Waiver Wire: Pick ‘Em Up!

There Are a Bevy of Players You Should Pick Up

Three weeks into the season a few players have started to separate themselves from being known as flukes, and we have waited long enough to now recommend picking them up.

There are still a few players we are waiting for so we can recommend them to you, but here are the newest guys we think you should pick up.

Miguel Olivo is now the full-time catcher for the Rockies as Chris Iannetta has struggled mightily to start the season. Olivo is such a beast he passed kidney stones earlier last week, and played later that night. He is hitting .313, with five HR, 13 RBI and is one of the best hitting catchers in MLB right now.

Austin Jackson is currently hitting .322 with 17 runs, and should be picked up in your league as long as he is hot. A lot of people in Detroit love Jackson, but he will eventually finish the season below .300, so get him in your lineup as long as he is hitting this well. Jackson is not a patient hitter, and strikes out too much, but as long as he is hitting well over .300 you can probably find a spot on your roster for him.

Ty Wiggington is hitting the cover off the ball in Brian Roberts’ absence, but the good thing is Roberts will not be back until mid May. Pick up Wiggington and immediately put him in your starting lineup, because he is hitting .322, with six HR, and 12 RBI. Meaning, he is likely hitting better than the guy you have ahead of him.

Andruw Jones will likely lead your team in HR the instant you pick him up. Jones, the aging, but effective once again OF, is hitting nearly .275, with six HR, and three SB. He only has nine RBI, which is not his fault, but his lowly White Sox teammates’. Pick up Jones and hope he can continue to produce.

Frank Francisco started out slowly and was slightly demoted, but it looks like he is righting the ship. He has not given up a run in his last four appearances and it seems like he will be the Rangers full-time closer very soon. Neftali Felix might get a few more chances to close in the mean time, but keep a close eye on Franky, or be proactive and pick him up.

Andy LaRoche is on fire, to say the least. He is currently hitting .380, with only two HR, and five RBI, but he has six BB and only eight K. He is getting on base at a .456 clip, and if you are looking for a 3B, and some instant offense, LaRoche might be your guy. He is more of an on base guy, who will score runs, rather than a slugging 3B, but he is an adequate replacement for the time being.

Although Tom Gorzelanny is 0-3, has been very impressive for the lowly Cubs. Gorzo is sporting a 2.45 ERA, and a very impressive 1.04 WHIP, but the Cubs cannot score any runs. He faces a mediocre Diamondbacks team in his next start, meaning expect another solid outing from him, but do not expect a win.

Mitch Talbot is throwing very well for the Indians and he is only a rookie. Talbot is 3-1, with a 2.05 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP in 26 1/3 IP. He faces an average Blue Jays offense next time out, and expect much of the same from the rookie.

Alberto Callaspo should have been drafted in your league, and be sure to pick him up if he is still available. He should have 2B and 3B eligibility and he is nearly hitting .300 in 2010 and he has three HR and 12 RBI so far in this season.

Jon Garland is 2-2 for the upstart Padres with a 2.57 ERA, but JG is walking too many people, leading to his ugly 1.42 WHIP. If you need an emergency starter, you can try Garland against the Brewers, who only score runs against the Pirates.

Kevin Correia is 4-1 for the first place Padres and it is because of his 3.85 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. KC does not walk many people, and has a K:BB ratio over 2:1, and he should be available in most leagues.

John Maine had one bad start this year when he allowed eight ER against a tough Rockies team, but he has been better than average since. He has only allowed six ER in his last three starts combined and faces a lowly Reds team his next time out. It is a good matchup start for Maine, and you might have found another starting pitcher when you pick him up.

Matt Anaya
Twitter.com/MatAnaya
Twitter.com/DugoutDoctors

There Are a Bevy of Players You Should Pick Up April 29, 2010 – Matt Anaya Three weeks into the season a few players have started to separate themselves from being known as flukes, and we have waited long enough to now recommend picking them up. There are still a few players we are waiting [...]