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Week 1 Waiver Wire: 0-25% Owned Pickups

Kyle Bishop looks at some deeper waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 1 of the 2017 fantasy baseball season - players owned in 0-25% of Yahoo leagues.

Baseball is finally back. In light of this, let's give that free agent pool one last look over before the stats start flying.

Here are the best players who are owned in 0-25% of Yahoo leagues. You can see our column on 25-50% owned players as well.

These are your deeper Week 1 waiver wire pickups and adds - players that should be considered as additions to your teams, after your drafts have already been completed.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Deep League Waiver Wire Adds

Catcher: Cameron Rupp, Philadelphia Phillies (16% owned)

Rupp is mainly keeping the seat warm for prospect Jorge Alfaro, but he did flash some pop last season. He hit 16 homers with a passable .252 batting average and 80 R+RBI. Rupp likely isn't a long-term solution for owners in single-catcher leagues, but he's a viable second catcher in 2C formats.

First Base: Lucas Duda, New York Mets (10%)

Duda missed most of 2016 with injury, but over the prior two seasons, he was 7th among first basemen in home runs, and 12th in both runs and RBI. While he's never going to hit for a high average - his best single-season mark is .253 - the veteran also boasts a career .346 OBP. Assuming health, he's an excellent CI option in 12-team mixers and a viable starter at 1B in deeper and NL-only formats.

Second Base: Cesar Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies (8%)

Hernandez looked like a utility man when he broke into the majors in 2014, but he’s developed into a player with relevance in many fantasy formats. His plate discipline, contact rate, and contact quality have steadily trended up in the last three years. He earned some criticism for mental lapses on the bases — note the ugly 17-for-30 success rate on stolen base attempts — but he also hit .294/.371/393 with quality defense to turn in a surprising four-win season. Hernandez was 19-for-24 in thefts in 2015, and has been working with coaches to improve that aspect of his game this winter. He will hit near the top of the order,

Third Base: Travis Shaw, Milwaukee Brewers (24%)

Shaw faded badly after a hot start with the Red Sox in 2016. Traded to Milwaukee over the winter, he'll be the starting first baseman and likely hit fifth in a sneaky-good Brewers lineup. While Fenway Park has a well-deserved reputation as a hitters' park, it's actually one of the most difficult parks in the game for lefties to hit a home run. Miller Park is among the best parks for lefty power, and it's not hard to imagine Shaw taking advantage.

Shortstop: Tyler Saladino, Chicago White Sox (14%)

Saladino has picked up some sleeper hype during a torrid spring, but he remains lightly owned. The versatile 27-year-old hit .282 with eight homers and 11 steals in just 319 plate appearances a year ago. Given his minor league track record and the White Sox rebuild, he's likely to run a bit more in 2017, and could see some time near the top of the batting order. Yoan Moncada is the future at second base, but Saladino has the job right now, and he could provide double-digit pop with 20+ stolen bases to go with his eligibility at three positions.

Corner Infield: Yangervis Solarte, San Diego Padres (14%)

If you've ever read my work before, you probably knew this was coming. I've been beating the Solarte drum since 2015, after all. The veteran doesn't have enough foot speed to take advantage of the Padres' aggressive basestealing philosophy, but hits well enough to land a spot in the middle of their lineup: .286/.341/.467 last season, with 15 homers and 126 R+RBI in just 109 games. Injury cost him some time, as did the tragic death of his wife. The latter is just another reason to root for the guy.

Middle Infield: Chris Owings, Arizona Diamondbacks (10%)

Owings will open the year as the starting shortstop in Arizona, and he's hitting second in their first game. There's not much pop here, but Owings swiped 21 bags in 23 attempts last year. With the current dearth of speed in the game, he's an intriguing sleeper at short and free to add in 90 percent of Yahoo league at the moment. If he can hit enough to stick in the 2-hole, he'll be sandwiched between A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt. That's a nice place to be. Like many of the guys we're discussing today, Owings offers flexibility as well, since he's eligibile in the outfield.

Outfield: Steve Pearce, Toronto Blue Jays (12%)

The release of Melvin Upton makes it clear that the Jays will give Pearce every opportunity to run with the starting job in left field. He also carries eligibility at first and second base, and given that Devon Travis can't stay healthy and Justin Smoak is terrible, he could easily see time at either position. Pearce has never logged 400 plate appearances in a season before, but has a great chance to do so in 2017. He's hit .267/.347/.493 with 49 homers in just 279 games over the last three seasons. If he can come close to that level over a full slate, he'll be a fantastic value.

