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Waiver Wire Points Leagues - Week 5

Matthew Stamper recommends some waiver wire adds at each position for fantasy baseball owners in points leagues. These players could be sleepers for 2017.

May is finally here and just like the weather, we can only hope that some bats heat up too! After the first month, we definitely have a better feel of the players on our rosters we absolutely do not want to cut, and some of the "on the bubble" guys. Points leagues are nice because we're literally chasing the points from week to week, so maybe I can encourage you to drop some bubble guys for some extra points in Week 5.

Here are a few guys who can contribute in points leagues, one at each position to consider for the next week. All of these guys have ownership numbers between 30% and 50% so if you're not picking them up, target them in a trade! These are your points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 5. Let's get to it.

Note: All ownership percentages are courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.

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

 

Points League Waiver Wire Adds - Week 5

C - Austin Hedges, San Diego Padres - 35% owned 

He might be striking out at almost a 30% rate, but when he makes contact, Austin Hedges makes really good contact. The average is starting to come around, but his 25% HR/FB ratio, especially when he hits in a place like Petco is a good sign. Hedges has already hit six home runs this year and continues to drive in runs in the lower half of the lineup. Especially at catcher where it's not always easy to find big points and lots of power, Hedges is a must-grab. He might be someone who could seriously cool off, but it's worth those cool times to have him while he's hot.

1B - Mitch Moreland, Boston Red Sox - 26% owned 

He hits in the Boston Red Sox lineup. That's all. Well, not exactly, seeing as the Red Sox rank at the bottom of the league in homers with 14, and 29th in the league with only 87 runs. Good news is that they're at in the top five in league average and hits, they're just leaving tons of men on base. For a guy who hits in the middle of a potentially potent lineup, Moreland is severely under-owned. With guys like Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, or some combination of those guys hitting before Moreland, it's only a matter of time before Moreland picks it up. And he hasn't even been that bad to this point.

2B - Hernan Perez, Milwaukee Brewers - 36% owned 

He may not play every day, but he's well on his way there, and his upside is far greater than those few days he sits out. Perez has hit up and down the lineup, anywhere from fourth, through to seventh, and he's got speed to burn. He's already hit two three-baggers and while he's not on his way to steal the 34 bases he did last year, it's mainly due to the power and consistency he's providing in the middle of the lineup. I'll take the consistency and power considering we're not talking about category leagues. Steals are a nice touch, but they only provide a few points here and there. Pick up Perez as soon as you can, because he'll provide shortstop eligibility in Yahoo leagues soon, in case you have a Troy Tulowitzki, Jose Peraza or Xander Bogaerts, who just haven't gotten off to the starts we wanted.

3B - Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox - 43% owned 

This will probably end up being the last call on baseball's number one prospect. The 21-year-old has been highly touted for a while now, and he was probably drafted in a number of leagues where teams have an N/A spot. Assuming the White Sox don't keep up their above .500 play for the rest of the year, we could see Moncada in July, but even half a season will be well worth the wait. Moncada is a serious contributor in every category, but temper expectations a little bit for the MLB. Moncada has already struck out 29 times in 20 games, so his average may not stay when he has to face professional pitching. He'll still be worth the wait if you can hold him until then in an N/A spot, otherwise, with the amount of injuries this year, some teams won't be able to afford so many inactive spots.

SS - Taylor Motter, Seattle Mariners - 34% owned

After losing a waiver wire, and sleeper hero, Mitch Haniger, the Mariners offer up another season-saver in Taylor Motter. Motter has the positional versatility to play both shortstop and the outfield, arguably two of the most shallow positions this year, due to injury. Hopefully his strikeout percentage drops back to some of his more minor league numbers as he's sitting around the 25% rate at the moment, but last year he was around 20% and in the minors even less than that. He jumped out to a hot start, and has started to cool off a bit, but now that Haniger is injured, he'll have plenty of playing time.

OF - Michael Conforto, New York Mets - 48% owned 

Another player who will benefit from injury is 24-year-old Michael Conforto. With Yoenis Cespedes and Conforto's competition Brandon Nimmo out for a while, the Mets have no choice but to play him. Even without the injuries, manager Terry Collins would have to play Conforto with the way he's hitting. In the leadoff spot, Conforto has thrived, hitting .355 there with five of his six home runs. His strikeout rate is down and his walk rate is up, so he's definitely seeing the ball better after his demotion last year. Conforto had a very similar start in April of 2016 and then flew off the handle in May. I think he's finally coming around, and although he may have a little luck on his side, I don't think it'll run out any time soon.

