Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire-Sleeper Central-June 18

It was another great Sunday of interleague play around the Majors with plenty of fantasy baseball action to keep everyone filled. For those of us who had the privilege of being introduced to sports at a young age by our fathers’ yesterday was a sports-filled celebration. Baseball was a huge part of that celebration for me and my dad along with a sprinkling of US Open and NBA Finals in there.

Today’s sleepers had big fathers days as well. Here’s a full lineup of players who had productive games yesterday and are owned in less than 50% of leagues. ESPN ownership percentages are included in parentheses.

Sleeper Starting Lineup

C– Josh Thole – NYM: (0.7%) Thole is back in the everyday lineup for the Mets and went 2-4 yesterday bringing his average to .269. He has a high batting average for a catcher as usual but isn’t producing much in other categories as of yet.

1B– Tyler Colvin – Col: (3.6%) Getting the start at 1B, Colvin went 2-4 with a double bringing his average to .296 on the year. In his first 125 at-bats, he has 20 RBI and 16 runs scored to go with seven home runs. His positional eligibility at 1B and all the OF spots make him more eligibility if you need help in batting average.

2B– Jamey Carroll – Min: (2.0%) Carroll was 4-7 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI raising his average to .259. He’s picked it up in June and is an everyday part of the Minnesota lineup so if you need a hot bat and a warm body, Carroll’s 2B, SS, and 3B eligibility make him an option worth considering.

3B– Pedro Alvarez – Pit: (6.2%) With his second consecutive day of multi-homers Alvarez broke through the imaginary “Medoza line” getting to .207 on the year. Alvarez went 3-4 with a pair of homers, a double, and six RBI. On the season, he has 12 home runs, 11 doubles, 25 runs, and 34 RBI. If you can afford the hit in batting average, Alvarez is an elite power option at 3B.

SS– Andrelton Simmons – Atl: (2.6%) Simmons continued his solid start going 2-3 raising his average to .333 since being called up to the Big Show. He continues to show some unexpected pop in his early time for the Braves.

OF– Quintin Berry – Det: (10.6%) Since the return of Austin Jackson, Berry’s playing time has been limited. He’s showed why he needs to be in the lineup going 5-5 against Colorado yesterday. He bumped his average back up to .333 and he added his ninth stolen base staying perfect on the season. If he plays, he’s worth owning in almost every format.

OF– John Mayberry Jr. – Phi: (2.1%) In his last four games, Mayberry has three home runs and eight RBI while picking his average up to .235. He’s struggled early in the year, but looks to be on the verge of getting things going and it may be the right time to add Mayberry at a bargain price.

OF– Dayan Viciedo – CHW: (45.9%) After a torrid stretch, Viciedo had cooled down and his ownership dropped sharply since the White Sox hit the NL parks and Viciedo was relegated to pinch-hitting duty. He finally got the start and was put in the cleanup spot. He came through with a 2-4 game to bring his average to .263 and picked up his 30th RBI as well. The Sox are home against the Cubs and Brewers this week, so Viciedo should return to his previous production. If he was dropped in your leagues and you need outfield help, he’s a good option.

AL Starting Pitcher– Alex Cobb – TB: (1.8%) With a career-high ten strikeouts, Cobb shut down the Marlins for seven innings allowing just two hits and a walk. He improved to 3-3 with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Cobb has been inconsistent, but shown glimpses of fantasy relevance and is definitely worth spot start consideration.

NL Starting Pitcher– Clayton Richard – SD: (2.3%) Richard struck out six A’s and allowed five hits in his 7.2 shutout innings. He’s allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four starts and improved to 4-7. Hes worth a look as a spot starter in good matchups and whenever he’s pitching at Petco.

Relief Pitcher– Tom Wilhelmsen – Sea: (47.5%) Wilhelmsen got a win when the Mariners beat the Giants despite giving up a hit and a couple walks. He had his fourth save of the year Saturday and is one of the available closers in some leagues.