Believe it or not we are already approaching the halfway point in the season, and it has certainly been quite a ride. I hope everyone’s fantasy team is holding up just fine. If you are disappointed in your fantasy team’s performance thus far, don’t panic yet. Three months is still a lot of time to make up ground if you play your cards right and are continually looking for ways to upgrade your team.
If you are satisfied with where your team is at thus far, this is still a crucial time to look for an upgrade if possible. The last time I checked, you don’t get much for being in first place at the end of June. So what I’m trying to say is…don’t get complacent! Here are some guys you might want to give some thought about adding.
Format for waiver wire watch:
- 50-75% Owned – Player qualifies for 10-team league
- 25-49% Owned – Player qualifies for 12-team league
- Less than 25% Owned – Player qualifies for 14-team league
Again, these percentages are found on Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball.
Ivan Nova has the opportunity to pick up quite a few wins alongside the Yankees’ thunderous offense. (Photo by Keith Allison via CC BY-SA 2.0)
10-team league hitter to watch
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARI
If your team might need an extra source of power from the first base position, look no farther than Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Goldschmidt started off the season miserably by batting only .193 in April with just 1 HR and 8 RBI for the month. However, he has been on a tear ever since batting .314 in May and .344 in June. Since April, Goldschmidt has a total of 9 HR and 24 RBI. He put up prodigious power numbers throughout the minor leagues, and he can certainly give your team a power surge.
10-team league pitcher to watch
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY
It’s not too often that a player can perform well in the Bronx and still go under the radar, but that is exactly what is happening with Ivan Nova this season. Nova is currently tied for third in the AL with 9 wins on the season, and he has at least pitched into the seventh inning in five out of his last six starts.
The wins Nova can potentially rack up are his most intriguing statistic. With the thunderous offense in New York providing plenty of run support for Nova, he has a higher probability of winning a ballgame than most pitchers do.
12-team league hitter to watch
Dayan Viciedo, OF, CWS
Dayan Viciedo is a very streaky hitter that tends to hit home runs in bunches. Despite having a rather cold month of June, there is reason to believe that another hot streak might be happening in the not-too-distant future.
After struggling for most of the month, Viciedo might have had a breakout game on Saturday by going 3 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBI, and he can carry a fantasy team when he gets hot. Keep Viciedo on your radar, because if his recent game against the Brewers is a sign of things to come, you are going to want to be the first person to add him.
12-team league pitcher to watch
Jonathan Niese, SP, NYM
Jonathan Niese has thrown the ball as well as anyone this month, but the good news for fantasy owners is that not too many people have taken notice. In 26.1 IP this month, Niese has an ERA of 2.05 and has struck out 28 batters over that time period. Overall on the season, Niese has struck out 79 batters in 81.2 IP, thus his recent strikeout numbers are no fluke. He is a great find for starting staffs that could use a boost.
14-team league hitter to watch
Michael Saunders, OF, SEA
Fantasy owners are usually the first ones to recognize when a potential “five-tool player” starts to heat up at the plate. It looks like Michael Saunders might be an exception though. Saunders has a very respectable combination of power and speed that has not been noticed. He currently has 8 HR and 12 SB on the season and has a shot of having a 20/20 season if he can slightly pick up his power production. He has been in a pretty good grove in June as well by posting an AVG of .309 for the month to go along with 4 HR and 5 SB.
14-team league pitcher to watch
Tommy Milone, SP, OAK
Tommy Milone has turned out to be a pleasant surprise for Oakland this season— comparable to a young Mark Buehrle. In his past two starts Milone has pitched a total of 16 innings while allowing only one earned run in the process. His 8 wins are tied for third in the AL, and his 1.19 WHIP ranks him in the top 10. Consistency is key for any starting rotation, and that includes fantasy rotations. Look for Milone to continue building upon a solid first half.
** All statistics used are as of Monday, June 25, 2012.
