Despite the fact the season began a mere 13 days ago, there have been a boatload of injuries. When enduring the 162-game grind, it’s simply going to happen. The waiver-wire is filled with massive amounts of gems that will fit perfectly on your roster until your injured boss hog returns. Not trying to toot our own horn at all, but we hope you’ve been paying attention to some of our suggestions these past couple of weeks.

10-Team Leagues

Eric Thames, MIL OF/1B (58% ownership), FAAB Bid - $17 – Yeah, maybe we’re jumping the gun, but whatever adjustments he made while in Korea have done him wonders. He’s 11-for-30 (.367) with three home runs and eight runs batted in. The last three seasons in Korea he hit 37, 47 and 40 home runs respectively. Thames has brought that power cross-country with him as six of his 11 hits have been for extra bases. He’s demolished starting pitching early on this year, posting a 1.367 OPS. Is what he doing sustainable? It’s highly doubtful. He’s not in Korea anymore. That said, he’s someone who must be owned right now with how hot of a start he’s gotten off to.

Michael Conforto, NYM OF (19% ownership), FAAB Bid - $13 – Pick him up YESTERDAY. Conforto is on an absolute tear to begin 2017 and it seems to us that he is sick and tired of being sent down to the minors. Maybe thrusting him into the three-hole last year right out of the gates wasn’t the best idea, but he’s ready for the spotlight now. Yeah, we know, there are only three outfield spots and four everyday players. Two since Yoenis Cespedes occupies one. But that being said, this team is going to find a spot for Conforto going forward, especially with how he’s begun to play in 2017. Try telling us someone with a .867 SLG% and a 1.34 OPS is going to rot on the bench. Not going to happen.

12-Team Leagues

Steven Souza Jr., TB OF (16% ownership), FAAB Bid - $12 – It seemingly takes some players a little longer to figure it out than others, and Souza is falling right into that category. Souza has played decently over the last two seasons, but he’s yet to flash the potential he showed in the minors when he put up 20-plus home run campaigns and even hit .345 in MiLB during the 2014 season. He’s slashing .325/.426/.575/1.001 to start his year. Souza should definitely be in line to play more than 120 games this season, as the Rays aren’t rotating five outfielders like they did in ’16. His ability to crush LHP is an added bonus, too. He leads the majors in line-drive rate against southpaws since the start of 2016 at 33.3-percent.

Brandon McCarthy, LAD SP (21% ownership), FAAB Bid - $9-11 – Before his injury riddled 2015 and 2016 campaigns, McCarthy earned himself a fat contract with LAD because of his pitching with the Yankees during the 2014 campaign. Now that he is healthy, he seems like he’s rounding back into the same form he was with the Bronx Bombers in ’14. He’s 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.0 WHIP. He started regaining this form after last year’s All-star break. He allowed a .152 BABIP to his opponent’s meat of the order, ranking third in all of baseball and on top of that, the opposition hit .185 against him on pitches within the strike zone, which slotted him first in the whole league in that category. That data tells us how much his ball is moving and how hard it is to make solid contact. Scoop him up while he’s hot.

Travis d’Arnaud, NYM C (29% ownership), FAAB bid - $ 7 – d’Arnaud is starting to rake at the dish, which is playing him out of the current timeshare he’s in with Renee Rivera. His nine RBI ranks him seventh in the entire league and first amongst all catchers. Not to mention he’s showing a slot of power thus far in 2017, posting five extra-base hits in 27 at-bats. Although he looks identical to a created player in MLB The Show, he’s the perfect fit in 12-team, two-catcher leagues.

15-team leagues

Antonio Senzatala, COL SP (9% ownership), FAAB Bid - $6-7 – With Jon Gray down for at least the next month, the Rockies rotation needs to step up. After being a dark horse for the final rotation spot. Senzatala has shined over his first two starts this season, pitching to a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 12 innings. He was ranked the 10th best prospect in the Rockies system according to Baseball America before the season, but is showing far more potential than that thus far. Even if this pickup is just to fill your roster until Gray returns, he’s worth the investment with what he’s showed us thus far.

Jordan Montgomery, NYY SP (1% ownership), FAAB Bid - $3 – As of right now, this is a pickup for AL only or 15-team leagues. Montgomery has had just one start in the bigs and he didn’t even last five innings. That said, he showed how dangerous of an arm he has, striking out seven Rays in his 4 2/3’s IP. He also flashed pretty gaudy numbers in the minors, posting a 8.7 K/9 or better in three seasons while posting a sub 1.2 WHIP in each campaign as well. If Noah Syndergaard misses a start or two because of his blister or you’re a Jon Gray owner and need a replacement, Montgomery could fill the void for the short or long term.

 

*ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo

** FAAB bids based on $100 budget