Outfield: Travis Jankowski, San Diego Padres (8%)

If speed's what you need, consider Jankowski. He strikes out too much to hit for average despite his quickness and doesn't have much power, but Jankowski does the starting job in left field. He swiped 30 bags as a part-timer in 2016. Jankowski does get on base at a good clip thanks to a double-digit walk rate, so if the playing time holds up, 40-50 stolen bases are attainable.

Starting Pitcher: Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves (19%)

The former first-round pick hasn't quite lived up to the hype, but Foltynewicz has improved every season in the big leagues. He also seems to have developed his changeup into a viable third offering, which should allow him to stick in the rotation. His blazing fastball and slider have led some to conclude his future is in the bullpen. If the Braves were to make that move, Folty could be in line for some saves. For now, he's a solid back-end fantasy starter with upside for more.

Starting Pitcher: Daniel Norris, Detroit Tigers (12%)

Norris was one of just 19 starters who logged a strikeout per inning and walked fewer than three batters per nine. Most of the guys in that group are bona fide aces. Of course, Norris was the only player in the group who failed to log 100 innings, and he also had trouble with home runs and hard contact. But the former top prospect is just 23 and carries plenty of upside.

Relief Pitcher: Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs (15%)

By virtually any measure, Rondon has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the last three seasons. He has served as the Cubs' closer for the bulk of that time, but the defending champs opted to bring in Wade Davis via trade to handle closing duties. Davis had some arm troubles last season, though, and is coming off an extremely shaky spring. Rondon could find himself back in the ninth if Davis stumbles, and can bolster your ratios even as a set-up man.

Relief Pitcher: Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays (18%)

Grilli had command issues last season that led to inflated walk and home run rates, but he logged a 12.0 K/9 for the second straight year and fourth time in five seasons. With Roberto Osuna on the disabled list to begin the year, Grilli will take the closer baton in Toronto for at least a couple of weeks.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin Huerter

Sidelined One Week
Daniel Gafford

Aggravates Right-Ankle Injury on Wednesday
Collin Sexton

Injured in Loss to Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Suffers Calf Injury on Wednesday Night
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Pelle Larsson

Set to Suit Up Versus Dallas
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
P.J. Washington

Ruled Out Against Miami
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
Jalen Smith

to Miss Third Straight Game
Duncan Robinson

Sidelined Again Wednesday
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Daniel Gafford

Set To Play Against Heat
Tre Jones

Ruled Out for Wednesday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Good to Go on Wednesday
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Steven Adams

Cleared To Play Against Kings
Deni Avdija

is Available to Play on Wednesday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Available on Wednesday
Bobby Portis

Available to Play on Wednesday
Lonzo Ball

Upgraded To Available Against Portland
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Jamal Murray

Cleared To Play Against Indiana
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available on Wednesday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Ruled Out on Thursday Due to a Personal Matter
Norman Powell

Sidelined Versus Mavericks
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Bryce Young

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
Deshaun Watson

Browns Opening Practice Window for Deshaun Watson
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Aaron Rodgers

Appears to be Healthier Heading into Week 14
Jalen McMillan

Expected to Have his 21-day Practice Window Opened
Mike Evans

' Practice Window Opened, Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Callahan

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Michael Rasmussen

Makes Early Exit Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Exits Early With Back Problem
Evander Kane

Expected to Be Fine After Skate Cut
Tyler Seguin

Injured Versus Rangers
Sean Monahan

Expected to Play Thursday
Nathan Walker

Out for Eight Weeks
Lian Bichsel

to Sit Out 6-8 Weeks
Viktor Arvidsson

Activated From Injured Reserve
Warren Foegele

Remains Out Tuesday
Valeri Nichushkin

Available After Eight-Game Absence
Gabriel Landeskog

Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog Cleared for Tuesday
Tyson Foerster

to Miss 2-3 Months
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Says he's Fine After Suffering Hip Contusion
Omarion Hampton

Likely to Return in Week 14
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers "Hopeful" Brandon Aiyuk Will Play in 2025
Brayden Point

Without Timetable for Return
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Carted Off With Hip Injury on Monday Night
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
Davante Adams

Not Dealing With a Serious Injury
Kyler Murray

Surgery Not on the Table for Kyler Murray
Marvin Harrison Jr.

in Danger of Missing Week 14?
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
Justin Herbert

Having Hand Surgery on Monday
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
CFB

Kentucky Officially Fires Mark Stoops
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

RANKINGS

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RB
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TE
K
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
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