Waiver-wire grabs can sway races
Sometimes, acing your fantasy draft just isn’t enough. Since valuable performers can show up unexpectedly throughout the season, the balance of power in any league can be tipped at any time by picking up an impact player off the waiver wire.
Just think back to last season, when Jeurys Familia was the New York Mets’ third choice to close — but injuries pushed him into the role in April and he never looked back. Fantasy owners who picked Familia up were treated to 42 saves and a 1.90 ERA.
Of course, fantasy relevance can be fleeting. Delino DeShields, Shawn Tolleson and Billy Burns owners haven’t been as fortunate this year as the ones who picked them up on waivers in 2015.
So with the season approaching its midpoint, let’s see which waiver-wire pickups have had the greatest fantasy impact in 2016.
CATCHER
The position again is mostly a fantasy wasteland. But in 116 at-bats through Saturday, of the Arizona Diamondbacks had produced $13 worth of value in a standard National League-only league, hitting .298 with six home runs, 26 RBI and three stolen bases. The former Minnesota Twin has never done anything close to this in the majors, so don’t expect the magic to continue all season.
But one recent call-up could end up being a difference-maker.
of the Chicago Cubs has enjoyed a fantastic start to his major league career, hitting the first pitch he saw for a home run and adding a couple more before the week was over. He has even seen time at first base and in left field, which could make him even more valuable.
FIRST BASE
Mike Napoli enjoyed a career revival when he helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series title in 2013, but injuries and declining production the next two seasons had him as an afterthought in drafts this spring.
Catching on with the Cleveland Indians in the offseason, Napoli has become fantasy-relevant again at age 34. Though his .235 average was subpar, he had 16 home runs through Sunday and was among American League leaders with 51 RBI. But a career- high strikeout rate could be a sign that his current level of production might not continue over a full season.
SECOND BASE
The first-place Indians have also enjoyed surprising production from utility man
Qualifying at second base and shortstop on draft day, he has added third-base and outfield eligibility to his résumé.
Ramirez had only four home runs, but he has shown some extra-base pop to go along with a .289 average and eight stolen bases. His stats have been worth $18 in AL-only leagues, but his versatility has made him even more valuable.
SHORTSTOP
The emergence of rookie Aledmys Diaz has had ripple effects throughout the St. Louis Cardinals roster. Filling the void left by starter Jhonny Peralta’s injury this spring, Diaz got off to a scorching start at the plate and hasn’t slowed down.
He has kept his average above .300 and reached double digits in homers — good for $26 in Roto value. He has been so good, the Cards have moved Peralta to third base, Matt Carpenter to second and converted Kolten Wong into an outfielder so they can keep Diaz’s bat in the lineup.
THIRD BASE
On a Minnesota Twins team that has had its share of offensive disappointments, Eduardo Nunez has been one of the bright spots. Splitting his time between third and short, Nunez has shown power and speed.
With stolen bases at a premium, Nunez ranked fifth in the majors with 17. He also homered Sunday to join a select group of players (nine through Sunday) with double digits in homers and steals. Throw in a .312 batting average, and he has been a $27 player.
OUTFIELD
Fantasy owners can usually count on a handful of free agent outfielders to emerge during the season, but two from the same team is a rarity. Texas Rangers rookie
made his mark quickly, earning a starting spot during the season’s first week and not letting go. He was hitting .287 with 11 homers and 31 RBI — good for $18 in Roto value.
Teammate has made his mark by crushing left-handed pitching at a .400/.477/.636 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) clip. He has also chipped in a surprising six steals.
The top NL pickup, has been one of the few Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders to stay healthy all season. He has shown the power surge he displayed at the end of 2015 with the White Sox wasn’t a fluke, hitting 11 home runs in 189 at-bats.
Despite a .233 average, he has made a good case for continued playing time even when everyone returns.
PITCHER
Fantasy owners with the ability to stream pitchers from week to week might have stumbled upon a few that have been worth keeping around for the long haul. Leading the way is Boston Red Sox knuckleballer
who has a 2.18 ERA and has been the AL’s second-most valuable starter ($28).
Rookie started the season in the minors, but since the Detroit Tigers promoted him in late April, he has gone 7-2 with a 2.40 ERA — good for $17 worth of Roto value.
The National League hasn’t produced as many high-earning waiver pickups, but
($12) of the Colorado Rockies, ($8) of the Milwaukee Brewers and of the Cincinnati Reds ($8) have been nice discoveries.
And of course, several new closers have surfaced on the waiver wire. The best ones have been ($17) of the Tampa Bay Rays, ($15) of the Rangers and ($12) of the Philadelphia Phillies.
THE NEXT BIG THING
Since A.J. Reed led the minor leagues in home runs (34), RBI (127), runs (113) and on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.044) last year, fantasy owners have been eagerly waiting his arrival in Houston. Saturday was the big day as the 6-4, 275-pound slugger went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly in his big-league debut. He’s likely to see everyday at-bats at either first base or DH, and he should give fantasy owners an instant jolt of home run power.
In fact, Reed might be more valuable in AL-only leagues than anyone who comes over from the NL at the trade deadline since fantasy owners will have him in their lineups for roughly a month longer.
Reed, 23, was the No. 2 on USA TODAY’s preseason list of top-30 fantasy prospects after dominating the high-A and AA levels in 2015, but he started slowly this year at Class AAA Fresno. However, an eight-game hitting streak brought his season slash line (batting average/on-base percentage/ slugging percentage) to .266/.345/.509.
Like most power hitters, Reed strikes out frequently — 23.4% of his plate appearances this season in the minors. But he pairs that with a decent walk rate (11.1%), so the big question is whether or not he will show that same kind of plate discipline when facing major league pitchers.
FOLLOW SENIOR FANTASY EDITOR STEVE GARDNER