To stay ahead of other teams in your fantasy baseball leagues, it is important to scour the waiver wire and free agent pool to pick up batters that will help your team succeed in the present and future. Here's a look at five batters owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball leagues* who are worth adding in Week 10.
OF Colby Rasmus, Toronto Blue Jays (34% owned*)
Statistics*: 42/182 H/AB, 20 R, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 3 SB, .231 AVG
In his last 12 games, Rasmus has been picking up his production with a .326 batting average (15-for-46), three home runs, and two stolen bases. Viewed as a popular sleeper in drafts, Rasmus' finally appears to be putting it all together and is worth a look in deeper leagues.
1B Justin Smoak, Seattle Mariners (23% owned)
Statistics: 44/185 H/AB, 19 R, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 1 SB, .241 AVG
From his two home run game against the Texas Rangers at the end of May to a much higher batting average over the past week of action, Smoak is playing like one of the top sluggers in the American League. Hitting the ball well for the Mariners and serving as a solid source of homers and RBIs, Smoak's on track for a 25 HR/90 RBI season, which makes him a very viable first base option going forward.
OF Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians (21% owned)
Statistics: 54/195 H/AB, 26 R, 0 HR, 22 RBI, 9 SB, .277 AVG
With many solid Indian hitters like Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana, and Travis Hafner all missing time, Brantley has found success with a .342 batting average, 10 RBIs, and five steals over his last 10 games. As he consistently racks up hits, Brantley has been a decent option in runs and stolen bases despite a low on-base percentage and low number of walks this season. If he is able to continue his pace of stealing bases or even see a small increase in home runs, Brantley's value would easily stay constant or improve moving forward.
2B/SS Marco Scutaro, Colorado Rockies (17% owned)
Statistics: 51/198 H/AB, 30 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 SB, .258 AVG
An uninspiring fantasy option whose best numbers are runs scored due to his spot atop the Rockies lineup, Scutaro has picked up a few more hits and stolen bases as of late against the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. An okay middle infield utility man, Scutaro is a usable replacement for owners who have been relying on Troy Tulowitzki this season.
2B Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox (14% owned)
Statistics: 44/185 H/AB, 28 R, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, .238 AVG
With a hit in 13 of his last 14 games, Beckham appears to slowly be rising from another early season funk. Still a ways away from reproducing his great 2009 rookie season numbers, Beckham appears to have a better power stroke than past years with not too much of a decrease in the contact department. Now gaining momentum and starting off June right, Beckham could turn out to be a great second baseman acquisition in the middle of the season.
Other Week 10 waiver wire adds of interest: Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano (41%), Detroit Tigers OF Delmon Young (26%), Philadelphia Phillies 1B/3B/OF Ty Wigginton (17%), Boston Red Sox OF Daniel Nava (10%), Philadelphia Phillies OF Juan Pierre (10%)
*Percentage owned numbers for Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball leagues and player statistics accurate as of June 2, 2012. H/AB: Hits/At Bats, R: Runs Scored, HR: Home Runs, RBI: Runs Batted In, SB: Stolen Bases, AVG: Batting Average.
Sources:
Colby Rasmus Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Justin Smoak Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Michael Brantley News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Gordon Beckham Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Who's Hot, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball
More from this contributor:
Most-Added Fantasy Baseball Pitchers from Week 8: Fan's Review
Most-Added Fantasy Baseball Batters from Week 8: Fan's Review
Top Fantasy Baseball Players from Week 8, May 21-27: Fan's Review
Fantasy Baseball Deep League Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 9 Pitchers
Fantasy Baseball Deep League Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 9 Batters
Austin Chang is a lifelong baseball fan, San Francisco Giants supporter, and fantasy baseball player since 2005 who has been a Top 3 finisher in 70% of the leagues he has played in. Follow this contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
