Deep League Waiver Wire Pickups (NL Edition): Week 13

Another week is in the books as we keep steam rolling toward the midway part of the 2014 baseball season. It's really time to start making moves, and targeting those potential sleepers for categories that you may be struggling in.

Each week we will show you a few potential waiver wire gems to grab in your NL-Only or deeper leagues. Don't forget to check out the RotoBaller.com chat rooms too for any on demand fantasy baseball advice you may need.

If you're looking for help this week, take a look at some of these players who may still be available in your league.

 

NL Only Waiver Wire Pickups

 

Travis d'Arnaud, New York Mets, C

23% owned CBS, 2% owned Yahoo!

The Mets were really counting on d'Arnaud to not only be their main backstop this year, but also a big part of their offensive output. After hitting very well in the minor leagues, d'Arnaud struggled in his short time with the big club last year. Unfortunately, those struggles continued this year to the tune of a paltry .180/.271/.273 triple slash. That would result in a demotion to the minors, and plenty of drops in fantasy leagues.

Well, don't look now but d'Arnaud is killing it at Triple A Las Vegas, batting .410 with five home runs in 10 games. The Mets are banking a good part of their future on him, so he's going to be recalled today while he's still hot, with the hopes that he's rediscovered his confidence at the plate.

Everyone knows that the Pacific Coast League is a hitters paradise, so it's entirely possible that the inflated numbers are a product of that. It's also possible that d'Arnaud is simply one of those classic AAAA players who is too good for the minors, but not good enough to be an impact major leaguer. Only time will tell.

But, it's also possible that d'Arnaud has found his stroke and will live up to his potential of being a catcher who offers high batting average and decent pop. If he was dropped, he's worth a look, and is a must grab if you start two catchers.

 

Neil Ramirez, Chicago Cubs, RP

18% owned CBS, 24% owned Yahoo!

The Cubs are a disaster, but the future of their bullpen might be in decent shape with guys like Hector Rondon and Neil Ramirez.

Rondon was closing games before elbow soreness sidelined him for 10 days. Neil Ramirez filled in nicely, and now that Rondon has returned, there is a good chance Ramirez was dropped in your league. If he was, I'd think long and hard about grabbing him.

Rondon has a nasty slider that gets plenty of whiffs. Since being called up, Ramirez owns a 1.00 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 18 innings. He's got closer stuff, and if Rondon has any more elbow issues, don't be surprised if the closer gig is handed to Ramirez for good.

Ramirez is worth a grab for the chance that he'll end up with more save chances, and is a must add if your league counts holds.

 

Gerardo Parra, Arizona Dbacks, OF

51% owned CBS, 18% owned Yahoo!

Chances are, Gerardo Parra is owned in your NL-Only league. But I'm adding him to this list because his Yahoo ownership numbers are low, and I'm actually in an NL-Only league where he was available, and I added him.

Here is what I love about Parra, he is your classic, solid, professional baseball player. He's not great at anything, and is a superstar by no means, but managers love his professionalism, hustle, and defensive prowess, and that's why he always finds his way into the lineup.

The Diamondbacks are a disaster this year, and their outfield has lost two big bats in Mark Trumbo and AJ Pollock to injuries. Parra is playing regularly, and while a .255 average with 40 runs scored, five homers, 24 RBI, and four steals is nothing special, it's solid production across the board that you can live with.

Parra is definitely a better real life player than a fantasy player, but if you need a fourth outfielder or injury replacement, and he's still available in your league, grab him.

 

Tommy La Stella, Atlanta Braves, 2B

28% owned CBS, 8% owned Yahoo!

Few things drive managers more crazy than excessive strikeouts and poor defense. That right there, is also a description of all that Dan Uggla has to offer a team.

With that said, all Tommy La Stella had to do to stick in the Braves lineup was play a good defensive second base, and not swing at everything. That's what it looked like he would be doing, since he offers little in the speed and power categories. So while he was probably going to be an upgrade for the Braves, he looked to not be much of a fantasy option.

So much for that. La Stella is making contact to the tune of a .313 batting average, but his plate discipline and .374 OBP has made Freddie Gonzalez move him all the way up to the leadoff spot of the order. In a lineup that includes mashers like Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton, that could turn La Stella into a solid run scorer.

Who knows if La Stella can keep this average up, or if he'll stick at the top of the Braves lineup. But if he does, and all the pieces fall into place, you could potentially be looking at  Matt Carpenter-light as his ceiling. Those middle infield position can get shallow quickly in NL-only leagues, so if you need help there, or in the batting average and runs scored categories, La Stella is worth a grab if he's still available in your league.

 

Vance Worley, Pittsburgh Pirates, SP

7% owned CBS, 1% owned Yahoo!

Before you see this name and cringe, as you think of his disastrous season in Minnesota last year, hear me out.

What do A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano, and Edinson Volquez all have in common? They are all pitchers who looked like they were done before rediscovering success as members of the Pirates. Whatever they are doing with pitchers in Pittsburgh is working, and the next guy who's career might be saved is Vance Worley.

Worley already filled in nicely for injured Francisco Liriano last weekend striking out five batters, with no walks, in seven innings. He also has a favorable match-up against the Cubs this week, so at the very least, he's worth streaming this week. I really like Worley as a speculative add if you need pitchind help, as I'm a believer in what the Pirates are doing. This is more of a gut feeling than anything else, but I'd add Worley and see where it goes.

 

Good luck this week. See you again next week.