Matt Garza (SP, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Most Leagues ANALYSIS: Matt Garza has been a model of consistency since he came up to the big leagues in 2006 with the Twins. In the eight of his nine seasons in which he has thrown at least 80 innings, Garza has posted an ERA between 3.30 and 4.00. His biggest […]

Chris Carter (1B / OF / DH, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper / AL-Only Leagues (if looking for power) ANALYSIS: Chris Carter broke out with the A's in 2012, belting 16 home runs in just over 200 at-bats as a 25-year old, and was on some fantasy baseball sleepers lists after that. Despite hitting only .239, he found ways to get on-base, and […]

Second Half Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitching Sleepers

Starting Pitcher Sleepers For The Second Half For this week's column, I am going to discuss three starting pitchers who are second half sleepers in fantasy baseball. These pitchers are ready for a stronger second half after some struggles to start the year. Not coincidentally, all three have a history of improving beyond the All-Star […]

B.J. Upton (OF, ATL) - Waiver Wire Analysis

You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting / Ignore in Most Leagues ANALYSIS: B.J. Upton has been a complete and utter disappointment to both the Braves and to fantasy baseball owners over the past two years. In his 2014 campaign, Upton has managed just a .215 batting average with seven home […]

Robert Refsnyder (2B, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting ANALYSIS: For the first half of the season, the Yankees have had little to no production at second base between Yangervis Solarte, Brian Roberts and Brendan Ryan. The second half may be different, however, as Robert Refsnyder has been absolutely raking in the minors, with 12 home runs, 46 RBI and a […]

Arismendy Alcantara (2B, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in NL-Only / Deeper Leagues / Keeper Leagues ANALYSIS: Arismendy Alcantara was called up to make a two-game major league debut for the Cubs on Wednesday, with Darwin Barney out on paternity leave. Well, those two days are up, and Alcantara isn't going anywhere just yet. The sixth highest-ranked hitter the Cubs […]

Lorenzo Cain (OF, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Lorenzo Cain is one of my favorite sleepers in all of baseball. At 28, he is really coming into his own, getting on base 36% of the time so far in 2014. Still, he is only owned in 22% of Yahoo! leagues. An above-average outfielder, Cain has almost […]

Matt Joyce (OF, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues / Deeper Mixed Leagues ANALYSIS: To me, Matt Joyce is one of those guys who is always towards the top of the free agents list in average-sized mixed leagues. Maybe he gets picked up as a result of an injury, but he isn't likely to maintain control of a […]

Jake Odorizzi (SP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues / Deeper Mixed Leagues ANALYSIS: One of the more highly-regarded prospects in all of baseball just a few years back, the Rays have trusted Jake Odorizzi unconditionally since acquiring him from the Royals for James Shields. The young righty got off to a questionable start in 2014, allowing three […]

Starting Pitchers Returning from the DL to Target on the Waiver Wire

Starting Pitchers Returning from the DL in Week 15 When I took a look at the pitchers available in most leagues, I noticed three sleeper pitchers that are set to return from the disabled list this week. There are different levels of the leagues in which they should be owned, but all three sleepers are worth […]

Dellin Betances (RP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Leagues, All Keeper Leagues ANALYSIS: The Yankees' "Killer Bs" never amounted to anything as a starting pitching duo, but while Manny Banuelos has seen elbow trouble ruin his career, Dellin Betances has really come into his own as a set-up man. Standing at an intimidating 6' 8", Betances has […]

Clay Buchholz (SP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Clay Buchholz looked like his old self in his latest start Tuesday, giving up one earned run on five hits in 6.1 innings pitched. This coming a week after a dazzling debut after being activated from the disabled list, where he allowed three runs in the second […]

Logan Morrison (1B, SEA) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting, Add Only in AL-Only Leagues ANALYSIS: Logan Morrison showed a ton of promise as a 23-year-old in 2011, but has not quite lived up to the hype since, with 23 of his 46 career home runs coming in that 2011 campaign with the Marlins. The .242/.305/.411 triple slash line he is currently sporting […]

Collin McHugh (SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Only Add in Very Very Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Up until his recent 3 HR, 5 ER mini-blowup vs. the Mariners, Collin McHugh was enjoying a very nice 2014 campaign, with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.  He had been rather unimpressive in his first two partial seasons. In fact, he was terrible: 8.94 ERA, 1.80 […]

Roenis Elias (SP, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Roenis Elias continued his inconsistent June campaign Saturday, allowing five earned runs on six hits over six innings in a 5-0 loss to the Indians. He has three quality starts in six games started this month, leaving fantasy owners quite confused. Despite being a surprise pick for […]

