.
With only 18 walks in 64.1 innings, Leake is more likely to pitch deep into games by limiting his pitch count, as evident by his last two outings.
Plus, out of his 10 starts this season, he's recorded eight quality starts.
Very impressive, Mr. Leake.
2011 Stats: 6-2, 4.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 48 K in 64.1 IP
8. Austin Jackson, OF, Detroit Tigers
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If the last week is any indication to the success Austin Jackson will be having for the rest of the year, it's time to add him.
The 24-year-old gained much respect from fantasy owners after he hit .292 as a rookie in 2010, but his early season troubles in 2011 has put him back on the market.
Lucky for you.
Over the past seven games, Jackson has recorded four multi-hit performances, with six RBI and three runs, adding to his .373 June average.
It looks as if Jackson is on his way back to becoming a borderline fantasy starter, offering speed and extra-base ability at the top of one of the hottest hitting teams in baseball.
2011 Stats: .254, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 9 SB, 13 Doubles, 5 Triples, 32 R in 260 AB
7. J.J. Hardy, SS, Baltimore Orioles
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At such an offensively thin position, J.J. Hardy has become a borderline must-start option.
With a recent power surge, Hardy has boosted his home run total to six, adding a .287 average and 19 RBI in a limited amount of at-bats (128).
Now, those stats are overwhelming impressive, but considering Hardy's track record and ability to get hot at anytime, they shouldn't be taken with a grain of salt.
Hardy can hit, and it looks like he's in the middle of doing so.
Another hot week, and the first year Baltimore Oriole could become a must-start option by the end of the month.
2011 Stats: .287, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 22 K:15 BB in 128 AB
6. Miguel Olivo, C, Seattle Mariners
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Miguel Olivo is hitting .236.
But wait, he also has 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
Seems like a good trade-off to me.
There's really not much to say about Olivo's success and future production for 2011.
He plays for one of the worst offensive teams in the MLB, but offers enough raw power at a thin fantasy position to be considered a viable catching option.
If he gets a hit, it's usually of base clearing fashion.
2011 Stats: .236, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 30 R in 203 AB
5. Edinson Volquez, SP, Cincinnati Reds
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Following a short DL stint, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez has turned in back-to-back quality starts.
During that span, the 27-year-old starter has gone 1-0 through 13 innings, allowing only three runs and five walks.
Almost every fantasy owners knows what kind of pitcher Volquez can be, but he's never been the same since being busted for using performance enhancing drugs.
Regardless of his past, he still pitches for an elite offense and has enough strikeout ability to be considered a must-add at this point.
Just hope nobody held onto him through his 2011 rough patch.
2011 Stats: 4-2, 5.48 ERA, 63 K through 64 IP
4. Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado Rockies
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Todd Helton is back!
Well, sort of.
The 37-year-old Colorado Rockie great has been on an absolute tear, collecting 11 hits, two home runs, five RBI and six walks through his last seven games.
For 2011, Helton is currently hitting .314, good for a team high.
He's added 29 RBI on nine home runs, which is more than he hit entirely in 2010.
It seems as if Helton could be on his way to a comeback of the year award, and considering he nearly walks once for every strikeout, he has to be considered a fantasy starter at this current time.
No doubts about it.
2011 Stats: .314, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 12 Doubles, 27 K:25 BB in 188 AB
3. Carlos Carrasco, SP, Cleveland Indians
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After pitching seven scoreless innings against the New York Yankees Monday night, in New York for that matter, Carlos Carrasco is being snagged off the shelf faster than a "Tickle Me Elmo."
Carrasco has pitched 15.1 scoreless innings over his past two starts, going 2-0 with 13 strikeouts and only 12 base runners.
That has to scream add now.
Not only does the 24-year-old pitch for one of the best teams in baseball, but he's currently showcasing the talent that enabled the Cleveland Indians to trade Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies a few years back.
2011 Stats: 6-3, 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 45 K in 72.2 IP
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, San Diego Padres
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Anthony Rizzo is here to stay.
The San Diego Padres first baseman has been officially slated as the team's starter for the rest of the season.
Rizzo has some serious power, evident in his 16 home runs and 63 RBI in Triple-A this year.
Granted, his lineup support is borderline awful, but Rizzo has still managed to produce at a starter level.
Through his first five games, the 21-year-old has hit a home run, a triple, a double and has walked six times to only five strikeouts.
One strikeout per game for a rookie is pretty darn good.
With Adrian Gonzalez-like potential, he needs to be added in nearly every league. No questions asked.
2011 Stats: .231, 1 HR, 1 Triple, 1 Double, 2 R in 13 AB
1. Phil Hughes, SP, New York Yankees
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Phil Hughes is on his way back.
And considering he was pegged as a top-30 starter before his early season epidemic, the 24-year-old has got to be considered one of the most intriguing waiver wire options this week and next.
It's been reported that Hughes has thrown a very successful 50-pitch bullpen session, throwing upwards of 93 MPH.
He'll make a start on Sunday at Single-A, but could move quickly through the New York Yankees minor leagues if he maintains his newly found velocity.
Healthy, Hughes has a chance to pitch among the best in baseball for the second half of the season, gaining much run support from the bolstered Yankee lineup.
Do I need to mention he'll have Mariano Rivera closing games behind him?
2011 Stats: Too bad to list. Add him when you can.
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