Welcome to Week 8’s edition of Waiver Flavor.  As you may recall during the Week 1 introduction I stated that this article is written for you and I am open to any feedback and suggestions on how to best improve this article to meet your needs.  Well, I am happy to say that after hearing the comments and requests this edition of Waiver Flavor will see some of those suggestions implemented.  Again please continue to comment with feedback or sending in emails on how I can make this article the best for you all.  So let’s get started shall we?

Catcher

Chris Herrmann, ARI (NL-Only, 12-16 team standard leagues) -  Herrmann finds himself owned in just about 20 percent of standard leagues but over the past two weeks he is hitting .391 with seven runs, one home run, eight RBI and one stolen base while owning an OPS of 1.116. If you expand that sample size even further you will see that he is hitting .370 with 10 runs, four home runs, 15 RBI and one stolen base with an OPS of 1.151 over the past month.  Herrmann does all of his damage against right-handed pitching and the Diamondbacks have started to use him in the outfield as well in an effort to get his bat in the lineup.  He will not play against lefties and still finds himself without a true starting job but his overall production when in the lineup far exceeds that of what you would get from playing a middling catcher each day.

Matt Wieters, BAL (AL-Only, All standard leagues) - Wieters is on fire of late, hitting .455 with five runs three home runs, eight RBI and one stolen base while owning an OPS of 1.303 over the last two weeks.  From 2011 to 2013, Wieters averaged 22 home runs and 77 RBI but the need for Tommy John surgery limited him to just 101 games over the past two years.  After a slow start with the bat Wieters is looking like the player he was pre-surgery which makes him a must own in all formats given his offensive upside.  He currently finds himself owned in just over 50 percent of standard leagues so if you find him floating around the wire now is the time to grab him.

Carlos Perez, LAA ( Al-Only, 14 + team standard leagues) - Perez makes this list this week thanks to his recent production where he is hitting .313 with four runs, two home runs, nine RBI, one stolen base and an OPS of .927 over the past two weeks.  Perez is not considered a great hitter by any stretch, but in the minors he owned a .280 career average with an OPS of .760 so he is capable of hitting in spurts.  The Angels have him hitting sixth in the batting order as well so there’s some increased value by him hitting in the middle of the lineup.  He is owned in just over one percent of standard leagues so he is certainly floating around waivers in your league.

First Base

Ryan Zimmerman, WAS (NL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) - Zimmerman is owned in just under 40 percent of standard leagues but is enjoying a solid stretch of play over the past two weeks where he is hitting .279 with eight runs, five home runs and nine RBI with an OPS of 1.036.  Injuries have long plagued Zimmerman but fantasy owners should also remember that when healthy he has put up some very productive seasons.  With good health so far this season he should have little issue reaching the 20 homer plateau for the seventh time in his career.

Matt Adams, STL ( NL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) -  I will admit to being a Matt Adams guy but he finds himself owned in under 5 percent of standard leagues despite hitting .301 with 13 runs, five home runs and 19 RBI with an OPS of .879.  Adams for some reason finds himself in a platoon with Brandon Moss who is also left handed despite the fact that he is a better overall hitter and possesses similar power.  I think at some point the Cardinals will figure out that Adams is their best answer at first base against righties and he begins to be an everyday guy for them.

Steve Pearce, TB ( AL-Only, 12 + team standard leagues) -  Pearce is owned in just under 50 percent of standard leagues as the Rays cleanup hitter has really turned it on of late, hitting .341 with 10 runs, four home runs, 10 RBI and an OPS of 1.120.  Pearce does nearly all of his damage against lefties who he is hammering for a .405 average and an OPS of 1.353.  His numbers against right-handed pitching is far less impressive so those who claim Pearce should really focus on the matchups to get the most out of his production.

Second Base

Jonathan Schoop, BAL (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) - The Orioles second baseman offers tremendous power upside but in recent weeks he has also been a hitting machine, going 15-for-48 (.313) with five runs, three home runs, 13 RBI and an OPS of .896.  The Orioles are hitting him sixth in the lineup on most nights which presents RBI opportunities when the offense is clicking.  He is currently owned in 50 percent of standard leagues but given that second base is a relatively shallow position and the upside he presents, that number should continue to rise.

