Two weeks in to the MLB season is still far too early to start dropping key players. If you own a star player that has underachieved like Nelson Cruz, you are simply going to have to wait it out. Meanwhile, injuries have been an issue early on for some teams, especially if you own a player like Josh Donaldson. While you don’t want to make the mistake of dropping potential stars in exchange for a hot player, you might want to add from the waiver wire if you can do so without dropping a big name. Here is a look at the top waiver wire options for this week in fantasy baseball.
OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Judge put his name on the list of players you might want to consider adding when he hit home runs in three straight games for New York. The Yankees outfielder has hit .250 with three home runs, eight runs and eight RBI so far this season. Judge is still just 24-years-old so he is only starting to tap in to his immense potential. New York has a favorable schedule this week including three home dates against the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees have opened the year with six straight home wins. Judge should be a quality MLB fantasy waiver wire option this week.
OF: Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners
Haniger is another young outfielder that has started to tape in to his immense potential early on this season. Haniger has hit .294 with four home runs and 11 RBI. He has recorded at least one hit in all but two of his games played this season. Haniger forced his way in to the lineup with a strong spring and if he continues to produce at a high level then Seattle will have no choice but to continue to give him opportunities.
The Mariners entered the week on a three-game winning streak and four of their last six. They have scored 15 runs during their three-game winning streak.
SP: Amir Garrett, Cincinnati Reds
Garrett didn’t get as much attention as he probably should have this spring. However, he is off to an excellent start and could be worth adding if he hasn’t already been picked up in your fantasy baseball league. Garrett has allowed just two runs on seven hits and two walks in 12.1 innings while striking out nine batters. The 24-year-old performed at a high level in Double-A and Triple-A last season so there is reason to believe he can sustain his level of play following a strong start.
SP: Brandon McCarthy, Los Angeles Dodgers
McCarthy struggled in each of his first two seasons with the Dodgers. However, there is reason to believe he could be a lot better following a strong start to this year. McCarthy has allowed two runs on eight hits in 12 innings of work through his first two starts of 2017. He also has eight strikeouts compared to four walks. The fact that McCarthy is finally healthy should help after he dealt with nagging injuries in each of the last two seasons. McCarthy should get some quality run support in Los Angeles, which makes him an intriguing waiver wire option in both the short and long term.
3B: Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds
Suarez was bound to perform at a high level this season as a 25-year-old with untapped potential. However, nobody would have expected him to be this good early on. Suarez has hit .364 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He owns a career-.316 OBP so there is reason to believe he can continue to hit at a high level following a strong start. Suarez is that much more valuable in leagues that count batting average, OBP or OPS. Suarez has the potential to produce at a high level this season. If you need help at third base, you might want to grab him now before he is scooped up in your fantasy baseball league.
The Reds have been one of the early surprises so far this season as they are in first place in the National League Central.
The MLB season is finally here, so if you’re looking at betting lines and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
