Hot wire: 10 players to pick up in fantasy

August 2nd, 2017

Could your fantasy team use more power? What about steals? 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 following 10 men -- all sitting in waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help you win.
, catcher, Rangers
Chirinos could be the big winner in the trade, as he is set to log a heavy workload as the Rangers' No. 1 catcher. The 33-year-old has owns notable power skills (12 home runs across 142 at-bats in '17), and he could improve on his .211 batting average when his .217 BABIP regresses towards his lifetime .257 mark.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
, third baseman, Red Sox
Perhaps sidetracked by the Trade Deadline, owners have been slow to add Devers in shallow leagues. The 20-year-old hit .311 with 20 home runs across 322 at-bats in the Minors this year, and he is already showing that he can make an impact in shallow leagues by batting .429 with a pair of homers across 28 at-bats since joining a talented Red Sox lineup.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, shortstop, Mets
Hitting .328 with seven homers and 19 steals across 425 plate appearances in Triple-A this season, Rosario has the skills to make an immediate impact in all fantasy leagues. In fact, the 21-year-old is likely to produce more fantasy value than any prospect who makes his big league debut from this point forward. Owners should be willing to use their waiver claim or a significant portion of their remaining FAAB budget to scoop up Rosario on the expectation that he hits for a high average and compiles plenty of runs and swipes down the stretch.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, shortstop, A's
Drafted in many 2017 leagues after compiling 27 homers and 10 steals a year ago, Semien was quickly shipped to waivers in most shallow formats upon suffering a long-term wrist injury in mid-April. And though the career .245 hitter is unlikely to be a batting-average asset, he has produced four homers and three steals across 88 at-bats since returning on July 6 and should remain a useful source of counting stats at a premium position.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, shortstop, Braves
Albies has displayed the plate skills needed to succeed in the Majors at age 20. However, owners who grab the youngster off waivers will be doing so primarily to move up in their league's steals standings. With 102 Minor League swipes since the outset of '14 (including 21 on 23 attempts this season), Albies could rank among the National League leaders in stolen bases from this point forward.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, outfielder, White Sox
Set to hold a regular role in a depleted White Sox outfield, Garcia could provide speed for those in deep-mixed leagues. The switch-hitter has compiled 28 swipes across 545 career plate appearances, and he is showing improved plate skills by hitting .295 with seven homers across 193 at-bats this season.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
, outfielder, Astros
The No. 4 ranked prospect in the Astros organization according to MLB Pipeline, Fisher should get an extended opportunity to show his skills now that Houston has traded to the Blue Jays. And as part of the highest-scoring lineup in baseball, the 23-year-old -- who hit .318 with 21 homers and 16 steals across 384 plate appearances in Triple-A this season -- could dent some shallow-leagues rosters down the stretch.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, SP/RP, Brewers
Suter deserves attention in many mixed formats given his 1.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across five starts since joining Milwaukee's rotation on July 3. The left-hander has not even benefited from a favorable schedule, having faced the Cubs and a pair of American League lineups (Yankees, Orioles). With the support of a lineup that ranks fifth in the National League with 510 runs scored, Suter could win plenty of stretch-run games by continuing to compile quality outings.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

, reliever, Marlins
Ziegler has enjoyed perfect timing, as he returned from the disabled list immediately after the Marlins traded away closer AJ Ramos. , Looking ahead, the veteran should have a long leash in the ninth inning with closer candidate on the disabled list for an undetermined amount of time. Although Ziegler has struggled at times this year, he has extensive closer experience (86 career saves) and posted a 2.25 ERA a year ago.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, reliever, Tigers
With a 2.64 ERA this season, Greene has been tabbed to take over ninth-inning duties in Detroit following the Tigers' Trade Deadline trade of Justin Wilson. Although the right-hander lacks the control (5.1 BB/9 rate in '17) of a shutdown stopper, he has been arguably the most reliable member of a Tigers bullpen that ranks last in baseball with a 5.21 ERA. And, Detroit has the necessary offensive firepower (11th in baseball with 510 runs scored) and rotation star power (Justin Verlander, ) to generate save chances down the stretch.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues