With June set to end on Friday, here are five guys to seek on the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league.
5. Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Franco’s numbers are pretty ugly so far this season, with a .221/.280/.365 slash-line, nine home runs, 37 RBI and 24 runs scored. But he has show signs of life lately, hitting .277 with two home runs, seven RBI and five runs scored over his last 12 games.
It’s hard to see Franco getting all the way back to his 2016 power numbers (25 home runs and 88 RBI), but he is at least trending better in June. If you need some third base of corner infield depth, now’s the time to add him.
ESPN Ownership: 35.6%
4. Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland Athletics
After hitting .281 with eight home runs and 32 RBI this season at Triple-A, Barreto made his major league debut on Saturday. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, and with Marcus Siemen (wrist) and Chad Pinder (hamstring) out there’s no reason for him not to be an every day player. Siemien is on track to return soon, but he could become an immediate trade chip.
Cody Bellinger was an early case of a potential short-term big league stint that has become far more. Barreto could follow that path, and as a middle infielder he’s a budding fantasy asset.
ESPN Ownership: 8.8%
3. David Peralta, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Peralta has been on fire in June, hitting .379 with 11 RBI and 19 runs scored over 66 at-bats thus far. Over 237 total at-bats this season, he is hitting .329 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 46 runs scored and five stolen bases.
Peralta has to be owned in NL-only leagues by now, and he has already played more games than he did during an injury-riddled 2016. Mixed league owners are running out of excuses to add Peralta, even if his current run is sure to correct some. For a reference point, Peralta hit .312, 17 home runs, 78 RBI, 61 runs scored, nine stolen bases over 462 at-bats during a fully healthy 2015 season. That home run total doesn’t seem likely over a full season this year, but otherwise the prospect of 500-plus at-bats will drive Peralta’s counting stats.
ESPN Ownership: 37.8%
2. Cam Bedrosian, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Bedrosian returned from the disabled list this past week, but he has yet to record a save in three appearances. Bud Norris is in the disabled list himself now, and though Huston Street also returned to action a few days ago his next injury is constantly just around the corner.
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Bedrosian may get the ninth inning back at some point, and that makes him worth a speculative add and stash in mixed leagues.
ESPN Ownership: 35.2%
1. Wilson Ramos, C, Tampa Bay Rays
Ramos made his 2017 debut on Saturday, and went 1-for-4 with a strikeout against the Baltimore Orioles. He is sure to be eased back from a torn ACL, with at least regular days off from catching. But Ramos’ 2016 campaign with the Washington Nationals (.307, 22 home runs and 80 RBI) showed his full potential as a hitter, and he should be in Tampa Bay’s lineup more often than not.
Catcher is still to fantasy baseball what tight end used to be to fantasy football. Finding a suitable and consistent option is difficult, so Ramos should not last long on the waiver wire in mixed leagues.
ESPN Ownership: 23.4%
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