Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Late-season Waiver Wire Pickups 9/6
By SH
Playoff time is upon us folks. FINALLY! (Well at least for most leagues. If not, it’ll be here soon enough!) Any advice you have received this year can be thrown out the window. You need to focus on each day and that is all. Look for great match ups, players who have great stats against certain pitchers, starters who own a certain ballpark. Take a deep look into each day because you never know how big of an impact one at-bat can make. Below are some guys who this week have heated up and look like a streaming option in these next couple of weeks to lead you to the championship!
1. Alejandro De Aza, CWS OF – The man is back and in his first at bat put one into the right field seats off of Verlander. I mean if that’s any indication that he’s healthy or anything. These White Sox are still hanging in there after the sweep this weekend and if they want to beat out the Tigers, De Aza must play a crucial role in it.
2. Kyle Kendrick, PHI SP – Not Doc, not Cliff, not Hamels, but Kyle Kendrick has been heading the staff for the last couple of weeks. After coming out of the bullpen for awhile, Kendrick has taken a spot in the rotation and hasn’t looked back. The Phillies playoff chances don’t look the best to say the least, but that doesn’t mean Kendrick won’t stop dealing.
3. Edwin Jackson, WSH SP – My man EJ has been around on plenty of squads, but this could be his best one yet. He has secretly had a very stellar year for the Nats and with Strasburg about to be shut down, Jackson needs to pick up the slack. The Nats want to keep that #1 seed in the NL so Jackson must keep up his work for them to maintain their slot.
4. Chris Nelson, COL IF – The Rockies’ typical September surge won’t get them into the playoffs this year, but Chris Nelson’s September surge could lead you in your playoffs. Being dual eligible at 2B and 3B, Nelson has gotten hot lately and isn’t looking bat. He has shown flashes earlier in the year, but he looks like he’s in a groove currently so make a move to get him quickly.
5. Coco Crisp, OAK OF – I’m a big fan of Coco. He just reeks havoc when he’s on the base paths and that’s something fantasy owners love. The A’s are for real folks and they will need Crisp to continue his pace in order to keep their Wild Card slot. Look for a ton of runs scored out of Coco.
6. Neil Walker, PIT 2B – He’s disappeared from the lineup the last week due to injury, but should be back this weekend. If anyone is in need of a 2 bagger, Walker has put up career numbers this season an if he is available in your league, Neil could be a big batter down the stretch.
7. Miguel Gonzalez, BAL SP – You heard of this guy before? You need to take a look. He has posted some quality starts the last 6 times out and they are against top teams as well. The Oriole’s are truly making a run at things and Gonzalez sleeper stats are about to go big time in these next two weeks.
8. Joe Saunders, BAL SP – Big Joe looked horrid in Arizona after the month of April, but once he has gotten to Baltimore, it looks like he’s back. Getting a big W his last start, the O’s are going to need him to give quality innings in order to keep up with the Yankees. Him and Gonzalez both are solid options.
9. Avisail Garcia, DET OF – Miguel Jr. That’s what everyone is calling him. He not only looks the same, he’s got similar mannerisms along with approach at the plate. He drives the ball hard into opposite field and with Brennan Boesch struggling, Garcia could lock down that right field slot in September.
10. Adam Eaton, ARZ OF – The guy lead the entire minor leagues in average and is getting his first crack at the big leagues. A former Miami of Ohio stud, Eaton went 2-6 in his debut. Chris Young is battling some injuries so if Eaton can get some consistent at-bats, watch out folks.
Hello, Waiver Wire!
Like I preached to you these past couple of weeks, no need to keep guys with big names. Players below are well-known guys, but are either hurt or in a big time slump. They don’t deserve a roster spot that can be taken by a player above. There’s not much time and remember, each at-bat or batter faced could change the outcome of the week.
Rafael Furcal – STL SS, Dan Uggla – ATL 2B, Drew Stubbs – CIN OF, Omar Infante – DET 2B, Brian McCann – ATL C, Kenley Jansen – LAD RP, Lance Lynn – STL SP/RP, Jake Westbrook – STL SP, Jaime Garcia – STL SP