Chances are if you’re reading my top-five waiver wire pick-up list you’ve clinched a playoff spot in your fantasy league. To which I say, “excellent work my friend.” If you happen to just be perusing through and got smoked during the regular season in your league, now might be a good time to grab a pen and some paper and start taking notes on how to be a champion for next season. Being a champion is not all about smack talk and growing a sweet beard, it’s about playing smart and keeping an eye on players who are peaking at the right time; and there’s truly no better time for a player to peak than in September. Why is that? Well, the great thing about September is that the waiver wire is jam-packed with all the call-ups and a lot of guys in contract years looking to give their game an extra boost just to be able to stick with the club or catch the eye of another team for next season. If you play your cards right a few of these prospects and prodigies can jolt you into the finals.
James Paxton Seattle Mariners SP
The Mariners have been in a desperate need for arms as to not risk injury for their stars, let alone to be able to close out the season. With a lot of unproven talent waiting in the wings the Mariners let James Paxton start and throw a couple of frames with spectacular results. In the two games he’s pitched the left-hander made it six innings in each campaign, struck out eight total, walked three, allowed only one run and has won both decisions. Oh and the two teams he beat were the St. Louis Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Rays. Obviously the fear of throwing deep into games against playoff bound teams is not a factor.
Moises Sierra Toronto Blue Jays OF
Unless you’re a Blue Jays fan you’ve probably never heard of this guy. No worries, Moises Sierra has been a minor league lifer in the Blue Jays organization and made his Major League debut last season shortly after Jose Bautista would up on the DL, but only after the Jays traded Travis Snider to the Pittsburgh Pirates. While his numbers in 2012 didn’t bode well the second time around has proved fortunate. In the last 10 games he’s gotten 13 hits in 34 at-bats (.382) with nine of those hits going for extra bases (eight doubles and one triple). In those 10 games he’s knocked in six runs, scored five himself and only struck out six times. His OPS is just a shade under 1.000 (.944). I wouldn’t pass him up.
Scooter Gennett Milwaukee Brewers 2B, SS
An unsung hero of sorts for the Brewers, Scooter Gennett has been carrying the load at second base after Rickie Weeks’s bat went south. In 44 games this season in which he’s started Gennett has been batting a rock solid .342 with six home runs and 18 RBI, and the dude is a leadoff hitter. Gennett is not a base stealer, but he is great at getting on and getting around the bases. He’s been knocked in 23 times this season and he’s sporting a .912 OPS.
Josmil Pinto Minnesota Twins C
One position the Twins have been desperate to fill is certainly the catcher’s spot. Ryan Doumit has done what he can, but his services are better suited as the DH or a random outfielder. With no one else to turn to as Joe Mauer continues his concussion rehab the Twins brought up Josmil Pinto to take a few stabs behind the dish. It’s a shame that throwing out runners wasn’t part of the fantasy scoring system because it would only add extra points on top of what he’s done offensively: 14 hits in 34 at-bats (.412) with five doubles, a home run and four RBI. He’s a patient, successful hitter in the one position that’s difficult to get offensive consistency from. Think about it.
Kole Calhoun Los Angeles Angels OF
The Angels have spent their fair share of money this last offseason in an attempt to buy their way into the postseason. What’s funny is that they could have easily passed on Josh Hamilton and brought in this kid, Kole Calhoun. In the last 14 days Calhoun has gotten 19 hits in 51 at-bats (.373) with two home runs, 13 RBI and 30 total bases. With the Angels way out of contention Calhoun’s only going to get more at-bats which will make you a happy fantasy owner and Arte Moreno a very angry real owner. You know, because his general manager (Jerry Dipoto) clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing.