Hot Wire: 10 men to pluck off fantasy waivers

September 21st, 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.
, 2B/3B, White Sox
Formerly the No. 1 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline, Moncada has recovered from a slow start with the White Sox to hit .391 with three homers, two steals and 12 runs scored across 50 plate appearances since Sept. 9. With solid power and elite speed (111 steals across 267 career games in the Minors), the 22-year-old could continue to be a mixed-league difference-maker during the final days of the season.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, 2B/SS, Braves
Like Moncada, Albies is a noted prospect who has bounced back from a slow start in the big leagues to post some notable numbers of late. Since Aug. 30, the 20-year-old is batting .291 with a pair of homers, a stolen base and a .380 on-base percentage across 93 plate appearances. Those who are looking for a speedster who can also contribute in other areas should have Albies near the top of their wish lists.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

, third baseman, Tigers
Dealt from the Cubs to the Tigers at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Candelario is already one of the top prospects in an organization that his looking to the future. The 23-year-old is not yet ready to crack shallow-league lineups, but his regular role in September should afford him the opportunity to compile RBIs and runs scored for those in deep mixed leagues.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
, shortstop, White Sox
After arriving to the Majors last season with the label of a speedy prospect, Anderson has often struggled to get on base while rarely flashing his fleet feet. But the 24-year-old has found his form at the dish of late, hitting .444 with a pair homers across 63 at-bats since Sept. 3. With his newfound ability to get on base, Anderson could continue to compile swipes (seven steals since Sept. 3) in the final days of 2017.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, outfielder, Phillies
Sure, Williams has some work to do on his plate discipline after posting a 17:86 BB:K ratio across 302 plate appearances with the Phillies. But the youngster has some pop in his bat (10 homers, 48 RBIs) and is regularly occupying premium spots in a Phillies lineup that is much more dangerous after adding phenom .
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

, outfielder, Rays
Kiermaier is excelling down the stretch for the second consecutive season, hitting .314 with seven homers, 21 runs scored and four steals across 127 plate appearances since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 18. With a diverse skill set and spot atop the Tampa Bay lineup, the defensive wizard is much more than a one-dimensional player in the eyes of smart fantasy owners.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, starter, Padres
Lamet has been one of the most reliable starters in the National League of late, producing a 2.44 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and a 10.1 K/9 rate across his past 10 starts. The right-hander should be owned in all leagues, as he will finish the season with two favorable matchups no matter how the Padres line up their rotation.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Jakob Junis, starter, Royals
Junis deserves attention in 12-team leagues on the strength of a 2.57 ERA across five starts since rejoining the rotation on Aug. 25. The right-hander could even grab a lineup spot in some 10-team leagues based on a remaining slate that includes matchups against a low-scoring Blue Jays club, a Tigers team that has lost many key members in the second half and a D-backs squad that may clinch a postseason berth before arriving in Kansas City.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

Josh Tomlin, starter, Indians
While his Cleveland teammates have already claimed their divisional crown, Tomlin has much to prove down the stretch. The right-hander (5.04 ERA this year) is making a late surge to earn a postseason roster spot by posting a 2.76 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across three outings in September. And with a pair of home starts against the Twins and White Sox during the final week of the season, he is well-positioned for a strong finish.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
, reliever, Angels
With a 2.09 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, Petit is a terrific option for owners who are protecting their ratios during the final weeks of the season. The right-hander has not allowed a run across 10 innings in September, and he has used his high-leverage role to collect two wins and a pair of saves this month.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues