After the Draft: Waiver Wire Pickups and Targets

Hey everybody (Hey Dr. Nick!) and welcome to the special pre-Opening Day Waiver Wire analysis.

Your team is drafted. You’ve already fallen in love with all of them. You may or may not have gotten a tattoo. Okay that’s all well and good but we all know that someone is going disappoint you, someone is going to get hurt, someone might get demoted, even Mike Trout might get sucked into the ground a la Space Jam to save the Looney Tunes from Scott Boras!

Perhaps those last one or two guys you drafted aren’t that special and you want to investigate some alternatives. Maybe you were savvy and drafted some DL stashes and now you have some empty spots to fill. Even if you LOVE your team right now from top-to-bottom you’re going to want to be prepared for anything which means a strong watch list. Yup, there’s something here for everybody.

We’re going to look at players who have 50% or lower ownership levels on Yahoo. This is not meant to be an exhaustive analysis, but instead quick hitter blurbs to incite intrigue. There are plenty of names here, so you should probably bookmark it!

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.

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Yasmani Grandal (LAD, C) - 30%  – His first half numbers were incredible (14 HRs, .282 average) and then he took a pitch to the shoulder and was never the same. While his forearm isn’t 100% heading into this year, his swing should be okay and a full season out of “good shoulders” Grandal could land you with a bat that sniffs 25 homers.

J.T. Realmuto (MIA, C) - 37% - I know, 37>30 but I like Grandal so much more than Realmuto so deal with it. To Realmuto's credit, he can contribute in all five categories but he just won’t excel in any. Getting 12 bombs and 10 stolen bases out of your catcher is a sneaky edge to have.

Nick Hundley (COL, C) - 14% - His 2015 wasn’t a total fluke. He has 15 homer power, his average could be a plus (but don’t expect .301 again), and he even steals a bag here and there. Owners with deeper rosters can platoon him with another catcher and only play Hundley at Coors.

Jason Castro (HOU, C) - 2% - Castro’s power has fallen off but he still has a decent swing. A spot in Houston’s lineup cannot go ignored in deeper leagues. Until Max Stassi is ready that is Castro’s spot.

Robinson Chirinos (TEX, C) - 2% - He finally has the starting job after hitting 10 dingers in 273 PAs last season. He could hit 18 bombs although the average won’t be spectacular. Cheap power is cheap power.

Cameron Rupp (PHI, C) - 1% - If Chirinos isn’t cheap enough for you then here’s Rupp who can mash lefties and has a clear path to significant playing time. Rupp has 15 homer potential and is practically unowned.

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Pedro Alvarez (BAL, 1B) - 35% - There’s still plenty of power in this bat (27 HRs last year). A bat that now gets to call Camden Yards home. Why not?

Justin Bour (MIA, 1B) - 28% - He can’t hit lefties (0 HRs, .221 average in 75 PAs) but destroys righties (23 HRs, .270 average). If you can utilize that effectively then you have late round gold.

Chris Carter (MIL, 1B) - 14% - His average was a horrid .199 last season and yet he still hit 24 dingers. Look to catch a little lightning in the bottle with Carter and see if a change of scene does anything for him.

Tyler White (HOU, 1B/3B) - 11% - Even if White wasn’t that talented his spot in the potent Astros’ lineup means he has fantasy value. It only helps that he’s batting .353 with three homers which helped him beat out Jon Singleton and A.J. Reed for the job.

Justin Smoak (TOR, 1B) - 2% - If you can platoon him effectively (as Toronto does – 18 homers in 296 ABs) then you’ll get one piece of a powerful puzzle at first base. Bully for you if you can stand to rotate he and Chris Colabello (17% owned) together to benefit from Toronto’s offense.

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Jonathan Schoop (BAL, 2B) - 35% - One of the buzziest names coming into the season is still only owned in about a third of all leagues. He hit 15 homers in 305 ABs last season, and while the average will drop from the .279 he posted, the power is real and getting 20-25 homers out of your MI slot is sweet.

Cesar Hernandez (PHI, 2B/3B/SS) - 27% - The Phillies lineup gets zero respect but it isn’t as though they get shutout every night. Hernandez bats atop the order and has legitimate 25 SB speed with an average that won’t kill. Versatility is a nice bonus.

