RADIO
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups - Deep Leagues
Each week I will be digging into the deep depths of the fantasy baseball waiver wire to find some gems for you that could pay off nicely in the weeks or months to come. These players should be scouted in Deep leagues at the very least and some should even be picked up immediately! All ownership percentages from Yahoo!.
Abraham Almonte, OF - SEA
Owned in 5% of Yahoo Leagues. The Mariner offense has been a bit of a surprise early on in the season. Optimism should be tempered a bit knowing their past track record and the fact that they have yet to go home to cavernous Safeco Field. Almonte seems to be a favorite of new skipper Lloyd McClendon, so he should continue to get a long look at the top of an improved lineup. Average was a question coming out of spring training as it hovered around .200 in the hitter friendly Cactus League. However, the feisty Almonte has responded with average and pop in his bat. Although he stole only one base last week, I would not be surprised to see him run more at home where runs will need to be manufactured.
Recommendation: Monitor closely and be ready to strike
Andre Ethier, OF - LAD
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Owned in 16% of Yahoo Leagues. Either’s stock took a dive with the resurgence of Matt Kemp this weekend. As Dodger’s outfielders continue to get healthy, playing time will be divided up. Ethier has become somewhat of a niche player with a clear distinction in his left/right splits. That can be used to the fantasy owners’ advantage in daily leagues. Manager Don Mattingly will probably follow suit by benching him against the better lefty arms when he has all four healthy outfielders available.
Recommendation: No urgency, but a decent bench option to mix and match in a platoon situation
Casey McGehee, 3B - MIA
Owned in 23% of Yahoo Leagues. After spending the 2013 season in Japan, McGehee has been pleasant surprise for the Marlins early in the season. Miami presents its self as a team that has been a bit patchwork so it is the perfect landing spot for the well-traveled veteran. The exciting part for owners is that McGehee is batting 5th only two spots behind the lethal bat of Giancarlo Stanton. Meaning that as Stanton walks numerous times, McGehee will get some of those opportunities to drive in runs. Of course, the average (.375) will quickly come down to mirror his career numbers (.258), but I can see him being a consistent RBI producer. Remember that he has driven in over 100 runs in his career already in 2010.
Recommendation: Pick up now while he is producing
Mike Zunino, C - SEA
Owned in 13% of Yahoo Leagues. Zunino appears to be a guy that establishes himself with the glove first and then develops the bat later. In the meantime, however, he could put up numbers that surpass some fantasy starters. Like a lot of catchers, average is going to be an issue, but Zunino should post significantly better than his .214 from 2013. Already he has shown power with 3 XBH and 4 RBI in only 25 at bats thus far. I would consider him as a possible backup at the catcher position with the potential to be a starter in the future. In 2-catcher leagues, he's a must own.
Recommendation: Consider as a number 2 option with upside
Chris Colabello, 1B, OF - MIN
Owned in 9% of Yahoo Leagues. Although short on experience, Colabello is a 30 year old that has found himself positioned in the middle of the Twin’s offense. It is rare for someone to come out of nowhere and be counted on to hit cleanup in a major league lineup. Not only has Colabello done that, but he flourished in his first week of season to the tune of .370-1-11. More than likely this is a case of fools’ gold, but he does have a couple of things going in his favor. First, he has shown power in the minor leagues. Secondly, he is a big thumper standing 6’ 4” 220. Maybe he has figured a few things out in his baseball travels.
Recommendation: Much like McGehee, grab him as a bench option before the magic dust settles
