May 12, 2016

Pierre Camus analyzes some National League players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups & adds in Week 6. These NL-Only targets can be sleepers.

One thing fantasy baseball managers can be guilty of at times is trying too hard. In search of the next hot prospect or hidden gem, we can look right past a productive player because he is already a known commodity. These players may not go on to suddenly have career years, but there is something to be said for steady production. After all, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

The following list will help you fill gaps in your lineup or add stream-worthy players to your NL-only roster. Whether you are targeting a specific position to upgrade, or a certain category to improve, there is likely an available player or two that can help out. The following players are owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

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. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

National League Waiver Wire Pickups

Hitters

Zack Cozart (CIN, SS) - 21% owned - Never a particularly high-upside pick, Cozart is surprising many with his production, but can't be ignored much longer. A career .249 hitter, he is currently batting .340 with a .910 OPS. He seems to be taking a more aggressive approach at the plate, as indicated by his 2.0 BB%. His .349 BABIP is 71 points above his career norm, so it is highly unlikely he will sustain this pace for long. Take advantage now while Cozart is hot, but don't consider him a season-long starter.

Mallex Smith (ATL, OF) - 3% owned - Smith filled in for Ender Inciarte at center field during his DL stint and only managed to hit .224 in that three week span. It was widely assumed he would go down to Triple-A when Inciarte returned, but he stuck with the club and it was Adonis Garcia getting the demotion instead. Manager Fredi Gonzalez is Smith's biggest fan and is keeping him in the starting lineup, this time in left field and hitting eighth or ninth. His speed can be a huge asset, assuming he is able to actually get on base. With four stolen bases so far, that number could skyrocket if he figures out Major League pitching. He is very stash-worthy in keeper and single leagues, but may eventually gain mixed-league value. Keep him on your bench until he starts producing consistently.

Aaron Hill (MIL, 2B/3B) - 8% owned - Here is the obligatory "Aaron Hill had a monster game!" section. If you take away his three HR, seven RBI outburst from last Saturday, Hill would have one HR, 10 RBI on the season. Still, at .265 and receiving steady playing time at third or second base, you could do worse in NL-only leagues. At least it's enough to show there is still life in his bat.

Justin Turner (LAD, 3B) - 10% owned - Justin Turner was merely a reserve middle infielder in New York, but suddenly turned on the offense when he moved to Los Angeles in 2014. He slashed .340/.404/.493 that season and followed it up with a .294/16/60 line last year. The power numbers from last year were a career high by far, so don't expect a repeat in those categories. Given the number of injuries and inconsistent play from the entire Dodgers team, his slow start can be somewhat excused. He is capable of hitting around .280 and driving in 50 or more runs which gives him deep league value.

Jon Jay (SD, OF) - 7% owned - Jon Jay will not deliver double-digit home runs. His career high is 10 in a season and that was before he moved to San Diego and spacious Petco Park. He will not steal many bases either. He has accumulated 43 over a six year span in St. Louis. What Jay will do is hit for average (currently .290) and score a decent amount of runs (15 R in 32 games). Hitting lead-off in front of Wil Myers and Matt Kemp certainly helps his run-scoring potential. If you play him, at least you know what you're getting.

Alex Presley (MIL, OF) - 2% owned - Presley fits the bill of journeyman more than fantasy stud. Now with his fourth team in as many years, the 30-year old is getting a chance to fill Keon Broxton's vacant outfield spot. He has acquitted himself well so far, hitting .277/.352/.489 with three home runs and eight RBI in only 47 at-bats. It's uncertain how much he'll produce or for how long, but if you need an outfielder, feel free to take a chance on Presley.

Adam Duvall (CIN, OF) - 4% owned - Cincinnati took a chance on Duvall as the starting left fielder on opening day and he has stuck ever since. The past week, Duvall has emerged offensively with four HR and six RBI. His low position in the batting order of a weak Reds lineup doesn't do him any favors. His cheap price tag and wide availability make him a viable option, though.

