As rosters are getting ready to expand in September some teams have already jumped the gun on calling up some prospects. Along with my weekly waiver wire article I will mention some of the key players that have arrived in the majors who could have a fantasy impact this season, and more specifically for week 20 of fantasy baseball which begins August 13th, 2012.
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Catcher
Wellington Castillo (Photo credit: mwlguide)
Wellington Castillo – Chicago Cubs
Typically the shallowest position in fantasy baseball, owners are always looking for the next big thing at catcher in the big leagues. After dealing Geovany Soto to the Rangers, the Cubs opened a spot for Wellington Castillo. While Castillo won’t play everyday, splitting time with Steve Clevenger, Wellington is clearly the better player, and despite having the first name of most millionaires, he can actually hit the ball. On the season he has totaled just 54 at-bats, but has 3 HR and 7 RBI to go with a BA of .259. Now his 12 KO may be a bit troubling, but when you see him swing the bat you realize he doesn’t get cheated at the plate. Castillo isn’t trying to put the ball in play, he is trying to hit the ball out of the park, and if you need some power at the catching position, or play in a keeper league this is a guy to take a chance on. It will probably be a year or two before he becomes a top 10 catcher, but he could have value in deeper formats in 2012.
Other guys who are heating up on waivers (Last 14 days)
Alex Avila – Detroit Tigers – .359/0/6 (14 hits, 11 singles)
Russell Martin – New York Yankees – .270/2/6, 1 SB
Michael McKenry – Pittsburgh Pirates – .440/3/8 (Just 25 at-bats in last 14 days)
First Base
San Diego Padres Yonder Alonso (Photo credit: SD Dirk)
Yonder Alonso – San Diego Padres
Alonso was the key piece in the deal that sent Mat Latos to the Reds this past offseason, and the Padres expect Alonso to be their stud first baseman of the future (a la Adrian Gonzalez). The only real problem with Alonso is that he plays half his games at PetCo, which is notorious for being one of the hardest parks in baseball to hit in. On the season Alonso is hitting .272/6/41 in 108 games with just 3 SB. While none of those numbers are elite, at just 25 there is plenty of opportunity for him to get better, and in the last 2 weeks his bat has been blazing hot as he is hitting .387/2/10. 2 of his 6 HR’s this year have been hit in the last 2 weeks, and if you need a stop-gap option for an injured 1B/OF, Alonso could be the guy for you. In dynasty/keeper formats he is a guy you will want to hold on to as this could be just the tip of the iceberg as far as Yonder’s potential is concerned.
Other hot bats off waivers at 1B (Last 14 days)
Kendrys Morales – Los Angeles Angels – .309/5/11 (13 hits in 41 AB)
Garrett Jones – Pittsburgh Pirates – .333/2/7
Second Base
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 24: Ruben Tejada #11 of the New York Mets turns the double play as Raul Ibanez is out at second on June 24, 2012 at Citi Field. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Ruben Tejada – New York Mets
When the Mets made the decision not to sign Jose Reyes, a large part of that was due to their financial situation, but a little bit was Ruben Tejada. The Mets felt that Tejada could play a solid SS and hit for a decent average, but not as much power as Reyes. In his last 14 days, Tejada has been one of the hottest hitters in the MI, as he qualifies for both SS and 2B. His stats over that period .362/1/2 with 21 hits in 58 at-bats. Leading off the Mets means Tejada doesn’t see many opportunites for RBI’s, and he hasn’t recorded a SB in the last 2 weeks, but if you need a high average hitter to balance out some of your big bats, give Tejada a look
Other hot bats off waivers (Last 14 days)
Marco Scutaro – San Francisco Giants – .339/1/13 (18 hits in 53 at-bats)
Kyle Seager – Seattle Mariners -.333/2/8, 1 SB/ 2 CS (51 at-bats)
Third Base
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: Eric Chavez follows through on an eighth inning RBI single against the Cleveland Indians (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Eric Chavez – New York Yankees
Remember the 300 million dollar man A-Rod? Well the Yankees don’t appear to be missing his bat too much as Eric Chavez has stepped up and shown that he still knows how to play the game. In his last 2 weeks of play Chavez is hitting a mere .375 with 3 HR and 8 RBI. All that was done over the span of 32 at-bats while most players get 50 over the same time frame. While Chavez is still an injury risk, and may not be an every day player, he has a favorable week 20 lined up as he plays at home against the Rangers and Red Sox. Eric has recorded 3 multi-hit games in his last 4, and the playing time may keep his bat blazing hot until Alex Rodriguez returns. There have been enough injuries in fantasy at third base that Eric Chavez is a decent stop-gap option until your starter returns in time for the playoffs.
