Fantasy All Stars.....

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

With All Star Voting coming to a close we wanted to put together our take on MLB All Stars from a Fantasy perspective.  Our list contains many names you have seen on these types of lists many times over, but there are also some players listed who have burst onto the fantasy scene in 2012.  If you have 2 or more of these guys on your roster chances are you are at or near the top of your league.

Catcher - Carlos Ruiz - .356 average - 39 runs - 13 HRs - 46 RBI - 3 SB

Chooch as his teammates lovingly call him has been a great defensive catcher with a little bit of pop his whole career.  This season something has come over him though as he is lacing line drives all over the city of brotherly love.  While we don't necessarily think he will keep up these lofty numbers all season but he has slowed down yet so we won't bet against him.  We are are particularly impressed with his .356 average and 46 RBI.

First Base - Joey Votto - .352 average - 50 runs - 14 HRs - 47 RBI - 4 SB

Votto is leading the way at first as he has been for the past couple seasons now.  With only 14 homers we actually expect him to increase his power numbers as the weather gets warmer and the ball starts to carry in Cincy.

Second Base - Robinson Cano - .315 average - 55 runs - 20 HRs - 48 RBI - 1 SB

Well watta ya know Robby Cano.  The Yankee second baseman actually got off to somewhat of a slow start in 2012 but has been on an epic tear leading up to the All Star Break.  Cano's 20 HRs, and 48 RBI are ultra impressive when coming from the second base position.

Shortstop - Ian Desmond - .279 average - 43 runs - 14 HRs - 45 RBI - 8 SB

It's good to be Robbie

Desmond was most likely a mid to late round pick in most leagues and wow is that paying off now.  He has always had potential but never has put together a season like this prior to 2012.  In a lineup that boasts some nice pop Desmond has actually been one of the major contributors to the National's success.

Third Base - David Wright - .351 average - 54 runs - 10 HRs - 54 RBI - 8 SB

Probably the easiest selection of the bunch Wright has been absolutely on fire all season long.  This comes in a lineup that doesn't exactly give him all that much protection.  Just like Votto we actually expect a bit more in the HR department in the second half.

Outfield - Josh Hamilton - .316 average - 51 runs - 25 HRs - 73 RBI - 6 SB

Imagine what this guys numbers would be if he wasn't a china doll.  As it is he is our 2012 fantasy MVP.  The RBI totals are out of this world and his 51 runs and 25 HRs are nothing to sneeze at.

Outfield - Carlos Gonzalez - .338 average - 59 runs - 17 HRs - 58 RBI - 10 SB

Cargo is tearing the cover off the ball this summer.  A true 5 tooler and is contributing in all stat lines.  He is a favorite for NL MVP.  His 59 runs and 58 RBi are ridiculous.

Outfield - Andrew McCutchen - .360 average - 52 runs - 16 HRs - 54 RBI - 14 SB

Wait a second no Ryan Braun here?  Nope Cutch is having a once in a career year in the steel city.  A .360 average along with 52 runs, 16 bombs 54 RBI's AND 14 SBs..... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Nope Cutch has been that good this season.

Bet ya can't hit it.....

Starter - R.A. Dickey - 12 wins - 1 loss - 116 Ks - 2.15 ERA - 0.88 WHIP

ROBERT ALLEN FREAKING DICKEY..... The things he is doing this season have not yet ceased to amaze.  12 wins, 116 Ks, 2.15 ERA.   That Knuckler is dancing like a ballerina out there and it is so great to watch. 

Closer - Fernando Rodney - 24 saves - 38 Ks - 0.96 ERA - 0.72 WHIP

Rodney wouldn't even have a save most likely if Kyle Farnsworth hadn't gone down early with elbow problems.  Well this baller with a tilted cap has been lights out ever since.  He has been virtually un hittable in the 9th for the Rays

WAIVER WIRED.......

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

As we near the halfway point of the season are All Star edition of waiver wired will focus on picking up players that will help your lineups keep on winning in the second half of the season.  Below we will focus on 4 hitters and 4 pitchers to add to your lineups for that second half run.

