The closer position finally imploded this week with significant injuries and ineffectiveness ruling the day.  Pickups highlight our waiver wire this week.  If you want more closer information, in our weekly podcast this week, we go through each team and highlight who to pick up and who owners should speculate on.

Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player.

Logan Allen, SP, SD (CBS: 20% owned)

A pre-season favorite to occupy a prominent role in the Padres rotation, Allen struggled early-on and was dispatched to Triple-A El Paso. He was recalled this past week and demonstrated the reason for the early optimism. The 22-year-old southpaw tossed seven innings of three-hit shutout ball in defeating the strong offense of the Brewers and gaining his first MLB win. Assuming the Padres keep Allen in the rotation, he’s looking at facing off against Baltimore and San Francisco in his next two starts. That’s worth parting with some of that FAAB.

Adbert Alzolay, SP, CHC (CBS: 11% owned)

Kyle Hendricks is currently sidelined with a right shoulder impingement with no timetable currently in place for his return. The Cubs turned to top-prospect Adbert Alzolay, and he didn’t disappoint in his debut, tossing four solid innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts. The Cubs have talked about going with a six-man rotation until Hendricks returns and in deeper leagues, he’s worth a small investment in the hope that comes to fruition.

Bobby Bradley, CLE (CBS: 10% owned)

When you’re leading the International League with 24 homers, and occupy the second spot in RBI’s with 55, it’s time for that first big league action. Bradley does tend to strike out a lot with 91 whiffs in 257 at-bats so the BA could be a problem, but the power is very real and looking at the Indians offense, much needed.

Brandon Dixon, 1B/OF, DET (CBS: 7% owned)

The nine homers in 148 at-bats are good. The 46 strikeouts with only five walks are not so good. It will be a challenge for Dixon to maintain that .270 BA, but the power appears to be real and in 20-team and AL-only Leagues could prove to be an asset.

Zac Gallen, SP, MIA (CBS: 61% owned)

We mentioned Zac Gallen in our Week Two “Five Under Five%” column and since that time he has been flat out dominant. He made his debut last week and didn’t disappoint, tossing five innings of one-run ball against the Cards. It took a while for his arrival, but if that first start is any indication, the wait will be definitely worth it.

Liam Hendriks, RP, OAK (CBS: 11% owned)

Blake Treinen’s recent struggles are now fully explained, as he hits the 10-day IL with a right rotator cuff strain. One would think that veteran Lou Trivino would get a shot at closing, but he has been struggling as well, posting a 5.00 ERA. Saturday, the A’s turned to Liam Hendriks, and the veteran shut down the Rays in earning his first save of the season. More saves are likely in the cards for the 30-year-old Aussie.

Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE (CBS: 10% owned)

Remember when Jason Kipnis was a high draft pick and consistent power/speed threat? It has been a while but over his past seven games, he has gone 11-for-25 with three homers and 11 RBI. Get him going while he’s on a tear.

Dinelson Lamet, SP, SD (CBS: 14% owned)

Lamet has now reached the rehab stage of the program and drawing closer to a return from the TJS that has kept him sidelined since the end of the 2017 campaign. The memory of the 139 strikeouts in 114 1/3 IP in 2017 is still fresh in my mind.

Michael Lorenzen, RP, CIN (CBS: 11% owned)

It’s very apparent that Reds Manager David Bell isn’t afraid to mix and match in the late innings, as we saw Lorenzen pick up a pair of saves on back-to-back days last week. Raisel Iglesias is still officially the closer in Cincinnati, but a small investment in Lorenzen makes sense based on how Bell is currently looking at running his bullpen.

Carlos Martinez, John Gant, Tyler Webb, RP, STL (CBS: 44%/42%/0%)

Jordan Hicks is dealing with a case of triceps tendinitis, and the Cardinals are hoping several days rest will be the cure. He’s scheduled for an MRI Sunday and that should provide a bit more definition. In the meantime, a bullpen-by-committee is the likely course the Cards will steer with Martinez, Gant, and Webb all in the mix for saves. We’ll bet on Martinez getting the first opportunity.

