Time to reset the fantasy baseball waiver wire. Just two weeks into the baseball season and we have already seen superstars succumb to freak injuries, wild bench clearing brawls, and ferociously hot starts by the likes of Chris Davis and John Buck. Between injuries, minor league call-ups, and the constantly evolving closer landscape this week features more than a few guys worthy of a waiver wire bid. Let’s take a look at some players you need to clear a roster spot for sooner than later.
Tony Cingrani (21%): With Johnny Cueto headed to the disabled list, top Reds pitching prospect Tony Cingrani is ready to come up and dominate the big leagues just as he’s dominated the minors in 42 games. In 211 minor league innings, Cingrani is 14-6 with a 1.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 278 strikeouts to just 60 walks. He got a quick taste of the bigs last year, pitching five innings out of the bullpen and allowing one run, four hits, two walks, and striking out nine. This is one to really get excited about.
Chad Billingsley (32%): I’ve owned Billingsley numerous years and he can be very frustrating to have. He typically loses as often as he wins (45-42 over his last four years) and usually has a WHIP above 1.28. At the same time, he owns a 3.65 career ERA and has only had an ERA above 4.00 twice in seven Major League seasons with a career-high of 4.21 in 2011. He has a steady 8 K/9 and keeps the ball in the park with a steady career 0.7 HR/9. It makes sense to be cautious with him but he could be a great pickup if he puts up numbers like he did last year in a full season.
Edward Mujica (17%): Mujica is one of the best middle relievers in the game and with Jason Motte out indefinitely and Mitchell Boggs struggling he figures to get a shot to close for the Cards. He has allowed just one run this season while striking out five. Over his last three seasons with St. Louis, Miami, and San Diego he has a 3.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 8 K/9 and looks to be a solid ninth inning option.
Andrew Bailey (32%): Bailey was brought in last season to close for the Red Sox but got hurt and ended up only playing 15 innings – poorly. With Joel Hanrahan out with a bad hammy, Bailey is finally going to get a shot to close, though possibly only temporarily. In three seasons with the A’s, Bailey saved 75 games while putting up a 2.07 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 9 K/9. He’s pitched 4.1 scoreless innings so far, allowing just one hit and striking out seven and is a must-own at least for a couple of weeks.
Chris Carter (35%): Carter never really got a chance to break through with the A’s but if his 16 homers in just 67 games last year is any indication of the power this kid possesses he is a must-own even in the Astros lineup. In 47 at-bats this season, Carter is batting .277 with four homers, seven RBI, and eight runs scored. I wouldn’t be surprised if a healthy Chris Carter hit 35+ this season – just don’t expect a high batting average.
A.J. Griffin (50%): Griffin looked very promising in 2012, going 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 3.37 K/BB ratio. He’s off to a great start this season going 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and five strikeouts in 14 IP. Don’t expect much higher than the 7 K/9 ratio he put up last year but he is well worth the pickup in every other category.
Matt Adams (12%): I don’t care that Adams doesn’t start every day, he hits well enough in his limited innings to warrant a pickup in more than just NL-only leagues. In just 18 at-bats this season, Adams has 11 hits, three homers, eight RBI, and five runs scored. He’s coming off a Triple-A season in which he crushed 18 homers in just 67 games and Allen Craig or not, he’s going to find his way into the lineup more because that bat will not be silenced.
Chris Capuano (14%): Capuano has had good years and bad years. If it weren’t for his 12 wins, 3.72 ERA, and 1.22 WHIP last season, he wouldn’t make this list based on his numbers with the Brewers and Mets. The change to Los Angeles really did him good last season and with Zack Greinke hitting the DL, Capuano is back in the Dodgers’ over-saturated rotation. With a consistent 7.4-8.1 K/9 throughout his career and a K/BB ratio of 3.00, the veteran still has fantasy relevance, especially on a team that figures to hit well behind him.
