X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

AL-Only Leagues: Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 4

By mikelachance816 on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Dan Sausville recommends some fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for AL Only leagues for week 4. These deep pickups should be targets for your fantasy team.

This is the second installment of my weekly deeper AL-Only waiver wire pickups and sleepers. To clarify, these players are not just AL-Only pickups, but they are more for the deep crowd: 14 teams and over, or the deep roster leagues. Sometimes there will be a player in here who can make in impact in your 12-team leagues as well, just read carefully and make decisions based on your team's needs.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups - AL Only Leagues

 

Robbie Ross – 28% CBS, 6% Yahoo

By mikelachance816 on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The young lefty proved why he was on this list last week, picking up his first victory of the season by pitching 7.2 innings of shutout baseball against the Seattle Mariners. He was not a source of strikeouts, only picking up two, but managing 18 outs via strikeouts and groundballs showed his dominance-- and, he did not issue a single walk.

Ross is still the same major league battle-tested solid pitcher that he has always been, and he is looking an awful lot like a piece of the Rangers future in the starting pitching department. Help is undoubtedly coming, but Ross is sticking his foot in the ground and proving he deserves one of the five spots going forward.  With two years of solid big-league relief work and a strong track record as a minor league starter, Ross is going to continue to get outs. If he picks up his strikeout total, he could be fantasy gold, but he is surely worth adding this week for anyone short on pitching.

Highlights of Ross' performance against the Mariners this week below:

[iframe width="580" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oCSFA444V28?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"]

 

Conor Gillaspie – 29% CBS, 7% Yahoo

Making another return appearance on this list, Gillaspie is still being ignored in fantasy, even though he is hitting in the heart of an underrated lineup, and doing to the tune of a .314 BA with 9 RBI in 12 games. He has no steals and no home runs, and I think it's only realistic to expect 8 to 15 HR from him-- this is not a superstar x-factor on the waiver wire we are talking here, but rather a very solid player who is not going to kill your team.

He is a great fill-in for guys on off days, and a nice one- or two-week injury replacement. He is a solid investment that will come cheap, and he can be very useful on his hot weeks, like his .400 BA performance over Week 1.  Gillaspie's ownership went up significantly this week, but is still not as high as it should be. Make the move before people start to recognize his solid batting average and important role in Chicago’s lineup.

Below is classic Gillaspie, taking what the pitcher gives him. A true hitter's hitter.

[iframe width="580" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YzrvG_lwUR8?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"]

 

Dayan Viciedo – 22% CBS, 3% Yahoo

I do not love Viciedo's approach at the plate, but players with his kind of power sometimes run hot and bunch together some home runs throughout the course of the season, especially against inexperienced and/or struggling pitchers who cannot get out of their own head enough to realize that you do not need to attack Viciedo to get him out. It is for this reason that I have to recommend him as a speculative pick up in the wake of Avisail Garcia's season-ending injury. Viciedo received the endorsement as the right fielder who will get the majority of the playing time going forward by manager Robin Ventura.

There will be plenty of 0-for-4 nights in Viciedo's future, and he currently carries a fairly unappealing 4/8 BB/SO ratio in 2014, but when compared to 2012 and 2013 where he was 28/120 and 24/98, you can gather the idea that perhaps Viciedo may have figured something out. If he indeed has figured out a way to control the strike zone better, the potential is there for him to break out like we all thought he would after hitting .308 with 5 HR in 38 games to end 2010.

This is probably Viciedo's last chance to prove he's an everyday major leaguer, and I am willing to risk a small amount (a bench spot) on the upside that he could potentially deliver. He is currently hitting .324 in 12 games so far in 2014, and only has to hold off Leury Garcia and Jordan Danks for the everyday job the rest of the way. Take a chance, and make sure you get him in your lineup if you see the doubles and homers start to come. Right now, it looks like he is just trying to put a good swing on the right pitches and is willing to take pitches-- something he wouldn't do in the past. Once he settles in and gets really comfortable with a ore selective approach, he will more than likely start letting it fly again. Of course, he could revert back to his old ways, but I'd prefer to watch that happen with him on my bench rather than someone else's, because the upside is something I do not want to miss out on.

Cheap Hawk call below...oh yea, this is what Viciedo can do.

[iframe width="580" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aIHCv806rCs?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0"]

 

Kyle Gibson – 13% CBS, 4% Yahoo

It is probably too late to go grab Gibson after his dominant 8-inning  performance against the Blue Jays on Thursday, but if he is available, don't even blink, do whatever you gotta do to secure him. In each of his three starts, he has limited the opposition to no more than hits, on his way to a  a 0.93 ERA. The one reason for concern is that he has issued nine free passes, but he only issued a single one early in the game against Toronto, and he is showing improved command with each turn he takes. Gibson could be gold, and without a doubt will be roster material all year long. He has a great frame (6'6",  210 lbs.), a great track record (futures game, minor league organizational pitcher of the year, first-round pick), and after three years of experience in Triple-A and 10 starts at the big league level under his belt from last season, he is ready to break out. I wish I could have told you sooner, but like I said, if he is there, snatch him and don't look back.

Here is an interview after his last start, in which Gibson talks about working with the catcher and using his changeup, as well as the difference in philosophy that he has this year as opposed to last year. (courtesy of the Pioneer Press)

[iframe width="100%" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Ci9R8rm-vY"]

 

Roenis Elias - 25% CBS, 2% Yahoo

The Mariners have treated Elias with caution in 2014, but he has turned in three pretty good outings as a member of the rotation with Taijuan Walker has been out. The news that Walker has been shut down for another two weeks with a shoulder impingement only makes Elias's outlook better, as he probably has three more weeks to show what he can do. He has improved in each start, pitching into the seventh inning in his last outing after only pitching through the fifth in his first two trips to the hill. He is currently 1-1 with a 2.14 ERA and has pitched well enough against three of the Mariners divisional opponents. With Blake Beavan being who he is and James Paxton also on the DL, there is a real chance for Elias to grab a rotation spot and run with it. He is off to a great start and is worth an add, at least until the league figures him out. Curb the expectations on strikeouts, but he is going to help in ERA, WHIP and perhaps wins if the Mariners lineup gets back on track.

A little video on Elias from his second start of the season below:

[iframe width="100%" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMR0Gp-fXBM"]

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Grant Williams

Sidelined for Start of Season
Dante Exum

Unavailable Wednesday
Robert Williams III

Ruled Out for Wednesday
Kelly Olynyk

Not Ready for Spurs Debut Wednesday
Ace Bailey

Questionable for Season Opener
Isaiah Collier

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Brad Marchand

Delivers Two Assists on Special Night
Adrian Kempe

Lifts Kings to Victory Tuesday
Justin Brazeau

Records Three Points Against Canucks
Jack Hughes

Pots Third Career Hat Trick
NHL

Chris Tanev Could Miss Time With Upper-Body Injury
Jack McBain

Evaluated for Upper-Body Injury
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Gabe Vincent

Starting on Tuesday Night
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Won't Trade Maxx Crosby
Jimmy Butler III

Officially Good to Go Versus the Lakers
Jonathan Kuminga

Officially Available on Tuesday Night
Anthony Edwards

Uncertain for the Opener
De'Aaron Fox

Sidelined For Spurs Season Opener
Jonathan Marchessault

Remains Absent Against Ducks
Darcy Kuemper

Available Tuesday
Corey Perry

Makes Season Debut Tuesday
Matt Duchene

Misses Tuesday's Action
Kevon Looney

Unavailable For Season Opener Versus Memphis
Alexander Romanov

Unavailable Versus Sharks
Brock Boeser

Remains Out Tuesday
Jared McCann

Out on Tuesday
Daniel Gafford

Not Expected to Play Versus San Antonio
Darius Garland

Unavailable For Wednesday
Kel'el Ware

Questionable for Wednesday Night
OG Anunoby

Likely Available on Wednesday Evening
Mitchell Robinson

Out Of Action For Knicks Season Opener
Karl-Anthony Towns

Questionable for the Opener
Josh Hart

Unavailable For Knicks Season Opener on Wednesday
Jaylen Brown

Questionable for Celtics Season Opener
Tari Eason

Not Signing His Rookie Extension with the Rockets
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
Luke Clanton

Looks to Build on Momentum This Week in Utah
Los Angeles Angels

Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Tyrod Taylor

Aaron Glenn "Moving Toward" Naming Tyrod Taylor the Starting QB
Zach Charbonnet

Finds the End Zone Twice on Monday Night
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Continues Elite Production
Chris Godwin

Bucky Irving May Not Play This Week
Michael Penix Jr.

Expected to Be "Good to Go" for Sunday
Nick Foligno

Back With Blackhawks
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Remains Sidelined Tuesday
Alexander Romanov

a Game-Time Call for Tuesday
Niko Mikkola

Cleared for Tuesday
Matt Duchene

Probable for Tuesday's Game
Adin Hill

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Monday
Nico Collins

Ruled Out Late on Monday Night With Concussion
Nico Collins

Suffers Head Injury on Monday Night
Jahmyr Gibbs

Blows Up For 218 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns in Win
Mike Evans

to Miss Most of the Year With Broken Clavicle
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day
Mike Evans

Ruled Out Monday With Concussion, Shoulder Injury
Mike Evans

Making his Return in Primetime Against Detroit
Emeka Egbuka

Officially Active on Monday Night
Patrik Laine

Remains Out Monday
Jared McCann

Out Against Flyers
Michael Penix Jr.

Dealing With Bone Bruise in Foot, Considered Day-to-Day
Jayden Daniels

Avoids Long-Term Injury, Status Unknown for Week 8
Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins Sticking With Tua Tagovailoa as Their Starting QB
Brock Bowers

Expected Back After the Bye
Darren Waller

Week-to-Week Following MRI
Kendre Miller

Out for the Year After Suffering Torn ACL
Bryce Young

Expected to Miss Week 8
Justin Fields

to Lose Starting Job After Week 7 Benching?
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Suffers His First UFC Loss
Brendan Allen

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kevin Holland

Drops Decision
Mike Malott

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Marlon Vera

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
Aiemann Zahabi

Gets A Razor-Thin Split Decision Win
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Manon Fiorot

Gets Back In The Win Column
Davey Grant

Suffers Submission Loss
Charles Jourdain

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Frevola

Gets Dominated At UFC Vancouver
Matt Frevola

Kyle Nelson Dominates Matt Frevola
George Springer

Returns to Lineup for Game 6 of ALCS
CFB

Colorado State Fires Head Coach Jay Norvell After Four Seasons
CFB

Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Deliver Another Clutch Win to Make Championship 4?
William Byron

Seeks First Win at Talladega to Overcome Las Vegas Crash
Chase Briscoe

Likely to Finish Worse Than he Starts
Kyle Larson

Despite No Wins on Drafting Tracks, Kyle Larson is Improving
Tyler Reddick

Despite Winning at Talladega, Tyler Reddick's Drafting Record Is Not So Hot
Ross Chastain

Poor Qualifying Makes him a Strong DFS Option at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Excellent Crash Avoidance Could Reap Dividends at Talladega
Ty Gibbs

If Ty Gibbs' Team Executes a Better Strategy, he Could Win at Talladega
Daniel Suarez

Hopes for Clutch Talladega Win to Remain in the NASCAR Cup Series
Josh Berry

Might Contend at Talladega
Austin Dillon

Doesn't Lead Enough at Talladega to Contend for Wins
Brendan Donovan

Undergoes Sports Hernia Surgery
George Springer

Exits Game 5 Early After HBP on his Knee
Jackson Chourio

Back in Game 4 Lineup Against Dodgers
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Has Bone Spurs Removed From his Elbow
Brendan Allen

Set For UFC Vancouver Main Event
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder A Favorite At UFC Vancouver
Mike Malott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Kevin Holland

Set For UFC Vancouver Co-Main Event
Aiemann Zahabi

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Marlon Vera

Returns At UFC Vancouver
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Manon Fiorot

Looks To Bounce Back
Aoriqileng

Aori Aoriqileng Looks To Rebound
CFB

Curt Cignetti Signs Eight-Year, $11.6 Million Extension With Indiana
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day After Elbow Surgery
Anthony Santander

Removed From ALCS Roster With Back Injury
Jackson Chourio

Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early in Game 3 of NLCS
Aaron Judge

Will Not Need Elbow Surgery
Anthony Volpe

Won't be Ready for Start of Next Season
Gerrit Cole

Won't be Ready for Opening Day Next Year

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP