👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Risers and Fallers - Week 3: Lamb, Latos, Ellsbury, Archer and more

Week 3 is nearing its completion and there are plenty of bats and arms to tickle your fancy. It's not all good news though, as some highly-regarded players are not getting the job done at the moment.

As is usually the case, you must strike quick in some cases and be patient in others. Without any further ado, here is the Week 3 edition of Risers and Fallers.

Editor’s Note: to read about 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.

 

Fantasy Baseball Risers

Aledmys Diaz (2B/SS, STL) - All Diaz has done during his short time in St. Louis is hit .385 with a 1.173 OPS in 13 contests. Diaz displayed some pop in the Minors and already has six doubles for the Cards. The longer Jhonny Peralta is out with his hand injury, the longer Diaz has to show what he can do. Strike while the iron is hot.

Jake Lamb (3B, ARI) - Lamb has been racking up the hits in the Diamondbacks lineup recently and will have the chance to continue doing so hitting out of the six spot in the desert. He had a .960 OPS in 931 career Minor League at-bats, so the power potential is there. He has fared much better against right-handers thus far so continue to monitor his splits.

Yasmany Tomas (3B/OF, ARI) - Tomas has shown to be much more comfortable in his second year in the United States. He is riding a six-game hitting streak and swatted his first two home runs of the year in a game earlier this week. The 25-year-old Cuban showed his power potential last season and should only improve with more at-bats this year. The D-backs have a full slate of home games coming up for Tomas to keep the train rolling.

Matt Holliday (OF, STL) - Holliday has belted three home runs in the last week and is capable hitting over 20 home runs for the Cardinals if he can stay healthy. The 36-year-old played in just 73 games a year ago, but is only 22 dingers shy of 300 for his career. You know the motivation is there, the key will be whether his body goes along with the plan. Maybe he can prove his value and get traded to the American League where he can DH.

Byung Ho Park (1B/DH, MIN) - Park has three home runs in his last four games, and is becoming the power threat the Twins hoped they would see. Park figures to sit in National League stadiums, and with the Twins visiting the Brewers and Nationals coming up, his value will take a hit for a few days. He'll continue to be a sneaky power source in an otherwise underwhelming Minnesota attack.

Michael Conforto (OF, NYM) - Conforto was recently inserted into the three-hole in the Mets lineup, and the move has paid immediate dividends for everyone involved. Despite an 0-for-5 on Wednesday night, the sweet-swinging lefty is 7-for-23 with two home runs, five RBI and six runs scored in his last six games. In addition, the Mets lineup around him has erupted for 17 home runs in their last five games. This is only the beginning for the future All-Star.

Neil Walker (2B, NYM) - Walker will forever be spoken of as the man who replaced Daniel Murphy after the latter's historic postseason performance last fall. Walker has filled Murph's shoes admirably thus far in 2016, mashing five of his team-high six home runs in the last five contests.

Daniel Murphy (2B, WAS) - Murphy has followed his playoff heroics by leading the National League with a .429 average entering play on Thursday. He is hitting like a man possessed and has picked up right where he left off, save for all the home runs, but that was to be expected. Murphy is absolutely looking like a man on a mission after the Mets essentially let him walk, and a batting title is not out of the question.

Michael Saunders (OF, TOR) - Saunders had his third straight multi-hit game on Thursday and should be on the radar of most owners. Hitting atop the Toronto lineup has its benefits and Saunders will reap the rewards for as long as he stays there.

Mark Trumbo (1B/DH, BAL) - Trumbo extended his hitting streak to six games on Thursday and has mashed five home runs so far this month. Like any slugger, there will be ups and downs, but Trumbo appears capable of returning to the slugger he was with the Angels earlier in his career. A 30 home run season is not out of the question.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C, DET) - Salty finally went hitless on Thursday but will remain a power threat so long as James McCann remains sidelined. He should retain everyday catching duties for at least another week, if not longer. He already has five homers and has hit over 20 in a season before, so don't be shocked to see this continue.

