April 30, 2017

Ben Ruppert recommends some waiver wire adds at each position for deep points leagues. These are your points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 5.

Points leagues are a different beast compared to rotisserie leagues, as you are looking for someone who can fill the whole stat sheet, and when you can find some of those guys on the wire, they are golden.

Here are a few guys who can contribute in deep points leagues, one at each position to consider for the next week. These are your deep points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 5. Let's get to it.

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

Points League Deep Waiver Wire Adds - Week 5

C – Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers– 6% owned

Alex Avila has been hot over the past week, hitting two home runs with three RBI. He and James McCann have been splitting time behind the dish, but Detroit has been working him in at first base also with Miguel Cabrera on the disabled list. On the season, he is hitting .364/.488/.788, and his 24.4% strikeout rate is over 10% lower than last season’s mark. His 19/5% walk rate ranks him fourth among qualified hitters. Cabrera’s return will impact Avila’s playing time, but as long as he keeps hitting the Tigers will find a way to work him into the lineup.

1B – Yonder Alonso, Oakland Athletics – 4% owned

Yonder Alonso has made some interesting changes in his approach this season. He has always been a ground ball hitter with a career 44.9% GB%, and only 39 career HR in 664 career games. This season his GB% is down to 28%, and his fly ball rate is up to a career high 50%. Though his strikeout rate has risen to 23%, his ISO has risen to a career-high .239. He is hitting .284/.351/.522 this season with a .326 BABIP, which is close to his career norm. The changes in his approach may mean this is more than just a hot start for Alonso, he could be next on the long list of late bloomers at 30-years of age.

2B – Kolten Wong, St. Louis Cardinals – 5% owned

I had Wong listed here last week, and all he has done since is continue hitting.  Over the past seven games, Wong has hit .391/.517/.652 with seven runs scored and two stolen bases. His walk rate is at a career-high 13.5%, and his strikeout rate is at a mere 10.8%. His hard-hit rate is up to 30.9%, and his swinging strike rate is down to 6.2%. Wong is seeing more pitches and making better quality contact this season, and is still young at 26-years of age. He can provide speed with a bit of pop, so he’s worth an add if you have an underperforming second baseman.

3B – Martin Prado, Miami Marlins- 8% owned 

Martin Prado is a solid add in points leagues. He recently returned from the disabled list, where he began the season with a hamstring strain. Since his return, he has hit .286/.324/.486, and is currently on a six-game hitting streak. He doesn’t strike out often; his 10.8% K% is right in line with his career average of 11%. He has been hitting second in the order in Miami, so he will get plenty of chances to pile up runs in front of Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton.  Even if you’re just looking for a fill-in utility player, Prado can step in and provide consistent production.

SS – Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers – 5% owned

After hitting four HR in 216 plate appearances last season, Orlando Arcia already has three blasts in only 81 PA this season. Over the past week, he has hit .318/.348/.727, with two HR, six RBI, and three doubles. He is striking out at a 23.5% clip, and will need to increase his 3.7% walk rate or else it will be difficult to maintain a high OBP. His approach at the plate is a bit different this season; his pull rate has fallen to 27.1%, and his opposite field rate has increased to 37.3%. Pushing the ball means he won’t hit for too much power, but if he continues to get on base he is capable of racking up some steals.

OF – Delino DeShields, Texas Rangers – 5% owned

Jurickson Profar lost the everyday job in left field, and Delino DeShields has swooped in and ran with the job. He has drawn four straight starts in left, and has stolen two bases with six runs scored since he was given the job. DeShields can be an elite source of steals if he is able to hold onto the leadoff spot for a long period of time. His contact and walk rates are up this season, and his swinging strike rate is back to where it was in his rookie season. If you’re in need of steals, you can add DeShields in any format, not only deeper leagues.

SP – Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants – 11% owned

One of the biggest surprises early on has to be the production of Matt Cain. Through five starts, Cain has a 2.30 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He has allowed one earned run of less in four straight starts, earning a quality start in two of those outings. We haven’t seen this level of success from Cain since 2012, but he is pitching a bit differently this season. He has thrown his two-seam fastball and cutter more often this season, which have held hitters to a .118 and .217 average respectively. His next start against the Reds may be tough, but he is worth a stream while he’s pitching this well.

RP – Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics – 15% owned

Injuries over the past two seasons have slowed Doolittle, but this season he is healthy and pitching well. Through 7 2/3 innings, he has recorded five holds and notched one save. He has an 11:1 K:BB ratio and has held opposing hitters to a .179 batting average against. Doolittle should put up solid hold numbers this season while working in the occasional save, and is capable of maintaining a double-digit K/9 rate all year long. 4

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