August 10, 2016

Tony Peters analyzes some American League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 19. These AL-only targets can be sleepers.

As unbelievable as it seems, the fantasy baseball season is entering its final weeks as we enter mid-August. Teams still in contention or those who just manage for the thrill of it aren't in any less need for new players as they were when the season began, and the end of 2016 has plenty of surprises to come.

Here are some potential helpers to keep in mind as Week 19 burns on. All players are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

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American League Waiver Wire Targets

Hitters

Yulieski Gurriel (3B, HOU) - 18% Owned

Let "Yulieski Gurriel Watch 2016" hit the next gear this week as he makes his last minor league stop before he joins the big league club. That he is only 18% owned at this point is a bit of an undersell of the potential impact he could have on fantasy teams for the rest of the season. Do remember the Cuban veteran is a rookie in title only. Through his first 23 professional at-bats between Rookie and A-Ball, he's hitting .381 with one home run and nine RBI. With Gurriel targeted to take over full-time at third base when he arrives, he is a must-own in all leagues, not only deep ones.

Paulo Orlando (OF, KC) - 5% Owned

Much like the rising temperatures coming forth as we reach deep into the "Auggie Doggie Days of Summer," outfielder Paulo Orlando's bat is only getting hotter as the season wears on. By hitting .436 with two home runs, three RBI and three stolen bases over his past 39 at-bats, he's pushed his season average up to a ridiculous .333. Only into his second season at the Major League level despite being 30 years old, Orlando is playing like a man with something to prove, and that is exactly the kind of motivation that makes a strong fantasy player. Outfielder Alex Gordon's continued struggles only help Orlando further.

Mark Teixeira (1B, NYY) - 25% Owned

First baseman Mark Teixeira has been struggling throughout what he recently announced will be his final season. Not so much over the past two weeks though, as he's hitting .281 with one home run and five RBI over his last 32 at-bats. This is nothing but conjecture, but maybe his decision to hang it up at the end of the year and just focus on the fun of being a ball player is just what his bat needs to warm up one last time. "Big Tex" isn't going to magically regain his stroke, but he could provide just enough to help deep leaguers with corner infield spots close out the season.

Jefry Marte (1B/3B/OF, ANA) - 1% Owned & C.J. Cron (1B, ANA) - 11% Owned

Angels' rookie first baseman Jefry Marte has been filling in admirably since starter CJ Cron hit the disabled list with a fractured left hand. Over the past month, he's hitting a very healthy .341 with three home runs and 11 RBI. After failing to impress (from a fantasy standpoint) at Triple-A prior to his call-up, to have him at eight homers and 24 RBI on the season is fairly incredible. He only has another couple weeks left of full-time at-bats though as Cron is set to start a rehab assignment by the end of this week and return shortly after. Cron was also impressing at the plate before his injury, hitting .278 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI. If he was foolishly dropped instead of DL-stashed, now is the time to jump.

Mike Zunino (C, SEA) - 6% Owned

Could this be it for Zunino, could this be the real thing? Since his recall from Triple-A on July 20th, he's hitting .267 with four home runs and eight RBI. Thanks to six walks, his on-base percentage is also a healthy .417. With a career slash of .196/.260/.370 over three seasons, this small sample size seems to indicate that his extra time in the minor leagues this season has paid off. Considering he left Triple-A with a .286 average, 17 home runs and 57 RBI in only 280 at-bats, the third pick of the 2012 Draft looks to be on the verge of something special the next two months.

Pitchers

Alex Cobb (SP, TB) - 11% Owned

Starting pitcher Alex Cobb is nearing the end of his quest to return to the mound for the first time since 2014. His rehab will have him move up to Triple-A Wednesday as he builds up arm strength and works on mechanics. Before Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2015 and much of 2016, he was developing into one of the AL's better young starters and the new Rays' ace following the James Shields trade. While the Rays will certainly show patience and restraint in bringing Cobb back up to the Majors, their lack of contention also allows him plenty of no-stress chances to re-establish his place in the rotation once he returns.

Ariel Miranda (SP, SEA) - 0% Owned

With starter Taijuan Walker still working back from a foot injury, newly-acquired starter Ariel Miranda has a chance to give a quick boost to a desperate fantasy team. In his first Major League start, he held the potent Boston offense to only two runs over six innings while striking out five. Prior to his move to Seattle, he was 4-7 with a 3.93 ERA and 7.8 K/9 in 100.2 innings for Baltimore's Triple-A team. If he can keep the ball in the park (something he has really struggled with this year at all his stops), Miranda could help fantasy teams over the next couple weeks. If not though, throw him overboard right away.

Daniel Norris (SP, DET) - 7% Owned

After being left in Triple-A after his recently-completed rehab assignment ended, starting pitcher Daniel Norris found himself back up in a hurry this week. With Jordan Zimmerman back on the disabled list again, Daniel Norris will come up Wednesday and take his place in the rotation. Though his season numbers don't cry for attention, he was looking sharp before injury cut short his last Major League starter July 4th. With solid strikeout potential and a great team backing him up, Norris is a great pitching lottery ticket for the rest of the season.

Anibal Sanchez (SP, DET) - 22% Owned

Warning, warning! Fantasy zombie on the loose! After completely imploding multiple times this season, starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez just might have finally figured out whatever ghosts have been haunting his arm (at least temporarily). Since July 19th, he's 1-3 with a 3.12 ERA and 27 strikeouts against only five walks in 26 innings. With the Tigers dealing with injuries to their rotation while fighting for a playoff spot, Sanchez is in a very volatile position that likely sees him pitching for his rotation spot every time out. If he keeps producing like this, this writer says "whatever works."

Ryan Pressly (RP, MIN) - 2% Owned

I can't close out an article without at least one reliever, as it is one of the only ways fantasy teams struggling with a bloated ERA and WHIP can cut that down using the waiver wire. Right now, Minnesota's Ryan Pressly is riding hot and is ready to help out teams. Over the past month, he's 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 12.1 innings. Though Pressly has struggled a bit with home runs allowed this year--he's at seven in 58.2 innings so far--batters are only hitting .234 against him over the past month. As the Twins play out their season for nothing more than fun and obligation, he'll have plenty of chances to keep this hot streak going.

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