The first two weeks of fantasy baseball have been wild so far and there are plenty of waiver-wire players that can help you for the near future. This is the time of year when fantasy owners panic and drop guys off to slow starts.
Already in a few leagues, I have seen the likes of Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, Brandon Webb and numerous others dropped like flies because they were off to slow starts.
Now is the time to pounce on guys like that, but here are guys that are are likely to be available in your league and are recommended options. There have been so many injuries and slow starts that you have to at least look at adding these players.
C- Mike Napoli (C LAA)- Napoli is off to a horrific start with a .158 avg and zero homers and one RBI, but now Jeff Mathis is out six to eight weeks with a right wrist fracture. Napoli suddenly has become the everyday starting catcher and has 20-homer potential. If you are weak at catcher do not hesitate to grab him over a red-hot Ivan Rodriguez, who will cool off in no time.
1B—Paul Konerko (1B White Sox)- Konerko is off to a big start with five homers and 10 RBIs. Sure first base is real deep, but the guy is only owned in 51 percent of fantasy leagues. That number is way too low and if you have a struggling first baseman or utility player, grab Konerko. He is in a contract year and batting clean-up for the White Sox.
2B—Ty Wigginton (1B,2B, 3B BAL)- Wigginton's value skyrocketed after Brian Roberts went on the DL. Wigginton is already off to a hot start with a .297 avg five home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. He can play three positions and is very valuable in fantasy leagues right now. He should put up steady production as long as Roberts is out. He's only 30 percent owned.
3B—Casey McGehee (2B, 3B MIL)- McGehee is off to a great start with these numbers: .396 avg four hrs 12 RBIs nine runs. With those kinds of numbers, you'd think he'd be owned in more leagues, but he's only 76 percent owned. He plays two of the weakest fantasy positions in baseball and hits fifth in the Brewers lineup behind Prince Fielder. He has legit 25 homer potential and will prove that last year was no fluke. Go get him if you need some immediate production at the thin infield spots.
SS—Juan Uribe (2B/SS SF)- Uribe has been hot and with an improved Giants lineup, he should be a steady source of RBIs and average. He hit .289 last year in limited at-bats and already is off to a strong start with these numbers: .320 two hrs 11 RBIs nine runs one sb. Shortstop is such a weak position that if you don't have some of the top guys, you're probably struggling for production. Take a shot on Uribe if you need to.
OF—Jose Guillen (OF KC)- Guillen is off to a scorching start and when he's hot there aren't a ton of better options. Guillen will cool off eventually but you have to ride the hot streak right now. His numbers so far are: .368 five hrs 10 RBIs 12 runs. If those numbers aren't starter worthy right now, then I don't know what is. As of this writing, Guillen has already hit a three-run homer off Blue Jays starter Shawn Marcum. Don't walk, but run and get him before his ownership percentage (68 percent) rises.
SP—Jamie Garcia (SP/RP STL)- Garcia has been solid in two straight starts to begin the season and one of those starts came against the powerful Milwaukee Brewers lineup. Garcia has always had great potential and is now realizing it. His numbers in two starts are: 1-0 0.69 ERA 10 Ks five walks 0.77 WHIP. Those numbers are certainly mixed-league worthy and gets the San Francisco lineup next. Go get him.
RP—Kevin Gregg (RP TOR)- Most people are skeptical that Gregg can keep the closing gig in Toronto but he's been their best option so far and has had solid numbers : 0-0 1.42 ERA seven ks zero walks four saves 0.63 WHIP. If those numbers aren't mixed-league worthy right now with so many struggling closers, I don't know what is. Gregg is only owned in 67 percent of leagues. What does he have to do to be owned over the likes of ex-closer Frank Francisco? Get him immediately if you need closing help.
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