FANTASY BASEBALL 2016 HADOUKEN (WAIVER WIRE)

FANTASY BASEBALL 2016

HADOUKEN (WAIVER WIRE)

BY Josh Hillinger

Let me just say that if Trevor Story is somehow still on your waiver wire, you grab him, and you grab him now.   He’ll slow down, cause I saw him buckling tonight against an inside curve, but hopefully he can figure it out.  Anyway, I’ll wait.

Scooter Gennett – Mil – 2B

So I dropped Chris Owings and picked up Scooter Gennett.  It took me a while, because I saw similar benefits.  Owings bats second in front of Goldschmidt, Peralta, and Castillo.  Gennett bats second behind Braun, Lucroy and Chris Carter.  Slight edge to Owings simply for his stack.

 

But then I dug deeper.

 

Gennett gets on base.  In his rookie campaign in 2013, Gennett hit .324 in over 200 at bats.  Last season, he had the fourth highest OPS among second basement who saw at least 400 plate appearances.  He has struggled versus left-handed pitchers in the past, but hit a HR against southpaw ace Madison Bumgarner in the first game of the season.  In fact, Scooter’s already got 3 HRs in his first 5 games.  He might surprise us with some steals, but Scooter can help us in four major batting categories this season.  While he will cool off, grab the hot bat and see where it takes you.

 

…And you know what, monitor Owings.  He’ll get some SBs and Runs, and he’ll have eligibility at 3 positions soon (2B, SS, OF), which is always nice.

 

Jarrod Dyson – KC – OF

 

Dr. Zoom, the base-stealing machine for the Royals begins his minor league assignment next week finishing up his 15-day stint on the DL with an oblique injury that won’t hold him down.

 

In his own words, “I’m just trying to get some reps in, get some at-bats in, see some pitching.  I want to work my game, steal bags, bunt”

 

In his last four seasons, he stole 26, 36, 34, and 30 bags in 200-292 at bats.  If he goes back to the top of the lineup, in front of Moustakas, Cain and Hosmer, he has the potential to be a league leader in stolen bases and even runs.  Catch him if you can.

 

Colby Rasmus – HOU – OF

 

Colby Rasmus had a disappointing season last year, hitting only 25 homeruns in 432 at bats.  He’s a streaky hitter, but when he gets hot, you don’t want anyone else to have him.

 

Rasmus is batting cleanup in the monster stack that includes Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa and Gomez.  He got red hot in last year’s postseason, batting .444 with 3 HR and 6 RBI in his first 6 games of the playoffs.  And guess what?  He just got his first two homeruns of the season.

 

Rasmus is a great player to pick up now.  The 2 HR alone look great, and if he stays hot, which he will next week against The Royals,  he could make for fantastic trade bait.  I wouldn’t be sad to be stuck with him this season either.

 

 

Chris Tillman – BAL – SP

 

I picked up Chris Tillman solely with the intention to trade him for Collin McHugh (a’la Munt’s Trade Alert article).  I liked seeing 5 Ks in 2 innings of a postponed game against Minnesota, and he got me a cheap win when he made his next start against Tampa Bay.

 

He’s a consistent source of wins – probably primed for one of his winningest seasons, backed up by a battalion of brutal Baltimore batswingers.  He has a career 4.17 ERA, with one outlier in 2012 where he managed to go 9-3 in 15 games and pitch 2.93.

 

Could this be Tillman’s resurgence season?  Probably not.  He’s a spot starter who’s next game is against Boston.  I’ll be sitting him for that matchup.  That being said, I’d be happy to see him pitch a monster game, and I still recommend picking him up as a potential trade piece.

 

Vince Velasquez – PHI – SP/RP

 

Who doesn’t love a starting pitcher with RP eligibility?  Velasquez will surely be a hot waiver wire pickup today after striking out 9 in six innings against a formidable Mets team.   It was a very strong showing for a guy many picked as a flier at the end of their drafts.

 

He’s young, only 23 years old, but got experience last season starting 7 games, and making relief appearances for Houston, earning a 9.4 K/9, but only going 1-1 with a 4.37.  The kid’s got heat, a sweet changeup and nasty curve.   He can churn out some quality starts as the 5th starter for a diminished Phillies team that unfortunately will not help him get a whole lot of wins.  That being said, I’d rather have him on my team now than find out I missed out on him later down the line.  Grab him now if you’re in a dynasty league.

 

He’s got a very high ceiling.  Scouts love him, and I can’t help but be taken by his arsenal as well.  He has the potential to become a #2 starter this season, and he’s off to a good start.  He won’t be available in most fantasy leagues for very long.

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu – LAD – SP

Ryu will be back in The Dodger’s rotation in a little over a month.  It might be too early, but if you can play with your roster and get Ryu in on your DL – maybe switch him out once Lance McCullers comes back – I say go for it.  A shoulder injury can be a bit unpredictable, but of course we all know Ryu is worth a stash.  I don’t have to tell you his stats … but he can beast with the best of them on a winning Dodgers team.  Hadouken.

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