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Where on earth has the time gone!? It's Week 14, folks, and the All-Star Break is looming. What better way to spend the final days of the "first half of the season" than scouring the waiver wire for some deep-league targets.
As of Thursday Morning, the defending champion, Tom, has finally surpassed Max in the RotoBaller Expert League standings, taking his place atop the first-place pedestal once again, and a lot of credit can be given to speculative pick-ups like Trey Mancini, Ian Happ, Mike Zunino, Sean Newcomb, Felipe Rivero, and Sam Dyson. Have there been times where picking up a low-owned player has failed? Heck yes! But when the player becomes a month-long main stay, helping my team in a category that once hindered me, it's well worth it.
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 I will even contort the waiver pick-up to your own team and situation. Good luck, and enjoy the All-Star festivities!
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Digging Deeper: Week 14 Picks
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) - 23% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
I know, I know, we've done this before. Will Byron Buxton's spark of hope dwindle to nothing once again once baseball resumes in about a week? Probably. But what if it doesn't? If you're in a nothing-to-lose type of spot, he's the perfect investment. He has three multi-hit games in the last five, and he's stolen three bases and homered once in that time frame. Sure, he's still hitting ninth in the order. Still, we know what this guy is capable of in the power and speed departments if he can just make consistent contact.
Mallex Smith (OF, TB) - 18% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
I'm not sure what this guy has to do to get more ownership. I get that outfield is fairly deep, but Mallex Smith is a young leadoff batter with good contact numbers thus far and loads of stolen base potential. If you need steals and runs, there's no reason to be scared of Smith.
Freddy Galvis (SS, PHI) - 8% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Freddy Galvis is not a sexy add by any means, but he could be a huge upgrade to your middle infield position. He's firmly cemented in the two-hole of the Phillies' lineup, and he's showne glimpses of power and speed of late. Sure, the lineup isn't great around him, but this guy is part of Philly's bleak offensive future, and he's quietly becoming somebody pitchers don't want to face.
Trevor Cahill (SP, SD) - 21% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
Trevor Cahill is a pitcher that everyone was very excited about before his injury about a month ago. Well, he's back now, and this is your last chance to snatch him before he garners that excitement again. He pitched just over four innings in his return from the DL, but he struck out four batters without allowing a run, and his season-long numbers show just how dominate he was prior to his injury. If you need pitching help, here's your guy.
Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD) - 20% owned in Yahoo! Leagues
It's a shame that the Padres' offense is a work in progress, because their rotation and bullpen have been just fine this season. Dinelson Lamet has been even more impressive than Cahill in terms of strikeouts this year, and he seems to have turned a corner, allowing just five earned runs in his last three starts (19 innings). Here's some more upside for you at starting pitcher.
Arodys Vizcaino (RP, ATL) - 15% owned in Yahoo Leagues
If I had to speculatively go after a potential closer in this range, Arodys Vizcaino might be the guy I stash. He's been electric this year setting up for Jim Johnson, and while Johnson has been good enough to keep his job, I still this Vizcaino is the better pitcher. Whether the Braves make a move for the future or a trade mixes things up in the second half, my money is on Vizcaino to provide significant saves and good peripherals in the next couple of months.
You can find me on Twitter @BellRoto. Good luck!
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