Hitters:
David Murphy (12.7% of ESPN Leagues) -  Murphy has been flying under fantasy radars for years now.  Much of that is due to the fact he just doesn't get everyday at bats.  If you are in a deep league however and you are looking for a 4th outfielder Murphy could be your guy.

Murphy is trending up

Gordon Beckham (37.1% of ESPN Leagues) - With second base being thin as always Beckham's recent resurgence has been a God send for many owners out there. 
Quintin Berry (25.1% of ESPN Leagues) - Berry has been teaming up with Austin Jackson as table setters for the Tiger's lineup.  Berry is batting over 300 and has 12 steals in limited action this season.  We feel he will be a great source of runs and steals going forward.
Wilin Rosario (14.6% of ESPN Leagues) - The Rookie backstop isn't going to hit you .275, let alone .300 but he has power in a position really lacking on quality hitters.


Pitchers:
Tommy Milone (21% of ESPN Leagues) - Milone has given up only 2 earned in his last 3 outings, getting the win in 2.   An ERA of 3.73 and 8 wins are hard to come by this time of year
Dallas Keuchel (3.7% of ESPN Leagues) - With 3 straight starts with only 1 earned run to start his season Keuchel is a pitcher to monitor in deep leagues.

How many balls do you see?

Scott Diamond (30.9% of ESPN Leagues) -. Do we have a "DIAMOND" in the rough here???  Lame jokes aside Diamond has been pitching great of late
Mark Buehrle (40.6% of ESPN Leagues) - Buehrle is a guy that never seems to be given credit.  He is coming off 2 straight quality starts. 

WAIVER WIRED.......

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

Just when you thought your leagues waiver wire was picked clean we are here to show you that there are always real gems to be had at all times.  We have help for you at Outfield, Shortstop, and Second base on the hitting side of things and four arms for your rotation. 

HITTERS
Kirk Nieuwenhuis (19.4% of ESPN Leagues) - Nieuwenhuis has been on a tear of late 3 homeruns in his last 4 games.  He has added some pop to his repertoire to go along with a solid average and runs scored.
Rajai Davis (8.5 of ESPN Leagues) - You know what you are going to get with Davis but if you need steals he is a solid source and he has been hitting well with six hits in his last four.

Good to have you back Brian

Andrelton Simmons (2.6% of ESPN Leagues) - He doesn't have much pop but is sporting a solid average thus far.  He could be a decent stop gap for Tulo owners.
Brian Roberts (22.1 % of ESPN Leagues) - Well it is good to see Roberts back after post concussion symptoms seemed to have all but ended his career.  What is even better news is he is raking in his first 5 games back.

PITCHERS
Trevor Cahill (28.4% of ESPN Leagues) - Mr Cahill seems like he is back to his old Oakland days, of which he was an All Star.  Cahill has sported just two earned in his last twenty three and a third innings.  Now is the time to add him before others catch on.
Justin Masterson (41.3% of ESPN Leagues) - Masterson was owned in nearly all leagues to start the season but his early season struggles caused owners to drop him like hot cakes.  We feel it is safe to add him again after three straight quality starts.
Ervin Santana (38.3% of ESPN Leagues) - Much like Masterson Santana is rising from the drop file back to fantasy relevance with a complete game shut out versus the Dbacks.  We advise a little more caution with Santana however.  Use him when the matchup is right.

Cahill has been DEALING

Mike Minor (27.1% of ESPN Leagues) - You had to feel for Minor in his last start against the Yankees.  He held them to 0 runs in 7 strong innings.  Minor has the pedigree succeed.  We would monitor him in his next few and have no issues adding him to your roster right away in larger mixed leagues.

WAIVER WIRED.....

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen


As we state each and every week our Waiver Wired article focuses on 4 hitters and 4 pitchers who are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues worldwide.  This weeks look has some very useful players that could stick with your roster long term. 

HITTERS
Michael Saunders (32% of ESPN Leagues) - With 20 hits in his last 11 games Saunders is providing stats in all important categories including stolen bases.  He is a nice addition as a 4th outfielder going forward.

