It’s already May, and week six in fantasy baseball is beginning. Hopefully your team is 5-0, 50-0, or in first place, depending on your league’s scoring system, but chances are most of you are not. The waiver wire can bring you to the top, but be careful not to drop a stud because of underperformance. Some of the best fantasy players add a player in May that brings him a championship in September. Be keen, be cautious, but be aggressive with a player you want.
Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.
Each week, XN Sports will present an option at each position, and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
Catcher
Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals
Ramos was on last week’s list, but he is still available in over 60 percent of leagues. He is slated to return this week, so add him before the rush. Last week’s excerpt:
“Here it is, the first player coming back from injury. Every year there are players who get hurt and are immediately dropped from most leagues. Then some forget about the player, but be sure to be the savvy owner and pick him up right away. Ramos looks to return in a week or less, so be sure to add him. The catching pool is always weak so adding an All-Star caliber hitter at the catching position is like making a blockbuster trade – for free. Ramos hit .272 with 16 home runs and 59 runs batted in last year in just 287 at-bats. He is a must add at catcher, unless you have one of the top guys at the position.”
First Base
Garrett Jones, Miami Marlins
Jones has been good so far this season with a .270 batting average and five home runs with 15 runs batted in. In addition, he has scored 14 runs. Every first baseman who has more than 14 runs scored is on a overwhelming majority of fantasy teams, with Ryan Howard and Adam LaRoche being the only ones still available. Jones has been among the better second-tier first baseman so far this season, so add him if you need help at the position.
Second Base
Scooter Gennett, Milwaukee Brewers
Bennet makes this list for the second time this season, and we detailed him as a sleeper before the season started here. So far this season the second baseman is hitting .265 with two home runs and three stolen bases. His batting average has dipped, but he still hit .324 last season and showed that same potential early this season.
Third Base
Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
Frazier was one of the more valuable players at times last season in fantasy baseball as he hit 19 home runs and drove in 73 runs. So far this season he has five home runs and 18 runs batted in, but he has also stolen three bases and scored 17 runs. Frazier has been doing everything for the Reds, and his .269 batting average is an improvement over last year so far. He is available in just under half of fantasy leagues, so be sure to grab him if you need help at the hot corner.
Shortstop
Brandon Hicks, San Francisco Giants
Despite only having 70 at-bats on the season, Hicks is third in home runs by a shortstop with five. Hicks is getting normal playing time for a starter, so he might be worth an add in your middle infield. It is not often that a middle infielder can hit for power, so he is worth an add in that department.
Outfield
Colby Rasmus, Toronto Blue Jays
If you need power, which most of us do, Rasmus is your guy. So far this season he has seven home runs and 16 runs batted in to go along with 15 runs scored. Rasmus is only hitting .218, but last season he was able to hit .276 with 22 home runs, so expect his average to come up without losing any power. Rasmus is a solid option as a fifth outfielder.
Starting Pitcher
Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
Kluber will be a hot add this week since he just struck out 13 White Sox in a game a yesterday. But, he is worth an add in almost every league because of what he can contribute. Strikeouts is the obvious one, but Kluber also has a 3.60 ERA this season. His WHIP is a worrying 1.36, but in his last 22 innings he has only allowed 21 base runners. Add Kluber this week if you need pitching.
Relief Pitcher
Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs
Yet again we are here on a Monday, and yet again there is a closer to be added. Rondon is the newest addition to the closer carousel in fantasy baseball. If you need saves, be sure to add the Cubs’ closer as he has been dominant so far this season with 18 strikeouts and just three earned runs allowed in 16 innings. Be weary though, as the Cubs may not have a plethora of save opportunities.
