MLB waiver wire report
It's a long season; let us guide you through all of the potential names on the wire who can help your team. For more fantasy analysis, check out Sandlot Shrink.com.
Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians -- Santana, a top prospect, was recalled to take over the starting catching duties. He would've been called up sooner but he was working on his throwing mechanics. The 24-year-old switch-hitter can hit for average and power (.316 with 14 doubles, 13 homers, 51 RBI at AAA Columbus) and is 9-for-31 (23%) throwing out runners. Grab him in all formats. Grade B+
Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins -- Stanton, 20, was recalled to play right field for now. He has good power and is a great prospect for the future but still strikes out a lot so we dont expect a high batting average. In 52 games at AA Jacksonville, he batted .311 with 21 homers, 52 RBI with 44 strikeouts. He is a good defensive player with a strong arm. Grade B+ for the future
Jose Tabata, Pittsburgh Pirates -- Tabata, 21, was called up to play right field. He is a top prospect even though his power has yet to develop. Some are worried that it never will. But he hits line drives, draws walks and has good speed as well and being a plus defender with a strong arm. He was batting .308 with three homers and 23 steals for Indianapolis this season. Grade B
Jake Arrieta, Baltimore Orioles-- Arrieta, 24, is a hard throwing right-hander who will be recalled to join the rotation for now. He is 6-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts with AAA Norfolk. He throws in the low-to-mid 90s with a slider, curve and changeup. He needs work on his command so there are no guarantees on his initial success. He looked good in his first start against the Yankees, though. Grade B-
Mike Carp, Seattle Mariners -- Carp, 31, was recalled to see if he can hit better than current first baseman Casey Kotchman. Carp hit .315 with one home run in 54 September at-bats last year and was batting .250-10-31 at AAA Tacoma this season. Could hurt your batting average. Grade C
David Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles -- Interim manager Juan Samuel said that Hernandez would close with Will Ohman setting him up until Alfredo Simon returns next week. Since being moved to the bullpen May 28, Hernandez has allowed just one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. "The ideal guy for me if we get to [a save situation] would be Hernandez," Samuel said. "Since he was put in the bullpen, he's looked comfortable in that role. I don't know if it's something that's going to be his situation for his career, but right now he's done a tremendous job, and we've been comfortable having him in that role." Grade B
Tommy Hunter, Texas Rangers -- Hunter, 23, was recalled to join the rotation, possibly until Derek Holland returns. Hunter was 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 19 starts for the Rangers last season. He is 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA at AAA. He throws in the low-90s with a curve, slider and splitter but scouts are mixed on his ceiling. Grade C+
Brad Lincoln, Pittsburgh Pirates -- Lincoln, 25 is a former No. 1 pick and was recalled to join the rotation. He posted a 3.16 ERA and 55/14 K/BB ratio in 68 innings with AAA Indianapolis this season. He throws in the low-to-mid 90s with a plus curve and improving changeup with good command and control. He is also now three years removed form Tommy John surgery. Grade B-
Trevor Plouffe, Minnesota Twins -- Plouffe, 24, was recalled to play shortstop until J.J. Hardy's wrist heals. Plouffe is a decent defender but needs to improve his on base skills. He has a little pop and was batting .280 with six homers and 30 RBI for AAA Rochester. He was 3-for-13 last month for the Twins. Grade C+
Danny Valencia, Minnesota Twins -- Valencia, 25, will likely play third base for the next couple of weeks until Hardy and Hudson come back. Valencia is hitting .300 since his recall last week and was batting .292 with 15 doubles and 24 RBI for AAA Rochester. But he has lost his power so far this year with no homers (but 15 doubles) at both stops. He hit 14 dingers with 38 doubles in two minor league stops last year. Grade C+
Danny Worth, Detroit Tigers -- Worth was recalled to start at shortstop with Adam Everett designated for assignment. Worth, 24, batted .333 in limited duty at second base earlier this year. He is a good defensive player and decent contact hitter but does not have a lot of power but a little speed. He is batting .330-2-18-12 for the Mud Hens. AL-only leagues might want to consider him. Grade C+
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