As Week 10 of the fantasy baseball begins let’s take a look at some of the top players that could be floating around the waiver wire in your league and are a certainly worth adding.  This week’s list includes a slew of top prospects that are finally coming into their own thanks to new opportunities and have the ability to impact the fantasy landscape.

Catcher

Russell Martin, TOR - Martin saw his ownership levels climb to over 50 percent this week as he starts turning things around.  Over the last two weeks he is hitting .263 with seven runs, four home runs, seven RBI and an OPS of .939. Martin has double-digit home run power and if he can continue to show improvements he should have plenty of RBI and run scoring opportunities given the potent Blue Jays offense.

Matt Wieters, BAL – Wieters has his ownership up over 65 percent in most standard leagues as he too begins to turn his season around at the dish. Over the past two weeks he is hitting .300 with three runs, one home run, nine RBI and an OPS of .733.  It was just a few seasons ago that Wieters was a lock for 20 home runs at the catcher position but Tommy John surgery really hindered his play last year.  Now healthy it looks as if Wieters is returning to the form that made him one of the league’s top offensive catchers.

Wilson Ramos, WAS - Ramos is off to a great 2016 season, hitting .342 with 19 runs, seven home runs, 29 RBI and an OPS of .934.  These numbers have him ranking as a top three catcher in most fantasy formats yet he is still available nearly 20 percent of fantasy leagues.  Over the last week Ramos has been EN FUEGO, hitting .500 with six runs, two home runs, six RBI and an OPS of 1.651. If he is on your waiver wire I would suggest making a play to put him on your roster in all fantasy formats.

First Base

Matt Adams, STL - Adams is owned in just under 30 percent of standard leagues despite performing at a level that has him ranking near the top 10 first basemen in fantasy this season.  Over the past two weeks Adams is hitting .441 with five runs, three home runs, 10 RBI and an OPS of 1.340.  Overall on the season Adams is hitting .325 with 17 runs, seven home runs and 27 RBI.  That type of production deserves to be owned in all league formats and with the Cardinals finally giving him near everyday playing time Adams looks poised for a career year.

Mike Napoli, CLE - Napoli is making it easy for his owners to live with his low average as he continues to launch home runs at an impressive rate.  Over the past week Napoli is hitting .231 but with six runs, three home runs, six RBI and an OPS of .915.  He is owned in just over 50 percent of standard leagues and hits in the middle of the Indians lineup.  If you can live with his low batting average there is 30 home run upside here as he already has hit 14 home runs through nine weeks this season.

Yangervis Solarte, SD - Solarte has been on fire since coming off the disabled list, hitting .370 with 10 runs, four home runs, 11 RBI and an OPS of 1.127 over the past two weeks.  The Padres have him hitting in the middle of their lineup which has been fairly productive overall of late.  He is currently owned in just under 20 percent of standard leagues but is certainly a must own in NL-only formats and given his ability to play either corner infield spot his ownership levels should jump in mixed league formats as well.

Second Base

Devon Travis, TOR – Travis has struggled a bit since being activated by the Blue Jays, hitting just .195 with seven runs, one home run, five RBI and one stolen base but prior to his recent 0-10 skid he had collected hits in seven of his first eight games.  Before getting injured in 2015 Travis had hit .304 with 38 runs, eight home runs, 35 RBI and three stolen bases so the talent is certainly there and the Blue Jays potent lineup offers plenty of upside.  Travis is currently owned in just over 30 percent of standard leagues but is worth a stash in deeper league formats as he will eventually get rolling.

Jurickson Profar, TEX - At one time Profar was the No.1 rated prospect in baseball according to Baseball America but injuries cost him nearly two years of his career.  Now 23 years old and healthy, Profar is showing the talent that once made him that highly touted prospect.  Currently hitting .370 with 11 runs, two home runs, three RBI and an OPS of 1.013 the Rangers had initially stated that Profar would be optioned back to Triple-A once Rougned Odor returned from his suspension but the upside that Profar offers has kept him with the club and it looks like he is there to stay.  He is currently owned in just over 30 percent of standard leagues but that ownership percentage is quickly on the rise so I suggest acting fast if you see him on your waiver wire.

Javier Baez, CHC - The Cubs are starting to give Baez more playing time and Monday’s injury to Jorge Soler could create a bigger role in the offense as Ben Zobrist would likely shift into the outfield on a more permanent basis with Baez playing second base.  Over the past week Baez is hitting .211 with three runs, two home runs, six RBI and an OPS of .829.  The low batting average is something that fantasy owners may have to live with given his swing and miss ability. However, the power upside with Baez is real and he is hitting .357 with an OPS of 1.026 against south paws so there is potential for him to be an effective matchup play if you can carry him on the roster.  He is currently owned in just 15 percent of standard leagues but should be owned in most NL-only formats and deeper mixed standard leagues.

Shortstop

Eduardo Nunez, MIN - I continue to be amazed at the ownership levels of Nunez as he is available in over 40 percent of standard leagues despite hitting .335 with 27 runs, seven home runs, 22 RBI and 12 stolen bases on the year.  Over the past week Nunez is hitting .321 with six runs, two home runs, two RBI and three stolen bases which has helped him maintain his status as a top five shortstop in most standard leagues.  Nunez is also eligible at third base which only adds to his fantasy value.  He is well on his way to reaching double-digit home runs and 20-plus stolen bases so do yourself a favor and grab him if you see him on your waiver wire.

Jonathan Villar, MIL - While it’s great to see Villar’s ownership levels rising he is still available in nearly 20 percent of standard leagues but my crusade to keep him on this list until he approaches 90 percent owned continues as he is hitting .307 with 31 runs, five home runs, 25 RBI and 21 stolen bases on the year which is good enough to make him the top rated shortstop in the majority of fantasy formats.  Over the last week he is hitting .304 with five runs, three home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases.  Check your waiver wire as he likely finds himself available in standard mixed leagues although he should be owned everywhere given his production.