Scott Oberg, RP, COL (CBS: 22% owned)

Wade Davis spent three weeks on the IL in mid-May and hasn’t looked the same since returning. In seven appearances, totalling 6 1/3 innings, he has allowed eight earned runs. Scott Oberg currently holds down the setup role in Colorado and in ten IP in June has two wins, two saves, 13 strikeouts and a. 90 ERA. Don’t be surprised if the Rockies turn to Oberg should Wade Davis continue to struggle.

Emilio Pagan, RP, TB (CBS: 19% owned)

Hot off the press. Diego Castillo is dealing with right shoulder inflammation and has been placed on the 10-day IL. Pagan got off to a hot start after his mid-April promotion, earning saves in three straight games. He then had to wait until last Friday to get a shot at the fourth, which he successfully completed. Until Jose Alvarado gets back up to steam, Pagan will have the ninth-inning gig all to himself.

Ryan Pressly, RP, HOU (CBS: 33% owned)

Roberto Osuna is in a funk, allowing earned runs in five of his past ten appearances with three blown saves and a loss. Pressly had a tough outing yesterday against the Yankees, giving up a pair of runs, but has been dominant this year and could be in line for some ninth inning work should Osuna continue to struggle.

Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS, COL (CBS: 38% owned)

He’s back, and it could be a long visit with Trevor Story on the IL dealing with a sprained thumb. Rodgers has nothing left to prove at Triple-A, so here’s hoping this time around the Rockies give him plenty of opportunities to prove that fact.

Ross Stripling, SP, LAD (CBS: 34% owned)

Rich Hill hits the 10-day IL with a left forearm strain and it’s going to be a lot longer than just ten days. He won’t be looking at picking up a ball for the next 3-to-4 weeks. The Dodgers do have several options, but we’re tossing our bets down on Stripling, who is enjoying a great season in a relief capacity.

Bryse Wilson, SP, ATL (CBS: 6% owned)

The Braves finally tired of watching Mike Foltynewicz struggle and have dispatched him to Triple-A Gwinnett. They also haven’t made their plans clear as to a replacement, so let’s toss a dart. Bryse Wilson is on the same schedule as Folty and is coming off a six-inning shutout performance against Syracuse on Saturday. A buck or two on pure speculation could return some solid rewards.

Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, WAS (CBS: 18% owned)

Plantar fasciitis has kept Zimmerman on the sidelines since the end of April, but he’s now commenced a rehab program and is likely looking at a return in the next week. It most likely will be a job share as Howie Kendrick and Matt Adams have both been playing well, but in NL-only formats any and every scrap of power that can be found holds value.

Five under Five%

Aaron Civale, SP, CLE (CBS: 4% owned)

A very strong six innings of two-hit, three walk shutout ball against the Tigers and that first win is in the books. Mike Clevinger is likely to miss at least one more start while giving that sprained ankle time to heal, giving Civale at least one more start. If/when Civale is returned to the Minors hold onto him as the Indians are strong candidates to move one of their veteran starters at the trade deadline making Civale a good option for second half starts in Cleveland.

Alex Dickerson, OF, SF (CBS: unowned)

The long-time Padre farmhand was acquired by the Giants last week and promptly endeared himself to the Giants faithful by going 3-for-5 with a grand slam and six RBI in his debut. That one-game performance should guarantee steady playing time until Steven Duggar returns from the 10-day IL.

Jake Fraley, OF, SEA (CBS: 2% owned)

We have now mentioned Fraley three times this year, twice in the “Hot Prospects” column, and once in the Week Six “Waiver Wire”. He has now been promoted to Triple-A and continues to rake. In his first two games at Tacoma, he’s gone 3-for-7 with a homer and stolen base. You can lead a horse to water, but Jake Fraley and that 2% ownership level is proof you can’t make ‘em drink.

Jose Quijada, RP, MIA (CBS: unowned)

Sergio Romo is likely to be moved at the trade deadline. Adam Conley currently has an ERA of 8.00. Tayron Guerrero has walked 19 in 29 1/3 innings. Nick Anderson has been a model of inconsistency. Maybe, just maybe, we see some save opportunities heading in Quijada’s direction in the second half?

Roman Quinn, OF, PHI (CBS: 2% owned)

He was activated on June 17. He stole a base on both June 19 and June 21. It’s now June 23 and he’s not on the IL. Yup, it’s time, once again, to invest in Quinn and hopefully pad the stolen base numbers.  Note: The entire staff of Prospect361.com approves of this entry!