Another week and another waiver wire article for your review.  Given what Corbin Martin did today, perhaps we should have just listed him 15 times.  We were bullish on him in the pre-season ranking him in our pre-season Top 100 as his fastball velocity improved a grade last season.  In Triple-A, he worked on his slider and change-up and the results got him the call.  Also getting the call this week was J.P. Crawford.  The once uber-prospect has just never hit but gets another kick at the can with the injury to Dee Gordon.

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

Steve Cishek, RP, CHC (CBS: 9% owned)

Pedro Strop hits the 10-day IL with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is most likely looking at a 3-to-4 week stint of rest and rehab. The Cubs are most likely going with a bullpen-by-committee, with the veteran Cishek leading that committee.

C.J. Cron, 1B, MIN (CBS: 34% owned)

Cron is doing what he does, and at a much better pace than most expected. Two four-hit games and three homers in the past week will endear him to the Twins faithful and us Fantasy folk in a hurry.

J.P. Crawford, SS, SEA (CBS: 6% owned)

Since the beginning of May, Tim Beckham is 5-for-30 with one homer, one RBI and a K/BB ratio of 9/0. There is a reason the M’s are currently taking a look at J.P. Crawford. The fact that Crawford has three homers, an equal number of stolen bases, 20 runs scored and an outstanding .420 OBP at Triple-A Tacoma might also be a factor. In two games since being called up, Crawford is 3-for-8 at the dish and could be settling in for a long run at shortstop in Seattle.

Derek Dietrich, 1B/2B/OF, CIN (CBS: 37% owned)

If he was still in Miami he’d be leading the Fish in both homers and RBI. As a matter of fact, his 10 homers and 25 RBI would be double what the current leaders possess in Miami. Eventually, Scotter Gennett will be returning, but in the meantime ride the hot-hand in Dietrich.

David Fletcher, LAA (CBS: 18% owned)

Those nine walks with only seven strikeouts have our attention. The solid on-base skills have moved him to the top-of-the-order against southpaws and been huge in him amassing 19 runs scored. “Fletch” is turning into a decent option for both the Halos and our Fantasy squads.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, MIL (CBS: 33% owned)

The Yankees along with 28 other teams passed on Gio. Are the Brewers that smart? With three good starts under his belt, one might think so, but in reality, he’s the same Gio, working with that 90 mph heater and the off-speed stuff in the dirt. Ride him until the bubble breaks, and the odds are very good that it eventually will.

Keston Hiura, MIL (CBS: 29% owned)

The Brewers would love for Travis Shaw to break out of his current funk but will exercise only so much patience. Meanwhile, as we wrote earlier this week, Keston Hiura has been on a tear lately. For the season, he has mashed 11 homers, driven in 25 runs, swiped three bases and is sporting a 1.127 OPS. The clock is ticking and Hiura could be punching in real soon.

Cole Irvin, SP, PHI (CBS: 4% owned)

For those that thought Nick Pivetta might get the call to replace Vince Velasquez, who is currently on the IL dealing with a right forearm strain, think again. Pivetta pitched on Thursday, so it simply wasn’t going to happen. Irvin, who works with a low-nineties fastball and plus change gets the start today against the Royals. His short-term future in Philly will most likely be determined by today’s effort.

Luke Jackson, RP, ATL (CBS: 31% owned)

We mentioned Jackson several weeks back as having the potential to work his way into the mix for saves. A.J. Minter has played his way to Triple-A Gwinnett leaving Jackson as the go-to guy in the ninth inning in Atlanta. ‘Tis a crazy game that we play.

Tyler Mahle, SP, CIN (CBS: 21% owned)

In his last two starts, Mahle has amassed 15 strikeouts in 11 IP while allowing only the scant total of two earned runs. In 39 IP on the season, he’s only allowed eight free passes. In a world where we are constantly looking for starting pitching, look no further!

Chris Martin, RP, TEX (CBS: 8% owned)

Jose Leclerc is still working on a return to his 2018 form and was replaced by Sean Kelley who this week hit the IL with an infection, handing off the temporary temporary closer role to Martin. Much the same as Kelley, Martin is likely to be a short-term option for saves in the Lone Star State, but a save is a save is a save.

Hunter Pence, OF, TEX (CBS: 29% owned)

With homers on three consecutive days last week, it brings his season total to seven. Pence is truly turning back the hands of time.

Hunter Renfroe, OF, SD (CBS: 42% owned)

When he’s hot, he’s in the lineup every day doing what he does, swatting the ball a mile. When he’s not, he’s riding the pine. In his past six games, he has hit four homers and driven in eight runs. He’s not riding the pine.

Ronny Rodriguez, 2B/SS, DET (CBS: 13% owned)

A two-homer game last week, with five in total on the season, is a reason for hope. Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer will both eventually return for the IL making at-bats for Rodriguez potentially tough to find, but for now, there is an opportunity. Take advantage of that opportunity.

Mallex Smith, OF, SEA (CBS: 46% owned)

Since the demotion to Triple-A Tacoma at the end of April, Smith has been on fire. He has gone 13-for-36 at the dish with seven stolen bases. It’s only a matter of time before he returns to manning center field for the M’s.

Mac Williamson, OF, SF (CBS: 9% owned)

The nine homers in 82 at-bats at Triple-A Sacramento has bought Williamson another ticket to the show. The power has always been real, can he now show it in a sustained fashion for the Giants?

Five Under Five %

Austin Allen, C, SD (CBS: 1% owned)

The kid can definitely hit, as evident by the 22 homers in each of the past two seasons and the strong start this year at Triple-A El Paso. We currently don’t have a definitive time frame for Francisco Mejia’s return from the sprained left knee, making Allen an intriguing option in deeper two-catcher formats.

Shed Long, 2B, SEA (CBS: 3% owned)

It appears that Dee Gordon has avoided a trip to the IL for the bruised forearm suffered in a hit-by-pitch last week. The stay in Seattle for Long could be short but shouldn’t be totally ignored.

Corbin Martin, SP, HOU (CBS: 5% owned)

The Astros have finally tired of the Colin McHugh as a starter project and are moving on, bringing up top prospect Forest….. no, make that Corbin Martin. Whitley will get his chance, but right now is struggling badly and has some work to do before his first taste of the majors. Martin has been keeping the ball in the park, striking out better than a batter per inning, and is ready for his first taste of big league hitting.

Harold Ramirez, OF, MIA (CBS: 1% owned)

The Marlins are giving Ramirez look in an attempt to inject some life into their moribund offense. The 24-year-old former Pirate/Jay will bring some pop, speed, and decent on-base skills to a lineup desperately in need of all three.

Charlie Tilson, OF, CWS (CBS: 2% owned)

My affinity for Charlie Tilson is finally being rewarded. HOF here we come!