It’s June already. That seems to have snuck up on us, especially across the northern United States with a cold spring. But that means that fantasy baseball is approaching the halfway point, and it’s time to start solidifying your roster for the second half of the fantasy season.
Whether it is a free agent pool, a budget-based system, or weekly waivers, playing the wire is a key element to winning your fantasy baseball leagues.
Each week, XN Sports will present an option at each position (if there is anyone worth picking up), and why you should add them.
Without further ado, let’s play the waiver wire:
First Base
Jon Singleton, Houston Astros
Without a doubt, you have likely heard about Singleton getting called up for the Astros. The sweet-swinging first baseman should be added in every league because of his power potential. In his first game, Singleton hit his first home run, and hit 14 home runs in 195 at-bats in the minors this season. Give him an add before it is too late.
Third Base
Lonnie Chisenhall, Cleveland Indians
At this point, Chisenhall is only available in around 30 percent of leagues, but that means a good portion of leagues still have him on the waiver wire. Give him an add as he has been one of the best third basemen in fantasy baseball of late. In his last 51 at-bats, he is hitting .353 with three home runs and 15 runs batted in.
Outfield
Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates
Polanco is the next big name to get called up, and rumor has it that he could be called up in the next week or so. So far this season in the minor leagues, Polanco is hitting .351 with 47 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases. Before we know it, all three of the Pirates outfielders will be among the top 20 outfielders in fantasy baseball.
Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
Since returning from injury, Willingham is hitting .310 with four home runs and 10 runs batted in in just 29 at-bats. It’s safe to say that he is hot, so if you need some help right now in the outfield, give Willingham a shot before he comes back from his hot streak.
Starting Pitcher
Henderson Alvarez, Miami Marlins
Alvarez has three complete game shutouts this season. That is an incredible number, so why is he available on the waiver wire? Truth is, he is just one of those players we seem to sleep on, and before we know it he is going to be added in almost every league. In his last 21 innings, Alvarez has allowed zero earned runs and just 19 base runners. His sabermetrics match up as well, considering his ground ball percentage is at an excellent rate of 54.3 percent.Is he worth an add right away? Alvarez’ next start is against the Chicago Cubs, who rank among the worst in baseball in hitting against right-handed hitters at .218. The Marlins pitching staff as a whole has been very good this season, and that’s impressive considering that Jose Fernandez is now out of the picture for a season.
Relief Pitcher
Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians
Allen has a strangle-hold on the closer job in Cleveland thanks to his last week. Allen has four saves since May 30th, giving him an early lead for saves in June with two. In addition, Allen strikes out more than a batter per inning with 31 punch-outs in 25.2 innings of work, so he is not just a one-trick pony out of the bullpen. Give him an add if you need help in the saves department. The one thing about Allen is his 50 percent fly ball rate, but do not worry, because he has a 16 percent infield pop-up rate, meaning that most of the fly balls are not hit all that hard. Do not worry, and add Allen if you need help.
