Fantasy Baseball 2018: 3 Hitters to add in week 6
By Bill Pivetz
Week 6 of the fantasy baseball season is underway. Here are three hitters worth adding off the waiver wire.
Five weeks of the fantasy baseball season are in the books. The season is just flying by. If you want to get a jump on your Week 6 matchup or need to gain a few points in roto, these three hitters should provide a boost.
The players I picked are owned in less than 30 percent of CBS leagues and 16 percent of ESPN leagues. At this point in the season, most of the names you see as “waiver wire adds” are picked up in the deeper leagues. That’s why I’m going to the next level and recommending players you should be able to add.
Some of these players are only worth adding because a player on their team suffered an injury. Once that player is healthy and back in the lineup, the replacement player will have little playing time and, as a result, little fantasy value. That shouldn’t stop you from squeezing out whatever value you can get at this moment. You need to worry about winning now, not four weeks from now.
John Hicks (DET)
The Detroit Tigers placed veteran Miguel Cabrera on the DL with a hamstring issue. With no other option at first base, the Tigers turned to catcher John Hicks. He will gain first base eligibility after 10 games (check your league for eligibility rules).
Hicks has shown off some nice power in his limited playing time. In 48 at-bats, he has three home runs, eight RBIs, seven runs scored and a .292 batting average. With catcher being a wasteland for talent, you can use his C/1B eligibility to get the most out of your lineup.
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Hicks is owned in just 0.8 percent of ESPN and 17 percent of CBS leagues. The Tigers may not compete for much but the guaranteed playing time and hitters around him make him a must-add.
Jose Bautista (ATL)
Jose Bautista made his debut with the Braves on May 4. Since then, he is hitting .300 with three hits and a run scored. He is still adjusting to the new division, ballparks and opposing pitching.
During his short warmup time in the minors, Bautista hit .250 with a home run, five RBIs and an 8:6 K:BB ratio. He won’t be the Bautista of old, but if he can manage a .260 average with some power, then he’s worth adding in deeper leagues.
He’s doing surprisingly well at third base, so far, as he started a 5-4-3 double play on Friday. Bautista hit fifth twice and sixth in between during his first three games. With Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna, Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis hitting in the first four spots, this is a prime spot for Bautista to drive in some runs.
He’s owned in just 15.7 percent of ESPN and 28 percent of CBS leagues. If you need a third baseman, and he’ll qualify after seven more games, Bautista is out there.
Carson Kelly (STL)
The Cardinals will be without veteran catcher Yadier Molina for at least six weeks. As a result, the front office called up Carson Kelly as a replacement. Kelly will split time with Francisco Pena, but Kelly is expected to outpace him for playing time.
Kelly didn’t have the best time in the majors last season. He slashed .174/.240/.217 with six RBIs, 11 strikeouts and five walks. However, in 21 Triple-A games this year, Kelly hit .234 with two homers, 11 RBIs, 14 strikeouts and 11 walks.
The batting average needs work but he is more patient at the plate, which holds some water. He’s owned in just 10 percent of CBS and 1.7 percent of ESPN leagues. If you need a catcher, and many of you probably do, pick up Kelly.
Next: Fernando Romero worth adding?
The waiver wire is getting thin at this point in the season. With the number of injuries, owners are looking for a viable replacement anywhere they can get it. These three players are worth picking up, even for a couple of weeks.