Hot wire: 10 to add from fantasy waivers

Morrison, Biagini among widely available players to grab

June 1st, 2017

Could your fantasy team use more power? What about steals? Do you need runs, RBIs or wins?
Regardless of your holes, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or long-term fix to pick up today. Check the availability of the following 10 players -- all sitting on waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help you win.
Alex Avila, C/1B, Tigers
Avila has dramatically changed his hitting profile at age 30, posting a lofty fly-ball rate (44.1 percent) with an elite hard-hit rate (57.4 percent) as he's registered a .319/.443/.585 slash line this season. And with No. 1 catcher residing on the disabled list due to a left hand laceration, the door is open for Avila to receive regular playing time in the coming days.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
, first baseman, Rays
True, home run hitters have become more plentiful on the waiver wire in recent seasons. But that still doesn't explain the absence of Morrison from most mixed-league rosters. On pace for roughly 40 roundtrippers and 100 RBIs, the 29-year-old -- who has produced a 45.7 percent fly-ball rate and a 42.6 percent hard-hit rate this year -- should be owned in most shallow formats.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, second baseman, Mets
Dropped in many leagues during an ice-cold April (.195/.273/.310 slash line), Walker has rebounded in a big way during May (.333/.382/.559 slash line). Wise owners will believe in the recent hot streak, considering the second baseman hit .282 with 23 home runs across 412 at-bats last season.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Didi Gregorius, shortstop, Yankees
Coming off a breakout 2016 season (20 homers, 70 RBIs across 562 at-bats), Gregorius had a delayed start to the current campaign after sustaining a right shoulder injury during the World Baseball Classic. But the 27-year-old has quickly rediscovered his stroke since returning in late April, producing career-best marks in batting average (.307) and OPS (.775). As part of a Yankees lineup that ranks second in the American League with 264 runs scored, Gregorius should have many opportunities to drive in runs this season -- even if his .132 ISO becomes the norm (.171 in 2016).
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
, outfielder, Brewers
While Santana cannot match in any fantasy category, he could be a useful replacement option for Trout owners who are looking for a multi-category asset. The slugger has improved his strikeout and walk rates this year, leading to a solid .267 average, eight homers and four steals across 188 plate appearances. Furthermore, Santana can remain involved in plenty of run scoring as part of a Brewers lineup that ranks seventh in baseball in that department (263 runs).
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

, starter, Brewers
Guerra was one of the surprise performers of 2016, making a significant mixed-league impact by posting a 2.81 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 20 starts as a 31-year-old rookie. But his quest for a repeat performance quickly stalled, as the right-hander suffered a right calf strain during his first start of '17. Having returned on May 26 with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball against a formidable D-backs lineup, Guerra is worth adding in hopes that he can pick up where he left off last September.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Dinelson Lamet, starter, Padres
With a dearth of high-upside starters on the waiver wire, fantasy owners should have been particularly excited to see Lamet strike out 16 batters across his initial two big league starts. Having posted an 11.5 K/9 rate in Triple-A this season, the right-hander has the swing-and-miss skills to work around his inconsistent control (4.6 BB/9 rate in Triple-A in 2017) and help those who need to make up ground in the strikeouts category.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Dan Straily, starter, Marlins
Much like of the Blue Jays, Straily has found a recipe for success by combining a solid strikeout rate with an ability to induce a steady stream of weak fly balls. Although he allows at least one ball to find the outfield seats in many of his starts, the right-hander is able to limit base knocks and thereby produce a helpful WHIP for his fantasy owners. Moreover, the switch from homer-happy Great American Ball Park to pitcher-friendly Marlins Park has helped Straily to cut his HR/9 rate from 1.5 last season to 1.2 this year.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, SP/RP, Blue Jays
Biagini took another step forward in his latest outing, giving up a pair of runs and striking out seven across a career-high six innings against the Rangers on Sunday. The right-hander (3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP across five starts) is well positioned for long-term success as a starter due to his four-pitch arsenal, which he's used to post a 20-to-6 K/BB ratio and a 63.9 percent ground-ball rate since joining Toronto's starting staff. Biagini -- who has been stretched out to 95 pitches -- could be even more successful now that the Blue Jays' lineup is back to full strength following a string of early-season injuries.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Brad Hand, reliever, Padres
Hand became the San Diego reliever fantasy owners want to own after he picked up a pair of saves against the Mets on May 24-25. With a 2.65 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and an 11.3 K/9 rate since the outset of 2016, the left-hander is arguably the most effective hurler in San Diego's bullpen. He's finally getting the chance from manager Andy Green to prove that he is a more reliable anchor than current co-closer (6.00 ERA in '17).
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues