High Fives: Devon Travis' bat providing fireworks
The Yahoo Fantasy Baseball ’16 season is cruising towards the All-Star break. As we cross over into July, Brandon Funston, Dalton Del Don and Andy Behrens take a look at the current movers and shakers on the waiver wire that should pique the interest of fantasy owners. Let’s get to it …
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Top 5 hitters owned in 50 percent of leagues or less to target right now | ||
1. Devon Travis, Tor – Another week, another Travis plug – top 5 roto 2B since mid-June, topping a very potent order | 1. Devon Travis, Tor – He’s hitting at the top of an excellent batting order, and he’s raking in recent weeks. Travis has plenty of pop, too. | 1. Devon Travis, Tor – After a slow start recovering from surgery he’s up to 13 extra-base hits in 30 games and hits atop a potent lineup |
2.Marcus Semien, Oak – Solid run production and he’s averaging 5 HRs a month, plus he’s picked up the SB pace in June | 2. Brandon Moss, STL – Moss is up to 16 homers on the season and he’s slugging .712 over the past 30 days. | 2. Cameron Maybin, Det – He’s batting .350 with eight steals and 24 runs scored over just 143 at bats |
3. Leonys Martin, Sea – Has posted uncommon power/speed combo numbers this season | 3. Mark Reynolds, Col – Reynolds is hitting over .280, he gets the Coors Field bump, and we all know his power upside. | 3. David Peralta, Ari – Hit .312/.371/.522 with a combined 26 homers/steals in fewer than 150 games last year. Stash him if you have a DL spot |
4. Brandon Moss, StL – Ideal if you can pair this RHP killer with a southpaw crusher (like Steve Pearce, when he returns from DL) | 4. Justin Bour, Mia – After the recent surge, Bour is up to 14 homers and 43 RBIs for the year. While he’s on a tear, he’s clearly a viable Util/CI. | 4. Marcus Semien, Oak – He’s a middle infielder on pace to hit 31 homers and steal 10 bases |
5. Jose Reyes, NYM – Could be called up by Mets before AS break – if you can get past moral hangup, no denying his roto intrigue | 5. Marcus Semien, Oak – Power, speed and SS eligibility is an appealing package, gamers. | 5. Justin Bour, Mia – After a slow start, he’s hit 13 homers with a .959 OPS over his past 142 at bats |
Top 5 pitchers owned in 50 percent of leagues or less to target right now | ||
1.Danny Duffy, KC – Mr. Heat Miser is 3-1 with solid ratios and 45 K in 36 June innings | 1. Danny Duffy, KC – I’m prepared to say we’re looking at a brand new Duffy. The walks are down, his WHIP is 1.08, and he gets the Phils in his next turn. | 1. Danny Duffy, KC – His 23.7 K-BB% would rank sixth-best among all starters if he qualified. Please go pick him up |
2. Alex Cobb, TB – A slam dunk own before TJ surgery, he’s got a good chance to return from DL some time before end of July | 2. Jerad Eickhoff, Phi – High-buzz player entering the season, so it’s a surprise to see him widely available. He always passes the eye test, the K-rate is solid and he gets Atlanta next. | 2. Jameson Taillon, Pit – The highly touted rookie looks here to stay |
3. Jerad Eickhoff, Phi – Much better at home (2.41 ERA) than on the road (4.53) but no reason that shouldn’t smooth out in 2nd half | 3. Kevin Gausman, Bal – C’mon, guys. Gausman’s talent is obvious. He threw 7.2 scoreless innings in his last turn, striking out 7. | 3. Ryan Buchter, SD – Has 50 strikeouts over 34.0 innings with a 1.18 WHIP and should be San Diego’s new closer |
4. Junior Guerra, Mil – You’d have been happy owning him in eight of his past nine starts, especially his last one | 4. Brad Brach, Bal – He’s the sort of middle reliever who can help in a big way in a non-closing role. Brach is striking out better than a batter per inning, and his WHIP is 0.84. | 4. Kevin Gausman, Bal – Given his former hype, it continues to surprise he’s not owned in more leagues |
5. David Phelps, Mia – Gets just enough wins/saves that his low ratios and K/IP+ play very nicely | 5. Nate Jones, CWS – He’s next in line to close, his stuff is evil, and his ratios have been terrific. | 5. Tony Cingrani, Cin – Hey, he’s a closer |
Top 5 hitters owned in 15 percent of leagues or less to target right now | ||
1. Brad Miller, TB – MI and OF eligible, 5 HRs since June 11 and OPS north of .800 for past two months | 1. Steven Moya, Det – Moya has returned from the knee malfunction, and he was rolling before he was sidelined. | 1. Coco Crisp, Oak – Has hit .340/.446/.660 over his past 47 bats and still possesses a decent power/speed combo |
2. Dae-Ho Lee, Sea – OPS pushing .830, hits lefties and righties equally and ABs have seen hefty increase each passing month | 2. Aaron Judge, NYY – I’ve got no scoop on a call-up, but Judge has been on a ridiculous tear. Check the minor league stats over his last 10 games. | 2. Brad Miller, TB – A shortstop on pace for 21 homers and eight steals who often hits second in the lineup |