Devon Travis (TOR, 2B) - 16% - Don't ever let your DL spots go unused. I could - and probably should - write a whole piece about that, but the point here is that stashing Travis is a favorite move of mine. Ryan Goins will man second for now but the job is Travis' when he returns. If you can get a piece of that Toronto juggernaut then you should do so.

Yangervis Solarte (SD, 1B/2B/3B) - 14% - Suffering from the disrespect double-down of being a journeyman player who finally got a chance as well as being on the Padres means that Solarte comes at no cost. He went 63/14/63/.270 last season and still qualifies for 2B/MI.

Chris Coghlan (OAK, 2B) - 4% - The former Rookie of the Year hit 16 homers and stole 11 bases last year in part time work for the Cubs. This earned him a contract with the Athletics who plan on platooning him against right handed pitching. Those with deeper rosters can reap the rewards of this as he can contribute across the board when he plays.

Cory Spangenberg (SD, 2B) - 2% - Another San Diego Padre? Yes because even if he only manages 8/15/.265 then that could still be good enough for deep leaguers and NL-only players.

Aaron Hill (MIL, 2B/3B) - 1% - This is scraping the bottom of the barrel but as of now Hill has a starting job for the Brewers in a hitter-friendly Miller Park. He’s no stranger to power tears even if it has been a while, so perhaps there’s a dash of magic left.

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Trevor Plouffe (MIN, 1B/3B) - 46% - Plouffe went 74/22/86/.244 last season and there is no reason to think he cannot replicate those numbers. There’s even a few reasons to think the counting stats will climb a little thanks to the Minnesota offense improving as a whole.

Travis Shaw (BOS, 1B/3B) - 35% - His ownership rate is climbing thanks to the recent announcement that he won the starting job at third base for the Red Sox. He is 20-for-59 this spring as of this been written and he hit 13 bombs with a .270 average in 226 ABs last season. Boston’s lineup is another land of opportunity so don’t shy away. Just don’t expect a stat-line similar to the one you’d get from extrapolating last year’s small sample.

Nick Castellanos (DET, 3B) - 25% - Castellanos just turned 24 this March! He gets to bat in a strong Detroit Tigers lineup and while he probably won’t leap into some 25 home run body, a 50/16/75/.260 line is very attainable.

Danny Valencia (OAK, 3B/OF) - 21% - Last season Valencia finally squared up righties after being an exclusive lefty-masher for his career to this point. He posted an insane .271 ISO vs. RHP against his .160 ISO vs. LHP. He can play third base and outfield, something Oakland loves and fantasy owners can utilize. Even with some regression baked in, he’s earned some more ABs and could provide a sneaky shot at 25 homers with a .275 average.

Hector Olivera (ATL, 3B) - 15% - Olivera is getting tons of praise from his coaches who see him as having turned a corner this offseason. He is 24-for-61 (.393) this spring, albeit with zero homers, and will have plenty of opportunities to show us what he’s got on a rebuilding Braves team.

Jake Lamb (ARI, 3B) - 4% - Lamb is another name that is impressing this spring thanks to a quicker swing and looks to join many of his Diamondbacks teammates as players who took the next step forward. His spring numbers show a greatly improved walk rate and a devastatingly powerful swing. I'd want him over most of these names. That lineup should be very productive and the park is a nice place to hit so if you need a widely available bat that could turn a corner, here you go.

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM, SS) - 20% - Cabrera quietly hit 15 homers last season while hitting .265 for Tampa Bay. The Mets offense doesn’t get much love but it can still party. Cabrera can provide some deep power out of the SS slot.

Brad Miller (TB, 2B/SS/OF) - 18% - Very cheap power/speed combo guy with plenty of versatility. Tampa Bay should give him steady playing time, something he's rarely seen. Don't discount what a consistent and reliable job can do for a guy.

Alexei Ramirez (SD, SS) - 18% - Again with the Padres disrespect factor being a plus for those digging deep. Ramirez might not have any power spikes left in the tank but there’s little reason why he can’t give owners a 10/15/.250 season while hitting in the heart of their order.

