Here are five players to consider adding off your fantasy baseball waiver wire heading into the final full week of May.
5. Oakland Athletics 3B Danny Valencia
Valencia has cooled off a bit after two multi-homer games (five total) a week or so ago, but he does still have at least one hit in seven of his last nine games and is hitting .337 with six home runs and 15 RBI overall this season. Sustainability the rest of the way is a question, but fantasy owners can add Valencia and try to benefit from his current run.
Yahoo! Ownership: 55%
4. Tampa Bay Rays IF Steve Pearce
Pearce is 6-for-13 over the last four games, with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored over that span. Multi-position eligibility is on the way (18 games at first base, seven games at second base), if it’s not there in your league already, and Pearce offers enough power (.303, seven home runs and 18 RBI this season) to help fantasy owners with a regular spot in Tampa Bay’s lineup.
Yahoo! Ownership: 32%
3. San Diego Padres 3B Yangervis Solarte
Solarte returned to action on Saturday, after missing over a month with a hamstring injury, with a walk and a RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was an asset to fantasy owners in 2015 (.270, 14 home runs, 63 RBI, 63 runs scored), so don’t forget about Solarte now if you need help at third base.
Yahoo! Ownership: 8%
2. Texas Rangers RP Sam Dyson
Dyson has picked up two saves since officially taking over for Shawn Tolleson as Rangers’ closer, and he now has four saves, 10 holds and a 2.14 ERA so far this season. Anyone in line for saves should be on fantasy rosters, and Dyson is more widely available right now than I expected.
Yahoo! Ownership: 59%
1. St. Louis Cardinals SS Jhonny Peralta
Peralta is close to returning from a thumb injury, and he should step back in as St. Louis’ starting shortstop despite the success Aledmys Diaz has had. Some initial struggles can be expected, but Peralta has been an under-appreciated asset for fantasy owners (63 or more RBI in 10 of the last 11 seasons, five 20-plus home run seasons over that span) and he’s worth adding immediately in mixed leagues.
Yahoo! Ownership: 22%