SP - Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians - 35% owned 

I like Trevor Bauer as this week's double-start pitcher because he gets Detroit at Comerica, and Kansas City at Kauffman. Detroit has struck out nearly 200 times, which goes well with Bauer's 10.96 K/9 and 2.74 BB/9. Bauer is quite a few more fastballs which is allowing him to stay ahead of hitters, or at least not get so far behind. Plus, on his weekend start, Bauer gets a bad team in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. What more can you ask for? Bauer is finally shaping up to be a more productive fantasy pitcher, especially in points leagues where he's racking up strikeouts.

RP - Bud Norris, Los Angeles Angels - 48% owned 

Yes, we're talking about that Bud Norris. Norris is now the de facto closer in Los Angeles since Cam Bedrosian and Huston Street have both hit the DL. The Angels traded for veteran David Hernandez, but Norris has still been the ninth inning man, earning five saves in nine days. He's doing the job for now and with all the injuries plaguing the MLB, you might as well grab him. The Angels have been winning and someone needs to close out those games. Pick up Norris until he coughs it up, like it seems so many closers have done so far this year.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
Gabriel Landeskog

Out for Several Weeks
Jamie Drysdale

Makes Early Exit Tuesday
Bobby Brink

Injured in Tuesday's Win
Adam Henrique

Expected to Miss Time
Brad Marchand

Dealing With Lingering Health Issue
Haydn Fleury

Hospitalized Tuesday
Moussa Diabaté

Ryan Kalkbrenner Out, Moussa Diabate Probable Wednesday
Brandon Miller

Listed as Probable Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Absent for Second Consecutive Game
Nicolas Claxton

Available Wednesday
Moritz Wagner

Still Out Wednesday
Franz Wagner

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Remains Out Wednesday
Draymond Green

Questionable to Suit Up Wednesday
Jalen Smith

Ruled Out for Second Straight Game
Matas Buzelis

Could Miss First Game of the Season Wednesday
Coby White

May Skip Wednesday's Game
Cade Cunningham

Probable for Wednesday
Isaiah Hartenstein

to Remain Out Wednesday
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Could Return to Action Wednesday
Tim Hardaway Jr.

May Remain Out Wednesday
Christian Braun

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Aaron Gordon

Iffy for Wednesday
Jamal Murray

Considered Questionable for Wednesday Night
Max Strus

to Miss Another Month
Vince Williams Jr.

Making Return Tuesday Against Spurs
Trae Young

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Mason Marchment

Out Tuesday
Sean Monahan

Available Tuesday
Jason Zucker

Set to Return From 11-Game Absence
Matvei Michkov

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Matthew Schaefer

Cleared for Action Tuesday
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Adam Fox

Landing Back on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Seth Jarvis

Back for Hurricanes Tuesday
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
Jake McCabe

to Sit Out One Week
Hampus Lindholm

to Miss Time
Christian Dvorak

Flyers Sign Christian Dvorak to Five-Year Extension
Igor Shesterkin

Exits With Lower-Body Injury Monday
Joel Armia

Hurt in Monday's Win
Anze Kopitar

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Monday
Matthew Schaefer

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
New York Giants

Giants Expected to Show Interest in Former Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski
Daniel Jones

Colts, Daniel Jones Appear to Have "Mutual Interest" in a 2026 Reunion
Cleveland Browns

Browns Fire Kevin Stefanski After Another Losing Season
Zay Flowers

Goes Off for 138 Yards, Two Touchdowns in Loss
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Dominates in Week 18 Win
Cameron Ward

Believed to Have Grade 3 AC Joint Sprain in Right Shoulder
Colston Loveland

Leads Bears in Targets, Receptions, Receiving Yards in Week 18
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker
CFB

Joey Aguilar Undergoes Surgery to Remove Tumor on Friday
CFB

Texas the "Team to Beat" for Transfer Running Back Isaac Brown
CFB

Rocco Becht to Follow Matt Campbell to Penn State?
CFB

Texas Targeting Cam Coleman in Transfer Portal
CFB

Former Texas Running Back CJ Baxter Visiting Kentucky
CFB

Beau Pribula Visiting Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech
Bo Bichette

Yankees Showing Interest in Bo Bichette
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal

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