Fantasy baseball waiver wire

There's a youth movement on the waiver wire this week, as three first-year players are ready to help, all bringing different tools to the table. This is just a taste of what we'll see in a few weeks, when teams expand their active rosters for September.

Mike Carp, Mariners -- Carp has been in this space before, but that was in the AL-only section. Carp's exploits since the All-Star break make him mixed-league worthy. Since the game's luminaries returned from Arizona, Carp is 38-for-101 with six homers, six doubles and 26 RBI, translating to a .376/.411/.634 slash through Tuesday. If that weren't enough, he offers eligibility at first base and outfield. Yes, those are deep positions, but it's time to recalibrate and think of Carp as a starter in all but the shallowest of leagues.

Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays -- One day we're going to look back on 2011 as the year of the debuting second baseman. From Dustin Ackley and Jason Kipnis to Darwin Barney and Jemile Weeks, and now we have Brett Lawrie. Alright, so we're cheating a bit with Lawrie since he's really playing third for the Jays, but he's eligible at second for our purposes, and he's on a tear. Lawrie is 15-for-39 with three homers, nine RBI and a steal in his first 11 games in the majors. Make the move and join the second base revolution.

Ryan Doumit, Pirates -- We're all familiar with the Doumit Cycle, right? Play well for a while, look like a legit offensive catcher, get hurt. Well, we're smack dab in the heart of Stage 1 right now, with Doumit going 10-for-22 with two homers from Aug. 4 through Aug. 15. He is on an 0-for-9 slide in his last two games, but catcher remains as shallow as ever, so grab Doumit before we get to the end of the cycle and he can no longer help you.

Brandon Belt, Giants -- With Carlos Beltran and Andres Torres both hitting the DL, Belt should finally see consistent at-bats, Bruce Bochy and Aubrey Huff be damned. Belt really has nothing more to prove to anyone in Triple-A. He posted a .309/.448/.527 line in multiple trips to Fresno this year. The Giants are chasing the surprising Diamondbacks, and they have their offense to blame for that. They cannot justify keeping Belt out of the lineup anymore.

Frank Francisco, Blue Jays and Bobby Parnell, Mets -- Jon Rauch is on the DL and the Jason Isringhausen Farewell Tour has reached its triumphant close. Francisco and Parnell are now available for saves. If you're in need, add them in that order.

Lucas Duda, Mets -- Since Beltran moved west, Duda is hitting .320 with three homers and 10 RBI. He provides dual eligibility (first base, outfield).

Allen Craig, Cardinals -- Craig was activated from the DL earlier this week, and should see time as a super-utility man. Before his injury, he was hitting .336/.405/.523.

Tyler Flowers, White Sox -- With A.J. Pierzynski on the DL, Flowers will get most of the time behind the dish for the White Sox. He hit .261/.390/.500 with 15 homers at Triple-A Charlotte in 222 at-bats.

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