Jonathan Aranda, 2B, TBR (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Wander Franco has been placed on the 10-day IL with what is described as right wrist discomfort. A follow-up Monday has been scheduled to determine if it’s a hamate injury. Let’s hope for the best. In a corresponding move, the Rays have called up Jonathan Aranda. He posted an excellent June in which he hit five homers, drove in 11 runs, and posted a .356 OBP. He’s continued his solid play into July, where he has two homers and 16 RBI in seven games. Let’s hope he carries this level of play with him as he arrives in Tampa Bay.
Alec Bohm, 3B, PHI (CBS: 46% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered): In his past six games, Bohm has hit two homers, driven in six runs, and has gone 8-for-21. It has been a year filled with struggles for the 25-year-old corner-infielder, but the tide seems to be turning, and better days have arrived.
Madison Bumgarner, SP, ARZ (CBS: 42% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered): Who would have ever thought, even a scant couple of years back, that Madison Bumgarner would find his way to a Waiver Wire Article. The strikeout rates are low, but it has been a solid season (3.65 ERA), and more than 42% of those playing at CBS and 16% ESPN should be taking advantage of.
Kutter Crawford, SP, BOS (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The question we need to address is, does Kutter throw a cutter? Yes, he does to the tune of 29.8 %. Toss in a mid-nineties heater and spin rates just south of 2400 for both, and it should have our attention. He worked mainly in a relief role until June 12, when he was stretched out and inserted into the Worchester rotation, where he pitched well. We’ve now seen continued success in his first two starts with Boston. In deeper leagues, he’s worthy of our attention in the hope that Kutter’s cutter continues to cut the mustard.
Nolan Jones, 3B, CLE (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Jackson Kowar, meet Nolan Jones. 457 feet later, Jones has his first career homer, a three-run shot in the books. Although he only hit three homers this season in 90 at-bats, don’t ever doubt his prestigious power potential. Jackson Kowar doesn’t.
Luis Gonzalez, OF, SFG (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): We mentioned Gonzalez in the June 20 Waiver Wire article, and lo and behold, just as he was heating up, he hit the shelf with a back strain. Well, he’s finally back and looking to resume what was a great end-of-June run. In deeper, Leagues find a home for him.
DL Hall, SP, BAL (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): In his last outing, he went six innings allowing three hits, two walks, one earned run, and an eye-popping 14 strikeouts. His main bugaboo is consistently finding the strike zone, but despite those struggles, his Baltimore debut could be right around the corner. It’s worth a small early bid to find out.
Josh Harrison, 2B/3B/OF, CWS (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Harrison will be called upon to replace Jake Burger, who has a bone bruise in his right hand and is likely out through the All-Star break. He’s the perfect replacement bat in a Tony La Russa run offense.
Max Meyer, SP, MIA (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): After spending a month on the IL dealing with ulnar nerve irritation, Meyer has returned and, in his past two outings, has struck out 12 batters in 10 2/3 innings while allowing only two earned runs. With each strong outing, he’s getting closer to his Marlins debut.
Nick Senzel, OF, CIN (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): The oft-injured Senzel has quietly been putting up solid numbers for the past several weeks. Over the past seven games, he has gone 9-for-21 with two homers and five RBI. He’s both healthy and on a small tear. Take advantage of both.
David Villar, 3B, SFG (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Evan Longoria has found his way to the IL with a left oblique strain, and the Giants are turning to the other Villar for some respite. David Villar was enjoying a great season at Triple-A Sacramento, mashing 21 homers with 62 RBI and an excellent .409 OBP. Third base has presented challenges this year, and in deeper Leagues giving David (and not Jonathan), a look could help provide some much-needed respite.
Closer Report
Alexis Diaz, RP, CIN (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Repeat after me. Hunter Strickland is not the answer. Repeat it again and again and again.
Pete Fairbanks, RP, TBR (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Fairbanks is currently rehabbing at Triple-A Durham from a partially torn right lat muscle and should be looking at a return to the Rays pen around the All-Star break. The potential to be a solid contributor is supported by the 56 strikeouts last year in 42 2/3 IPs with five saves. We all know the drill. Everyone in the Rays bullpen gets to close out games.
Joe Mantiply, RP, ARZ (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Mark Melancon is sporting a 5.22 ERA and procured his last save on June 3. Ian Kennedy is dealing with right calf inflammation and is on the 15-day IL. Joe Mantiply is enjoying a great campaign, having allowed earned runs in only three of his 34 appearances. As the trade deadline draws closer, will Melancon and/or Kennedy be calling Phoenix home?
Brett Martin, RP, TEX (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Joe Barlow blew two saves this week, and that’s all it took for Chris Woodward to declare it was time for a rest. That seems a little harsh for a pitcher with a 3.18 ERA who was 13-for-17 in save chances this season. Dennis Santana or possibly even Jose Leclerc looked to be the favorites for saves, so who gets not one but two saves in the first two save opportunities since the Barlow demotion? Yes, Brett Martin. He’s 2-for-2, so you should be looking at him as the current favorite to hold down the fort until (hopefully) Barlow is finished with his timeout.