Didi Gregorius (NYY, SS) - 8% - He improved as the year went on which may or may not have been related to getting acclimated to the pinstripes. He is an everyday player in a good Yankees lineup in a hitter-friendly park so 60/10/60/6/.265 is a healthy baseline.

Jimmy Rollins (CWS, SS) - 7% - He won the starting job with a strong spring and can bring decent pop to your team on the days that he plays. His age-37 body means he’ll get more rest than most are comfortable with, but this deep in the bin you’re concerned with performance when on the field.

Danny Espinosa (WAS, 1B/2B/3B/SS) - 4% - He may not end the season as a starter but for now Espinosa brings double-digit pop and non-zero speed to a shallow position in a good lineup.

Jonathan Villar (MIL, 3B/SS) - 3% - Many are waiting for Orlando Arcia to be called up but until then Villar gets to hold down the job for the Brewers. He can provide cheap speed with the occasional home run and has yet to get consistent ABs. There is 20 steal potential here.

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups

Marcell Ozuna (MIA, OF) - 39% - Ozuna was left for dead last year as he was demoted to the minors after he was unable to live up to expectations. The year before he hit 23 homers with 85 RBIs and he’s hot this spring with a .341 average. There aren’t many guys with as legitimate a shot at 25 homers as Ozuna that are available in over half of leagues.

Kevin Kiermaier (TB, OF) - 35% - Kiermaier gets a ton of well-deserved love for his amazing defensive skills, but his bat also has value with some room to grow. Last year he went 10/18/.263 and could very well go 12/20/.270 with a healthy run total.

Domingo Santana (MIL, OF) - 34% - The trade of Khris Davis paves the way for Santana to have an everyday job where he can flex his powerful bat. If Ozuna is already owned then this is the next best bet for 25 home runs. His average will hurt more but he will also chip in more stolen bases.

Odubel Herrera (PHI, OF) - 20% - Herrera should bat third for the Phillies and even if he doesn’t have 20 home runs in that bat of his, he could still score 80 runs and knock in 70 runs with 20-25 bags and an average that sits around .280.

Austin Jackson (CWS, OF) - 4% - The White Sox may have brought Jackson in primarily for his defense but all the same he posted a Kiermaier-like 56/9/48/17/.267 line in 491 ABs last season. A 10/20 season is not out of the question here in a revamped South Siders offense.

Aaron Hicks (NYY, OF) - 3% - Hicks hit 11 homers and stole 13 bases in 352 ABs last season for Minnesota in part time work. He is the fourth outfielder for the Yankees right now but there are plenty of durability concerns ahead of him on the depth chart. Yankee Stadium is a great place to hit and Hicks will still play as Beltran rests as well.

Michael Saunders (TOR, OF) - 3% - Saunders has struggled with staying on the field his whole career, but if he can do so this year then he gets to be part of the Blue Jays’ offense that lead the league in offense last season. IF he stays healthy and productive then he should be able to stave off Dalton Pompey and get significant playing time where he can flash his 20 home run power. Toronto might be hesitant to run him thanks to the injury history though.

Joey Rickard (BAL, OF) - 2% - Rickard has played well enough this spring to impress the Orioles so much that he might be their Opening Day left-fielder. Hyun Soo Kim played very poorly this spring and Baltimore tried to get him to accept a minor league assignment. He brings 20-25 SB speed and average to the table but shouldn’t be relied on for any real power.

Jabari Blash (SD, OF) - 1% - Blash hit 32 homers in 476 PAs between Double-A and Triple-A last season for the Mariners. The power is real and he can steal a base every now and again to boot, but if he isn’t hitting a homer then he’s probably either walking or whiffing. He’s battling with Melvin Upton Jr. for the left field job but could very well hurdle him.

Tommy Pham (STL, OF) - 1% - He needs an injury or demotion ahead of him on the depth chart to see a useful amount of playing time, but if he sees it then he could bring a 12/12/.270 bat to the game.

**Update**

Socrates Brito (ARI, OF) - 2% as of 12:45 AM Sat. morning - News just broke that A.J. Pollock has a fractured right elbow and will require surgery. Last year in Double-A he hit nine homers with 20 stolen bases and a .300 average. This spring he has one homer and three steals with a .303 average and has impressed the organization. He should step into a regular job as long as Pollock is sidelined. Plus if you nab him then you can make some real nifty team names and drop philosophical bomb shells in the smack talk.

