Fantasy411: 10 guys to pluck off waivers

May 18th, 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 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.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B: With more power than most players at his premium position, Schoop is one of just three second basemen with at least seven homers and 22 RBIs this season. Owners who need to make strides in the home run category should replace a light-hitting middle infielder with Schoop, who has hit .321 with four homers across his 56 at-bats since April 30.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Ketel Marte, SS: After a slow start to the season, Marte -- a lifetime .279 hitter -- has batted .316 since April 22. The speedster also has the potential to offer steals, having swiped at least 20 bags in three straight Minor League seasons from 2013-15.

Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Danny Valencia, 3B/OF: Coming off a breakout 2015 campaign in which he hit .290 with 18 homers across 345 at-bats, Valencia has gone deep six times in eight games since returning from the disabled list on May 7. With a notable power stroke and multi-position eligibility, the 31-year-old is a terrific option to fill out a mixed-league lineup.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Melvin Upton Jr., OF: Hitting .264 with 10 homers and 16 steals across 378 plate appearances since joining the Padres at the outset of '15, Upton has resurrected his career. The multi-dimensional asset should be starting in most leagues, as he is one of five players with at least five long balls and seven swipes this season.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Michael Saunders, OF: The Blue Jays' powerful lineup is off to a disappointing start this season, but Saunders has been one of the bright spots by hitting .313 with five homers across 128 at-bats. As part of a talented group that calls home to hitter-friendly Rogers Centre, the 29-year-old could score plenty of runs if he stays hot when his teammates find top form.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Alex Rodriguez, UTIL: An aging slugger with a .194 average this season, Rodriguez will be frequently ignored on the waiver wire. But those who stop to take a deeper look will notice the 40-year-old was held back by a .191 BABIP before going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. A-Rod opened this year ripping round-trippers at a similar rate to his 33-homer output from '15, meaning he could be a standard-league asset with improved batted-ball fortune.

Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Mike Leake, SP: After posting a 6.03 ERA across his first six starts as a member of the Cardinals, the right-hander has found his form by allowing two runs across 14 innings in his past two outings. The owner of a lifetime 3.91 ERA, Leake should fare well with top-notch battery mate Yadier Molina and provide fantasy owners with solid ratios the rest of the way.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Tyler Duffey, SP: Take away a rough Major League debut on Aug. 5, 2015, and Duffey has produced a 2.13 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and an 8.4 K/9 rate across 13 career starts. After relying exclusively on his fastball and curveball during his initial action in '15, the right-hander has made some progress in using his changeup this season. Those in standard leagues can safely add Duffey to the back of their rotations.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Matt Andriese, SP/RP: Fantasy owners have been begging the Rays to hand a permanent rotation spot to prospect Blake Snell, but the club recently decided to give Andiese a long look in their rotation instead. Having allowed just one run across 16 innings since joining the starting quintet, the right-hander is making his organization look wise for the extended opportunity. Andriese will remain on waivers in shallow formats given his lifetime 6.3 K/9 rate, but he can be added in deep-mixed leagues while owners evaluate his impressive short-term success

Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
Sam Dyson, RP: Deposed closer Shawn Tolleson appeared to put a rough start to the season behind him when he allowed one run across nine innings from April 9-May 2, but he justifiably lost his closer's role by surrendering nine runs across 4 2/3 innings in his past six appearances. With a 1.89 ERA this year, the ground-ball specialist Dyson has the skills to close out games. The right-hander lacks the swing-and-miss stuff (career 7.5 K/9 rate) to be a top-tier fantasy option, but he should post a high number of saves and solid ratios as the stopper on a talented Texas squad.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues