Week 6 Waiver Targets by Kyle Elfrink

Long time readers ('long-time,' being, well, about three months here at Fantistics!) might recall my tongue-in-cheek view that we should eliminate the catcher position from fantasy leagues. I have not altered my stance from a couple of months ago, but this weeks' waiver targets on the hitting side, speak to one of my arguments from that column.

I never invest in the position because of injury and ineffectiveness. We've already seen the injuries pile up (Jonathan Lucroy, Devin Mesoraco, Yan Gomes, Travis d'Arnaud, Matt Wieters, John Jaso) and the lengthy list of ineffective backstops is not far behind (Wilin Rosario, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Hanigan, Tyler Flowers, Chris Iannetta, Mike Zunino). Count it up ... that's a dozen of the 'Top 30 Catchers' entering the season.

As we journey into the world of the waiver for this week, I've listed a few mediocre catchers to consider. I'm not overly keen on any of the offered options, but I know that there are fantasy players, most notably in those two catcher leagues, who are on the look-out for anything that might stick.

This week's edition also features the 'snatch-and-stash' that the month of May is so known for. We've entered the segment of the schedule where we begin to hear about possible high-end call-up's and Super-2 status. For those looking for a possible long-shot savior, now is the time to make the preemptive strike.

(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that says you have to likely be unowned in a vast majority of 12-team mixed leagues. At the end of each player note, I'll also provide a suggested bid for those that use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) for their waiver process (based on a $100 budget). Understand that this is only a suggestion ... if you just lost you're a starting outfielder to injury and you have an immediate need or gaping hole in your lineup, you will find it necessary to bid more in order to get that week's top available outfielder.

Hitters

Kyle Blanks, 1B, Texas

Blanks has received yet another big league shot thanks to Mitch Moreland's elbow injury. The good news is that he's taken advantage of the look-see (a .375 batting mark with three long balls in just 32 ABs). The bad news is that Moreland should start up his rehab this weekend, with an expected return to the bigs by next weekend. The Rangers have already broached the idea of sending Blanks to the outfield, but for a big guy who has continually struggled to stay on the diamond (a DL stint every single season since '09!) there's inherent risk. Blanks has always had an intriguing power bat, but this is not a player you can pick up and expect to still be starting even two weeks from now.

Suggested FAAB bid - $2

Justin Bour, 1B, Miami

Mike Morse's free agent signing is already looking to be a swing-and-miss. His total lack of punch (a slugging percentage sinking to an unfathomably low .293) landed him on the bench for a few games this past week and that opened the door for Bour. He slapped a homer versus Washington and had some positive early at-bats. But, the tag 'prospect' has never been tossed around with him. He's not up because he's necessarily deserving. He's up because Morse is still searching for the correct code. Bour's ceiling is low enough to scrape a toddler's head.

Suggested FAAB bid - N/A

Carlos Correa, SS, Houston

'The Future All-Star' (every publication says so!) has been owning the minors this year. Even though he's just 20 (!), Correa has shown no growing pains at AA Corpus Christi, slashing his way to an eye-popping .390/.467/.743 line. The whispers about a late-May, early-June call-up have grown noisier. Right now, the Astros are playing well despite the fact that they're rolling out Marwin Gonzalez and Jonathan Villar at SS each night. If Correa had not missed a big chunk of last year with a leg injury, he'd have a much greater amount of experience under his belt. GM Jeff Luhnow has mostly admitted he just hasn't had enough at-bats, yet (under 200 at AA, and none at AAA ... even Bryce Harper needed 70+ at AAA). Correa could get his debut by June 10th and that's enough to make a stash for those in re-draft leagues of at least a dozen teams. Just understand you'll be playing with a short roster until then and, as I'm legally obligated to write with any rookie, nothing is guaranteed.

Suggested FAAB bid - $14 (if you can afford the luxury of owning a non-producer for a month)

Yasmani Grandal, C, LA Dodgers

Grandal leaped to everyone's attention on Thursday when he clubbed a pair of homers while driving in eight in a laugher at Milwaukee. Before the dams burst, the former-Padre had done nothing but disappoint in his first year at Chavez Ravine. He's definitely better than he has shown and there's a good chance that he can be a top 15 catcher the rest of the way. Consider him a May gift if you're struggling to find an option at the catcher position. Remember, he did push out 15 homers last year.

Suggested FAAB bid - $8

Kelly Johnson, 2B/3B/OF, Atlanta

This guy is still around?! Yes, he is. And, not only is he playing nearly every single night, but he's performing well while offering infield and outfield eligibility. What is there not to like, eh? Well, for one thing he is Kelly Johnson. That's a bit unfair, though. He's always had power even in his so-called down seasons. He has five campaigns with at least 15 round-trippers and he's well on his way to surpassing that total again this season as he's already left the yard a half-dozen times. He's an excellent asset in leagues where you're allowed to make daily changes. Plus, of late, he's been making the Braves' clean-up spot his home.

Suggested FAAB bid - $6

Caleb Joseph, C, Baltimore

At this pace, who needs Matt Wieters? Baltimore (and, fantasy players everywhere) have had their patience tested with the eternal rehab of Wieters and while we all wait, we've received a lengthy look at Joseph. He's nothing special, but he does add some decent pop for the position (12 homers in just 317 career ABs). Like so many 4th-tier catchers, you'll see 30 at-bat runs where you want him and then the next 30 at-bat run reminds you why you never considered him. Nothing more than filler.

Suggested FAAB bid - $1

Jimmy Paredes, 2B, Baltimore

Here's an Oriole that is a bit more interesting. He could certainly be gone by now in your league, but if he isn't, pay attention. Paredes is usually in the 2-spot of the O's batting order every night. He's found a nice home, too, with at least a hit in 13 of his 15 starts. Nearly half of hits (10 of 21) have also gone for extra-bases (four home runs included in that total). He's shown off a nice talent at the dish for a few years in the minors, but it's never translated to the majors. His glove needs work, but Baltimore loves the early returns and will continue to turn to him while they deal with injuries.

Suggested FAAB bid - $5

Carlos Peguero, OF, Texas

The Rangers were getting zilch out of Peguero before this week. He went to Houston and Tampa and racked up some positive moments, though, and the waiver wire add questions have followed. Little needs to be asked. You have to be in dire straits to go in this route. Understand that he's looking at maybe 2-3 starts per week when Leonys Martin returns from his wrist injury.

Suggested FAAB bid - $1

Carlos Perez, C, LA Angels

Perez glued eyeballs with his game-winning, walk-off home run earlier this week. Consider Chris Iannetta on notice. Perez has a shot to get some split time here, if not even more. He came up through the minor leagues with a glove-first reputation, but he was off to a strong start at Salt Lake. That, combined with Iannetta's inability to do much of anything made for an easy decision to call him up. There's probably no long-term score with Perez, but he can hold the fort for a few weeks if you find yourself in a 2-catcher league bind.

Suggested FAAB bid - $2

Preston Tucker, OF, Houston

Tucker was promoted this week after scorching the Pacific Coast League for a minor league-best mark of 10 home runs. Unfortunately, as soon as George Springer (concussion) returns in the upcoming week, Tucker won't have a role with the Astros and will likely head back to Fresno. The top thing that can outweigh talent? A lack of playing time.

Suggested FAAB bid - $1

Pitchers

Alex Colome, SP, Tampa Bay

Colome will receive a lot of leash now that Alex Cobb is finished for 2015. The youngster has gone from being a jewel of the Tampa organization a few years back to now being a 3rd or 4th starter-type. Like his rotation-mate, Nate Karns (see below), Colome has some issues harnessing his control, but the early returns have been good as he has somehow not even walked a guy in his 10 innings of work. I'd like to take a chance on his arm. It can look dynamite from time-to-time. He also gets two calls this upcoming week (vs. NYY, @ MIN).

Suggested FAAB bid - $5

Carlos Frias, SP, LA Dodgers

The Dodger rookie not only has a 3-0 record to his name, but he also has a two-start week headed his way. He's currently slotted to face both Miami and Colorado in the blue surroundings of Dodger Stadium this upcoming week. That, of course, makes him worth a bid for weekly players, but what about beyond that? The right-handerr projects as a serviceable four or five for an average team, featuring three solid pitches, but nothing overpowering. You have to think that L-A eventually finds a new arm for their starting five. They're not an organization that sits on its' laurels, you know! That means that Frias could always be sent back to the bullpen no matter how well he's pitching.

Suggested FAAB bid - $5 (for the two-start week)

Marco Gonzalez, SP, St. Louis

Gonzalez would have been the immediate call-up after the season-ending injury to Adam Wainwright except for the simple fact that he, too, was injured. The Cardinals have their eyes on promoting Gonzalez (shoulder) in the next 7-10 days. They just need to make sure that he's healthy (he's due to make a start for AAA Memphis on Saturday night). Once he gets up to St. Louis, he'll have a great hitting and fielding team behind him. He won't work more than 5-6 innings each time out, but his ERA and WHIP ratios could give you a boost. Don't expect a K-lift for your team, but he can become a spot starter in leagues of at least a dozen squads.

Suggested FAAB bid - $5

Nate Karns, SP, Tampa Bay

Karns earned his way onto this list after a dominating performance against Texas on Friday evening. With nine punch-outs and just two earned runs allowed, Karns has now reeled off a 2.86 ERA over the course of his last six starts. Don't fall in love with the whiffs from his last start, though. In fact, a larger element of his scouting report deals with his fleeting control. It can disappear early and often in games (as his current 4.2 BB/9 attests). He can be strong on the hill, but he can also become a mess with little warning.

Suggested FAAB bid - $7

Noah Syndergaard, SP, NY Mets

Let the bidding begin! We received word on Friday that Syndergaard would make his MLB debut on Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He's certainly earned the spot with a fastball-change up combo that has fooled many a Triple-A hitter. Scouts have complimented his command and poise on the hill for some time and many expect him to make an immediate impact. You're probably looking at close to 20 starts the rest of the way and we're unlikely to see a more impactful pitching call-up the rest of the summer. A reasonable expectation would be 8-10 wins, an ERA in the mid-3's, 7.5 K/9, and a WHIP sitting around 1.20. And all of those numbers could be better. If you're in the market, here's your shot to spend that waiver cash.

Suggested FAAB bid - $30

You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.