Hot Wire: 10 men to pluck off fantasy waivers

June 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.
Mike Zunino, C, Mariners
Sure, Zunino is unlikely to be a long-term asset once his .383 BABIP normalizes toward his lifetime .263 mark. But with catcher options in scarce supply once again this season, owners who lack a stud backstop will have a hard time turning their back on a slugger hitting .375 with eight homers and 26 RBIs across 56 at-bats this month.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, 1B/OF, Orioles
Perhaps overshadowed by the multitude of breakout sluggers this season, Mancini has received little fantasy fanfare while emerging as a potential source of 30 home runs. Although the slugger is unlikely to maintain a .305 batting average that has been partially fueled by a .371 BABIP, he has the power skills and hitter-friendly home park to maintain his current power pace the rest of the way.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

, 2B/3B/OF, D-backs
Drury has been an inconsistent fantasy option this season, producing a lofty 1.100 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park in comparison to a .576 mark on the road. But with all but three of his games between now and the All-Star break set to take place at Chase Field or Coors Field, this multi-position asset is perfectly aligned to trend in the right direction for owners in need of immediate production.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
Matt Davidson, 3B, White Sox
Like Mancini, Davidson is an emerging power source who has been overshadowed by the multitude of power hitters who have taken steps forward this season. Although the 26-year-old is a batting-average risk due to his 79:11 BB:K ratio across 201 plate appearances, he could continue to be a productive slugger by maintaining his high rates of fly balls (52.3 percent) and hard contact (40.5 percent).
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Ben Gamel, OF, Mariners
Gamel is a bit of a rarity this season, as he is enjoying a breakout campaign without the benefit of a potent power stroke. Even while acknowledging the expected regression of his .464 BABIP, deep-league owners can expect the outfielder -- who is hitting .416 with 16 runs scored across 84 plate appearances in June -- to be a solid source of batting average and runs scored from his premium spot in a productive Mariners lineup.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
, OF, Brewers
Depending on the vantage point, Broxton is either red-hot or ice-cold this month. After all, the speedy outfielder has gone deep five times across 58 at-bats in June while hitting .207 with zero stolen bases. Owners who can compensate for a low-average hitter should grab Broxton on the expectation that he will continue to flash the inconsistent-but-exciting skill set that has led to 20 homers and 34 swipes across 491 career plate appearances.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, SP, Rangers
After posting inconsistent results during his rehab outings, Ross quelled some concerns about his ability to return from 2016 surgery for Thoracic outlet syndrome by striking out five batters across 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Mariners on Friday . Although wise owners see the risk associated with someone who has started two games since the outset of last season, they also know that there is significant upside in a hurler who produced a 3.03 ERA and a 9.4 K/9 rate across 64 starts from '14-15.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
Brad Peacock, SP/RP, Astros
Peacock has emerged as a shallow-league option by posting a 3.81 ERA and a 14.0 K/9 rate across six starts since joining the rotation on May 22. Buoyed by elite swing-and-miss skills, the right-hander is set to help shallow-league squads while working in front of an Astros club that ranks second in baseball in runs scored (391) and includes a handful of skilled relievers.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, SP, Rockies
Owners in shallow leagues will likely wish to bypass Chatwood on the assumption that he will continue to struggle at his hitter-friendly home park, where he has logged a 6.39 ERA this season. But with a 2.41 ERA on the road this year (3.10 career ERA in road games), the right-hander should be a predictable streaming option for those in deep-mixed formats.
Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues
, RP, Angels
Bedrosian is the obvious candidate to handle the closer's role while is on the disabled list, having compiled three saves earlier this season before serving a DL stint of his own. And with stellar statistics (0.92 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) since the outset of 2016, the right-hander has the skills to perhaps convince manager Mike Scioscia to leave him as the bullpen anchor after Norris (career 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) returns to the active roster.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues