Top 10 Waiver Wire Weekly Pickups-August 16
By SH
3 weeks. That’s basically all you have left until the playoffs are here. Your fantasy destiny could lie in the hand of these next three match ups. Well sadly for you, there really wasn’t too much action this week for impact players right now. However, there are many guys that I’ve highlighted below who can help out your rosters in the playoffs or the last week of August. So if you already have clinched a spot, grab a couple players below and hope they help you out in the playoffs.
1. Jurickson Profar, TEX SS – 19 years old, that’s all this guy is, but he is already pushing Texas to call him up. Profar is the top hitting prospect in the Rangers system and it looks like he should be called up here in these next two weeks. His pure athleticism matched with pop at the plate make him a must own when he gets the call. He could play over the struggling Andrus a bit, but he should be able to crack the lineup in multiple positions once with the club. Definite keeper potential as well.
2. Billy Hamilton, CIN SS – I’ve surprised myself by not putting Hamilton on any lists yet, but I have been keeping close track of him all summer long. This guy has speed. Speed unlike any big leaguer possesses right now in the league. He is a sure fire bet to pass Vince Coleman’s record. But he just may be doing it in Cincinnati instead of the minor leagues. Dusty Baker commented earlier this week that Hamilton may possibly be called up by the club, and if that comes true, people must do your own Billy Hamilton impression to the computer and add the speedster immediately.
3. Alex Cobb, TB SP – Mr. Cobb has been lights out his last 3 starts and definitely is worth an add to any owner who needs pitching down the stretch. The Rays are still sticking around in the tough AL East and Cobb needs to keep this up for them to really make some noise like last year.
4. Brandon Morrow, TOR SP – Morrow was lights out to start the season, but it’s been a little too long since owners benefited from him. After being on the 60 day DL, it looks like Morrow will return in the next two weeks and could definitely be an impact player for teams down the stretch. I would add him before before he gets reinstated.
5. Trevor Plouffe, MIN IF – The Plouffester is back in the lineup in Minnesota and should owned in every league ASAP. He put on quite a power surge earlier this season and now that his thumb is completely healthy, I see him getting back on that horse very soon. His triple position eligibility at SS, 3B, and OF makes him a great add.
6. Ian Desmond, WSH SS – I’m all aboard this injury train, and Desmond is one of the last cars. Before going down with an oblique injury in July, Desmond was the pretty much the best fantasy shortstop this season. Well pending workouts this week, Desmond could be back with the club by the weekend. With the Nats in first place and looking good, Desmond could potentially be a crucial peace to a fantasy playoff roster.
7. Andrew Bailey, BOS RP – Remember when Bailey got traded to the Red Sox and he was going to take Papelbon’s spot? Well we are finally getting to see that this week. He was activated on Tuesday and will begin in the set-up role to Aceves, but my guess is that won’t last too long. If the Red Sox are going to push the Yanks, there are going to be some close games that Bailey will have to close out.
8. Carter Capps, SEA RP – Just over a year ago, Capps was just being drafted by the Mariners after leading all of NCAA Divison 2 in wins. Now he is donning a Mariners uniform and lighting up the radar gun in Safeco field. He is consistently 97-100 out of the pen. But he does have a little bit of a control issue, walking 3 batters his last appearance. However, his arm cannot be denied and he is a sleeper add for any owner needing strikeouts.
9. Roberto Hernandez, CLE SP – The man is finally coming back to the Tribe. Formerly known as his cousin Fausto Carmona, Hernandez finally is back on the squad. After starting off with a challenging start against the Angels, Hernandez seems to be in the rotation for the rest of the year. He showed many flashes of brilliance under his former identity and he could just be the bright again for the Indians.
10. Samuel Deduno, MIN SP – Just coasting under the radar, Deduno has posted quality numbers this past month. He finally won me over with his last start against the Tigers getting the win on Monday. It’s tough to start a Twins pitcher with them being so offensively weak, but he could definitely be a top streamer pitcher these next few weeks.
Hello, Waiver Wire!
As an owner, you need to be cutthroat. I don’t care if he was your first round pick, 18th round pick, or a midseason pickup, if you don’t see a guy on your team benefiting you enough to make a difference on making the playoffs or in the playoffs, then he does not deserve a roster spot (unless it’s a keeper league). So no need to feel bad when you cut guys with big names, it’ll be worth it for you.
James McDonald – PIT SP, Wandy Rodriguez – PIT SP, Johan Santana – NYM SP, Tommy Milone – OAK SP, Santiago Casilla – SF RP, Mike Napoli – TEX C, Jarrod Saltalamacchia – BOS C, Eric Hosmer – KC 1B, Carlos Ruiz – PHI C