Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Weekly Pickups-August 30
By SH
Alright everybody. It’s just about here. Fantasy playoff time is literally within sniffing distance. You can almost touch it. But once you make it there, all things are thrown out of the water. Anything can happen with any player on any team. Nobody is guarenteed anything. You play the hot stick and bench the seasoned veteran if you have to. Sadly, no one really jumped out to me this week so I needed to scrape the bucket clean to come up with these 10 guys. However, rosters expand on Saturday so look for some new fresh faces this weekend that could potentially make a hit with their squad. So best of luck in these next 4 days to anyone who needs that W this week to make the playoffs. You can do it!
1. Josh Beckett, LAD SP – You might question me here and I could deserve it. But the potential here is well worth the add. He’s Josh Beckett. The man who anchored the Red Sox to the World Series title in 2007. Yes I understand 5 years have passed and a lot of chicken has passed through his body, but the man can pitch. I know he struggled his first start, but I think he needs to be owned in every league. No questions asked.
2. Hisashi Iwakuma, SEA SP – Just sneaking his way by each and every start, Iwakuma has been dealing this past month. He’s just been so overshadowed by King Felix that no one realizes it. Well it’s about time you grab this Mariner and utilize him come playoff time.
3. Delmon Young, DET OF – I’ve been high on this guy all season long and have highlighted him multiple times this season. He can be a very streaky hitter, and now’s the time to add him. He’s been really hot this past 10 days, bolstering the Tigers’ lineup in that 5 hole. Plus, he’s got one of the best pencil mustaches in the league currently. Please check it out.
4. Mauro Gomez, BOS 1B – Another beneficiary of the trade last week, Gomez will be up the rest of the season and should see regular at bats for the Red Sox. Him and Loney will switch on and off at 1st/DH, but I like the potential of Gomez a lot more. He’s lookedpretty solid so far, hitting one dinger. But i really think he could be a solid utility option down the road.
5. Nate McLouth, BAL OF – I am beyond happy to see this guy back in the league and doing well. I’ve always been a big McLouth fan since he was with the Pirates. He has shown a hot stick since being called up with the O’s this past month. He’s shown the power he’s had too and I really look forward to what he can do for these guys in the playoff race.
6. Casey Kelly, SD SP – Sitting at a 0.00 ERA after your first start is always a great feeling. Especially after throwing 6 inning against a solid Braves lineup as well. Kelly is only 22 and has big upside, so I think I would definitely grab him and give him a shot for you if you’re in need of some arms.
7. Wil Myers, KC OF – Not sure why he hasn’t been called up yet this year. The man has 35 HR’s and 100 RBI’s in minor league play this year. It’s not certain that he will be called up when rosters expand on Saturday, but if he does, he’s definitely got a great chance to put up some numbers. He could potentially get 100 AB’s in September, and with consistent playing time like that, he could be a big factor for any team.
8. Collin McHugh, NYM SP – McHugh is also a one hit wonder so far this year. He looked great in his first start of the year, and is getting another chance on Sunday. With the Mets’ rotation being quite shaky besides Dickey and Harvery, McHugh could take ahold of that #3 slot if he continues his solid performance.
9. Daniel Bard, BOS RP – It looks like he’s coming back today folks, but proceed with caution. I do really like Bard a lot and disagreed with Boston moving him to the rotation, but now that he’s back in the bullpen, I’m back on board. However, his control issues do scare me a lot. I might wait an appearance or two to pull the trigger. But if you’re willing to risk it, he could be a very high K/9 rate in the playoffs.
10. Pedro Ciriaco, BOS IF – I put Ciriaco originally on this list when he got the call earlier this year. He went on such a tear in his first week and there was a little glimpse of that again last week. Now becoming 3B eligible along with 2B and SS, Ciriaco is an interesting pickup for an owner looking for another infielder.
Hello, Waiver Wire!
I tried to put a few bigger names on here this week because injuries cannot be tolerated anymore. Unless it’s a keeper league, anyone who was put on the DL recently can be cut. They wouldn’t be able to help you out till end of playoffs if you’re lucky. If any bat seems to fade these next few days, don’t feel bad bringing out those scissors. There’s no time to wait and see. Ride a hot bat for a day or two and see how it goes. Good luck!
Jose Bautista – TOR OF (Non-Keeper leagues), David Ortiz – BOS DH, Rickie Weeks – MIL 2B, Ryan Doumit – MIN C/OF, Emilio Bonafacio – MIA IF/OF (Back to the DL), Ben Sheets – ATL SP, Chad Billingsley – LAD SP, Ivan Nova – NYY SP