July 20, 2016

Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 16. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.

As a long-standing fan of WWE (despite and in spite of its glaring issues), I am excited for the roster draft that shall have already happened by the time this comes out. In an attempt to shake up stagnant TV ratings, the company is holding a roster draft live Tuesday night where two on-site general managers draft for their respective TV show not unlike how we drafted our fantasy teams earlier this year (minus the pre-determined parts, of course).

If you could shake up your roster today and redraft, would you? Do you wish you could have a pick or two back or all of them? A decent draft is one of the keys to fantasy success, but doesn't mean it's not possible to remake a team over time using the waiver wire. Whether you have one or all the roster holes, here are some choice picks to help your second half push, all owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

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American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Ryon Healy (3B, OAK) - 2% Owned

Rookie third baseman Ryon Healy makes the list this week following a successful MLB debut last week. Though he has generally flown under the radar in terms of prospect notoriety due to mild power and defensive question marks, a hot start to his Triple-A career this season (a .318 average and six home runs in 210 at-bats) has pushed him firmly into the Athletics' sights as a future starter. In his first taste of the Majors, Healy is hitting a respectable .267 with one home run and four RBI in 15 at-bats. With Oakland committed to letting him start as long as he hits, owners in need of a third baseman should be sure to pick up this lottery ticket.

Yulieski Gurriel (3B, HOU) - Not Available At Time Of Publishing

If a player isn't available in the system, why would he be worth talking about? Because newly-signed Cuban third baseman Yulieski Gurriel is considered a can't-miss talent that is said to be weeks away from making his MLB debut after signing with Houston last week. In his youth, he was considered one of the best players in Cuba, but at 32 years of age, he comes with some wear on his tires. Regardless, Gurriel's coming off a huge 2015 campaign in Cuba that saw him hit .500 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI in only 174 at-bats. The moment he is added to the player pool in your league, he's a must-add.

Sandy Leon (C, BOS) - 16% Owned

To make sure, dear readers, that we are on the same wave length, let me start by saying that catcher Sandy Leon isn't the second coming of Jason Varitek. The 10-year minor league veteran has been ablaze since making his season debut last month, slashing an absurd .452/.493/.694 with two home runs and 12 RBI in only 62 at-bats. But after averaging about two home runs and a .238 average during his minor league career, this is a classic fantasy catfish scenario. But as anyone in a two-catcher league can attest to, a short-lived hot streak from a temporary piece is a lot better than nothing or something negative.

Steve Pearce (1B/2B/OF, TB) - 25% Owned & Kevin Kiermaier (OF, TB) - 14% Owned

Tampa Bay got some reinforcements for the second half this past week in the form of disabled list activations for utility man Steve Pearce and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier. Both are returning from minor injuries to a team in need of an offensive spark, though only Pearce can be counted on right away. He has rebounded from a rough 2015 to hit .322 with nine home runs in 174 at-bats, making him a must-add if he was foolishly dropped. Kiermaier, on the other hand, has continued his slow start to 2016, going 1-for-10 since being activated. There's still plenty of time for the offensively-average outfielder to turn things around, but until then, he's nothing more than a bench stash.

Kurt Suzuki (C, MIN) - 14% Owned

Catcher Kurt Suzuki is quietly pushing himself back into fantasy relevance and past his disappointing 2015. After hitting .240 with five home runs and 50 RBI in 433 at-bats last season, he's currently at .285 with five home runs and 31 RBI. With the Twins set to be deadline sellers, there's a high chance that Suzuki's hot streak is actually an audition for suitors in playoff contention. Grab him now and hope for any destination outside of Minnesota, as anywhere will be a fantasy upgrade.

Pitchers

Daniel Norris (SP, DET) - 3% Owned

Starting pitcher Daniel Norris made his first rehab start Monday as he works his way back to the Tigers' rotation. He looked sharp, allowing one run over four innings while striking out four. On the disabled list with a strained oblique, Norris was just finding his groove before he went down, striking out eight Marlins in a win the start before he was injured. A top prospect in the minors, Detroit is expecting a lot from him going forward. If he can deliver on that, he'll be a more than worthy fantasy addition.

Nate Jones (RP, CHW) - 20% Owned

Relief pitcher Nate Jones has carved himself out an important role in the White Sox's bullpen this season, emerging as the man to own behind closer David Robertson. Since June 1st, he's 2-1 with two saves, six holds, a 1.37 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19.2 innings, hence the hike in ownership. Robertson has a firm hold over the closer role, but is clear that Jones is his handcuff, and a productive one at that. Grab him for whatever fantasy needs you have, he helps with them all.

Ryan Dull (RP, OAK) - 12% Owned

Another emerging closer handcuff, rookie Ryan Dull inherited the role from injured setup man Sean Doolittle. He picked up his first save of the season July 9th on a night when closer Ryan Madson was unavailable. With the Athletics another team on the selling side of the upcoming trade deadline, the free-agent-to-be Madson is a likely player to be moved. If so, look for Dull and his 2.05 ERA and 9.3 K/9 to slide into that role until Doolittle returns to health.

Trevor May (RP, MIN) - 1% Owned

Relief pitcher Trevor May has returned from the disabled list performing like the pitcher he was expected to be this year. In four July innings, he's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and five strikeouts. With the closer role currently being held by one of the Twins better trade chips, minor league signee Brandon Kintzler, there's hope that May can show some consistency and be more than just a dark horse candidate for saves. Even if the saves don't come, he has the strikeout ability to help fantasy teams if he can suppress runs effectively.

Miguel Gonzalez (SP, CHW) - 2% Owned

Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez isn't a great starting pitcher, but that doesn't mean he is incapable of throwing quality starts it seems (last year's Orioles beg to differ). Over the past month, he has one win, a 3.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 32 innings. Those numbers surely won't help a fantasy team take first place or likely to last all season. But a life preserver is a life preserver: it only needs to get you to next thing, it's not a boat for all your friends that you'll never forget.

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