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Digging Deeper: Week 5 AL Waiver Wire Targets

Tom Bellucco brings you the best deep American League MLB sleepers and picks for Week 5 of the 2017 Fantasy Baseball Season.

Welcome back to Digging Deeper! I'll be taking a look at some deeper AL waiver wire options for Week 5 of the fantasy baseball season.

The search for upside continues! As injuries pop up and long cold streaks turn into concerns of permanent regression, winning the waiver wire upside battle becomes crucial. You may feel like a deranged lunatic for adding and dropping 10 players a week, but you'll feel much better when one of those players proves he is for real.

The prospect talk will begin to flourish in the next few weeks, and while it may still be a little early for call-ups, you have to gauge where your league is in terms of stashing minor league players and follow suite. Best of luck finding that flame among the sparks in the pan! Any feedback is welcomed, and you can find me on Twitter @BellRoto. Let's do it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Digging Deeper: Week 5 Picks - AL

Josh Reddick (OF, HOU) - 11% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

I'm not sure how much upside Reddick actually provides in comparison to what he is doing now, but a player hitting at the top of the Astros lineup should not be 11% owned on any site. He took the spot from Alex Bregman a few weeks ago, and hasn't done anything to lose it yet.

Reddick is basically in line with the numbers from the past two seasons, so if he stays healthy you can expect at least 12 home runs with 70ish runs and RBI and a handful of stolen bases. Like I said, it's nothing to go crazy about, but this is a useful player who can provide consistent production in an above average offense.

 

Delino DeShields (OF, TEX) - 9% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Including Wednesday's start, DeShields has batted leadoff for the Rangers for seven straight games. After the first six starts, he has put up eight runs, a home run, and three steals. We can't guarantee DeShields will stay in this spot forever, and we certainly can't guarantee he'll continue hitting enough to provide these stats. However, we were touting this guy during Spring Training, and he certainly has the walk ability and speed to contribute consistently in runs and steals. There's no reason you should be leaving this guy on the wire if you're in need of those two categories.

P.S. His upside is huge in this offense.

 

Yonder Alonso (1B, OAK) - 4% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

The reason why Alonso has five home runs and 15 RBI through the first month of the season is pretty simple: He's trying to hit more fly balls. Eno Sarris has written twice about Alonso since his fantastic Spring Training, and there might be some validity here. Obviously Oakland's home park is where fly balls go to die, but his average and production in the middle of the A's lineup suggests he's doing OK so far. I understand the first basemen pool is very deep, but this guy can legitimately help a lot of teams, particularly the ones that are still relying on Adrian Gonzalez-type corner infielders.

 

Jesse Hahn (SP, OAK) - 22% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Speaking of the park where fly balls go to die, Hahn pitches there! OK, that's not the only reason why he made this list; his statline speaks for itself. Hahn hasn't gone less than six innings yet this season, and his strikeout and walk percentages are both moving the right way. Low BABIP and HR/FB numbers surely mean some regression is coming, but the eye tests bodes well for this young righty. I don't mind investing in a promsing arm in a great pitcher's park in hopes of a continued breakout.

 

Jose Berrios (SP, MIN) - 7% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

It's our first prospect! Before you roll your eyes, yes, I know how bad Berrios was in his major league stint last season. That seems to be an unfortunate trend with Byron Buxton and company. However, Berrios is lighting it up again in the minors, and a return to the big league club seems likely in the coming month or two. If you're in need of a high-upside arm to help out a middling rotation and you have enough bench/NA room, take a shot on this top prospect.

 

Tommy Kahnle (SP, CHW) - 4% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Kahnle has turned into the Nate Jones of the White Sox' bullpen. He has looked stupendous in a setup role, racking up 19 strikeouts and just one walk in nine innings so far this season. If (at this point it seems more like "When") David Robertson gets moved this season, Kahnle could challenge Jones for the job, as the other White Sox reliever has looked more human this season. If nothing else, Kahnle can help tremendously in K/BB and WHIP in the meantime.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
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Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
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Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
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Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
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is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
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Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
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Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

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Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
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Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
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Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
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Sitting Out With Foot Issue
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Impresses at Minicamp
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Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
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Back in Blue Jays Lineup
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Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
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Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
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Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
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Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
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Still Improving?
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Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
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Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
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Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
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Out at Least Six Weeks
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Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
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Promoted to the Major Leagues
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Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
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Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
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Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
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Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
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Heading to Toronto
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Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
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Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
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Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
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Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
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Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
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Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
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BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
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Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

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Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
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Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
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a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
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a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
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Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
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Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
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J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
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a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
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Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
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is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
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is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

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RB
WR
TE
K
DEF