With so many fantasy baseball drafts or auctions occurring before opening day, here is a look at several types of leagues with players that might be potentially available on the waiver wire to go after in week 1.
12 / 15 team mixed league:
1B – Daric Barton – it’s easy to forget that he just turned 24. Hasn’t really displayed much power in the minor leagues but with a career minor league batting average of .293 and an OBP of .407 he should be on base to score a fair amount of runs. Barton is hitting .283 this spring with 21 walks and 12 strikeouts in 67 plate appearances.
SS – Ian Desmond – Desmond claimed the starting shortstop job with the Washington Nationals and should be good for 10+ home runs and around 20 stolen bases this season. Desmond is currently hitting .333 with 15 RBI and six stolen bases.
SS – Mike Aviles – underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and seemed buried on the depth chart when spring started, but his hitting has positioned him to possibly begin the season in the starting lineup. Aviles is hitting .469 with eight RBI and a stolen base so far this spring.
3B – David Freese - won the 3B job for the St. Louis Cardinals and should have a little extra breathing room with Julio Lugo traded. Freese is hitting .294 with 11 RBI, a home run and a stolen base in spring.
OF – Michael Brantley – if you are short on stolen bases, Brantley is a nice pick up with Russell Branyan headed for the disabled list.
OF – Sean Rodriguez – should get the start at second base for the Tampa Bay Rays. Rodriguez is hitting .459 with six home runs and 17 RBI.
OF – Brett Gardner – Gardner is another option along with Brantley if your team is short on stolen bases.
SP – Jaime Garcia – won the 5th starter job with the St. Louis Cardinals with a 1.93 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.
RP – Franklin Morales – should be in line for a handful of saves in the month of April with Huston Street out of action.
RP – Jon Rauch – was recently named the closer for the Minnesota Twins, although his career save percentage of 59% does not bode well for long-term success.
American League Only:
SS – Julio Lugo – traded to the Baltimore Orioles, could see 300 at bats backing up a variety of infield positions
SP – David Hernandez – was named 5th starter of the Baltimore Orioles. He has a 3.00 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 15 innings thus far in spring.
SP – Dana Eveland – won a rotation spot with the Toronto Blue Jays
SP – Daniel Hudson – Freddy Garcia has been brutal this spring with a 10.38 ERA and 40 hits allowed in 21 2/3 innings; worth rostering for later in the season if you have space on your bench.
SP - C.J. Wilson – worth a flier with his move into the Texas rotation.
National League Only:
1B – Mike Jacobs – good source of power as he fills in for the injured Daniel Murphy.
OF – Willie Harris / Willy Taveras – they will be platooned in Washington, Harris will get you more overall counting stats while Taveras will provide stolen bases. Harris will see most of the at bats hitting from the left side.
OF – Tony Gwynn Jr. – another speed option if you need steals.
OF – Jim Edmonds – chance for 400 at bats filling in for Gomez / Hart.
SP - Nate Robertson - new Florida Marlins starter has been decent this spring. Hasn’t had a good season since 2006 but move to the NL should help his numbers somewhat.
SP – Kyle Kendrick / Jamie Moyer – I could win 10 games with the Philadelphia Phillies offense behind me.
SP – Tom Gorzelanny - has earned a job in the Chicago Cubs rotation with a 3.32 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings.
SP – Mike Leake / Travis Wood – whomever claims the 5th starter job with the Cincinnati Reds.
SP – Charlie Haeger – just to say you own a knuckleballer.
– injury concerns plus the possibility of him starting the season on the disabled list has dropped his average draft position by three to four rounds.
