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Matthew Stamper recommends some waiver wire adds at each position for fantasy baseball owners in points leagues. These players could be sleepers for 2017.
Points leagues are a different beast compared to rotisserie leagues, because you're looking for someone who can fill the whole stat sheet, and when you can find some of those guys on the wire, they're golden.
Here are a few guys who can contribute in points leagues, one at each position to consider for the next week. These are your points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 2. Let's get to it.
Note: All ownership percentages are courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.
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Points League Waiver Wire Adds - Week 2
C - Sandy Leon, Boston Red Sox - 35% owned
Owning anyone in the Red Sox starting lineup is a plus, but someone you can get for free off the wire? Even better. Leon broke out last season as many owners will remember, but what they may remember even more is when he burned them with a huge slump in September and October. Well, Leon is back to his June through August days, and he's moving through the lineup at a great rate. He started Opening Day hitting in the ninth spot, but he's already worked his way up to the seventh spot. Some of this is due to illnesses and injuries, but Leon is a consistent hitter in a premium position.
1B - Mark Reynolds, Colorado Rockies - 47% owned
This name is probably on hundreds of lists on the Internet, but his hot start is just too good too ignore. He's even gone unclaimed in my 10-team and 12-team league, and he's in the top 10 in points in Yahoo! fantasy. Maybe it's the fact that's he aging, or maybe it's the lack of guarantee of a job once newly signed Ian Desmond comes back. Either way, take advantage of Reynolds hot start and his situation at Coors this week against a weak San Diego team. He'll still swing and miss; it's the same guy who's had three seasons of 200+ strikeouts, but ride him while he's hot. Or until he's platooning.
2B - Yangervis Solarte, San Diego Padres - 39% owned
Like Reynolds, Solarte is going to get some games in at Coors this week, which is always nice, especially for someone who is bouncing back and forth between the third and fourth spot in the Padres lineup. Unfortunately, it's because they don't really have anyone else, but Solarte is already holding his weight. He has three multi-hit games already this year, bringing his average up to .304. Petco may not help him with his power, but his prime spot in the lineup will ensure he's a contributor all year long.
3B - Yunel Escobar, Los Angeles Angels - 9% owned
The aging third basemen is in a premium spot at the top of the Angels lineup, and is showing he has something to prove before he hits free agency in the winter of 2017. Escobar has reached base in every game this season and will be a huge source of runs scored with Kole Calhoun, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout driving him in. The 34-year-old is worth a shot, and it's surprising he's owned in just 9% of leagues when he had a pretty strong 2016 season with a .284 AVG and .351 OBP.
SS - Chris Owings, Arizona Diamondbacks - 27% owned
Owings set career highs last year with 11 triples and 21 stolen bases, plus Chase Field will play well for someone with his speed in picking up extra bases. Owings has already swiped four bags this year, and even though categories leagues may benefit from that more, it's always nice to see some extra points once your player is on base. He's got a tough week in San Francisco and Los Angeles but he should be able to still pick up some points with his baserunning.
OF - Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay Rays - 34% owned
A few years ago, Dickerson was a great pick because of his friendly situation in Colorado at Coors Field. After an up-and-down season in his first season with the Rays, Dickerson is off to a good start in his second one with them. He'll be a good play this week, especially as a lefty, when the Rays travel to their division rivals in Yankees Stadium and Fenway Park. Dickerson seems to have gotten used to the AL (B)East and should be able to give you some pop. Unfortunately, strikeouts will forever stand in his way, but give him a shot, at least this week.
SP - Hector Santiago, Minnesota Twins - 3% owned
There aren't too many two-start pitchers who are unowned this week, but Santiago is one of the better options. Tyler Chatwood is also up there, but the Coors factor scares me a bit, plus Santiago has a semi-proven track record. He impressed in his first start with the Minnesota Twins, picking up the win and striking out four across five innings. He has two relatively favorable matchups this week in Detroit, and at home to the Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old still has some upside to him and could be a sneaky good starter, especially away from Target Field.
RP - Chris Devenski, Houston Astros - 17% owned
Devenski has been talked about all spring long, especially because of how strong the Astros bullpen is. Devenski is one of those long relievers who can pick up strikeouts simply because he spends so long on the field. Devenski has already pitched eight innings, with a 14/1 strikeout to walk ratio. The Astros reliever has a wicked changeup and isn't afraid to use it. The best part about having a long reliever in your lineup instead of a closer is that he can be used multiple times each week, whereas if your closer's team isn't winning, you may not see him once. Take a chance on Devenski if you have an extra spot.
