Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Waiver Pickups 8/22
By SH
Last week you guys were probably a little heated at me because it didn’t look like my top 10 was much. Well, fortunately, a few have worked out and I hope it’s put you in a position to lock up a spot in the playoffs with these next two match-ups. This week, I scratched up some deep names who quietly have been doing business, but now can make some noise for you down the stretch. Sit back, enjoy, and go win yourself the division!
1. Todd Frazier, CIN 3B – So before this year when Frazier hit a home run while literally throwing his bat at the ball, did any of you guys know who he was? Well this past 15 days he’s held on to his stick, and managed to keep the power going strong as well. Him and the guy below have carried the Reds offense since Votto went down and I see that continuing.
2. Ryan Ludwick, CIN OF – Going along exactly what I said with Frazier, Ludwick has been on a surge lately. His home run numbers are easily the quietest in the bigs and he could wind up with over 30 this year. Votto will still be out for a bit, and Ludwick will be a feature in the middle of this lineup no matter what. Grab him now if he’s available.
3. Tyler Skaggs, ARZ SP – Here comes the prospect train at 3-4 here. Choo, Choo! Skaggs has been quite dominant this season in the Diamondbacks’ system, but just has been overlooked by both Bauer and Corbin. However, he finally got his chance on Wednesday with the club. It’s unsure if he’s going to stay up or not, but now he will more than likely be the team with the 40 man roster in September so keep an eye out for Skaggs.
4. Jacob Turner, MIA SP – Him and Skaggs actually duked it out on Wednesday, and that’s why they fall on my list. I wasn’t in love with what I saw from Turner whiile he was with my Tigers, but he’s got potential. He’s also got potential to post some numbers down the stretch with the club if they decide to roll with a 6 man rotation. So watch and see what Ozzie says the Marlins are going to do.
5. Jhoulys Chacin, COL SP – With a name like Jhoulys you got to be good right? He only wishes because that’s exactly what he hasn’t been this year. But he looked very strong in his first start back from the DL, and he has shown flashes of brilliance in his tenure with the Rockies. If he can stay healthy, definitely take a look.
6. Alex Rodriguez, NYY 3B – They call him A-Rod. You might’ve heard of him before. Just maybe. Well this guy just happens to have 644 career home runs. And that man they call A-Rod just happens to be nearing his return date from the DL after taking a fastball right off the hand by King Felix. Don’t take the risk and wait. Snag him.
7. Luis Cruz, LAD 3B – If you aren’t a Dodgers fan, you probably don’t know who this guy is. But all fantasy owners should take notice. Cruz played a little SS before Hanley arrived, but now they’ve done a flip flop. However, Cruz’s bat has stayed the same. Smokinggggg! With his new improved leg kick in the box, power has been added to his arsenal and he’s shown that in LA. It’ll be interesting what happens when Dee Gordon returns, but until then, feel free to play Cruz.
8. Clay Hensley, SF RP – Middle relievers get zero credit. Absolutely none. A hold? What’s that do for a fantasy owner? Not too much. Well that’s what Hensley has been doing all year. But now, he just may be getting a shot to close out the games for the Giants in the middle of a playoff run. It’s still not clear, but either way, I like Clay’s numbers a lot.
9. Emilio Bonafacio, MIA IF/OF – The do-it-all quadruple position eligibility man is back on the field and let’s hope he can stay there. He hasn’t done exceptional since returning, but he’s known for getting on base and making things happen. I like those guys a lot. Especially that qualify at 2B, 3B, SS, and OF. Just saying.
10. Josh Donaldson, OAK 3B – Moneyball 2.0 is taking over and Donaldson is a key part of it these last two weeks. He’s just simply a no-namer who is raking while Brandon Inge is on the DL. With the numbers he’s been putting up, expect to see his name in the lineup card very often throughout the stretch run.
Hello, Waiver Wire!
You ever heard of the name Ralph Cox? Well if you ever have seen the movie Miracle (if you haven’t, I would need some identification that you are actually an American), Ralph Cox is the last player cut from the USA Olympic hockey team in 1980 that went on to win the gold medal. Cox was absolutely crushed when coach Herb Brooks gave him the news just a few days before Lake Placid. Well it’s a few days before playoffs begin. You’re Herb Brooks and the guys on the list are Ralph Cox.
Melky Cabrera – SF OF (You always get caught kid), Chris Johnson – ARZ 3B, Josh Rutledge – COL SS (Tulo on his way back), Carl Crawford – BOS OF (Tommy John), Starling Marte – PIT OF (DL), Michael Cuddyer – COL OF (DL……again), Ben Sheets – ATL SP, Mike Fiers – MIL SP (I’m holding on for one more start, but if you need a slot he’s here), Dan Haren – LAA SP,