Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - AL/NL Only Leagues
Thursday June 21st, 2012
Casey McGehee is hitting like it is 2010. (US Presswire)
This week's AL/NL-only waiver wire pickups features players who can provide some early season help to owners in need of stopgaps and youngsters with upside. Whether your fantasy team needs home runs, steals, or strikeouts, or even if you're just chasing wins, this mix of players has you covered.
* Owned percentages via Yahoo!
AL-Only Players
Cliff Pennington - SS, Oakland Athletics (4% owned)
Cliff Pennington's season stat line is far from impressive, a .216 average with two home runs and 11 stolen bases is not necessarily the stats of a player worth owning, but Pennington's last two weeks of production indicate a possible turn around is on the way. In his last 43 at-bats, the former Texas A&M Longhorn is carrying a .302 batting average with a .380 on-base percentage and four stolen bases. Last year, Pennington stole a total of 14 bases, but in 2010 he swiped 29, so look for him to come close to that total again this year while producing a .260 or better batting average the rest of the way.
Casper Wells
- OF, Seattle Mariners (0% owned)
Casper Wells has bounced between the Mariners and their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma this year, and his most recent recall happened because of an injury to Mike Carp . Wells will probably see limited at-bats, since most of his starts will be coming against left-handed starters, but this may be more of a positive than negative because of his ability to hit southpaws so well. In his 17 at-bats since being recalled last Wednesday, the former Tiger has a .529 batting average with one home run and four RBI, hitting safely in each game he has appeared in. Wells is capable of hitting the ball out of the park, clubbing 11 home runs in 215 at-bats last season, which is just another reason to pick him up while he is hot.
Steve Pearce - 1B/3B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (1% owned)
Casper Wells has bounced between the Mariners and their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma this year, and his most recent recall happened because of an injury to Mike Carp . Wells will probably see limited at-bats, since most of his starts will be coming against left-handed starters, but this may be more of a positive than negative because of his ability to hit southpaws so well. In his 17 at-bats since being recalled last Wednesday, the former Tiger has a .529 batting average with one home run and four RBI, hitting safely in each game he has appeared in. Wells is capable of hitting the ball out of the park, clubbing 11 home runs in 215 at-bats last season, which is just another reason to pick him up while he is hot.
Steve Pearce - 1B/3B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (1% owned)
Former Pirate utility man Steve Pearce is starting to see regular at-bats with the Orioles after being plucked from the Yankees minor league system earlier in the month. In Pearce's first 40 at-bats with the Birds, he has plated nine RBI while hitting at a .275 clip. His strikeout total, which has always been a problem, may end up hurting any long term fantasy value, but the ability to plug a hot bat at either corner infield position or an outfield slot is something any fantasy owner should be happy with.
NL-Only Players
Casey McGehee - 1B/3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (6% owned)
When the calendar flipped to the month of June, something clicked for Casey McGehee at the plate and the once un-ownable corner infielder is making everyone take notice. Carrying a .356/.434/.622 triple-slash in 45 at-bats so far this month, McGehee has forced manager Clint Hurdle to play him everyday. It wasn't that long ago in 2010 that McGehee was producing as a top-5 NL third baseman, hitting .285 with 23 home runs on the season. Picking him up now, and getting even half of that production over the rest of the season would help any NL-Only team no matter the depth or format of the league.
Martin Maldonado - C, Milwaukee Brewers (2% owned)
Even though there are many catchers out-performing expectations this year, it still a struggle for most to find a catcher that won't hurt your team's offensive stats. Brewers rookie Martin Maldonado is currently contributing in a big way at the plate after he has had a little time to adjust to major league pitching. He was terrible through his first 20 major league at-bats, but since then he has carried a .250 batting average, hit three home runs, collected 10 RBI, and has a 7-to-6 strikeout to walk ratio. The 25 year-old native of Puerto Rico has a respectable average over his five minor league seasons, and did very well at Triple-A last year hitting .333 with eight home runs in 134 at-bats. He will have some growing pains at the plate, but it appears that he has taken the first step in adjusting to major league pitching.
Jason Marquis - SP, San Diego Padres (1% owned)
After being released from the Minnesota Twins earlier in the season, Jason Marquis was signed by the Padres in early June and has looked like a different pitcher since. In his most recent outing against the Texas Rangers, the veteran righty struck out 10 while allowing two earned runs over seven innings pitched. His numbers will not stay as nice as they currently are, but as long as he keeps striking out batters while pitching half of his games in PETCO Park he will be a fine addition to your NL-only rotation.
Casey McGehee - 1B/3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (6% owned)
When the calendar flipped to the month of June, something clicked for Casey McGehee at the plate and the once un-ownable corner infielder is making everyone take notice. Carrying a .356/.434/.622 triple-slash in 45 at-bats so far this month, McGehee has forced manager Clint Hurdle to play him everyday. It wasn't that long ago in 2010 that McGehee was producing as a top-5 NL third baseman, hitting .285 with 23 home runs on the season. Picking him up now, and getting even half of that production over the rest of the season would help any NL-Only team no matter the depth or format of the league.
Martin Maldonado - C, Milwaukee Brewers (2% owned)
Even though there are many catchers out-performing expectations this year, it still a struggle for most to find a catcher that won't hurt your team's offensive stats. Brewers rookie Martin Maldonado is currently contributing in a big way at the plate after he has had a little time to adjust to major league pitching. He was terrible through his first 20 major league at-bats, but since then he has carried a .250 batting average, hit three home runs, collected 10 RBI, and has a 7-to-6 strikeout to walk ratio. The 25 year-old native of Puerto Rico has a respectable average over his five minor league seasons, and did very well at Triple-A last year hitting .333 with eight home runs in 134 at-bats. He will have some growing pains at the plate, but it appears that he has taken the first step in adjusting to major league pitching.
Jason Marquis - SP, San Diego Padres (1% owned)
After being released from the Minnesota Twins earlier in the season, Jason Marquis was signed by the Padres in early June and has looked like a different pitcher since. In his most recent outing against the Texas Rangers, the veteran righty struck out 10 while allowing two earned runs over seven innings pitched. His numbers will not stay as nice as they currently are, but as long as he keeps striking out batters while pitching half of his games in PETCO Park he will be a fine addition to your NL-only rotation.
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