Thursday, August 26, 2010
Keeper League Mailbag: Question No. 2
Posted by Brad Johnson at 1:57amIn some ways, having No. 1 waiver priority can be harder than having No. 10, at least for me. Today's question from Jason concerns just how to use that top priority:
I've got No. 1 waiver priority in a Yahoo Dynasty League. With all of BA's midseason Top 25 already drafted, and most of the "Prospects 26-50," which player likely to be called up in 2010 should I save my waiver for?
You ask a challenging question, especially without knowing which of those 26-50 guys are taken. I'm going to assume the names I perceive as "popular" are already taken. I'm also going to assume you're not looking for production in 2010, but that you want a keeper for down the line. I don't think any of the call-ups this season are likely to be impact fantasy players in September.
Of that 26-50 group, Rockies catching prospect Wilin Rosario might get a look—he's demonstrated good power for a catcher in the Texas League although I have no information about his defense. Beyond that, watch for young pitchers like Jordan Lyles or Zach Wheeler getting a spot appearance. It's incredibly unlikely but it's good to be prepared for it.
As you can probably tell, the pickings are pretty slim and they're all going to have some kind of wart. The first two players who come to mind are Peter Bourjos and Jarrod Parker. Both should already be in your player universe. Bourjos is a decent fantasy option for non-OBP leagues as he combines power, speed and decent contact skills. His plate discipline is lousy, which is why you don't find him in the top 50.
Parker has ace potential but is coming off Tommy John surgery so might be neglected in your league. He is progressing with his rehab, currently throwing simulated games to Double-A hitters and humming in the mid-90s.
Hank Conger, another guy who won't cost a waiver, is likely to see some time at C/DH down the stretch, especially once the Angels are eliminated. That's a messy catching situation to sort through over in Anaheim, so it's up to you whether you want to wade in and gamble on him. He's not exactly an amazing prospect but should be an above average hitting catcher.
Yonder Alonso isn't on the list, but I suspect he's taken. If not, it's still an iffy pickup. His bat has come alive since midseason, but he's still playing as a first baseman and it appears he may have no future in Cincy. I take the lack of playing time in the outfield as a signal that the Reds don't think he can play there. He's in the Yahoo! player universe so chances are, he's another guy who won't require waivers.
The perennially baffling Carlos Carrasco seems to be making some improvements down on the farm. He still profiles merely as a mid-rotation pitcher. He's yet another guy who shouldn't cost a waiver.
Fellow future Indian Lonnie Chisenhall could be a decent pickup as a cheap corner infielder, but it's a non-exciting pickup.
Last and probably not least, Kirk Niewenhuis could find himself starting in a decent Mets lineup sometime in the middle of 2011. He's got a little bit of power, a little bit of speed, and a really hard last name to spell. Again, nothing to get excited about claiming.
Ultimately my best advice, and you're not going to like this, is to wait for Sept. 1 and react to whoever goes onto waivers in your league. If you want some advice once that goes down, shoot me an email or leave a comment here and I'll get back to you ASAP. For now, your top priority should be hoping that some franchise gets overly ambitious with a Jordan Lyles-type and gets him a spot start.
Follow Brad on Twitter @baseballAteam. Email him at pitchin432 AT Yahoo.com
Rosario tore knee ligaments so if he “gets a look” it will be a medical miracle. Good research.