Fantasy411: 10 players to pluck off waivers

June 29th, 2016

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