RADIO
While most fantasy owners are seeking out fantasy football advice take heed to your playoff bound fantasy baseball team to look for answers to bolster your team for the stretch run. It doesn't hurt to look around for players that are now performing at levels more accustomed to their normal levels or just an extra bat off the bench to plug and play when need be.
Owners should really take advantage of utilizing these players for their benefit now more than ever and missing out on a golden opportunity to acquire or start playing these players on a regular basis could mean the success and failure in a playoff run. Do yourself a favor and check this list out.
Editors Note:to read about even more waiver wire options for first base and third base, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list that is updated daily.
Waiver Wire Analysis For Catchers
Carlos Santana (C,CLE)
89% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues
Now I know what the first thought is when this name comes up. He isn't available and I can't trade for him or pick him up. That is a fair assessment in most cases. Shallow leagues Santana could have been dropped and if he is still on your roster and you simply are not using him perhaps now is the time that that should change.
Cleveland is on a surge right now and right in the thick of the AL Wild Card. They have not given uo and neither should you. Santana is hitting .260 in the last two weeks with 2 HR and 11 RBI with all of his power categories slowly trending upward after a disastrous start to the year. His K% is down from a year ago and even if he continues to improve the rest of the way his OBP, SLG%, ISO and wOBA will all take season dips. However Santana's BA is higher and his wRC+ should eclipse last years totals of .231 and 129 respectively.
The issue for most owners with this player is simply using him. The Indians are healthy and they are playing considerably better these days. Use Santana to your advantage while the team stays hot and it should benefit your team immensely.
Baller Move: Start in 10+ Leagues
Jonathan Lucroy (C,MIL)
Owned in 74% of Fleaflicker Leagues
This is another prime example of a high profile player who really has not cut the mustard this year for his stats or his ADP for 2015. Lucroy's numbers for the season are not very good at .258 with only 7 HR and 37 RBI.
Much like the aforementioned Santana though Lucroy has been on an absolute tear as of late. In the past two weeks owners have been pleasantly relieved to know that Lucroy still does have a pulse. He is hitting .444 with 3 HR, 11 RBI and 8 XBH while keeping his K/BB rate in check with a 7:2 ratio during that span.
Those numbers are not to be taken lightly or to be taken as a small sample size crush fest from an elite hitting catcher. Lucroy has figured something out and he is going to use the last month of this season to prove it to Milwaukee and your fantasy lineup. Being owned in 74% of leagues means that a lot of owners have held out hope that Lucroy would turn it around and their patience has paid off. Owners should not fret about the down numbers as compared to 2014 and look to his sprucing up numbers across the board on a Brewers team with nothing to lose.
Baller Move: Start in All Leagues.
Kurt Suzuki (C,MIN)
Owned in 8% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Twins comfortably moved Joe Mauer to DH and 1B duties due to the veteran presence of Kurt Suzuki behind the plate. Now the numbers do not show that Suzuki is an elite offensive catcher like Santana and Lucroy are capable of. But Suzuki can deliver in a big way in deeper leagues where more in-depth stats play a big role in a fantasy team's success.
Suzuki's 43 RBI ranks near the top ten eligible at the position and his 44:25 K/BB ranks among the top as well. The Twins have a lot of faith in him providing balance at the back end of the lineup and although his numbers have not been great this year he tends to hit his stride in spurts. He will normally provide a solid BA with doubles power and the ability to drive in runs. The near .250 BA is closer to his real hitting prowess but Suzuki can be a difference maker in deep leagues looking for stable basic numbers.
Baller Move: Add in 12+ and 2-Catcher Leagues
Tucker Barnhart (C,CIN)
Owned in 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
This is another example of a guy that all fantasy owners did not expect to be the starting catcher for the Cincinnati Reds and yet here he is getting semi regular playing time. When he plays he gets on base. His OBP of .346 is at his career highest and his .272 also fits that mold. The BABIP of .311 while not great is still a welcome sight to those in deep leagues looking for productive stats to fill out a daily roster or as a UTIL.
When beggars can't be choosers taking someone who provides a .712 OPS can also be someone valuable when speaking of roto leagues and even certain h2h matchups. Barnhart is going to be available and when he plays he is effective. Play accordingly and use him to your benefit.
Baller Move: Add in 14+ and 2-Catcher Leagues
