Fantasy Baseball-Waiver Wire Help-Sleeper Central-June 6

After a two-day break, Sleeper Central returns as we look back at a Monday with 7 games on the schedule but still plenty of fantasy baseball value. The biggest stories of the night were the MLB draft (covered by Seedlings to Stars), Jonathan Papelbon’s frustration with the home plate umpire in his loss to LA (covered by That Balls Outta Here), and Jarrod Parker’s near no-no (covered by Swingin’ A’s).

There were a number of contributions from players we consider “sleepers” who are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. Here’s a starting lineup to give you some ideas of players who may be available in your league if you’re in need of an upgrade at a specific position or category. Check our archive for more possibilities to add to upgrade your team. The percent ownership in ESPN leagues is included in parentheses.

Sleeper Starting Lineup

C-Wilin Rosario-Col: (4.6%) Rosario is showing he’s ready to contribute on a regular basis at the MLB level. He went 2-4 to extend his hitting streak to seven games while connecting on his ninth home run of the year. He drove in two bringing his total to 24 for the year. His average is all the way up to .248. While he won’t contribute much to your average and still strikes out often, he’s a solid power option at catcher where there aren’t many good power options. Even when Ramon Hernandez returns from the DL, expect Rosario to get significant playing time.

1B-Kila Ka’aihue-Oak: (0.2%) Ka’aihue is going to get a good, long look as the A’s everyday first baseman and is worth a speculative add if you’re desperate at the position. He hit his fourth home run of the year last night going 2-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. He’s still hitting just .234 but with consistent at-bats may be able to pick up his hitting pace.

2B-Ryan Theriot-SF: (0.5%) Another position player getting a long look as an everyday option, Theriot has been given the 2B spot and the second spot in the Giants lineup for the foreseeable future. He went 2-4 last night collecting his fourth multi-hit game in his last eight games. He’s still hitting just .236 and stole his first base of the year last night, but he will get runs scored and opportunities to contribute in other countable stats for as long as he hits second and plays everyday.

3B-Jamey Carroll-Min: (0.4%) Carroll has played in 53 games already for the Twins as 2B, SS, and 3B. He went 3-3 last night at KC raising his average to .238 and scoring a pair while picking up 2 RBI. He also added his fifth stolen base of the year and now has 20 runs scored and 16 RBI. He’s not a great offensive option in the Twins not-so-great offense, but is an everyday player and can give you runs, RBI, and the occasional speed.

SS-Munenori Kawasaki-Sea: (0.0%) With Brendan Ryan mired in a season-long struggle at the plate, Kawasaki is getting some extra time at SS in Seattle. He may be able to seize the starting job with games like last night. Against LAA he went 2-3 with a double, walk, and three RBI. He’s hitting just .195 in his first 41 at-bats but does have five RBI, five runs scored, and five walks.

OF-Seth Smith-Oak: (0.8%) Smith paced the A’s attack that backed Jarrod Parker with his 4-5 night. He had a double, triple, RBI, and two runs scored. He got the start at DH for Oakland where he’ll continue to see time at least until the reemergence of Manny Ramirez.

OF-Ben Revere-Min: (1.4%) Becoming a staple in the Twins lineup, Revere went 3-5 with two more runs scored and two RBI last night in KC. He stole his sixth base of the year and raised his average to .305 and has five multiple hit games in his last eight. He only has three RBI on the year, but can help in average, runs, and steals if you need bargain depth in your OF.

OF-Elian Herrera-LAD: (0.7%) Herrera is everywhere for the Dodgers starting at 3B, 2B and CF. Last night he went 1-4 with a run scored and RBI while swiping his second base of the year. He’s hitting .308 with nine runs and seven RBI in his first 19 games this season and looks to be in the LA lineup everyday short-term.

AL Starting Pitcher-Jarrod Parker-Oak: (7.3%) Not allowing a hit against any team for six innings is quite an accomplishment. Parker achieved his near-no-no against the top-scoring team in the Majors last night when the Rangers were in town. He finished with eight innings of one-hit baseball while striking out six and walking three. He has allowed just one run in his last three starts now spanning 21 innings and lowering his ERA to 2.05 on the year with a 1.21 WHIP and a .205 BAA. He’s definitely worth an add in AL formats and a great spot starter since he’s allowed more than two runs in just one of his eight starts. He’ll struggle to get W’s with the Oakland offense as evidenced by his 2-2 record.

NL Starting Pitcher-Christian Friedrich-Col: (2.7%) Friedrich shut down the D-Backs last night to improve to 4-1 n his six MLB starts. Last night he threw seven scoreless innings striking out four and allowing just four hits. He has won three starts in a row and his 4.5o ERA is inflated by two ugly outings at Coors Field. Friedrich has crazy road splits  and is worth a look as a spot starter especially if he’s away from the Mile High City.

Relief Pitcher-Jeremy Affeldt-SF: (0.1%) Affeldt vultured a save last night while Santiago Casilla is day-to-day with a leg injury. He’s been a solid option out of the Giants ‘pen all season with 18 appearances and a 2.29 ERA. He has 19 K’s in 19.2 innings after retiring all six batters he faced last night against the Cubs.