The Great Thing About June Prospects...

The latest edition of the (Waiver) Wire has been posted at Crucial Sports. This week we take a look at the early call ups. June is always better in my opinion for prospects. For one, you can actually have them in your lineup long enough to make a difference. Two, the teams calling these guys up actually want and need them to contribute to the rotations and lineups they have just joined.

A sample:

Brignac was once a top prospect of the Devilish Rays but he never quite produced or defended the way they wanted. He has shown the ability to hit for power and the ability to steal bases. He should receive plenty of playing time with Akinori Iwamura and Jason Bartlett both on the disabled list. His problem as a hitter was always strikeouts but so far this season he is showing improved patience and discipline at the plate. This is an excellent player to take a chance on in AL-only leagues.

and another sample:

The Mets lineup has more than its fair share of problems right now. Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, and Ryan Church are all on the disabled list. Carlos Beltran is playing banged up, and rookie Daniel Murphy is experiencing some of the downs that young players do. I believe that all of the previous mentioned players will bounce back strongly, well except Church. It seems obvious to me that manager Jerry Manuel is not a big fan of Ryan Church. He benched him for rookie this spring (Murphy) and encouraged the Mets to pick up the remains of what was once Gary Sheffield. So how easy is it to believe that he will plug the Mets highly anticipated phenomenal prospect into the lineup and never take him out? Not hard at all.

Now on the Waiver Wire...

The latest edition of The (Waiver) Wire is now up on Crucial Sports. As usual it features a mix of players that may be available in a wide variety of leagues. You can check it out as always by following this link:

The (Waiver) Wire A small sample:

The Mets have more than their fair share of problems this season. David Wright is doing his annual Augie Ojeda imitation. Doc Gooden signed the newly painted walls of Citi Field. In addition, Darryl Strawberry shared what he and Wilt Chamberlain have in common. With all of this happening, it would be easy to miss Jerry Manuel falling in love with Omir Santos. Santos came up through the Yankees’ system. He was considered one of those all glove no bat catching prospects. However, that has changed recently, and although he will never be a Russell Martin or Joe Mauer, he can certainly be an acceptable National League catcher in your NL-only league.

Eight (plus one) Pitchers That Improve Your Fantasy Team

Okay, they are not available in every league, but they are available in a surprising number of mixed leagues. Check out my latest article on Crucial Sports (posted Monday Afternoon) for write-ups and statistics on the following pitchers that can improve your fantasy team.

1. Manny Corpas
2. LaTroy Hawkins
3. Derek Holland
4. Justin Masterson
5. Garrett Mock
6. Franklin Morales
7. Carl Pavano
8. Glen Perkins
9. Jordan Zimmerman

The (Waiver) Wire

You can read this week's edition of the (Waiver) Wire at Crucial Sports. Today, as it usually will, the article features several players available in various types of leagues.

Check out the (Waiver) Wire

...With DeWayne Wise sent to the disabled list, the Chicago White Sox once again return to Brian Anderson and Jerry Owens as options. Anderson will receive the first opportunity to solidify himself as the regular center fielder. Anderson was well thought of as a prospect but failed to live up to his potential. At best, he should hit for average with middling power. He does not have much above average speed (if at all) but will steal bases given the opportunity and manager Ozzie Guillen is likely to demand it of his leadoff hitter. Jerry Owens does not have the skills that Anderson has shown at times but he definitely has superior tools. Those tools are what make him a constant stolen base threat when he can find his way on base. Scott Podsednik signed a minor league deal with the White Sox after his late spring release from the Colorado Rockies. Podsednik was an effective leadoff hitter for the ChiSox a few years ago and should Anderson and Owens fail to deliver, Guillen would not hesitate to call for Podsednik’s return...

Read More

...Go the Spoils

The latest (waiver) Wire column is up at Crucial Sports. This week's article dives into some of the spring training battles and tries to decide if the losers will retain any value. This was written just before the flurry of activity the last few days. More computer problems have limited my posting ability. This time it's my moden or router (maybe both). Anyway, You'll probably see a lot of stuff pop up on the site tonight and tomorrow in my ten minute hits of internet access. So, yes, lots of short to the point posts.

A sample from The (Waiver) Wire.

Seth Smith over the Top Prospects as Rockies Left Fielder

Because of their loaded outfield, the Rockies forced Seth Smith to spend an extra year at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Smith is a fine hitter. He makes excellent contact and draws walks, which bodes well for his batting average. The Rockies will be batting Smith second in the lineup to take advantage of his high on-base percentage. He is more of a doubles hitter than a homerun hitter but 15-20 homers playing in the thin air is very possible. Smith runs well, but has not been a big base stealer.

The Wire Option

Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez are likely to spend most of the season in the minors. Both players have tremendous tools and project as future major league regulars and could be stars. There is likely no need for them in 2009 with Matt Murton and infielders like Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker likely to appear in the outfield. Murton makes an excellent reserve because of his power potential. Murton definitely intrigued Rockies fans with his excellent spring performance.

The Wire... Waiver That Is...

I have a an article about ten sleeper outfielders up at Crucial Sports which you can check out by clicking the link below:
The Wire and Sister Aloysius

A list of the players featured:

Travis Buck

Nelson Cruz

Elijah Dukes

Jeff Francoeur

Brett Gardner

Daniel Murphy

Felix Pie

Nate Schierholtz

Ryan Spilborghs

Justin Upton

Future Tense: Top 50 Prospects

Mark Haverty has written the Sporting News Annual Top 50 Prospects reports for years. This year the report is exclusive to Crucial Sports - Haverty's own website. This is a great list whether for fantasy purposes or just a general love of prospects because it helps readers understand the true value of prospects. The prospect with years of experience in the minors is usually rated higher than the prospect with awesome tools but no track record. Check out a sample below and check out the full report and the write-ups at the link below.

Check out the Full Top 50 Prospect Report

1. Matt Wieters, Catcher, Baltimore Orioles

The best catching prospect in the minors, Wieters possesses not only plus power potential but also impeccable plate discipline. Wieters barely struck out more than he walked in High-A Frederick (44 walks, 47 strikeouts), and he drew more walks than strikeouts (38:29) while in Double-A Bowie. The trading of Ramon Hernandez by the Orioles this offseason was one with one thing in mind – clearing room for Wieters to be the starting catcher in 2009.

2. David Price, Starting Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

3. Tommy Hanson, Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

4. Madison Bumgarner, Starting Pitcher, San Francisco Giants

5. Jason Heyward, Outfielder, Atlanta Braves

6. Colby Rasmus, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals

7. Travis Snider, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals

8. Cameron Maybin, Outfielder, Florida Marlins

9. Brett Anderson, Starting Pitcher, Oakland Athletics

10. Trevor Cahill, Starting Pitcher, Oakland Athletics

Check out the Full Top 50 Prospect Report

Sleeper Alert: Gordon Beckham (from the Waiver Wire)

The Waiver (Wire) is a column I will be writing for Crucial Sports this season. It should appear on Mondays. It will feature write-ups of players that are available in a lot of leagues. I think you'll find it very useful. You can click the link above to check out the most recent version.

This week one of the player's featured is Gordon Beckham. His performance this spring is making it difficult for the Chicago White Sox to settle for one of their more mediocre options. This is just a small sample from a much larger article.

Gordon Beckham 2B Chicago White Sox

He belongs in the big leagues. Every scout and general manager that has seen Gordon Beckham play this spring has said that he looks ready. He has just 56 at-bats at single-A but White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams would love him to begin the season as the starting second baseman. Though it seems unlikely, Beckham only has to be a better option that the underwhelming group of Chris Getz, Jayson Nix, and Brent Lillibridge. Beckham came from the University of Georgia, which has a level of play comparable to the lower minors. He projects to hit for average and power with the speed to steal bases. He was a shortstop at the University of Georgia but the switch to second should not be a problem. Beckham hit .411 with 28 homers and 77 RBI in 71 games for the Bulldogs. He also stole 17 bases. In 14 games at Class A for the White Sox he hit .310 with 3 homers and 8 RBI. He then went on to the Arizona Fall League where he hit .394 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 18 games. As of his first ten appearances this spring, he has hit .364 with two homers, five doubles, and six RBI. He belongs in the big leagues.