Rotoworld’s brand-new Pickups of the Day column is designed to help fantasy managers uncover a handful of widely-available targets over the course of the season. It could be a breakout candidate, a prospect stash, an injury replacement, a pitcher with a favorable matchup or week, a player who is due some better luck, or any other number of scenarios. If there’s value to be found on the waiver wire, we will find it and bring it your way.
In today’s column, we’re looking at a couple of streaming options who should be able to help in the near-term – though they may not be the best long-term additions.
PICKUPS OF THE DAY
Nick Ahmed, SS, Diamondbacks
Available in 98 percent of Yahoo leagues
Alright, at least hear me out on this one before you completely laugh me out of the room. There have been a ridiculous amount of injuries in the middle infield in recent weeks – especially at shortstop – and finding capable options there has been difficult, especially in deeper leagues.
As I mentioned above, there are times that we’re looking for long-term help for our fantasy rosters while at other times we’re just trying to piece it together until something better arrives or until some of our injured players return. Nick Ahmed would be a stopgap solution – specifically for this weekend.
Ahmed is currently in a platoon situation with the Diamondbacks, seeing most of his action against left-handed pitching while Geraldo Perdomo handles the bulk of the playing time against right-handers. He has done a nice job in his limited action though – hitting .280 with a homer, eight RBI and three stolen bases in 50 at-bats.
This weekend, the Diamondbacks travel to Coors Field, which as we all know is a terrific environment for offense. Furthermore, they’re scheduled to take on Kyle Freeland on Friday night and Austin Gomber on Sunday – a pair of southpaws that they, and Ahmed, should be able to feat on.
For those in weekly leagues, there’s nothing to see here, you can pass on Ahmed and wait for the next recommendation. For those in leagues with daily moves though, scoop him the veteran shortstop for his weekend set against the Rockies, and then drop him for the next best thing after Sunday’s game.
Tyler Wells, SP, Orioles
Available in 81 percent of Yahoo leagues
Tyler Wells has been awfully impressive through his first four outings (three starts) for the Orioles this season – registering a 2.70 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and a 16/2 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings of work.
He picked up his first victory of the season on Wednesday while striking out seven over 5 1/3 innings of two-run baseball against the high-powered Red Sox offense. Now I’m not saying that I expect Wells to keep up this level of production – or to become a mixed-league viable starting pitcher for the duration of the season. However, he draws a terrific matchup his next time out – taking on the Royals in Kansas City on Tuesday.
That looks like an excellent streaming spot for those in daily leagues. In weekly formats it gets a bit trickier as he’s scheduled for a two-start week – though the second half is a tougher matchup at the Braves on Sunday.
Either way, he looks to be a worthwhile addition for at least next week – and if he continues dominating through those two starts you might really have something special on your hands.