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Aaron Schooler analyzes the top fantasy baseball sleepers for week 15. These MLB waiver wire pickups can have an immediate impact on your team, so act now.
Fantasy Baseball Deep League Waiver Wire Pickups
This week we focus on the wildly inconsistent. These players have loads of potential, but cannot put it all together for one reason or another. Some of these players may be turning the corner and can be considered sleepers for the next month or even the second half, while others will be short-term fill-in waiver wire pickups for your fantasy team.
Mike Moustakas - 3B, KC
Owned in 16% of Yahoo Leagues, Owned in 55% of FleaFlicker Leagues
Obviously a disappointment early in the season, Moustakas has shown some signs of breaking out of his slumping ways with the stick. His demotion to the minors has had a positive effect overall with an uptick in average during June and the early parts of July.
With 10 home runs and two in last week, his power may be showing up at the right time for the Royals. If you decide to pick him up for daily leagues, be aware that only one of his home runs has come against lefties.
Recommendation: More time and evaluation needed before pulling the trigger. However, interesting option for fantasy owners needing 3rd base help.
Matt Dominguez - 3B, HOU
Owned in 11% of Yahoo Leagues, Owned in 55% of FleaFlicker Leagues
Dominguez and Moustakas are very similar in their fantasy currency. Both show impressive flashes of power and RBI capabilities that could easily deserve middle of the order consideration. The problem is they both are slump prone hitters whose averages dip dangerously close to the Mendoza line (.200). Dominguez differs in the fact that he can handle lefties well enough to for consideration. Plus, he hits well with runners in scoring position, which should keep him cemented into the Astro's lineup.
Recommendation: Not a big name, but serviceable if you need help now.
Drew Stubbs - OF, COL
Owned in 9% of Yahoo Leagues, Owned in 9% of FleaFlicker Leagues
I think it's fair to call Stubbs an enigma of sorts. He has amazing tools, but cannot seem to ever put them together for very long. The rare air of Colorado has solved some of the problems. Stubbs is hitting a robust .370 at Coors field and eating up lefties as well.
The HR and RBI totals are moderate, but Stubbs has some speed with 10 stolen bases thus far. Watch what happens with the return of Carlos Gonzales and, eventually, Michael Cuddyer. In the meantime, take advantage of his home production.
Recommendation: Good short term pick up.
Hector Noesi - SP, CHW
Owned in 1% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, Owned in 2% of FleaFlicker Leagues
I would have never considered this guy a legitimate fantasy option a few weeks ago, but a change of scenery can do wonders. As a Mariner and Ranger, Noesi was pretty much a train wreck of a pitcher. However, there a reasons why guys with absurd ERAs and WHIPs kick around in the big leagues. He has “stuff” and if anyone can harness it, they will ultimately benefit. The Sox took the flier and thus far have to be happy. With a BAA at .190 and more than a K per inning in July, Noesi might slowly find it.
Recommendation: Noesi is a project that has control issues. Wait a couple of starts to see if Chicago can turn him around.
James Paxton - SP, SEA
Owned in 20% of Yahoo Leagues, Owned in 20% of FleaFlicker Leagues
Paxton should go straight into the rotation when healthy for the Mariners. The prognosis has looked good thus far as he recently felt fine after rehab work. Remember that he was 2-0 early in the 2014 season before going down. The injury was not arm related so that is always good news. Paxton has a funky delivery that has yielded far fewer hits per inning in his young career than the average pitcher. I see a second half surge with a hot team and a fresh arm.
Recommendation: Grab Paxton before the end of the month. He will be solid especially at home down the stretch.
