If you need to hit the waiver wire for some offense, you came to the right place.
Here are four hitters widely available that you should add to your fantasy team.
(All percentages are from ESPN fantasy baseball leagues.)
Denard Span: Minnesota Twins, OF (52.1% owned)
The Twins outfielder had a very productive April. He amassed three steals, nine runs and was a savior in the batting average department. Span is not only hitting a fantastic .330, but he's done so over 91 at-bats. Span is a career .287 hitter, and he batted .311 in 2009, so don't expect a huge drop-off either.
He's the Twins' everyday leadoff hitter, and he will continue to be very helpful in the three categories previously mentioned.
Gerardo Parra: Arizona Diamondbacks. OF (36.4% owned)
Parra has been taking full advantage of the increase in playing times he's received due to Diamondback outfielder Chris Young's shoulder injury. In his last nine games, the 24-year-old posted nine runs and an RBI, as well as four steals.
With no clear timetable currently set for Young's injury, Parra should have steady playing time for a while. And given his ability to produce across the board, he's definitely worth a pickup.
Alcides Escobar: Kansas City Royals, SS (39.5% owned)
Escobar's numbers don't fly off the stat sheet, but at a position so shallow, they sure are useful. The 25-year-old is currently batting .295, has eight runs and five steals. He is unlikely to maintain such a high batting average (.255 career), but the steals (26 in 2011) will certainly keep coming.
Escobar doesn't produce well enough across the board that he should be your starting SS, but his 30-steal potential make him a nice option at your 2B/SS slot.
Todd Helton: Colorado Rockies, 1B, (26.0% owned)
Helton was rarely drafted this year, likely due to his age and injury concerns. Well, Helton's managed to stay healthy thus far, appearing in 20 games, and has been productive in them. The 38-year-old has hit four home runs, 16 RBI and is slugging .552. The .254 batting average he currently sports isn't great, but Helton hit .302 in 421 at-bats in 2011, so it's not unreasonable to think he will improve there as the season goes along.
At No. 5 in the order he should continue to rack up the RBI. As long as Helton can continue to hit for power to a degree (say, 15-20 home run pace), he is well worth a spot on your roster.
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