Posted by Tom Blaz on 07/25/2013 | 0 Comments
Tags: Wily Peralta, Brad Ziegler, Adeiny Hechavarria, Michael Saunders, Jonathan Villar, Junior Lake, Christian Yelich, Erasmo Ramirez, Jarred Cosart, Brandon Beachy, Mark Melancon, Joe Kelly, Miguel Gonzalez, Alex Wood, Antonio Bastardo, Chris Heisey, Matt Adams, Brandon Barnes, Mark Ellis, Devin Mesoraco
We have done a good job of staying ahead of the curve this season, while at the same time trying to avoid duplication. To stay on top of the best players available in your particular league, I suggest you review not only the current Waiver Flavor, but the past few editions each week. We gave you a heads up several weeks ago on Wily Peralta, Brad Ziegler, Adeiny Hechavarria and Michael Saunders,giving you opportunity to put in claims on the front end. This week's edition of Farm Report focused on the bevy of call-up's that are effecting not only waiver and free agency claims this week, but already having an effect on standings across fantasy nation. If you haven't done so already, check in with the Farm Report for players like Jonathan Villar, Junior Lake, Christian Yelich, Erasmo Ramirez and Jarred Cosart. Now, as the Brandon Beachy watch continues, on to*the the veteran portion of this week's suggested pickups..
Have an iPhone or iPad? *Get the #1 selling*Fantasy Sports*tool this season! *Fantasy Alarm's award winning 2013 Fantasy Baseball App!*
*
Pitching:
Mark Melancon RP Pittsburgh- Melancon figures to not only be the biggest pickup of the week, but perhaps of the season. With journeyman Jason Grilli and his thirty saves on the disabled list, the sky is the limit for Melancon. Melancon has an 8-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio with ERA and WHIP sub one! I would be surprised if Grilli ever gets the job back.
Joe Kelly*SP St. Louis- While preferring not to list players twice, we tabbed Kelly as a "sleeper" selection a month or so ago. With Carlos Martinez joining Michael Wacha in the minors, the Cards may have settled on Kelly in the rotation. In four starts stretched over three weeks, Kelly is 1-0 while allowing more than one earned run only once (four against Florida).
Miguel Gonzalez SP Baltimore- Is there a more under-the-radar starting pitcher in the game? Gonzalez was 15-9 last season with sparkling ERA (3.21) and WHIP (1.21) to match. April and May were pedestrian and many wrote him off... wrong!* Gonzalez has posted eight straight quality starts and has been as good as it gets since a loss to Detroit on May 31.
Alex Wood SP Atlanta- Tim Hudson is done for the season and Paul Maholm is on the DL, what are the Braves to do? Fantasy nation has been waiting for the return of Brandon Beachy for months, but what about the other opening in the rotation? Wood has been been stretching out at Gwinnett and struggled in a spot start on Thursday against the Mets.
Antonio Bastardo RP Philadelphia- What is Detroit going to do with the end of their bullpen? They may try to cobble together a combination of Luke Gregorson and/or Kevin Gregg, or they could solve it for good with Jonathan Papelbon. When/if Papelbon is moved, Bastardo figures to assume the role in Philly. Bastardo has 14 holds and more than a K per inning.
Hitting:
Chris Heisey OF Cincinnati- Left field has been a revolving door in Cincinnati since the injuries to Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey. Fantasy types were hoping for Billy Hamilton, but that just hasn't materialized. Heisey has finally returned from the DL and providing spark in the already dangerous Reds lineup with seven home runs and 28 RBI in just 41 games.
Matt Adams 1B St.Louis- We hear all the time about the incredible pitchihg depth in the Cardinals organization. Believe it or not, St.Louis may be just as loaded with position players. Propsects like Taveras and Wong may not appear until September, but Adams has been up all season. Finally playing semi-regularly, he's hitting .307 with power in just 150 at bats.
Brandon Barnes OF Houston- The Astros are just loaded with young talent and are going to be very good in the not too distant future. Barnes caught everyone's attention last week, hitting for the cycle. Over 80 games, Barnes is hitting .248 with five home runs, 22 RBI and nine steals in 15 attempts. Finally getting a chance at age 27, look for growth down the stretch.
Mark Ellis 2B LA Dodgers- The Dodgers lineup is loaded with superstar names, but it is unsung veterans like Mark Ellis who are delivering. Juan Uribe and A.J. Ellis are others who are delivering while the big buck talent falters. Mark Ellis has brought his average up to .273 with five home runs, 33 RBI and three stolen bases. Dee Gordon needs to be patient and wait.
Devin Mesoraco C Cincinnati- The Reds credit catcher Ryan Hanigan with a greatly improved pitching staff, but he has been breaking down alot lately. Mesoraco, a former first round pick is the future at the position for Cincy and is beginning to deliver. Mesoraco is 12-for-37 over the last ten days with a pair of home runs and eight RBI.
Listen to The Fantasy Alarm Show*Tuesday-Friday*10 PM -1 AM EST*on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio XM channel 87/Sirius 210.* We want to hear from you!* 888-XM-FANTASY (963-2682)
Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics. Follow Tom on twitter @RecruitingEagle
[HR][/HR][h=3]Explore Related Content[/h]
- The Farm Report: Minor League Baseball Coverage From A Fantasy Perspecitve (Prospect Bonanza)
- Rounding the Bases: Hudson Hurt, Hosmer Hot and Other Wednesday Highlights
- Rounding the Bases: Puig, Marte, Gomez & Cespedes
- Rounding the Bases: BOOM Goes the Dynamite
- Rounding the Bases: Baffled By Bartolo and Other Sunday Highlights
- Rounding the Bases: Saturday Highlights and Prepping For the Trade Deadline
- 2 Start Pitchers Week 17 2013
- Rounding the Bases: The Second Half Kicks Off With a Bang
- 2013 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Pickups: Week Seventeen
- Pitch and Ditch Week 16 2013
- Rounding The Bases: Master Notes From Todd Zola
- Rounding the Bases: Second Half Targets
- Rounding the Bases: Five First Half’s
- 2 Start Pitchers Week 16 2013
- Rounding the Bases: Lincecum Says 'Remember Me' With No-No
- Rounding the Bases: They're Dropping Like Flies
- 2013 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Pickups: All-Star Break
- Master Notes From Todd Zola
- Pitch & Ditch Week 15 2013
- The Farm Report: Minor League Baseball Coverage From A Fantasy Perspecitve (The Futures Game)
More...