Steve Pearce (1B / OF, BAL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Steve Pearce has already hit a career-high nine home runs-- before the all-star break. At age 31, it is unlikely that this is a sign of things to come for the eight-year veteran, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't ride the wave while he's hot. He hit a cool […]

Adam Eaton (OF, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues, Deep Mixed Leagues ANALYSIS: Adam Eaton was a highly-regarded prospect with the Diamondbacks before being shipped to Chicago in a three-team deal in December. He has been praised for his scrappy, relentless playing style, at the plate, in the field and on the base-paths. In his last full season in […]

Corey Hart (1B / OF, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues (when activated) ANALYSIS: After a hot start, knocking out four home runs and posting a .234/.337/.453 slash line in April, Corey Hart fell into a slump in May, with only one home run and a .172/.243/.234 slash line before landing on the disabled list. Hart is a proven power […]

Joe Smith (RP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Since he came up in 2007, Smith has been a very reliable middle relief option for every team he has played on. In each of his final three seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Angels in 2014, he had a sub-3.00 ERA with 60+ IP. This year, he […]

Jedd Gyorko (2B / 3B, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting ANALYSIS: Jedd Gyorko had a solid rookie campaign in 2013 in which he belted 23 HR in 486 AB. He was a favorite sleeper coming into this year, however in 204 AB he has mustered only 5 HR, 33 H and 12 BB, good enough for an abysmal .162/.212/.270 slash line […]

Carlos Martinez (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep / NL-Only Leagues ANALYSIS: Carlos Martinez has incredible stuff-- some of the best among young pitchers in all of baseball, even drawing comparisons to Pedro Martinez. Like Pedro, the Cardinals' prospect is extremely undersized for a pitcher. Despite that, Martinez throws even harder than the future Hall-of-Famer who shares his […]

Henderson Alvarez (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: The fact that Henderson Alvarez is unowned in 64% of Yahoo! leagues is beyond me. In just 15 starts this year, Alvarez has three complete game shutouts, not allowing a single walk in any of them. After opening the season 0-2, he has pitched his way to a 4-1 […]

Nick Castellanos (3B / OF, DET) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper / AL-Only Leagues (Especially Corner Infield Slots) ANALYSIS: Nick Castellanos has some big shoes to fill this year, seeing as the last guy to man the hot corner in Detroit won two consecutive AL MVP awards. The young righty will not be taking home such honors this year, but he has shown […]

Kolten Wong (2B, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in NL-Only Leagues; Continue Scouting in All Other Leagues ANALYSIS: Wong is mostly a contact hitter, but can connect for some power on occasion. Still, his biggest fantasy contribution will be his speed. He gets on base a lot and is aggressive on the basepaths, so his stolen base numbers should always […]

Taijuan Walker (SP, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Keeper Leagues and Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Taijuan Walker is the fifth-ranked prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com. That alone should be enough to stash him in deep leagues and keeper leagues. He is a big, dominant righty with an overpowering, high-90s fastball and a nasty, low-90s cutter. He desperately […]

Andrew Heaney (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately in Keeper Leagues and Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Andrew Heaney is the top prospect in Miami's organization, and for good reason. The 23-year-old has flown through the minor leagues and is set to make his major league debut Thursday, June 19, just two years after being selected ninth overall by the Marlins Marlins. […]

Ryan Vogelsong (SP, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues, NL-Only Leagues ANALYSIS: At 36 years old, Ryan Vogelsong may not have many years left. As for right now, though, he is still pretty effective, both as a real life pitcher and a fantasy option. Despite getting off to a rough start, Vogelsong had found himself sitting at a […]

Chase Anderson (SP, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues, Deeper Mixed Leagues ANALYSIS: Anderson was never an incredibly highly-regarded pitching prospect, but has finally found his way to the majors after being drafted by the D'backs in the ninth round of the 2009 draft. He had a rough go at Triple-A in 2013, posting a 5.73 ERA in 88 […]

Jacob deGrom (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Jacob deGrom is killing the ball to the tune of a .455 AVG, emerging himself as one of the best hitters in the Mets' lineup. Unfortunately, in fantasy baseball, those stats don't count for a pitcher. The 25-year-old righty has been an effective pitcher, as well, contrary […]

Ruben Tejada (SS, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting ANALYSIS: Generally speaking, players who lack power, the ability to consistently get on base and everyday at-bats are not enticing fantasy options. Ruben Tejada is no exception. Especially when you consider that, despite once being praised for his base-running abilities, he has never swiped more than five bags in a single […]