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.
Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates -- Alvarez, 23, will play third base full time for now even though he has trouble vs. lefties at times. He is batting .280 with 13 homers and 53 RBI for AAA Indianapolis. The Bucs took Alvarez with the second overall pick in 2008. He has good power but don't expect a high batting average right off the bat. Grade B
Tyler Colvin, Chicago Cubs -- Colvin, 24, is batting .311 seven home runs and 17 RBI and is finally garnering some regular playing time. Lou Piniella says he will now play him regularly against right-handers for now so we'll see. He has some power potential. Grade B-
Felix Doubront, Boston Red Sox -- Doubront, 22, is scheduled for a spot start Friday night and maybe another one after that. The left-hander was 6-1 with a 2.11 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 12 starts at two minor league stop this year. He is not overpowering and struggles with his command at times but has good movement on his stuff and gets some strikeouts. He throws around 90 mph with a good changeup but his curveball is inconsistent. Grade C
Aaron Heilman, Arizona Diamondbacks -- Manager A.J. Hinch said he is going with Heilman to help close games with Chad Qualls struggling (8.46 ERA). Heilman, 31, throws in the low-90s with an excellent splitter that he uses for an "out" pitch but sometimes has trouble commanding his other pitches. So far this year he has a 2.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP with a 23/9 K/BB ration in 29 innings. Grade B
Conor Jackson, Oakland Athletics -- Jackson, 28, was acquired to play left field and hit high in the order. He was batting just .238 with one homer and missed most of last season with a virus, but from 2006-08, he hit .292 with 42 home runs. There is some upside here but keep in mind that he is also switching leagues which has been troublesome for some hitters in the past. Grade C+
Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers -- Lucroy, 24, is now the team's starting catcher. He is a decent hitting prospect (11-for-35 for a .314 batting average), but it's his defense and strong throwing arm that manager Ken Macha likes. He has a two-year batting mark of .298 with 29 home runs in the minors. He still has some trouble with breaking pitches but should be a solid pickup in NL-only leagues. Grade C+
Daniel Nava, Boston Red Sox -- Nava, 27, was recalled to help out in left field. The switch-hitter has a nice line drive stroke and was hitting .294 with 8 homers and 38 RBI at AAA Pawtucket. The Sox signed him out of an independent league two years ago and he has hit over .300 in three minor league stops since then. Grade C+
Gerardo Parra, Arizona Diamondbacks -- Parra, 23, will play left field with Conor Jackson gone. Parra is batting .245 with one home run in 110 at-bats. He is an excellent defensive outfielder but does not draw walks or hit homers. He batted .290 with five home runs in 455 at bats last year. Grade C+
Dayan Viciedo, Chicago White Sox -- Viciedo, 21, has power potential and is batting .288 with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs for AAA Charlotte but don't expect a high batting average in the majors. He has played first base for most of the season, but could also play some third. Ozzie Guillen says he likes Omar Vizquel there but will also play Viciedo depending on who's pitching and the matchup. Grade C+
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