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I had planned on making this week's Deep League Waiver Wire: NL Edition piece focused on decent pitchers, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a bat worth pointing out too. He might even be a guy you select as a keeper heading into the offseason.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Brad Ziegler - RP - Diamondbacks
Struggling reliever Addison Reed has struggled with his mechanics in 2015. He has been demoted from the ninth inning role until said mechanics improve. Enter Ziegler, new Diamondbacks closer - at least for the time being. Ziegler may not have the role permanently, but thus far, he's done a pretty convincing job. He's only 1-for-2 in converting save opportunities, but the last time he allowed a run was back on May 9th. Since then, he's worked a 10.5 K/9 mark, coupled with a 75 percent ground ball rate and just one walk in 6 2/3 innings of work. Despite the fairly high K/9 numbers, Ziegler isn't much of a strikeout artist, but his secondary numbers are encouraging and lead me to believe he'll be effective. He's currently owned in only 4% of Fleaflicker leagues.
Enrique Burgos - RP - Diamondbacks (2%)
If Ziegler isn't in the part-time closer role for long, there's a good chance it's because manager Chip Hale knows he's got something good in 24-year-old reliever Burgos. He has appeared in 10 games, converting two save opportunities while averaging over 15 strikeouts per nine innings of work. He still has quite a few issues with his control and command, but he certainly has the swing-and-miss stuff you want from a guy in the closer's role. His fastball is electric and slider has great tail action on it, too. For now, it looks as though Ziegler and Burgos are somewhat closer by committee, but Burgos might be the one to stash on your roster if I had to choose between the two. He's currently owned in only 2% of Fleaflicker leagues.
Mike Bolsinger - SP - Dodgers
Bolsinger has pitched well through three starts for the Dodgers, owning a 1.04 ERA and 3.47 FIP with two wins. The 27-year-old right-hander finds himself in the rotation thanks to a slew of injuries to his Dodger teammates. Like so many other starters coming up from the minors, his prolonged success will hinge on the development of a third pitch. Right now, he's got a fastball and curveball that are MLB worthy, but he'll need to mix it up with a third pitch down the line. He's a decent strikeout artist but doesn't work very late into games, which, consequently, could be a saving grace for him. If hitters aren't able to face him a third time, when we normally see hitters averages shoot up, he may be able to limit the damage and keep his ERA and WHIP low. He's a good option to add if you're hurting for pitchers who are guaranteed starts over the next few weeks, and he's owned in just 8% of Fleaflicker leagues.
Maikel Franco - 3B - Phillies 8%
The power-hitting, 22-year-old third baseman has been considered one of the Phillies' top prospects for a few years now, and he just received his call up to the majors. There is sure to be some growing pains and struggles for such a young hitter, but with the anemic Phillies' offense - and, frankly, not much to lose - there is also sure to be plenty of starts and at-bats for Franco. Through seven games this season, Franco is hitting .259 with a home run, five runs scored and five RBI. Manager Ryne Sandberg is often slotting him in the four or five hole, which helps add to his fantasy value. If he's available (and he should be as he's only 8% owned in Fleaflicker leagues) give him an add. It may not happen this offseason, but he has the potential to be a keeper type in NL-only leagues.
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