Mat Latos (SP, CWS) - Latos has been among the best starting pitchers in baseball so far, having allowed only one run over 18.1 innings in three starts for the Chi-Sox. He has not registered a ton of strikeouts but Latos seems to have matured since his days in Cincinnati. As is the case with many pitchers, you'll have to pick your spots with Latos at times. He has Texas and Baltimore coming up, so be careful.

Drew Pomeranz (SP, SD) - Pomeranz fanned a career-high 10 his last time out against the Pirates and has 25 strikeouts in 17.2 innings in three starts. The wins could be tough to come by, but he's in a pitcher's park in San Diego. The 27-year-old southpaw may finally be realizing his potential after being stuck in Colorado for the first few years of his career.

Hector Santiago (SP, LAA) - Santiago fanned 10 over seven shutout innings against the White Sox his last time out, and gets the Mariners at home this weekend. He has 20 strikeouts in 20.2 innings and is using his sinker to baffle hitters any which way he chooses. The 28-year-old left-hander is coming off a career-high 180.2 innings and had a 3.59 ERA a year ago. He could top both those numbers in 2016, and double-digit wins are likely to follow as well.

Jeremy Jeffress (RP, MIL) - Jeffress has notched five saves and has yet to allow a run for the Brew Crew. This is his third stint pitching for the Brewers in his career, but the first time he has had a chance to close games. He won't maintain a perfect ERA all season, but there a handful of closers who unexpectedly pop up each year to save a bunch of games, and Jeffress could very well be one of them in 2016.

 

Fantasy Baseball Fallers

Jacoby Ellsbury (OF, NYY) - Ellsbury has experienced a sharp decline in production over the last few season, largely due to lower body injuries. The now 32-year-old is hitting just .255 to start the year without a home run. He may even begin to sit occasionally against lefties. Ellsbury has never come close to repeating his magical 2011 season in Boston when he had 32 home runs and 46 doubles. The Yankees are certainly not getting much for their investment.

Lorenzo Cain (OF, KC) - Cain has not gotten off to the greatest of starts after a terrific 2015 season in which he set career-bests in games played, batting average, home runs, doubles, runs and hits. He may not reach all those numbers this season, but he will certainly perform better than his current .222 average and .667 OPS.

Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) - Buxton is hitting an atrocious .162 with 18 strikeouts and one walk to begin the season. He had a cup of coffee in 2015, hitting .209 in 129 at-bats, so he is certainly not this bad. Buxton has mega speed, but as the saying goes you cannot steal first base. The Twins are not expecting to contend this year so Buxton will have a chance to get through the growing pains.

Addison Russell (2B/SS, CHC) - Russell is struggling mightily at the moment and may begin to lose some playing time to Javier Baez in the Cubs lineup. He is hitting just .196 and has only one hit in his last 16 at-bats. Russell is still just a young pup at 22, so it would be very premature to label him a bust. Be patient and monitor him closely if he is on your league's waiver wire.

Mark Teixeira (1B, NYY) - Teixeira is having a rather poor April, with just one hit in his last 18 at-bats and a .170 average. The 36-year-old managed 31 home runs in 111 games a year ago and is just three shy of 400 in his career, so expect him to start taking advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium at some point. The Bombers are home this weekend but on the road next week.

Brandon Crawford (SS, SF) - Crawford has so far not been the player who busted out last season to the tune of career-highs of 21 home runs, 33 doubles and 84 RBIs. The Giants offense has struggled a bit of late, so perhaps Crawford just needs his teammates to get going around him. He is carrying a .222 average into the weekend.

Scott Kazmir (SP, LAD) - Kazmir (1-1, 6.43) has not gotten past the fourth inning in either of his last two starts, and this won't get any easier for him in this weekend in Colorado. He has allowed 14 hits and five walks in his last eight innings and has an unsightly 6.43 ERA. The 32-year-old posted a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts between Oakland and Houston last season, and has a chance to come close to that in the National League, he just isn't getting it done at the moment.

Chris Archer (SP, TB) - Archer (0-4, 7.32) just has not been able to get any sort of consistency going in April. He has had two decent starts and two terrible ones, most recently giving up six runs over 4.1 innings against Boston. He has piled up the walks and strikeouts, so he probably just needs to induce contact earlier in the count. He should start to go deeper into games soon.