Other hot bats off waivers (Last 14 days)
Jordan Pacheco – Colordao Rockies – .347/0/5 (0 HR in 46 AB)
Chris Davis – Baltimore Orioles – .274/3/12 (18 K in 51 AB)
Shortstop
Alcides Escobar (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Alcides Escobar – Kansas City Royals
Another shallow position in fantasy baseball is shortstop, and with so many light hitting options out there, Escobar is starting to look even more favorable thanks to his speed. On the season Escobar is hitting a solid .299/4/38 with 20 SB in 107 games. In his last 14 his batting average is down to .260 with 0 HR and 9 RBI, but his speed has been on display as he stole 5 bases the last 2 weeks in 50 AB. Another solid add if you need a SB/AVG combo just don’t expect Escobar to be hitting the ball out of the park for you down the home stretch of fantasybaseball 2012.
Other hot bats off waivers (Last 14 days)
Omar Quintanilla – Baltimore Orioles - .300/1/5 (15 hits in 50 AB’s)
Outfielder Carl Crawford #13 of the Boston Red Sox fouls off a pitch (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Outfielders
Carl Crawford – Boston Red Sox
When owners heard that Crawford needed Tommy John surgery, everyone rightfully shied away from adding him. Well apparently the injury doesn’t affect his swing all that much as Crawford is sizzling like fajita meat, hitting .326/3/12 with a SB in his last 49 AB. He is scoring runs and driving them in for the Sox, and if you need some power help in the OF give Crawford a look. Be sure to realize that the Sox will probably consider shutting Crawford down early to get him ready for next season, so he may not be there for your fantasy league playoffs, but he can help in the short term.
Other hot bats off waivers (Last 14 days)
Carlos Gomez – Milwaukee Brewers – .311/3/7 with 4 SB (45 AB)
Starting Pitcher
Mike Fiers #64 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Washington Nationals during the game at Miller Park on July 27, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Mike Fiers – Milwaukee Brewers
Don’t let his 6-4 record fool you, Mike Fiers is one of the more dominant pitchers in baseball this season. Just check out his line with a 1.80 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 80 IP, 80 K and just 16 BB. His last time out at home against the Reds he carried a perfect game into the 7th inning, and this guy should be owned in all formats at this point in the season. He has proven his ability to maintain a low ERA and high K/9 ratio, and should win plenty of games from here on out. If you desperately need a SP you should head right over to your wire and make the move.
Other hot arms off waivers (Last 14 days)
Bartolo Colon – Oakland Athletics – 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 20.2 IP, 13 K/ 2 BB
Scott Diamond – Minnesota Twins – 3-1, 1.92 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 23.1 IP, 12 K/ 1 BB
Relief Pitcher/ Closer
No new closers have joined the ranks since last week, but if you didn’t read last week’s article run out and grab Greg Holland of the Royals. He already has 3 saves and 1 win in the past week and a half.
Andrew Bailey is finishing a rehab assignment in the minors, but it is still unclear if the Red Sox will put him back in the closer role. If you are desperate for saves you may want to take a flier on him
Late Season Callups
Josh Vitters (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
These players may be worth a look in deep formats, but may not see regular playing time in 2012
OF – Starling Marte – Pittsburgh Pirates
3B – Josh Vitters – Chicago Cubs
SS – Manny Machado – Baltimore Orioles (Top prospect)
SP - Dan Straily - Oakland Athletics