Javier Baez (CHC, 2B/3B) - 15% owned - Seeing such a low ownership rate is truly a surprise for Baez. As one of Chicago's many hot, young talented position players, Baez just needed playing time. Kyle Schwarber's injury has opened the door for Baez to see time at third base while Kris Bryant mans left field. Baez is hitting .321 as part of the highest scoring offense in the league and qualifies at both middle and corner infield spots. Grab him now if he's still available.

Pitchers

Fernando Rodney (SD, RP) - 17% owned - Fernando Rodney needs to be your closer. Criminally under-owned, Rodney is a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances this year and has an ERA of 0.00. Rodney had a bad first half in Seattle last year and that seemed to be enough for many to simply write him off. Rodney is only two years removed from a 48 save season, including an All-Star appearance. If he happens to be sitting on the waiver wire in your league, don't wait for him to unravel. It's not going to happen.

Jerad Eickhoff (PHI, SP) - 19% owned - Part of the surprising Phillies' young staff, Eickhoff has had bad luck (and run support) which has led to only one win. His 3.32 FIP suggests he is pitching more effectively than his ratios currently show. A 4.86 K/BB also shows good command of the strike zone. Eickhoff may not contribute much in the win column this season, but the ratios should continue to improve as the season progresses.

Patrick Corbin (ARI, SP) - 23% owned - Corbin was a popular bounce-back pick this off-season, but has disappointed so far. The 4.12 ERA is tolerable, but a lowly 5.8 K/9 is well below his career average of 7.5 and below average for fantasy purposes. His biggest problem has been the long ball - he has surrendered eight home runs in seven starts already. These uncharacteristic numbers hold promise that better times may be ahead. If an owner in your league has given up on Corbin, feel free to scoop him up.

Rubby De La Rosa (ARI, SP) - 12% owned - De La Rosa is another Arizona starter who is trending the opposite direction. After a horrible start to the season giving up six ER in 3.1 innings to the Cubs, he made a brief stint in the bullpen. Over his last four starts, he has lowered his ERA to 3.93. This included an impressive seven inning outing in Coors Field in which he held the Rockies to one run on four hits. It may be hard to fathom, but De La Rosa has looked like the Diamondbacks best starter over the past couple of weeks.

Colin Rea (SD, SP) - 9% owned - Rea's gem against the Mets the other day may have sparked some attention in the fantasy world. In his longest outing of the season, Rea pitched eight innings and allowed one run on three hits. He now has a 3.82 ERA, but his 1.33 WHIP is affected by a high walk total of 14 in 35 innings. The 25-year-old has enough talent to keep making strides and will be given every shot to stick in the Padres' thin rotation.

Dan Straily (CIN, SP) - 11% owned -Straily had a promising start to his big league career with Oakland. In 2013, he started 27 games and went 10-8 with a 3.97 ERA. Since then, he has posted some ugly numbers in abbreviated stints with the Cubs and Astros. Now, he has a golden opportunity to show his stuff in Cincinnati. He currently has a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He is yet to go past six innings, but if he can keep his pitch count down, he may continue to get stretched out and lower his ratios further.

Tim Adleman (CIN, SP) - 4% owned - In each of his two starts since getting called up for the Reds, Adleman has not allowed more than two runs. His minor league record suggests modest strikeout potential (7.4 K/9). He has shown an increasing ability to miss bats, however, as his H/9 has decreased each of the past three seasons. If you're in need of a starter, take a chance here to see if he can continue his recent success.

Bartolo Colon (NYM, SP) - 22% owned - Only 22%??? Now I'm just disappointed. Colon was on this very list two weeks ago and what happens? Sure, he earned his third win, dropped to a 2.82 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and is ranked 36th among all starting pitchers on Fleaflicker rankings. What about that massive home run? If he isn't owned in your league for some reason, shame on you for not picking him up just to say you own him.

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