June 8, 2016

Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 10. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.

There's no denying the draw of a major star in fantasy baseball. The top players in the AL--guys like Mike Trout, Chris Sale and Jose Altuve--make up the back bone of the great fantasy teams. Most every successful team needs at least one. With July inching closer every day, the ability to make up significant lost ground is getting harder every day.

Don't lose hope though. Follow UFC and make a big splashy trade. Get yourself a Brock Lesnar if you can. Maybe even give up a little extra to get the exact player you want. Then restock your roster with some of these rising AL options. The following options are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

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.

American League Targets - Hitters

Jurickson Profar (2B, TEX) - 53% Owned

The luster has long been lost off this former number one prospect due to a long string of injuries, but that doesn't mean second baseman Jurickson Profar's talent evaporated. Finally healthy, his great start a Triple-A--a .284 average with five home runs, 26 RBI and four stolen bases--the Rangers rewarded him with his first call-up since 2013. He has quickly exceeded expectations, hitting .370 with two home runs and 11 runs scored, including a hit in each of his 10 games on the year. How long he'll stick on this crowded roster is unknown, but fantasy owners shouldn't wait with him raking like a madman.

Tyler Naquin (OF, CLE) - 5% Owned

After being sent down in May as Cleveland pulled closer to full health, outfielder Tyler Naquin is back up following Marlon Byrd's year-long suspension. Since returning to the majors, he hit his first three Major League home runs; in a row even. He's now sitting at an .348 average with those three home runs and seven RBI in 77 at-bats. The longer the Indians stay in contention, the more likely the team is to upgrade their outfield and push Naquin out again. For now, he's producing just enough to be a low-end AL-only pickup but there is room for further growth.

Lonnie Chisenhall (OF, CLE) - 2% Owned

The second Cleveland outfielder to make this week's list, Lonnie Chisenhall brings something Naquin cannot: assured at-bats. After starting 2016 looking like he may never collect another hit, he has been decent since coming off the disabled list. After 108 at-bats, Chisenhall is hitting .278 with one home run, 17 runs scored and three stolen bases. The hopes of his power ever coming around are long gone, but with the hopes of a steady average, there are a lot worse options when deep diving the waiver wire.

Franklin Gutierrez (OF, SEA) - 2% Owned

After stunning the fantasy world as a 2015 fantasy zombie, outfielder Franklin Gutierrez got off to a slow start this season. His bat has been finally re-re-animated though, as he's hitting .302 with four home runs and 10 RBI in the past 28 days. With him seeing regular at-bats in left field these days, it is time to see just has much bite Gutierrez truly has left.

Darwin Barney (2B/SS, TOR) - 3% Owned

I wasn't sure that infielder Darwin Barney could provide sustainable fantasy value. But after 101 at-bats so far this season, he has yet to let him. He's hitting a very friendly .337 with three home runs, 16 runs scored and three stolen bases. That performance has him sitting atop the Blue Jays' depth chart at shortstop, meaning fantasy owners should follow suit and ride Barney for all he's worth.

American League Targets - Pitchers

Doug Fister (SP, HOU) - 19% Owned

Starting pitcher Doug Fister, like the rest of his Astro teammates, has found his footing after a rocky start of the season. Over his last five starts, he's 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. His 10 walks versus 20 strikeouts during that time is less encouraging. But as they haven't hurt him too bad recently, fantasy owners shouldn't worry about it too much while the ship is upright. With a strong offense and capable defense supporting him, Fister has only to keep his ERA under 4.00 to help AL fantasy teams the rest of the season.

CC Sabathia (SP, NYY) - 36% Owned

I can't speak for the rest of the fantasy world, but personally, the revival of CC Sabathia took me by surprise. An alcohol problem can be a tough one to crack, but it appears that his rehab for it at the end of last season has paid off. His stat line this year--3-4 record with a 2.58 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 52.1 innings--has him putting up the kind of stats fantasy owners used to expect from him. Sabathia has been especially filthy since coming of the disabled list in mid-May, going 1-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 24 innings. If he can stay healthy, mentally and physically, he could keep rewarding fantasy owners all year.

Alex Colome (RP, TB) - 79% Owned

Just as soon as Rays' closer Brad Boxberger came off the disabled list, he went right back on it. Alex Colome has since slid right back into the closer role he has had most the year. On the year, he is 1-1 with a 1.04 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 16 saves. He hasn't given up a run since May 15th, including his current four saves in four days streak. If he was foolishly discarded by another owner when Boxberger came back, make sure that no longer continues.

Sean Doolittle (RP, OAK) - 55% Owned

After losing his closer job to Ryan Madson to start the season, relief pitcher Sean Doolittle has been left waiting for a chance at redemption. His chance may be coming soon as Madson has been scuffing as of late amidst a Doolittle six outing scoreless streak. With Doolittle on a contract that pays him like a closer, expect the thrifty A's to find a way to improve their returns from him, even if it's just to inflate his trade value. Even if that second chance eludes him, look for him to earn his keep and hope for a trade to a team in need of a closer.

Will Harris (RP, HOU) - 51% Owned & Michael Feliz (RP, HOU) - 8% Owned

The Astros have announced that they are going to begin closing games using a committee instead of relying on Luke Gregerson exclusively. The group will compromise of Gregerson, Ken Giles and two likely fantasy free agents, Michael Feliz and Will Harris. While Giles is the long-term play, he has yet to show himself ready for the gig, giving Harris a chance to steal the job and Feliz a chance to vulture. Even without the possible saves, both have been producing at a high enough level that they should be on AL-only teams regardless.

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