Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 4

Heading into the final week of April, here are five guys to add on the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league.

5. Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B/SS, St. Louis Cardinals

After hitting 30 home runs in his first season with the Cardinals, Gyorko is off to a solid start this year (.310./396/.643, three home runs, six RBI and eight runs scored). A disabled list stint for Jhonny Peralta (illness) has opened up time at third base, Gyorko is 6-for-11 with four extra base hits and four runs scored in the subsequent last three games entering Sunday’s action.

Gyorko is eligible at second base (46 games last year), third base (39 games) and shortstop (26 games) in all fantasy leagues, with additional eligibility at first base (11 games in 2016) in some leagues. That versatility assures him of regular playing time, and while he’s a batting average drag (.238 for his career) Gyorko is a fantasy asset based on power alone.
ESPN Ownership: 48.2%

4. Avisail Garcia, OF, Chicago White Sox

Garcia has cooled off a bit, going hitless in three straight games through Saturday, but he’s still off to a great start with a .379/.438/.586 slash-line, three home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored. “Little Miggy” may finally be starting to reach his potential, and this is his age-26 season.

Garcia’s current .463 BABIP screams regression, as does his 25 percent home run to fly ball rate. But if his overall fly ball rate stays where it is (27.3 percent), some correction in the latter number could be offset.

Garcia normally wouldn’t make this list, but a lower ownership rate than I expected puts him here as April comes to an end. AL-only league owners should already be on board, but Garcia should be owned in virtually all mixed leagues until further notice.
ESPN Ownership: 66.5%

3. Hector Neris, RP, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies’ closer situation has been a revolving door already this season, from Jeanmar Gomez to Joaquin Benoit to now Neris getting back-to-back saves. Friday night’s save was not without bumps, with a rain delay, three hits and a home run allowed, and manager Pete Mackanin has suggested a committee situation with Neris and Benoit will continue.

Neris showed closer-like stuff last year, with 102 strikeouts (11.4 K/9), 28 holds and a 2.58 ERA. It’s just a matter of getting opportunities to close games, and now Neris getting them to whatever degree his manager sees fit.

Neris has fantasy value regardless of his role, with three holds, 10 strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA over 9.1 innings this season. He’s worth adding in all leagues.
ESPN Ownership: 37.8%

2. Corey Dickerson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

The move of home parks from Coors Field to Tropicana Field made Dickerson a prime fantasy bust candidate heading into 2016, but better health was all he needed to be a fantasy asset with 24 home runs and 70 RBI over 510 at-bats. So far in 2017, entering Sunday, he’s hitting .324 with four home runs, eight RBI, seven doubles and 10 runs scored while splitting time as regular DH and occasional left fielder for the Rays.

In terms of batting average, 2016 (.245) looks like the outlier in Dickerson’s track record. Sustaining his current clip over .300 is unlikely, but he could easily settle in around .270-.280 for the season with solid power production and plenty of playing time.

Dickerson’s career platoon split points to him sitting against left-handed starters on a regular basis, but he’s 8-for-17 (.471) against southpaws so far this season. No matter what, particularly for those that are now without Starling Marte, Dickerson should be added in all mixed leagues.
ESPN Ownership: 45.9%

1. Shawn Kelley, RP, Washington Nationals

Blake Treinen opened the season as Washington’s closer, but his struggles opened the door for Kelley, who has registered three saves since last Tuesday. Since allowing four runs over his first three appearances this season, which explains his 4.50 ERA, Kelley has posted six straight scoreless outings. He also vultured a couple of relief wins in his last two appearances before taking over as closer.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker has suggested Koda Glover will also get some save chances, but Kelley should be the primary option unless he strings together multiple bad outings. For a team that wins plenty of games, the primary closer obviously has enhanced fantasy value.

There’s absolutely still an opportunity to add Kelley right now, though that stands to change quickly. As at least a short-term boost in saves, there’s no better waiver wire add this week.
ESPN Ownership: 36.1%

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