For much of the 2014 season, the Colorado Rockies have been a force to be reckoned with, ranking tops in the National League in runs per game, home runs extra base hits and just about every other offensive category you will find. Still the team took a big blow when placing oft-injured stud, Carlos Gonzalez on the disabled list with a finger injury. His timetable is unknown, but not all is lost for fantasy owners as a number of outfield bats have emerged on the wire in recent weeks.
With our top spot this week, you need look no further than the Rockies outfield to find 22%-owned Corey Dickerson. Batting .340/.389/.639 appearing in 40 games this season, Dickerson is bringing some serious thump to the Colorado lineup, piling up 14 extra-base in less than 100 at-bats with 18 runs scored, 17 RBI and three steals.
Dickerson was never a major threat on the basepaths, topping out at 16 stolen bases im 127 minor league games in 2012, but he did show enough pop to matter. He belted 32 home runs in 2011 at and another 22 in 2012, posting back to back minor league season with 60+ extra-base hits.
During his first stint in the big leagues, Dickerson struggled to perform against left-handed pitching and down the road a platoon with lefty-mashed Drew Stubbs is certainly in play, but Dickerson has reached base in five of his 12 pate appearances against southpaws this season and could earn a longer look. Dickerson is a must-add in all league with the potential to be difference maker in that lineup and park. He’s already been one of the most added players this week, but over 75% of you out their still have a shot to invest.
Each week we’ll provide a position-by-position roundup of the top talent on the wire. To qualify, players must have an ownership rate below 50% in standard 12-team Yahoo leagues. For our deeper formats, we’ll also throw out names with under 15% ownership. Check out last week’s list to find a number of other options who may still be out there on the waiver wire.
Working The Waiver Wire
Catcher
Wilson Ramos (46%): Don’t look now, but Ramos is finally capturing so of his stretch-run magic from last season, batting .313 over the past couple of weeks.
John Jaso (13%): We’re just gonna leave him here at the top of the list. Jaso may be a part-timer, but he MASHES right-handed pitching and is now sitting on a .293/.387/.489 slash over 133 at-bats.
First Base
Adam Lind (40%): Piping hot, Lind has posted six multi-hit efforts in his last 10 games, batting .389 with eight runs in that time.
Chris Carter (20%): Now that Astros lineup doesn’t look so bad anymore does it? Carter is bringing the pop and if you can see past the strikeouts, there’s 30-homer upside here.
Kendrys Morales (21%): Following Thursday’s amateur draft, Morales should ink a deal rather swiftly. He posted a tasty .275/.329/.357 slash while averaging 26 home runs and 86 RBI per 162 games over the past two seasons.
Yonder Alonso (5%): Digging a bit deeper, give Alonso a look. The average is always steady and he’s showing some more punch this season, coming off a May in which he knocked six doubles and four home runs in 86 at-bats.
Middle Infield
Kolten Wong (25%): Continues to get on base and run, Wong is a useful piece.
Jonathan Villar (37%): He’s gotta be benched right now, but the juice is enticing enough to stash.
Gordon Beckham (11%): Yeah, that Gordon Beckham… hey, he’s hitting!
Jace Peterson (0%): He’s got major speed upside and could very well haev a starting gig if Jedd Gyorko is forced to the DL with his plantar fasciitis.
Third Base
Casey McGehee (26%): Though McGehee can’t hit the ball over the fence, he certainly seems to be able to put it in play and drive in runs.
David Freese (18%): Batting .277 over the past couple of weeks, you could certainly do worse.
Outfield
Josh Willingham (29%): Always an underrated bat, Willingham has gone 11-for-32 with four long balls since returning from the DL and is an even better play in OBP leagues.
Michael Saunders (12%): Blessed with a great power/speed combo, Suanders is streaking right now, batting .324 in his last 10 with a couple of home runs, six runs scored and 10 RBI.
Starters
Bartolo Colon (29%): The fat-man is rolling with a 1.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP i his last 18.2 innings pitched.
Drew Hutchison (31%): Coming off an impressive start against the Tigers, Hutch is showing nice resilience after a coupe of poor outings and we know the strikeout upside is there.
Eddie Butler (13%): Avoid Bultler in his MLB debut on Friday, but there’s plenty of talent here to stash him on your bench and see what happens.
Closer Carnage
It will be a constant race to the wire to go mining for saves, here’s how we see it.
Go get ’em: Chad Qualls (35%), Hector Rondon (48%), Ronald Bellisario (19%)
Keep an eye on: Rex Borthers (26%), Jeurys Familia (10%), Adam Ottaviano (10%), Joba Chamberlain (15%)