Saunders is mashing of late

Ryan Theriot (8.5% of ESPN Leagues) - Theriot is not going to give you a lick of power but with the 2B position so thin he can contribute in the runs, and hit department.  More of a stop gap option for those of you still riding out Rickie Week's year long slump for example.
Ben Revere (2.1% of ESPN Leagues) - Another guy that is going to give you 0 power but if you need stolen bases in a pinch grab him.  Revere is getting consistent playing time for the Twins at this point and we don't see that going away anytime soon.
Daniel Nava (23.7% of ESPN Leagues) - This guy is leading off for the Red Sox and playing every day but is only owned in 23% of leagues?  He is a line drive type hitter who will pepper the Green monster for the foreseeable future.  He is contributing in Runs, RBIs, and Average(over .311 at the time of this article)

PITCHERS
Jarrod Parker (27.1% of ESPN Leagues) - With only 1 earned run given up in the last 3 Parker is really rounding into form.  He may not get you wins but will contribute in all other stat lines especially pitching in Oakland.
Phil Hughes (17.4% of ESPN Leagues) - Hughes has been an enigma for much of his Big League career.  Highly touted and did produce out of the gate, but his last few seasons have been of the dismal variety.  He has slowly been turning things around of late getting his terrible ERA under 5.  He has lots of work to do to win most fantasy owners back but we are taking a chance on adding him now.

Happy times in Da Bronx for Nova

Ivan Nova (37.1% of ESPN Leagues) - Two Yankee hurlers on the same Waiver Wired?  That just goes to show how sub par the Yanks rotation has really been this year.  Sure Nova is 7-2 but owners have been weary of that over 5 ERA and high WHIP.  His last start was a gem however and Nova tends to heat up this time of the year.  We advocate grabbing him NOW!
Clay Buchholz (45% of ESPN Leagues) - OK we understand, Buchholz has been absolutely TERRIBLE for most of this season, but hear us out.  He coming off a 9 inning shutout against the Orioles and before that when 8 strong at Toronto and 7 good innings against the Rays.  We say grab him and closely monitor his match ups in the short term.  If he turns things back around he could be a solid 4th starter going forward.

WAIVER WIRED............

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

We have been scouring the waiver wires of late and there are some really intriguing options available.  We tend to look for not too obvious options, as we feel this is truly how you get the edge in your leagues.  Below is a list of guys you may not be looking for but guys you should most certainly find.


Michael Brantley - While Brantley has shown absolutely no power thus far he has contributed in all other areas.  He has 25 runs, 21 RBIs to go along with his 9 steals.  He is currently riding a 9 game hit streak so grab him while he is hot.

Span is the man....to pick up

Denard Span - Span is another guy who is owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues and a guy who is quite similar to Brantley in that he contributes in all areas outside of Home Runs.  With 13 hits in his last 9 games he is on a nice streak.

Justin Smoak - While Smoak is currently batting in the .220s he has been a nice source of power in the recent weeks.  He has 3 bombs in his last 6 to go with 9 RBIs.

Anthony Rizzo - PROSPECT WATCH.... Rizzo was the darling of Fantasy circles around this time last year when the mega prospect was on the verge of a call up.  What a difference a year makes.  He bombed out in San Diego last season and was traded to the Cubs.  Well what do we know Rizzo is absolutely tearing the cover off the ball in Triple A and on the verge of another call up.  Worth a risk if you need help at First Base.

James Russell - With Rafeal Dolis banished to the minor leagues Russell stands as the best option to step into the Closer's job at Wrigley.  He already notched his first save this week and could be in line for more.

Tom Wilhelmsen - Another Closer in the wings.  Wihlelmsen has the best skill set of the Mariner relievers in line to take Brandon League's closer's job.

Kyle Kendrick - Coming off of 9 inning shutout of the Cardinals was word that Roy Halladay is out 6 to 8 weeks with a shoulder strain.  Kendrick stands to stay in the rotation for the foreseeable future.  While he would continue to deal zeros on the board he could be serviceable going forward.

Hector Noesi - Not only did the Yankees give up Jesus Montero in the Pineda trade they also lost Noesi, who is coming off two straight 8 inning outings.  While his ERA and win totals are nothing to write home about currently he is progressing nicely.