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP) - 30% - Oblique injuries can be quite pesky but before that he was looked at as a fun sleeper type. He’ll be back at some point in April and hopefully finds the same success with his sinker and slider that he did later on last season. The Reds won’t back him with many wins but he could be a sneaky candidate for strikeouts and ratios while everyone flocks to Raisel Iglesias. Don’t be fooled by the ugly second half numbers, his FIP actually shrunk from 3.85 to 3.46 and his strikeout rate jumped from 6.59 to 8.28 while the walk rate dropped from 3.65 to 1.51. This spring he's continued to improve his strikeout rate, reduce his walk rate, and is even inducing more grounders. Buy in.

Jerad Eickhoff (PHI, SP) - 28% - Well if he’s unowned in your league then clearly others don’t believe in the ratios from last season and are shying away from the Phillies. This is a common theme as you’ll see. Eickhoff’s flyball stuff is hard to trust in Philadelphia but if he keeps his command in line then he could be a serviceable back-end guy for owners.

Aaron Nola (PHI, SP) - 28% - Hmm, another Phillie. Nola logged 186 innings last year, so he should have a strong arm heading into 2016 with no significant limit to him. Steamer paints this picture of Nola: 181 IP with a 9-12 record, 152 Ks, 3.87 ERA, and 1.24 WHIP. I think he can beat those ratios and even rack up a few more strikeouts if he can continue his growth with the curveball, but the record seems accurate.

Vince Velasquez (PHI, SP) - 16% - Phillie hat trick! Okay but he has the kind of pitches that can get you more than a strikeout per inning and that talent deserves to be targeted. Those in leagues where wins are big pieces won't be as excited since he does pitch for the Phillies and he won't post a 3.00 ERA but those of you in deeper leagues needing strikeouts will profit from VV.

J.A. Happ (TOR, SP) - 15% - If Happ can hold onto some of that Ray Searage magic from Pittsburgh then he could win plenty of games on a strong Toronto team while posting serviceable ratios and striking out 160 in 180 innings.

Bartolo Colon (NYM, SP) - 14% - In a rotation that is blessed with young arms that command so much attention, Colon isn’t getting any love despite pitching in the NL East for a strong team. He still has impeccable command which helps keep his WHIP manageable though the Ks won’t rack up.

Kris Medlen (KC, SP/RP) - 11% - It’s simple, Medlen gets to pitch for the defending champs and is backed by one of the best bullpens in the game.

Rich Hill (OAK, SP) - 7% - Hill dominated in a very small 29 inning sample last season (though he was also strong in 64 minor league innings). He signed with Oakland and now gets to pitch in that spacious park. It costs nothing to see if the re-invention is sustainable.

Adam Conley (MIA, SP) - 6% - He won’t impress you in any one category, but he looks to be a serviceable back-end starter who can post a mid-to-high three ERA with roughly 80 strikeouts per 100 innings. He’ll get matchups against Atlanta and Philadelphia so he can be worked with.

Shane Greene (DET, SP) - 4% - He teased us at the beginning of last season as well, but he’s having another strong spring with a roughly 30% K-rate and improved control. Maybe there’s nothing real here but on the off-chance he puts it together with his put-away stuff this year then you’ll want to be ahead of the curve.

Jon Gray (COL, SP) - 2% - Still a good young talent who is scrapping his curveball which is good news for a Coors pitcher. He was strong in his few road starts last year and could prove to be a sneaky buy.

John Lamb (CIN, SP) - 1% - He had a sexy 58 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings last year but it came with a 1-5 record, 5.80 ERA, and 1.55 WHIP. He suffered from bad luck in this small sample and his SIERA was a cool 3.56. Put that ratio with those strikeouts and you’ve got a very intriguing name who should start the year on the DL.

Chad Bettis (COL, SP) - 0% - Seeing 0% is always interesting, but Bettis was being strongly considered for the Opening Day nod by manager Walt Weiss. Bettis has great composure on the mound and starting striking out batters at a mixed-league worthy rate last season (98 Ks in 115 IP). His 3.85 FIP points to a better pitcher than we’ve seen thus far, so keep an eye on him.

Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Darren O’Day (BAL, RP) - 36% - Six wins, six saves, 82 Ks, a 1.52 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP. If Britton goes down he becomes a great closer, but even without that he carries solid value as a ratio anchor who will post well over a strikeout per inning.

Tony Watson (PIT, RP) - 25% - While he doesn’t have strong strikeout upside (62 in 75 1/3 IP) his sub-2 ERA and sub-1 WHIP are plenty valuable on top of his being behind Mark Melancon for the closer job.

Joakim Soria (KC, RP) - 22% - He’s got closing experience and would be KC’s man should something happen to Wade Davis on top of ratio relief and a K per nine. He finally got a full workload after TJ surgery in 2012 and looks as strong as ever.

Hunter Strickland (SF, RP) - 20% - The ninth might go to Sergio Romo should Santiago Casilla falter, but Strickland looks to be the closer of the future and can post a nice low 2’s ERA with a sub-1 WHIP.

Kevin Siegrist (STL, RP) - 17% - The setup man for Trevor Rosenthal should pick up the occasional save alongside another 90 strikeouts and plus ratios.

Sergio Romo (SF, RP) - 16% - Casilla really didn’t look sharp at times last season while Romo regained the power of his slider. He is plenty useful again after dealing with some bad luck in the past.

Keone Kela (TEX, RP) - 10% - A young fireballer who could step into the ninth should Shawn Tolleson get traded or slip up, Kela struck out 68 in 60 1/3 IP last season and can still take strides forward.

Ryan Madson (OAK, RP) - 10% - Sean Doolittle is no safe bet to stay healthy (or effective) and it would appear that Madson is the most likely candidate to take over should either of those landmines go off. His 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP from last season didn’t hurt anyone either.

Carson Smith (BOS, RP) - 9% - He has amazing stuff but obviously is sweating a DL-stint right now. Keep an eye on him as his ratios and strikeouts are both very impressive…when he’s healthy.

Sam Dyson (TEX, RP) - 5% - An under-the-radar guy with plus swing-and-miss stuff can be mighty useful for owners looking to anchor their ratios in deeper leagues.

Dalier Hinojosa (PHI, RP) - 5% - He impressed with a strong 24 2/3 innings last season (0.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP) and has continued impressing throughout Spring Training, making a case for closing duties heading into the regular season. Pay very close attention to him as everyone is still wrapped up in David Hernandez vs. Andrew Bailey (who was just re-assigned to minor league camp).

Nate Jones (CWS, RP) - 4% - Been a huge fan of him coming into this spring after striking out 37.5% of batters last season in a small sample size of 19 innings. Injuries have plagued him, but he’s healthy now and this spring has only allowed two hits and one walk while striking out 12 in 7 2/3 innings. Buy.

Corey Knebel (MIL, RP) - 4% - This number should rise a bit with the Will Smith injury as Knebel should be the next man up after Jeremy Jeffress. Knebel struck out 58 in 50 1/3 innings in his first season as well.

Yimi Garcia (LAD, RP) - 2% - Chris Hatcher would take over should something happen to Kenley Jansen but that doesn’t mean Garcia can’t help you with his plus ratios and 68 Ks in 56 2/3 IP.

Mark Lowe (DET, RP) - 2% - He had a great season in 2015 with 61 Ks in 55 innings plus a 1.96 ERA/1.05 WHIP for Toronto which prompted Detroit to sign him. He’ll be the setup man for K-Rod.

Mychal Givens (BAL, RP) - 1% - Brad Brach (#% owned - 79 1/3 IP/2.72 ERA/1.20 WHIP/89 Ks) is a good secondary Baltimore option but Givens is more intriguing given his potential to grow on last year’s 30 IP/1.80 ERA/0.87 WHIP/38 Ks line that came with his first major league cup of coffee.

Tony Zych (SEA, RP) - 1% - Steve Cishek is no sure thing and while Joaquin Benoit would probably step in should Cishek falter, Tony Zych is the most intriguing reliever in this pen to me. He has incredible control while missing many bats (three walks vs. 24 Ks in 18 1/3 IP last year) which has continued through Spring Training where he has 18 Ks and only one walk in 9 2/3 IP. The six earned runs are not concerning to me with his track record.

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