Home Runs are Easy to Find: Three Waiver-Wire Sources for Power

Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.

It makes me sad when people hit me up for advice and complain that their fantasy team has no power. I'm not saying that I don't appreciate and enjoy the questions, and believe me, I'll answer them all. But, home runs are extremely easy to find on the waiver wire. Let me show you.

Luke Scott, Orioles - You can make the argument that Luke Scott isn't a full-time player, but that line of thinking is getting a bit tired. I realize that he's getting about 80 at-bats every 30 days or so. I realize that you'd like to see a guy you're targeting reach 100 at-bats or more per month. That's just not going to happen right now for Scott. And, do you know what? It shouldn't matter. Over the last 30 days only two batters have more home runs than Scott. He's hit nine over that time period and he has 14 on the season; with a .300 batting average. The fact that he's only owned in 62% of fantasy leagues is insanity. Go sign him now if you need some pop.

Miguel Olivo, Royals - I'll be honest with you, Olivo snuck up on me too. I had no idea (prior to researching this article) that he'd hit seven home runs over the last 30 days and batted .278. No catcher has more home runs over that same time period. He's hot right now and should be owned in AL-only leagues. And since he's available in 87% of fantasy leagues, you should be able to grab him. You can also think about streaming him into your catcher slot in mixed-leagues when your every-day catcher gets his day(s) off each week.

Juan Rivera, Angels - With a line that reads .310/.352/.511 with 26 runs, 11 home runs and 38 RBI, you'd think Rivera would be owned in a lot of fantasy leagues. Wrong! He's only owned in 42% of Yahoo! leagues. Come on folks... Rivera's numbers are better than Ryan Ludwick's. They're better than Magglio Ordonez' stats. Why are they getting more love than Rivera? Over the last month Rivera has seven home runs and he's now on pace to hit 26 homers and drive in 90 for the season. If he keeps his average near .300 he would be one heck of a pick up from the waiver wire right now.