Devon Travis, TOR (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) - Travis appeared in just 62 games as a rookie do to a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery and has kept him on the disabled list through this point in the season.  During his rookie campaign he was impressive, though, hitting .304 with 38 runs, eight home runs, 35 RBI and three stolen bases.  He is nearing a return to the Blue Jays lineup in the coming days and is owned in just under 25 percent of standard leagues which should make him available in most formats.  He should slide right back into the starting second base role and was hitting towards the top of the lineup last season before being injured but there is no indication where he would be hitting this year upon his return.

Chris Owings, ARI (NL-Only, 12 + team standard leagues) - Owings is not the most exciting player but he is enjoying a solid season overall, hitting .293 with 17 runs, one home run, 15 RBI and six stolen bases.  As the Diamondbacks' primary center fielder, Owings also offers fantasy owners the ability to slot in at second base and shortstop which adds to his overall value.  Owings is owned in just over 20 percent of standard leagues and seeing as over the last 15 days he is hitting .362 with an OPS of .915 that number will likely continue to rise.

Third Base

Yunel Escobar, LAA ( AL-Only, 12 + team standard leagues) - Escobar continues to enjoy his time at the top of the Angels lineup as he is hitting .309 with 20 runs, three home runs and 11 RBI on the season.  Coming off a year where he hit a career best .314 for the Nationals, Escobar is showing no signs that 2015 was a fluke and over the last two weeks he is hitting .328 with six runs and three RBI.  He is currently owned in just over 20 percent of fantasy leagues so if you find yourself in need of an average boost or some run scoring ability at a corner infield spot Escobar is likely a free agent in your league.

Trevor Plouffe, MIN (AL-Only, 14+ team standard leagues) - Plouffe returned to the Twins lineup in early May after a stint on the DL and resumed his everyday role as the team’s third baseman.  Overall this season Plouffe is hitting .252 with 11 runs, three home runs and 11 RBI but he’s proven in the past that he can provide more than adequate offense at a corner infield spot which includes his 2015 season where he hit 22 home runs with a career high 86 RBI.  Plouffe is owned in under 10 percent of standard leagues so if you are looking for an offensive boost at third base you should give him a look.

Justin Turner, LAD ( NL-Only, 14+ team standard leagues) - Turner has struggled to regain his 2015 form early on this season but he has recently begun to show signs of life as he is hitting .261 with three runs, two home runs, six RBI and an OPS of .915 over the last seven days.  Turner is owned in just under 40 percent of standard leagues so there is a possibility that he is floating around your waiver wire and given his offensive upside he’s a player worth grabbing if you get the chance to do so.

 

Shortstop

Jonathan Villar, MIL (All Formats) - It stuns me a little bit each week when I write this article and see Jonathan Villar’s ownership levels still hovering around 50 percent because the man is having a top 10 season at his position as he is hitting .287 with 19 runs, one home run, 13 RBI and 15 stolen bases on the year.  I understand that all he brings to the table is stolen base ability but that ability is at an elite level that could challenge for the league lead and in fantasy baseball could help win you a category.  He should be owned in all formats and is a good bet for a handful of stolen bases each week as long as he remains healthy.

Brad Miller, TB (AL-Only, 14+ team standard leagues) - Miller is an extreme splits guy that fantasy owners will only want to play against right-handed pitching. Fortunately for Miller and fantasy owners there are more right-handed starters in this league than left-handed starters and that will help stabilize his fantast value.  On the season Miller is hitting .233 with 11 runs, five home runs, 15 RBI and four stolen bases.  Miller finds himself on pace for double-digit totals in home runs and stolen bases this season which makes him a valuable commodity given his position on the field.

