Week 2

Waiver WireAnother heavy load of players should be considered for this week’s acquisition through Free Agency. While there are always young players like Jon Duplantier, this week some veterans make the list. Mark Reynolds should get plenty of time with Ryan McMahon out and the fountain of youth seems to be working well in Kansas City as Alex Gordon has played well in the early going.

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

Orlando Arcia, SS, MIL (CBS: 13% owned)

Arcia got out of the gate by going 0-for-14 in his first four games. In his next four games he’s gone 6-for-13 with a pair of homers. Split the difference and you still have a pretty good player. It’s worth the dollar or two to see if 2017 as compared to 2018 is the Orlando Arcia we see on the field in 2019.

Jay Bruce, OF, SEA (CBS: 46% owned)

He only has seven hits in 38 at-bats, but five of them have now left the yard. If you want a cheap 25 homers, Bruce will deliver. He has in 8 of his 11 seasons since turning pro.

Adam Conley, RP, MIA (CBS: 5% owned)

Sergio Romo is a very short-term fix, assuming he can continue to get it done. Has Drew Steckenrider ever shown the consistency required to get it done? By the process of elimination that leaves Adam Conley as the next logical choice to be closing out games for the Fish, and he got that first save under his belt yesterday.

Jon Duplantier, SP, ARZ (CBS: 10% owned)

Called up to give the over-worked bullpen a break, he made his debut by tossing three shutout innings of one-hit ball against the Padres. He will eventually work his way into the DBacks rotation so a buy now and stash approach is the prudent course to steer.

Marco Estrada, SP, OAK (CBS: 24% owned)

Estrada was mainly an afterthought for Fantasy Managers heading into 2019 and after the dreadful 2018 season as a Jay, for good cause. Three starts into 2019 as a member of the Athletics and he is sporting a 2.76 ERA and .80 WHIP. The fountain of youth is located in the catacombs beneath Henderson Field.

Max Fried, SP, ATL (CBS: 36% owned)

When you toss six innings of one-hit, no walk ball against the Cubs it will provide you another opportunity to prove that you belong in the rotation. There are plenty of mouths to feed in Atlanta, but the hot-hand will win the day and right now Fried is the hot-hand.

Clint Frazier, OF, NYY (CBS: 18% owned)

The injury to Giancarlo Stanton has resulted in the Yankees calling up Clint Frazier. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has indicated that Frazier will be seeing steady at-bats and that pinch-hit three-run bomb on Saturday is a good way to guarantee exactly that.

Alex Gordon, OF, KC (CBS: 13% owned)

I know it’s early, but Gordon already has two homers, seven RBI, and scored nine runs. What is even more amazing is that he has walked five times with only one strikeout. Did someone turn the clock back to 2013 and forget to tell us?

Brandon Lowe, 2B, TAM (CBS: 36% owned)

We mentioned Brandon Lowe in our “Fifteen Under Fifteen” piece and with the injury, to Joey Wendle it’s time for a reminder. He’s hitting in the cleanup slot and will be looking at full-time at-bats in which to prove that he’s capable of replicating that huge RBI potential we saw in the Spring.

Tyler Mahle, SP, CIN (CBS: 6% owned)

A strong debut in which he tossed six innings of five-hit shutout ball against the Pirates is cause for guarded optimism. That optimism rises when one looks at his next opponent, the Marlins.

A.J. Minter, RP, ATL (CBS: 31% owned)

The young southpaw was just recently activated off of the 10-day IL and ready to fill the role as a ninth-inning contributor. He had 15 saves last year and nothing has changed in the Braves pen in 2019. Arodys Vizcaino owners have reason to be concerned.

Frankie Montas, SP, Oak (CBS: 32% owned)

He’s off to a solid start and with the Orioles, Rangers, and Blue Jays next on the agenda, there is potential to see a ton of strikeouts in his immediate future.

Mark Reynolds, 1B, COL (CBS: 3% owned)

Ryan McMahon (left elbow strain) has now joined Daniel Murphy on the IL. This should guarantee a steady diet of at-bats and potential homers for Mark Reynolds.

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, TOR (CBS: 15% owned)

Eventually, the Jays will part company with Justin Smoak and Tellez will move into the full-time role at first. In the interim, he’ll fill the DH role against righties. He already has a couple homers under his belt with more to come.

Trent Thornton, SP, TOR (CBS: 11% owned)

In 10 2/3 IP, the former Astro has 15 strikeouts and allowed a scant five hits and two walks. In his next three starts, he is tentatively looking at facing off against the Rays, Twins, and Giants. In 15-teams formats, it’s time to spend some of that FAAB.

Alex Verdugo, OF, LAD (CBS: 31% owned)

In limited at-bats, Verdugo now has two homers, 6 RBI, and has scored four runs. He’s one slump or injury away from full-time at-bats and if the early going is any indication, he’s more than ready.

Christian Walker, 1B, ARZ (CBS: 38% owned)

The Grade 2 left quad strain suffered by Jake Lamb will give Walker six weeks or so worth of at-bats to prove that he is more than deserving of a full-time role.

Five Under 5%

Dustin Fowler, OF, OAK (CBS: 3% owned)

Robbie Grossman is off to a 5-for-27 start and sporting a. .241 OBP.  Meanwhile, in “Sin City” Dustin Fowler is 7-for-15 with two homers, 5 RBI, and a stolen base. It’s only a matter of time before Fowler gets another opportunity in Oakland.

Wilmer Difo, 2B/3B, WAS (CBS: 3% owned)

While Trea Turner is chilling for the next month and reading the “How to Bunt without Breaking a Finger” Cliffs Notes, Wilmer Difo should get the bulk of the at-bats for the Gnats.

Leury Garcia, OF, CWS (CBS: 4% owned)

A leadoff bat that has scored nine runs and stolen two bases is four percent owned?

Zac Gallen, SP, MIA (CBS: 1% owned)

Here’s one for the Dynasty League owner. The Marcell Ozuna trade last year brought a bit more of a return than just Sandy Alcantara. It also included a young righty by the name of Zac Gallen. He didn’t arrive with the “Alcantara hype”, but when you toss seven-innings of perfect ball with 11 strikeouts in your 2019 Minor League debut, that hype is sure to follow.

Jason Martin, OF, PIT (CBS: unowned)

Corey Dickerson joins Gregory Polanco and Lonnie Chisenhall on the 10-day IL with a right posterior shoulder strain.  The Pirates call up the 23-year-old Martin, inserted him into the leadoff slot, and he responded in fine form going 1-for-2 with a run scored and stolen base. Bringing up a young player and watching them succeed has to be considered a historic moment for the Pirate organization.

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