Fantasy Corner: Scanning The Waiver Wire For Potential Contributors
Wily Peralta (44% owned)
Anyone owned in more than 30% of leagues is usually off my radar, but if this guy is available in your league, stop reading now and go grab him.
In five starts this season, Peralta has a 2.56 ERA and four quality starts to go along with a 3-1 record (helps to play for the team with the best record in baseball). The soon-to-be 25-year-old also has an impressive 1.09 WHIP thus far — a big indicator of how lucky a pitcher is getting. If a guy is allowing a ton of baserunners, I’m weary of a low ERA (for fear it’s a fluke) — but a low WHIP and a low ERA is a double bonus for me.
Carlos Ruiz (23% owned)
In 114 games two years ago, Ruiz hit .325 and slugged .540 — as a catcher.
While 2013 was a down year for Ruiz (.268 average while slugging .368), there’s reason to believe the Ruiz of 2012 is back — and if he is, I want him as my catcher. In 20 games this season, Ruiz is hitting .296 with 13 walks — good for a .412 OBP and a .479 slugging percentage. While batting low in the order should hurt Ruiz’s chances at scoring a lot of runs, the catcher has also added 18 runs.
For Ruiz, however, the value lies in positional scarcity. There just aren’t many catchers out there that can put up numbers that compare to your outfielders and first baseman. If Ruiz can hit .300 and score a bunch of runs, though? Jackpot.
Erick Aybar (32% owned)
Another guy on the high side of ownership, but Aybar has rebounded nicely after a disastrous start to the season. In the past two weeks, the Angels shortstop has an OPS of .806 with 10 runs, 7 RBI, 1 HR and 1 SB. Like Ruiz, that kind of production from a shortstop is great.
Another reason to like Aybar is the potential for him to hit near the top of a lineup featuring Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. If Aybar keeps reaching base, it’s not crazy to think he could regain the leadoff spot in that lineup, which could mean lots of runs scored.
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