I need to start off this week’s article by making a clarifying statement that was made in last week’s Waiver Wire Pickups. I made a comment that was attributed to my wife that she is claiming is not true. She wants everyone to know that I am generally not wrong about everything, and that to the best of her knowledge I am correct more often than not on things concerning fantasy sports. However, it should be noted that she feels that I am wrong most of the time concerning matters of finances, weather forecasting, and the amount of time it takes to cook certain foods on the grill. With that little matter out of the way, we can get down to business and take a look at some good waiver wire pickups that are available in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. Stats are as of June 9.
Jimmy Nelson, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Nelson struck out six and allowed seven hits in Milwaukee’s 6-3 victory on Wednesday night. For the year, Nelson has compiled a 3.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP to go along with 71 strikeouts and four wins. A vastly improved curveball has helped Nelson compile a 1.77 ERA since May 5, along with a 48/7 K/BB in his past seven starts to make him worthy of being on most rosters.
Whit Merrifield, 2B, Kansas City Royals
Merrifield has been hitting less than .200 since the Royals moved him into the leadoff spot. Do not let that discourage you from picking him up. Many pundits feel he is a five-category contributor and could be one of your better pickups for the long haul. He could be pressing a bit batting first in the lineup but once he has adjusted, he should post numbers that were comparable to the .281/.329/.456 slash line he has produced so far.
Dan Straily, SP, Miami Marlins
In 10 of his last 12 starts, Straily has allowed fewer than three runs and now sports a 3.59 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP for the season. Even better for fantasy, he has racked up 69 strikeouts for the year, well ahead of last year’s pace of 162 strikeouts. Being in the National League and throwing in a pitcher-friendly park makes Straily a strong option to be added from the waiver wire.
Alex Avila, C, Detroit Tigers
Alex Avila deserves your All-Star votes https://t.co/Xtb3w8OCXo (via @blessyouboys)
— Alabama Pro Updates (@BamaProUpdates) June 9, 2017
Avila is having such a strong season, Tiger Nation is waging a campaign to write in Avila’s name for All-Star consideration. If you compare Avila’s stats to the top five current vote-getters at catcher, he leads every category except home runs. With a .322/.439/1.074 slash line, I think I just convinced myself to pick him up.
Buck Farmer, SP, Detroit Tigers
While maybe not getting as much social media time as Alex Avila, Tigers pitcher Buck Farmer is making a strong case to be part of the Tigers rotation and your fantasy team. Despite producing a rather unimpressive 11.57 ERA the first time he came up to the big leagues in 2014, Farmer has not given up a run in his first two starts while striking out 16. Even if you do not pick up him right away, he is someone you should be keeping an eye on. [the_ad id=”384″]
Chris Taylor, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite being one of the Dodgers best hitters in spring training, Taylor was sent down to the minors to start the season but was recalled when Logan Forsythe went on the DL. Since then, Taylor has produced solid numbers when in the lineup. Taylor changed his swing before the season, and that adjustment has paid off as one considers that in 318 plate appearances before this year, he hit just one home run. This year he already has seven home runs. Even when some other injured Dodgers come off the DL, Taylor figures to still be a part of the starting lineup on most nights.
Edinson Volquez, SP, Miami Marlins
S/o Edison Volquez threw a NO HITTER completely Amazing with a hurt ankle on Yordanos birthday you know Jose and yordano were lookin down pic.twitter.com/jloPm9m6UF
— DJ LOCKS (@DJ_Locks) June 4, 2017
Apparently, the key to the recent success for Edinson Volquez has been the fact that he has a sore right ankle. The injury has forced him to take a more disciplined approach to his delivery and that has resulted in allowing only one run while striking out 22 batters in his last three games, including the no-hitter of the Diamondbacks. He has lowered his ERA to a Marlins team-best of 3.41. Fans are hoping that when his ankle heals, the effectiveness will remain for a while.
Danny Valencia, 1B, Seattle Mariners
Valencia got off to an awful start to the 2017 season, hitting just .181 in the month of April. Fortunately, May was a much better month for him, as he hit .348 with four home runs and 21 RBI during the first 29 games he played since May 1. With a season slash line of .273/.336/.419 and 10 RBI in the first five games in June, Valencia looks ready to be productive for fantasy owners for the remainder of the season.
Jeff Hoffman, SP, Colorado Rockies
Hoffman is considered to be one of Colorado’s top pitching prospects and was acquired by the Rockies as part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade. Last year, Hoffman went 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA. However, in 2017 Hoffman has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.61 ERA and 26 strikeouts, looking like the dominant pitcher the Rockies hoped he would be when they acquired him. Hoffman is starting to look like a fantasy relevant pitcher.
Tyler Flowers, C, Atlanta Braves
The former White Sox catcher has made a change to his plate approach as he is trading power for fewer strikeouts and more contact. According to Fangraphs, Flowers is showing great plate discipline by swinging at fewer pitches out of the strike zone and swinging at more at ones in the zone. That simple approach has led to a .354 batting average and becoming a strong offensive asset for Atlanta. The Roswell, Georgia native has found a home with the Braves.