Along the east coast, today is one of the hottest days of the year so far. Yesterday there were over 35 home runs hit across baseball. That means one thing: summer time is here, and the bats are coming alive. Be sure to keep an eye on the waiver wire to catch the next power hitter, or the next young pitcher to get called up.
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 (if there is anyone worth picking up), and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
Catcher
Remember him? If he can get back to hitting like he did as a Yankees top prospect, he could be one of the better catchers in fantasy baseball. But, until then he will remain on the waiver wire. So why should you pick him up? If you need help behind the plate and Russell Martin is not available, consider giving Montero a look. In 10 at-bats since being recalled, he has three hits including a home run. Montero has a hit in all three games, and looks to have his swing back. Be sure to monitor his progress, and he could be worth a pickup if he continues to receive playing time.
First Base
While Belt is not avaiable in the majority of fantasy baseball leagues, he could be available in yours, considering what the roster rules are. Belt has been on the disabled list for over a month, and someone may have forgotten that he is due back soon. If you need help at first base, it’s worth taking a look at the waiver wire to see if Belt is available. Before getting hurt, he was hitting .264 with nine home runs in just 129 at-bats.
Second Base
If you frequent XN Sports, you have seen his name pop up a lot in the last few months, we listed him as a sleeper before the season started, and he has been featured in waiver wire columns all year, so this is no surprise. What is a surprise is the fact that he is available in 90 percent of fantasy leagues. Gennett is hitting .306 with four home runs and four stolen bases, in addition to scoring 26 runs and driving in 20 more. Gennett is now leading off in Milwaukee, which raises his value in terms of scoring runs. In Gennett’s last five games, he has 11 hits, and has scored five runs while driving in five. Add him before he goes to your co-worker across the office who is scavenging the waiver wire as you read this.
Outfield
It seems the Angels have been quietly boasting fantasy superstars of late, especially with Mike Trout returning to form and Josh Hamilton returning from injury. Calhoun is no exception, as he has been tearing the cover off the ball of late. In his last 21 at-bats, he has 10 hits to go along with six runs scored. So far this season, the 26 year old is hitting .276 with five home runs and two stolen bases, but expect all three of those numbers to go up in the next few weeks.
Starting Pitcher
Heaney has not pitched in the major leagues yet, but is already receiving hype as one of the better left-handed pitchers in fantasy for the rest of the season. Is that unfair to assume? In his minor league career, he is 17-7 with a 2.31 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and has 198 strikeouts in 199 innings of work. Last season, he finished with a 1.60 ERA. Heaney has dominated everywhere in his professional career so far, and with the lack of tape and preparation opposing hitters will have, expect him to pitch well in his first few starts at least. Add him if you need help on the mound.
