There’s one thing to remember as a fantasy owner: Help is always readily available on the waiver wire — you just need to know where to look.
With power-hitting players such as Miguel Sano, Lucas Duda and Mike Moustakas hitting the disabled list, and a slew of other big bats struggling, a boost in power is needed. Here are three places to look:
— Adam Duvall started the season slowly for Cincinnati, going 14-for-66 (.226) with two homers, five RBIs, 26 strikeouts and a .708 OPS in April. There was absolutely no sign of the guy who hit .268 with 130 home runs and 440 RBIs in 625 minor league games over six seasons.
That slow start is ancient history, as Duvall entered Friday 30-for-107 (.280) with 12 homers, 26 RBIs, 21 runs scored and a .976 OPS over his past 30 games. Yes, he strikes out 29.1 percent of the time, walks just 3.4 percent and has an on-base percentage that ranks 153rd in the league, but his power is something that cannot (and should not) be ignored. He is he hitting a home run in 7.8 percent of his at-bats (a better percentage than home-run leader Nolan Arenado) and his .588 slugging percentage ranks in the top 10 in the majors.
While he was the most added player in ESPN leagues this week (his ownership jumped almost 40 percent), it’s crazy he still is available in almost 50 percent of ESPN leagues and about 40 percent of Yahoo.
— Cleveland’s Mike Napoli is striking out a career-high 34.8 percent of the time, but he’s hitting home runs in 5.8 percent of his at-bats (his best percentage since 2011 when he hit 30 homers). Since May 3, the veteran not only has hit a respectable .257, but also has hit eight of his 12 home runs, driven in 28 runs and scored 23. He has also maintained a .875 OPS and stolen two bases. He has 30-homer potential and remains available in more than 60 percent of ESPN leagues and about 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
— Miami’s Justin Bour hit 23 homers and drove in 73 runs in 129 games last season, with all of his damage coming against right-handed pitchers (seriously, every homer was hit against a righty). It’s much of the same this season, as the lefty slugger is hitting .243 with nine homers (six came in May) and 26 RBIs. He also is striking out less, walking more and has a .473 slugging percentage (.504 against righties and .485 while playing at home). Bour is owned in fewer than 30 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, which is just a waste of his power … against righties.
Big hits
Eduardo Nunez, SS/3B, Twins
There is very little going right for the Twins, but he is one of the few (and most surprising) bright spots. After 44 games, the 28-year-old was hitting .331 with six homers, 21 RBIs, 23 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
Michael Fulmer, SP, Tigers
The 23-year-old is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, .120 opponent average, 22 strikeouts and just four walks over his last three starts. He’s available in about 65 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Jonathan Villar, SS, Brewers
In May, he went 39-for-110 (.355) with a homer, 16 RBIs, 18 runs scored, 20 walks and 14 – yes, 14 – stolen bases. Told you he was worth buying into to replace Dee Gordon!
Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals
After hitting just .244 in the opening month of the season, the 27-year-old went 24-for-66 (.364) with four homers, 19 RBIs, 11 runs scored and a 1.062 OPS in May.
Big whiffs
Drew Smyly, SP, Rays
The 26-year-old lefty is 0-3 with a 8.82 ERA, .352 opponent average over his last three starts. Over his last five starts, he is 1-4 with a 7.86 ERA and a .348 opponent average. He has also allowed seven home runs and 23 runs in that span.
Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies
This may be rubbing salt in the wound, but in 14 games since hitting his last homer on May 11 he is 4-for-45 (.089) with three RBIs, 16 strikeouts and a .279 OPS.
Colby Rasmus, OF, Astros
After hitting .263 with seven homers, 19 RBIs in April, the outfielder has hit .186 with a homer, 12 RBIs, .486 OPS and 35 strikeouts his last 25 games before Friday.
Chris Carter, 1B, Brewers
Since homering in back-to-back games on May 19-20, Carter was 7-for-46 (.152) with a homer, two RBIs, 18 strikeouts and just two walks over his last 11 games.
Quick hits
After finishing April without a home run, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy found his power swing and blasted off nine times in May.
Mark Teixeira hasn’t hit a home run since April 13, and was 24-for-141 (.170) with four RBIs, 41 strikeouts and a .478 OPS in his last 40 games before Friday.
Arizona’s Jake Lamb is crushing right-handed pitching, going 45-for-143 (.315) with seven homers and 26 RBIs. Unfortunately, he’s just 4-for-34 (.118) with a .580 OPS against lefties.
Mookie Betts hit five home runs in seven at-bats between Tuesday and Wednesday. In April, the Braves hit five homers in 778 at-bats. According to HealthStatus, a 240-pound person who plays baseball for 30 minutes can burn 273 calories. You can also burn 150 calories an hour banging your head against a wall, making the Braves the healthiest team in the majors.
Team Name of the Week
Verlanderpump Rules
Submitted by @williamjstepp