3. Max Kepler, Min – Strong pedigree, has clue about how to work the count and his been a top 75 roto value over past two weeks | 3. Jose Peraza, Cin – He’s swiped seven bags in 16 big league games so far this year, and he had a 60-steal season in the minors. | 3. David Freese, Pit – Quietly sports a .361 OBP, including a .993 OPS against lefties |
4. Steven Moya, Det – You worry about the long swing, but you feel good about the HRs that will come with it | 4. Coco Crisp, Oak – Crisp has strung together a few multi-hit games, and we know he’s willing to run. | 4. Steven Moya, Det – A lot of strikeouts but a lot of power upside as well |
5. Tyler Naquin, Cle – Considered a solid prospect coming into ’16, has validated it with a .991 OPS through 124 ABs | 5. Lonnie Chisenhall, Cle – By the time we publish this thing, he might very well be over 15%. Whatever. The point is, you want him when he’s surging. | 5. Pedro Alvarez, Bal – Doesn’t play everyday but has seven homers with a .970 OPS over his past 68 at bats |
Top 5 pitchers owned in 15 percent of leagues or less to target right now | ||
1. Alex Cobb, TB – He now warrants occupying a DL spot on your roster as he’s nearing his return | 1. Kyle Barraclough, Mia – The man is up to 55 Ks in 30.2 innings, which seems almost impossible. | 1. Bud Norris, LAD – Has a 2.22 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with 27 Ks over 24.1 innings over his last four starts and is now on the Dodgers |
2. Nate Jones, ChW – From roto perspective, he’s similar to MIA’s Phelps (see note in previous pitcher section) | 2. Jake Diekman, Tex – He’s a next-man-up reliever who’s already poached a couple of saves, and the ratios are useful. | 2. Xavier Cedeno, TB – Likely current closer for Rays and who knows the seriousness of Colome’s injury |
3.Kyle Barraclough, Mia – He’s wild, but only Yanks’ dynamic set-up duo have better K/9 rate (min. 30 IP) | 3. Hunter Strickland, SF – Strickland has been lights-out lately, maintaining great ratios (1.05 WHIP). If he were to take over the ninth, he’d be an upper-tier closer. | 3. Alex Reyes, Stl – Intriguing prospect worth stashing now in deeper leagues |
4. Joe Blanton, LAD – Has allowed just 19 hits in 40.1 IP – you certainly can’t shake a stick at his roto value (top 130 overall in Y! game) | 4. Tyler Thornburg, Mil – If you’re in a league with an innings cap, you can use a guy with 44 Ks in 31.2 IP. | 4. Kyle Barraclough, Mia – Won’t get saves but can help in innings cap leagues |
5. Jose Berrios, Min – Twins top SP prospect bucking for another chance in MIN – 1 ER, 22 K in past 21 IP at AAA | 5. Ryan Buchter, SD – If you haven’t been on top of the Pads bullpen for whatever reason, just check this guys YTD stats. | 5. Nate Jones, CHW – Helps in ratios and next up for saves for White Sox |
Top 5 mid-season fantasy MVPs (based on ADP) in the outfield and on the hill (OF/OF/OF/SP/RP) | ||
OF1 Wil Myers, SD – Gave Big Papi my 1B nod last week, so nice that I can give Myers his due in an OF spot | OF1 Ian Desmond, Tex – Wow, did I whiff on this guy. Totally missed out. He’s the No. 3 player in the YTD ranks at this point. | OF1 Wil Myers, SD – Has been a top-five outfielder, and his preseason rank was outside No. 225 |
OF2 Marcell Ozuna, Mia – My preseason feelings that he could be a nice rebound candidate have been validated big time | OF2 Wil Myers, SD – Myers has a shot at a 30/30 season (or at least 30/20), and he’s on fire over the past month. | OF2 Mark Trumbo, Bal – Cost was dirt cheap, and he’s on pace to finish with 48 homers and 125 RBI |
OF3 Mark Trumbo, Bal –Big mistake if you thought his hot start was going to fade and sold high early on – Note: Ian Desmond was my SS in last week’s High Fives | OF3 Adam Duvall, Cin – Dude is leading the N.L. in home runs, and he was widely available early in the season. | OF3 Jackie Bradley Jr., Bos – Undrafted in most leagues, he’s had a first half worthy of earning him a starting spot on the All-Star team |
SP Drew Pomeranz, SD – No matter how you slice it, he’s been a true roto ace in ’16 – has allowed 4th-fewest total bases among all SPs | SP Clayton Kershaw, LAD – Even if you drafted him first overall, he was a filthy steal. What a monster. He’s unfair. | SP Steven Wright, Bos – Undrafted to top-15 fantasy starter. No one saw this coming |
RP Fernando Rodney, Mia – Have to give him his 1st half due, but my faith is nil that it will carry over into the 2nd half (now a member of the Marlins) | RP Fernando Rodney, Mia – No matter his role in Miami, you’ve already turned a huge profit on Rodney. The fact that he’s allowed just one earned run to this point is mind-blowing. | RP Fernando Rodney, Mia – May no longer close, but the 39-year-old posting a 0.31 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP might be the biggest surprise of the season’s first half |