Brad Miller, TB - Miller is having himself a solid season in Tampa through the first nine weeks of the season, hitting .241 with 17 runs, five home runs, 18 RBI and four stolen bases.  Miller possess the power and speed combo that should see him finish the year with double-digit totals in home runs and stolen bases which immediately gives his fantasy value a boost.  Over the past two weeks Miller is also hitting .306 with seven runs, three RBI and two stolen bases which has helped his batting average climb up to a respectable number.  Miller does struggle against southpaws so fantasy owners will want to pay attention to his matchup but with his ownership levels hovering just under 20 percent there is good chance he is on your waiver wire should you need help at the shortstop position.

Third Base

Danny Valencia, OAK - In case you might have thought that Valencia has slowed down I am here to tell you that he has not.  Over the last seven days he is hitting .444 with five runs, two home runs, four RBI and an OPS of 1.490.  He finds himself available in nearly 25 percent of fantasy leagues as his ownership rates continues to rise but even in 10 man leagues Valencia is a must own.  On the year he is hitting .343 with 26 runs, nine home runs and 22 RBI for the Athletics and unlike in year’s past where Valencia had a split discrepancy against righties vs lefties he has handled the bat well against both this year making him a safe daily play.

Jake Lamb, ARI – The power continues to be there for Lamb as he has hit four home runs over the past two weeks to go with seven runs, nine RBI and an OPS of .863.  He finds himself owned in just under 50 percent of standard leagues so it’s more than likely he is floating around your waiver wire.  He is a must own in all NL-Only formats and those in mixed standard leagues should add him to their roster and start him when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound as he hits .299 with an OPS of .933 against them this season vs .118 against southpaws.

Jose Ramirez, CLE - Ramirez continues to swing a hot bat for the Indians, hitting .375 with five runs, one RBI, one stolen base and an OPS of .942 over the last week.  He is a unique fantasy player seeing as he is eligible to play nearly every position on the field except catcher and first base and his ownership levels have risen steadily because of it. Currently, Ramirez is owned in just over 70 percent of fantasy leagues but is a must own in AL-only formats and his position versatility along with his recent production should see his ownership levels continue to climb. 

Outfield

Adam Duvall, CIN - Duvall saw a massive jump in ownership over the last week as fantasy owners are finally figuring out the tear that this guy is on.  While his batting average does not jump off the page he has still hit eight home runs over the past two weeks while scoring 13 runs and driving in 18.  He is owned in about 70 percent of leagues and is a must own in all NL-only formats as he finds himself well on his way to a career year in the home run department.

Byron Buxton, MIN – Buxton looks like a totally different player this time around for the Twins and fantasy owners need to jump on him now while they still can.  Since his call up Buxton is hitting .435 with three runs, two RBI, one stolen base and an OPS of 1.069.  Following his demotion to Triple-A Buxton tore up minor league pitching and displayed the talents that made him the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball.  His power and speed combo make him an instant game changer in the fantasy world if he has truly turned a corner.  Buxton is still striking out a ton and the Twins have him batting ninth but he should find his way to the top of the lineup sooner rather than later.

Carlos Beltran, NYY - How about the season Carlos Beltran is having huh?  The 39-year-old outfielder is hitting .272 with 30 runs, 14 home runs and 36 RBI through the first nine weeks of the season.  Over the past two weeks he is hitting .267 with eight runs, five home runs, nine RBI and an OPS of .913.  Currently Beltran finds himself on pace to reach the 30 home run plateau for the first time since 2012 when he was a member of the Cardinals.  Of course at his age health is certainly a concern as Beltran has missed time in each of the past three seasons however for now if you need outfield help he is certainly a player worth riding. Beltran is currently available in nearly 40 percent of standard leagues so check your waiver wire if you are in need of some home run power.

Pitchers

Michael Fulmer, DET - Fulmer was impressive on Monday night as he shutout the potent Blue Jays offense over six strong innings. He has now tossed 21.1 straight scoreless innings while allowing just seven hits while striking out 16 during that stretch. Overall on the season Fulmer is now 6-1 with a 2.83 ERA and a WHIP of 1.17 while striking out 49 over 47.2 innings.  He finds himself available in nearly 40 percent of standard leagues and draws a relatively favorable matchup against the Yankees in his next start who are full of strikeout potential.

CC Sabathia, NYY- Sabathia has been a stud on the mound since being activated from the disabled list, allowing just three earned runs on 12 hits while striking out 24 over 24 innings.  Sabathia no longer has the overpowering fastball but he has displayed great control, aside from his last start when he walked six, which has allowed him to still pitch effectively.  There are a few regression indicators with CC such as his incredible low HR/FB rate but his BABIP is around league average so as long as he can limit the free passes the eventual increase in home runs may not be too costly.  His next start will be a tough one as he faces a Tigers offense that is really clicking right now.  In an earlier start this season Sabathia held Detriot to three earned runs over six innings as he picked up his first win of the year.

Jon Gray, COL - I understand the hesitation when it comes to owning a Rockies pitcher however Gray has some legit swing and miss stuff and while ultimately his home ballpark will cause him to have some rough outings when he is on the road I would consider him a must start.  Over his last three outings Gray has allowed seven earned runs over 20.1 innings while striking out 22.  His next start will be a favorable one against a Padres team that he has already faced twice this season and in those two starts has registered strikeout totals of 11 and 12.  While both of those starts came in the pitcher friendly confines of Petco Park, Gray will have to deal with pitching at Coors this time around but I would still trust him against a Padres team that he has dominated so far this season.