Francisco Liriano (SP, PIT) - After striking out 10 Cardinals over six shutout innings on Opening Day, Liriano (1-1, 4.11) has regressed and allowed seven runs over 9.1 innings in two starts. He has walked nine in those two games, and will have to start throwing more strikes in order to see some success. You may want to avoid him in Arizona this weekend.

Adam Wainwright (SP, STL) - Wainwright (0-2, 8.27) is simply no longer the ace he was for so long in St. Louis. After missing nearly all of last season, 'Waino' has gotten rocked out of the gate in 2016. He has walked nine and struck out only seven in 16.1 innings. The 34-year-old should still have something left in the tank, but it could take him some time to build up his arm strength and control.

Taylor Jungmann (SP, MIL) - Jungmann (0-3, 8.47) continues to get battered and will have to get some better results if he wants to hold onto his spot in the Milwaukee rotation. The 26-year-old had a 3.77 ERA in 21 starts a year ago, but has not resembled that pitcher this year. He is pitching in a tough division in a hitter's park.

Matt Harvey (SP, NYM) - Harvey (0-3, 5.71) did not pitch very much in Spring Training and seems to be treating April like a warm up act. He has been working on fixing a mechanical issue when pitching out of the stretch, and will get a chance to begin turning his season around this weekend in Atlanta.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyrrell Hatton

a Steady Option at The Masters
Justin Thomas

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Masters
Terry McLaurin

the Undisputed Focal Point of Washington's Offense
Justin Herbert

a Dynasty Target with New-Look Offense Around Him?
Tee Higgins

an Intriguing Dynasty Trade Target with QB Healthy?
PGA

Sungjae Im a Volatile Option at the Masters
Nicolai Hojgaard

Carrying Momentum Into The Masters
Si Woo Kim

in Strong Form Heading to The Masters
Chris Gotterup

Ready to Make His Masters Debut
Patrick Reed

Brings Momentum to The Masters
Jon Rahm

Looks Poised for His Second Green Jacket
Morgan Geekie

Collects Second Career Hat Trick
Joel Eriksson Ek

has Three Points in Victory
Jacob deGrom

Doesn't Have Structural Damage in his Knee
J.T. Realmuto

Leaves Game on Tuesday Due to Bruised Right Foot
Shaedon Sharpe

Picks Up Doubtful Tag
New York Giants

Dexter Lawrence Looking for $30 Million Annually?
Stephon Castle

Considered Doubtful for Wednesday
Marte Mapu

Texans Acquire Linebacker Marte Mapu From Patriots
Jaxson Hayes

a Late Scratch Against Thunder
Cleveland Browns

Browns Considering Francis Mauigoa at No. 6 Overall?
Max Strus

Returning to Action Wednesday
Deshaun Watson

Medically Cleared for QB Competition
Caleb Martin

Still Sidelined Tuesday
Donovan Mitchell

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
James Conner

Present for Start of Offseason Program
James Harden

Available Wednesday
Brandon Williams

Ruled Out Tuesday
Cam Skattebo

in Attendance at Offseason Program
Malik Nabers

to be Ready to Play at Some Point in Training Camp
Kevin Porter Jr.

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
P.J. Washington

Out Tuesday Against Clippers
Marvin Bagley III

Daniel Gafford Out, Marvin Bagley III Available Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Tuesday
Stephen Curry

Good to Go Tuesday
Duncan Robinson

Available Wednesday
Tobias Harris

Set to Return Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

MRI is Clean, but he's Doubtful Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Questionable Wednesday
Cody Ponce

to Have Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Six Months
Coby White

Ruled Out Tuesday
Kyle Filipowski

Good to Go Tuesday
Ace Bailey

Ruled Out Against Pelicans
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Active Against Heat
Alejandro Kirk