Eduardo Nunez, MIN ((AL-Only, 14+ team standard leagues) - Nunez doesn’t get much love since he is on the Twins, but he is hitting .303 on the season with 16 runs, three home runs, 17 RBI and eight stolen bases on the season which is good enough to make him a top 10 fantasy shortstop yet he finds himself owned in just under 30 percent of standard leagues.  He has shown enough pop to get you into the low double-digits in home runs while swiping 20 or so stolen bases while maintaining a solid batting average.  Nunez also offers fantasy owners dual position eligibility to if you find yourself in need of a shortstop or third base upgrade then take a look at Nunez.

Outfield

Carlos Beltran, NYY (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) - Beltran is on fire right now as he is hitting .340 with 10 runs, four home runs, 15 RBI and an OPS of 1.113 over the last 15 days.  Apparently at full health, Beltran is proving that age is just a number as he is producing at a level not seen from him since 2012 when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 97 RBI for the Cardinals.  Though a switch hitter, Beltran is much better from the left side of the plate which plays favorably with his home ballpark of Yankee Stadium.  The Yankees lineup is healthy at the top right now with Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner setting the table at the top which should provide Beltran with plenty of RBI opportunities as long as everybody can stay in the lineup and off the disabled list.

Melvin Upton Jr., SD (NL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues) - Upton has been filling up the box scores of late as he is looking much more like the player of his Tampa days than the player the Braves signed to a big contract.  On the year Upton is hitting .253 with 18 runs, six home runs, 19 RBI and nine stolen bases.  The batting average will never be very attractive but he is already almost half way to 20 stolen bases and he is lock for double-digit home runs which makes him a valuable fantasy player in deeper leagues.  He is currently owned in just under 30 percent so it’s likely he is on the waiver wire if you are in need of an upgrade.

Trayce Thompson, LAD (NL-Only, 14+ team standard leagues) - Thompson is the younger brother of Warriors guard Klay Thompson so given the genetics it shouldn’t really be a surprise to see Trayce enjoying a strong sophomore season in the majors.  Thompson on the year is hitting .290 with 18 runs, seven home runs, 19 RBI and one stolen base over 38 games this season.  To his benefit he has no extreme split stats which should help him maintain a consistent role in the offense going forward.  Thompson has shown the ability to hit for some real power and if you finds yourself looking around the waiver wire for a player with real breakout potential I would go and give Thompson a look.

Pitchers

Jimmy Nelson, MIL (NL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues)- Nelson has tossed quality starts in 7-of-10 outings this season which includes quality starts in three straight.  His next start is slated to be at home on Sunday against a struggling Reds offense that should offer a favorable matchup.  He is currently ranked among the top 30 starters in fantasy and while he likely profiles better as a matchup play he finds himself owned in 40 percent of leagues so if you are looking for a pitching upgrade he is certainly a guy to take a look at.

Nathan Eovaldi, NYY (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues)- Eovaldi has tossed quality starts in three of his last four outings and over the last month he owns a 2.92 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP while striking out 28 over 37 innings.  His next start will come on Sunday against the Rays who are much better against left-handed pitching than right-handed pitching and offer plenty of strikeout potential.  The Yankees offense is also rolling of late which should put him in position to at the very least avoid a loss baring a total letdown performance.

Matt Andriese, TB (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues)- Andriese has been a popular add in recent weeks thanks to the great start he had gotten off to which included a complete game shutout performance against the A’s.  Overall on the season Andriese is 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP and will be making his next start on Wednesday against the Marlins who are a much better team against lefties than they are against righties.  Andriese is currently owned in just under 50 percent of standard leagues so there is a chance he is still floating around your waiver wire.

Sam Dyson, TEX (AL-Only, 12+ team standard leagues)- Dyson took over as closer from the struggling Shawn Tolleson and has been lights-out, converting four straight save opportunities while striking out four over four innings.  Dyson is not considered a temporary replacement for Tolleson which bodes well for his fantasy value and seeing as the Rangers have the potential to win games this season Dyson should be in for plenty of save chances.  He is currently owned in just over 40 percent of leagues so if you need saves help I would go and grab him now.