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Welcome back to Digging Deeper! Max and I decided to combine forces, so now you get both AL and NL deep waiver wire picks in one convenient article. Next week you'll be lucky enough to get Max's thoughts, but for week 12, you're stuck with yours truly (I'm still slowly chasing down Max and his first place team in the RotoBaller Expert's League).
Injuries are plentiful, home runs are the same, and everyone is looking for the next Cody Bellinger, Jose Berrios, and Mike Zunino. I can't guarantee that you'll find the next big piece of waiver gold here, but I'll do my best to highlight the players that have that kind of upside.
Because I'll be covering more players, my analysis will be shorter and to the point. Feel free to find me on Twitter @BellRoto and ask me to explain more personally. I'll be happy to do so, and even contort the waiver pick-up to your own team and situation. Let's win these leagues! Good luck!
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Digging Deeper: Week 12 Picks
Shin-Soo Choo (OF, TEX) - 18% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Choo has 13 hits and nine runs scored in the last 10 games. Oh, and don't forget his three homers and two stolen bases. If you are depleted in the outfield, the leadoff/second hitter for Texas is available in more than 80% of leagues.
Matt Davidson (3B, CHW) - 15% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Can you say power surge? Davidson has five homers (in five different games) and nine RBI in the past week. Owners wish he batted third or fourth rather than sixth in this White Sox order, but you can't complain about the production, and Chicago has every reason to let the kid play.
Michael Taylor (OF, WAS) - 4% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Taylor has actually been hitting the ball lately, something he has stuggled to do in the past. If that keeps up, he's valuable for his stolen bases and runs scored in one of the best offenses in the MLB.
Sean Doolittle (RP, OAK) - 21% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
When Santiago Casilla was injured by a foul ball this past weekend, Doolittle went on to record two consecutive saves effortlessly. We can't be sure if this change will end up being permanent, but we've seen Doolittle succeed in a late inning role before, and saves are saves.
Trevor Cahill (SP, SD) - 17% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Not a whole lot of analysis here. Cahill was really good before he got hurt... Like really, really good. He should be coming back to the majors in a week or so, and consistent starting pitching has been as rare as a Xander Bogaerts home run. Take a shot on Cahill if you're desperate.
Enny Romero (RP, WAS) - 12% owned in Yahoo Leagues
Yes, we all know that the Nationals will probably trade for a closer before August hits. However, someone has to attempt to save games while we wait for that move to happen. Yes, Romero just blew a save on Monday night, but he so has everyone else in that bullpen. If I had to take a shot on one of the Nats closers for saves, it would be this guy... For now.
Francis Martes (SP, HOU) - 6% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
*Disclaimer: This article was drafted prior to Martes' Tuesday night start*
Sure, Lance McCullers is coming back later this week, and Martes is probably the starter that will be sent back to the minors as a corresponding move. However, if Martes' start on Tuesday night was another promising one and his breaking ball looked unhittable yet again, the Astros may very well find a way to keep this top prospect in their rotation for the time being.
Again, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @BellRoto with any questions and comments. Go get 'em!
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