Here is a look at some potential players to target in your fantasy baseball league that might be out there on the waiver wire for upcoming week 19.
American League:
OF – Shelley Duncan: With Austin Kearns being dealt to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline and Travis Hafner on the disabled list with a shoulder ailment, Duncan has been seeing regular playing time. He has hit safely in six of his last eight games and has 6 home runs with 20 RBI on the season.
RP – Mike Gonzalez: Gonzalez has only given up one run in his last nine innings of work with the Orioles. Gonzalez was brought in prior to the season to be the teams’ closer before suffering injuries. He will reclaim closer duties shortly as Alfredo Simon has not looked solid in that role.
1B – Kila Ka’aihue: He has been a top prospects for the Kansas City Royals for a number of years now. With Jose Guillen designated for assignment this afternoon, he is finally going to be given some playing time. A great source of power as he hit 24 home runs in AAA this season.
OF – Felix Pie: Pie is getting a chance to play regularly in Baltimore since coming off the DL and has hits in his last four games. He’s a great 4th or 5th outfielder especially if he is able to show off his speed. Everyone is currently playing for a job for next year with Buck Showalter in town.
National League:
RP – Aaron Heilman: Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson has stated Heilman will see a majority of save opportunities now that Chad Qualls was traded.
SS – Paul Janish: With Orlando Cabrera on the disabled list, Janish is playing everyday at shortstop until the O-Dog is back. Janish is a lite hitter but not a player who is going to hurt you statistically if you need a replacement.
1B – Mike Sweeney: The Phillies quietly picked up Sweeney in a trade from Seattle yesterday. Ross Gload is still in the mix and Sweeney just came off the DL himself with back spasms but the Phillies are on record as saying that Sweeney will be given the majority of the playing time at first base until Ryan Howard returns from the DL with an ankle injury.
SP – Mike Minor: Atlanta is going to call up the 2009 first round pick with Kris Medlen now done for the year with the likelihood that he will need Tommy John surgery. Minor has a 3.41 ERA, 1.15 WHIP with 144 strikeouts over 118 minor league innings. I would prefer to see how he does in his first start or two before making him a part of your regular fantasy baseball rotation.
Mixed:
C – J.P. Arencibia: Toronto placed John Buck on the DL with a hand laceration. Arencibia is going to get a chance to play over the next two weeks and has unreal power for a catcher hitting 31 home runs in the minor leagues this year.
RP – Chris Perez: Perez is now the closer for the Indians with Kerry Wood now in Pinstripes. I like him the best out of the other closers listed earlier.
1B – Brett Wallace: Wallace has been traded twice in as many seasons and is not the regular first baseman for the Astros. Wallace was hitting .301 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI for Toronto’s AAA team in Las Vegas.
3B - Chris Johnson: Johnson has been given the majority of the playing for the Houston Astros at third base since the All-Star break, while Pedro Feliz has only played in three games since the break. Johnson has responded well and currently has five home runs and 28 RBI with a .349 batting average.
OF – Peter Bourjos: Speed, speed and more speed. Did I mention he is fast? Definitely a guy to target as the new center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels.
