Fantasy411: 10 players to pluck off waivers
Could your fantasy team use more power? What about saves? Steals? Runs, RBIs or wins?
Regardless of your holes, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or a long-term fix to pick up today. Check the following 10 men -- all sitting on waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help you win.
A.J. Reed, first baseman: After hitting .340 with 34 homers and 127 RBIs across 523 at-bats in the Minors last year, Reed opened 2016 with the potential to make an early-season debut. Even though a hamstring injury and a slow start to the Triple-A season kept him in the Minors longer than some expected, the slugger is ready to use his notable blend of power and plate discipline to make a mixed-league impact. Even among a deep group of first-base options, Reed should be owned in all leagues.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Devon Travis, second base: Travis -- who hit .304 with eight homers across 217 at-bats in an injury-shortened rookie season in 2015 -- has batted .451 with four homers across 51 at-bats since June 13. Recently inserted into a premium lineup spot directly in front of superstar sluggers Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion, the 25-year-old could provide fantasy owners with plentiful counting stats and a helpful batting average during the summer months.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Alex Bregman, shortstop: The promotion of Reed should serve as a reminder for fantasy owners that Bregman is likely nearing his big league debut. Recently promoted to Triple-A Fresno, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft posted a .415 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 46 RBIs across 285 plate appearances with Double-A Corpus Christi this season. A natural shortstop, Bregman could soon provide a surging Astros squad with an upgrade over Luis Valbuena (career .231 batting average) at the hot corner.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Melky Cabrera, outfielder: Often overlooked in favor of younger players with more upside, Cabrera has followed up a strong second half in 2015 by being a steady source of fantasy production this year. Hitting .294 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 35 runs across 308 plate appearances, the 31-year-old is a terrific option for those in search of a reliable fifth outfielder.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Travis Jankowski, outfielder: In a 2016 fantasy landscape that is short on stolen-base options, Jankowski has emerged as a viable pick in deep-mixed leagues after compiling five steals across 32 plate appearances since June 21. On a last-place Padres team that recently lost veteran Jon Jay to a broken right forearm, the exciting 25-year-old should serve as the club's center fielder and leadoff hitter for the foreseeable future.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
Anthony DeSclafani, starter: After posting a 65-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 11 starts in August and September last year, DeSclafani was a popular late-round pick in 2016 drafts. The right-hander was oft-dropped at the outset of the season due to a disabled-list stint, but he's back and owns a 1.52 ERA across four starts. In his past two outings, DeSclafani hit the road to hold a dominant Rangers lineup to two runs across seven innings before returning home to toss eight scoreless frames against the Padres.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
A.J. Griffin, starter: Despite being a notable injury risk, Griffin should be rostered in most mixed leagues due to his solid lifetime 3.54 ERA and 1.13 WHIP (3.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP this season). The right-hander gives up his share of homers, but he's used his fly-ball-heavy approach to record a career .225 opponents' average.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Jake Peavy, starter: After a slow start to the season, Peavy has logged a 1.91 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP across his past six outings. With the benefit of his pitcher-friendly home park, excellent defensive catcher (Buster Posey) and winning supporting cast, Peavy could provide mixed-league owners with solid ratios and a healthy win total this summer.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Seung Hwan Oh, reliever: One of the top-ranked closers entering the season, Trevor Rosenthal was removed from his ninth-inning role on Saturday thanks to a 5.63 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP. Among replacement options, Oh should be fantasy owners' top target given his 357 career saves as a professional overseas and excellent stats in the Majors this year (1.62 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 rate). With an extended opportunity, the pitcher, nicknamed the "Final Boss," could ascend to top-tier closer status himself.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Ryan Buchter, reliever: Back to the Padres, who are likely to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. If 39-year-old closer Fernando Rodney has a new home by Aug. 1, Buchter (1.60 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 13.1 K/9 rate in 33 2/3 frames) could step in to save games the rest of the way. Even though he throws left-handed, the 29-year-old has held righty hitters to a .183 average this year.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues