July 6, 2016

Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 14. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.

As we wrap up the final week of games before the All-Star Break, it is time to start preparing for the second half. One of the best ways to do that is pluck up a few lottery tickets in hopes of striking big on a second half savior or two.

With that in mind, take a gander at these potential diamonds in the rough (and a few regular guys), all owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

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American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Coco Crisp (OF, OAK) - 6% Owned

Outfielder Coco Crisp makes his second appearance in this column this season as he rides an 11-game hitting streak into Tuesday's game. During this streak, he's hit .370 with two home runs and 14 RBI, bringing his season numbers to .247, seven home runs and 37 RBI. Crisp's speed, his long-time fantasy calling card, has dipped a bit so far, with him successful in only five of nine attempts on the year and none in over a month. But with him swinging such a hot bat, including .280 over the past month, it's easy to overlook.

Steven Moya (OF, DET) - 7% Owned

Following the injury to fellow Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez, Steven Moya has stepped up to help fill the hole. The rookie is now hitting .301 with five home runs and nine RBI in 73 at-bats to go along with his .298 average, 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 205 Triple-A at-bats before his call-up. Moya's average is an illusion due to his horrid K/BB of 5.75 but his power is not. If cheap power is your need, Moya's your man.

Seth Smith (OF, SEA) - 7% Owned

Don't look now, but veteran outfielder Seth Smith could be having a career year. With a week of games in the first half left, he's hitting .274 with 10 home runs and 38 RBI in only 211 at-bats as he paces his career bests (17 and 59, respectively) in both categories. His bat has cranked up the jams as of late, as he's hit .329 over the last month, including four home runs in four consecutive games June 30th to July 3rd. Smith has done most of his damage at his home field of Safeco, making him a fantastic candidate to keep it up all year.

Yonder Alonso (1B, OAK) - 1% Owned

It only took two months, but first baseman Yonder Alonso appears to finally be getting the hang of the American League in his first season there. Over the past month, he's hitting .299 with two home runs, 12 RBI and one stolen base. With a career average of .270, Alonso should be able to keep the hits coming more often than not going forward, giving the average-only player fantasy value in deep leagues again.

Hyun Soo Kim (OF, BAL) - 4% Owned

Rookie outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is really starting to heat up as the first half comes to a close. For the past two weeks, he's hitting .393 with two home runs and seven RBI. After hitting 28 home runs with 121 RBI in the KBO last season, the potential for him to keep raking is high. Fellow rookie outfielder Joey Rickard is the only thing standing in the way of Kim seeing more playing time, something a few more home runs should help clear up.

Pitchers

Tony Barnette (RP, TEX) - 1% Owned

Rookie relief pitcher Tony Barnette has been a great find for the Rangers this season, coming to them as a free agent after spending the past six seasons pitching in Japan. Originally a Diamondbacks prospect, it was in Japan that he made a name for himself as a closer, especially last season when he went 3-1 with a 1.29 ERA and 41 saves in 2015. While Barnette has yet to collect a save this year, his 5-3 record with a 2.70 ERA in 36.2 innings so far this year definitely has value in AL-only leagues as he establishes himself in an evolving bullpen.

Taylor Rogers (RP, MIN) - 0% Owned

Another under-the-radar rookie relief pitcher, Taylor Rogers has been performing admirably for the Twins, especially as of late. Since giving up four runs June 15th, he's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in nine innings. After starting all throughout the minors with mediocre fantasy results thanks in part to a career 7.0 strikeout rate, coming out of the bullpen exclusively in the Majors has pushed that up to 9.2. If the Twins can keep him out of their rotation, he could establish himself in a bullpen influx.

Ervin Santana (SP, MIN) - 13% Owned

Starting pitcher Ervin Santana's starting to warm up after a large string of terrible starts, and just at the right time as contenders begin searching for reinforcements. Over his last three starts, he's 1-0 with a 2.41 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 18.2 innings of work. With the Twins swirling the drain, expect them to trade Santana to anyone willing to take on the remainder of his pricey contract. A second half spent on a contender could do a lot for his fantasy value the rest of the year.

Joakim Soria (RP, KC) - 15% Owned

With closer Wade Davis the newest Royal to head to the disabled list, the team and fantasy owners could turn to an old friend to help close out games in his absence. Former Royals closer Joakim Soria looks to get the second crack at save chances going forward after logical successor Kelvin Herrera. Though he's been dusted up a bit recently, Soria's 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA over the past month. He might not gain many save chances, but he should see more holds for those who count them while continuing to be a decent reliever.

Edwin Diaz (RP, SEA) - 8% Owned

This term often leads to nothing but disappointment from a fantasy perspective, but after seeing what rookie reliever Edwin Diaz has done so far this year, it's hard to dub him anything other than the Mariners' closer of the future. He is currently sporting an absurd 17.0 K/9 to go along with a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings. Keeper league owners take note: the two top spots in the Mariners bullpen will be free agents after 2016. If Diaz can sustain this energy all year, he could easily force himself into the closer picture as early as next spring.

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