The first week hype is over and fantasy managers have finally had a chance to evaluate their talent over a small sample size. Single leagues create the unique challenge of limiting waiver options available throughout the season. That's why if you don't pick up every single one of these players right now, they will be gone before you finish reading th- too late! Actually, the following players are owned in 25% or less in Fleaflicker leagues, so there's a good chance you can find some on the waiver wire in your league.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

National League Waiver Wire Pickups

Hitters

Mallex Smith (ATL, OF) - 3% owned - It might be overly simplistic to compare Mallex Smith to Billy Hamilton, but here's a statistic to give some perspective: over the past three minor league seasons, Smith has 212 stolen bases. Over the past three seasons with Cincinnati and Louisville, Hamilton has 202 SB. Obviously Smith will have a harder time putting up such gaudy numbers in the majors, as he found out the hard way in Monday's debut. Still, he possesses the type of speed that is worth utilizing, even if it's a temporary call-up for now. Ender Inciarte is currently on the 15-day DL with a strained hamstring. It doesn't appear to be serious, but it's the type of injury that could re-aggravate and cause further missed time. If Smith impresses in his audition, he could stick around and see playing time throughout the season. At worst, Smith is worth streaming for the next week or two and stashing on the bench. Best case scenario - lots and lots of stolen bases this year. You get the idea. Smith should be owned in mixed-leagues as well, based on potential alone.

Jeremy Hazelbaker (STL, OF) - 18% owned - The Cardinals might be the best organization in baseball when it comes to developing young talent. That has certainly been the case with pitchers, but now it seems budding star outfielders are growing like weeds in the Cards' farm system. Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty were the trendy names to draft this season, but Hazelbaker is quickly stealing their thunder. While Grichuk is slumping horribly to start the year, Hazelbaker is raking to the tune of .526 with 2 HR, 5RBI and a 1.053 SLG. It appears the Cardinals will ride his hot hand as long as it lasts and fantasy owners should go along for the ride while they can.

Aledmys Diaz (STL, SS) - 6% owned -  Jhonny Peralta's injury opened an opportunity at shortstop in St. Louis. When the Cards acquired Ruben Tejada before the season began, it appeared that door was shut. Now, Tejada's own injury leads us to Aledmys Diaz who is taking full advantage of his chance to play every day. Diaz has eight hits in his first 15 at-bats, including five RBI and six runs scored in five games. Tejada was viewed as a defensive replacement to hold Peralta's spot until the All-Star break. If Diaz continues his hot streak, he may just hold onto the job permanently.

Cory Spangenberg (SD, 2B/3B) - 9% owned - This is not a sexy pick, nor will you see promises of 20/20 potential anywhere here. Spangenberg offers a solid batting average, perhaps double-digit steals and a moderate amount of runs scored. His value is contingent on his position in the batting order. He began the season in the #2 spot, but has been shuffled back and forth, hitting as low as eighth while the Padres try to find an offense that works outside of Colorado. Spangenberg now has eight RBI in his past four games so now is a good time to grab him. He should be consistent, if not explosive.

Ryan Raburn (COL, OF) - 2% owned - This qualifies under the headline of Value to be found in Coors Field. Raburn had some modest success in Detroit a few years ago and had fantasy relevance when he qualified at 2B. Since then, he has become an afterthought. Playing for Colorado may change that, however, as Raburn already has two HR in eight AB. He did manage to put up a line of .301/.393/.543 with Cleveland as a role player last year. NL-only league owners could do worse to fill a Util or third OF spot.

Trayce Thompson (LAD, OF) - 4% owned - At this rate, the Dodgers will be playing with a 10-man roster to finish the season. Another set of injuries to outfielders Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke necessitate regular playing time for Thompson. The 25-year-old offers a nice combination of power and speed, although he was only a .241 career hitter in the minors. The only real threat to his playing time is super-utility player Kike Hernandez, who the Dodgers seem to prefer in that role. In deep single leagues, he is worth stashing this week. He becomes an excellent streaming candidate next week with match-ups in Atlanta and Colorado.

Scott Schebler (CIN, OF) - 1% owned - Last week, Adam Duvall was on this list due to the fact he got the opening day nod in left field. Since that time, Schebler has entered the picture as well, earning three starts in the past week. He has contributed 3 RBI while Duvall has none thus far. This may emerge as a true platoon situation if neither one separates himself. Monitor for now unless you are in need of an injury replacement or have an open spot on your roster.

Pitchers

Brandon Finnegan (CIN, SP) - 25% owned - The former first-round pick out of TCU made a quick jump to the majors in 2014 with Kansas City. Now, Finnegan looks ready to be the ace of a young Reds staff. He pitched six hitless innings against the mighty Cubs lineup Monday night. A fine follow-up to his first outing against the Phillies where he only gave up three hits and two earned runs. Finnegan has also rung up 14 batters in 12.2 innings. His ownership rate is soon to skyrocket, but if he happens to be available in any of your leagues, act now.

Ross Stripling (LAD, SP) - 9% owned - It's not every day that a rookie pitcher gets pulled with a no-hitter going in the eighth inning. Stripling's debut could not have been more dramatic considering what followed. It was also extremely encouraging for the Dodgers, despite the fact he wound up with a no-decision after his sterling performance. Stripling is not far removed from Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2014 season and half of 2015. He may be on a pitch count, as was evident in his first outing, but if he can be effective in limited time he is definitely worth a roster spot.

Jeanmar Gomez (PHI, RP) - 5% owned - After a lengthy battle all spring to find a competent closer, Phillies fans came to the realization that they had none. Bailey and Frieri were demoted, Hernandez and Hinojosa have struggled. It looks like Jeanmar Gomez may win the job by default. When asked about it this week, Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said he wouldn't declare Gomez their closer. In manager-speak, that obviously means he is their closer. He doesn't possess typical closer "stuff" but Gomez had a respectable 3.01 ERA last year and has picked up two saves so far. If you need saves, take a chance on Gomez.

Joe Ross (WAS, SP) - 17% owned - Joe Ross is hoping to start his season off better than older brother Tyson. A much-ballyhooed prospect, there are big expectations for the kid. If Ross succeeds, it could delay fellow pitching prospect Lucas Giolito's debut. He is in a golden situation with the Nationals and many owners are hoping to strike fantasy gold with Ross. Hold onto him and see if this is his year.

Robbie Erlin (SD, SP) - 3% owned - Erlin pitched well enough this spring to warrant a starting job, but was ultimately sent down to Triple-A in favor of Colin Rea. So far Rea has struggled and injuries to the bullpen gave Erlin the chance to be called up quickly. Erlin will be a spot starter for now unless Rea or Drew Pomeranz are removed from the rotation. He can provide value, but how much will be dependent on playing time.

Bud Norris (ATL, SP) - 6% owned - Norris is 0-2 to begin the season but he did post a quality start his first time out against Washington, giving up three runs in seven innings. He remains the Braves #2 starter and can be effective at times. He has pitched considerably better at home than on the road in his career (3.68 Home ERA vs. 5.32 Away ERA), so wise owners may want to deploy him strategically. He is only worth consideration in deep NL leagues at this time.

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]