The upcoming All-Star break brings a short week on the MLB schedule, but here are five guys you should still look to add off the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league.
5. Cleveland Indians OF Tyler Naquin
Naquin has taken advantage of an opportunity in Cleveland’s outfield, with a .318/.406/.716 slash-line, eight home runs and 17 RBI since June 8. Abraham Almonte’s return from suspension and Michael Brantley (shoulder) ramping up toward a rehab assignment creates some concern, but Naquin stands to make it tough for Terry Francona to keep him out of the lineup. AL-only league owners should be taking notice.
Yahoo! Ownership: 10%
4. New York Yankees SS Didi Gregorius
Since June 8 (28 games) Gregorius is hitting .358 (39-for-109) with seven home runs, 22 RBI and 21 runs scored, and he’s now hitting .298 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI so far this season. Some regression is likely to come, but Gregorius’ offense is finally making him worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues.
Yahoo! Ownership: 27%
3. New York Mets C Travis D’Arnaud
Since returning from a shoulder injury on June 21, D’Arnaud is hitting .318 with two home runs and eight RBI over 13 games entering Saturday. Injuries are a continual concern with D’Arnaud, but his bat makes him fantasy relevant as long as he’s able to be in the lineup.
Yahoo! Ownership: 50%
2. Arizona Diamondbacks RP Tyler Clippard
The Diamondbacks traded Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox late Friday night, which opens up the closer role for Clippard. His K/9 rate (10.9 this year) fits it, and fantasy owners may remember Clippard’s 32 saves as Washington Nationals’ closer in 2012.
Yahoo! Ownership: 38%
1. Boston Red Sox RP Koji Uehara
Speaking of the Red Sox, they are expected to be without closer Craig Kimbrel for 3-6 weeks due to a knee injury. Manager John Farrell has anointed Uehara as the fill-in for Kimbrel, and despite an ERA nearing 5.00 so far this season the 41-year old’s 72 saves for the Red Sox from 2012-2014 put him on the fantasy radar immediately.
Yahoo! Ownership: 30%