Facing Six-Week Absence
Jacob deGrom

to Undergo MRI on Tuesday
Mike Trout

Back in the Lineup on Tuesday
Hunter Brown

Diagnosed with Grade 2 Shoulder Strain
Pavel Mintyukov

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Cutter Gauthier

Remains Sidelined Tuesday
Kirby Dach

Ready to Return Tuesday
Jordan Staal

Good to Go Tuesday
Adam Scott

Form Points to Him Competing at Masters
Jordan Spieth

Finding Consistency Heading to Masters
Hideki Matsuyama

Trending In Right Direction For Masters
Valeri Nichushkin

Nicolas Roy Available Tuesday
Cale Makar

Expected to Miss More Time
Matthew Tkachuk

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Cade Horton

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
De'Von Achane

Not Present for Start of Voluntary Workouts
Malik Nabers

Present for Start of Offseason Program
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Not Planning to Attend the NFL Draft
New York Giants

Dexter Lawrence to Get a New Deal From Giants?
Carolina Panthers

Diego Pavia Visiting With Panthers on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Hosting Denzel Boston on Pre-Draft Visit on Tuesday
Malik Willis

Dolphins Looking to Build Around Malik Willis
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Signs Franchise Tag, Present for Offseason Workouts
Tommy Fleetwood

a Contender if his Putter Cooperates at The Masters
Evan Engram

Fading Value Could Sink Even Lower After NFL Draft
TreVeyon Henderson

Experience and Emphasis on Run Game Could Help TreVeyon Henderson's Value Soar
Caleb Williams

The Sky is the Limit for Caleb Williams in Second Season with Ben Johnson
Nikita Kucherov

Nets 400th Career Goal
Evander Kane

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
Kevin Lankinen

Won't Dress on Tuesday
Morgan Barron

Considered Week-to-Week
Pontus Holmberg

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Philipp Grubauer

Exits With Injury Monday
Mark Scheifele

Collects Three Helpers on Monday
Jacob deGrom

Pitches Through Knee Issue on Monday
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Defeats the Lightning
Dalton Rushing

Smacks Two Homers in Rout of Blue Jays
Max Scherzer

Dealing With Forearm Tendinitis, Expected to Make his Next Start
Collin Morikawa

Vegas has Lost Confidence in Collin Morikawa Ahead of Masters Tournament
Ludvig Aberg

One of the Top Plays For This Week's Masters Tournament
Rory McIlroy

Set to Defend his Long-Awaited Masters Victory
Bryson DeChambeau

Looks to Finally Claim a Green Jacket
Patrick Cantlay

Needs Plenty to Go Right at Augusta
Harris English

Playing Solid Golf Heading to Masters
Sam Burns

Bouncing Back Nicely After Slow Start to 2026 Season
Corey Conners

Quietly Putting Together A Strong 2026 Season
Russell Henley

Looks to Bounce Back At Masters
Andrew Mangiapane

Available for Monday's Tilt
Shane Wright

Expected to Miss Another Game
Vladislav Namestnikov

Available Monday
Anthony Cirelli

Out Against Sabres
Mike Trout

Held Out of Series Opener Against Braves
Alejandro Kirk

to Undergo Thumb Surgery on Tuesday
Juan Soto

Mets Place Juan Soto on 10-Day Injured List
Matthew Boyd

Cubs Putting Matthew Boyd on 15-Day Injured List With Biceps Strain
Mickey Moniak

Goes Yard Twice Against his Old Team
Brent Rooker

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win Over Astros
Mike Trout

Considered Day-to-Day With Hand Contusion
Chris Duncan

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Renato Moicano

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tabatha Ricci

Gets Outgrappled
Virna Jandiroba

Bounces Back
Brendson Ribeiro

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Earns First-Round Submission Win
Rafael Estevam

Suffers His First Loss
Ethyn Ewing

Dominates At UFC Vegas 115
Mike Trout

Exits Early After Getting Hit by Pitch
Pete Fairbanks

Serving as Opener Before Going on Paternity List
George Klassen

Called Up to Start on Sunday
Chris Duncan

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Main Event
Renato Moicano

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 115
Tabatha Ricci

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Co-Main Event
Virna Jandiroba

Looks To Bounce Back
Brendson Ribeiro

In Desperate Need Of Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Ethyn Ewing

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Rafael Estevam

Looks To Remain Undefeated
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF