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Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - Mixed Leagues and AL/NL Only
Friday June 7th, 2013
Dan Straily's strikeout history should interest you. (US Presswire)
Each week, Baseball Press will be providing some "Under the Radar" fantasy players for NL-only leagues, AL-only leagues and mixed leagues. We'll review the diamonds in the rough on the waiver wire who might help you boost your fantasy team in 2013. This edition of Under the Radar will cover potential pickups for your team that may be available early on in the season.

With all of the unpredictable injuries, job changes, and trades of the baseball season, many fantasy owners are looking to the waiver wire for help. Regardless of where help is needed, this edition of UTR can provide you with some players who are still available in most mixed leagues.

*Owned percentages via Yahoo!

Mixed League Options
Luke Gregerson - RP , San Diego Padres (40% owned)
Incumbent closer Huston Street landed on the disabled list earlier this week, opening up the door for Luke Gregerson to be the ninth inning guy for San Diego for the immediate future. The six-foot, three-inch righthander has had an excellent season so far, carrying a 1.01 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, with 20 strikeouts and six walks in 26-plus innings pitched this season. His save opportunities may be limited, but it is clear he will have the job, and needs to be picked up in all formats that recognize saves.

Matt Dominguez - 3B, Houston Astros (10% owned)
23-year-old Matt Dominguez was rushed to the majors by the Florida Marlins in 2011. Since then, his shaky approach at the plate has really soured fantasy owners on his projected potential. He never hit for a high average at the minor league level, but was younger for his placement throughout. However, one thing he always did show was power, and that is what is putting mixed-league owners on notice now, hitting five home runs in his last 50 at-bats. His batting average continues to be a problem, but the power makes him worth an add in a corner infield role.

Dan Straily - SP, Oakland Athletics (26% owned)
For those not aware, Dan Straily was leading professional pitchers in strikeouts in 2012 before his call-up and limited use at the end of the season by the Oakland Athletics. The now 23-year-old righty had a 11.2 K/9 with a 2.78 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP while making stops at Double and Triple-A last season. His current strikeout rate with Oakland this season is only 7.8 K/9, but does have one double digit strikeout game and sat down 8 via the "K" in a previous start against the Chicago White Sox. His next start will come against the New York Yankees, but his match-ups project to get easier from there.

Colby Rasmus - OF, Toronto Blue Jays (21% owned)
Following his mid-season trade in 2011, Colby Rasmus was not the kind of hitter at the plate that earned him his once elite prospect status while with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In 2012, Rasmus hit only .223, but did club 23 home runs with four stolen bases. Even though 23 home runs is a great total, the inconsistency in home runs made it hard for fantasy owners to swallow the batting average that came with the power. So far this season, the batting average is much better at .253, and the home runs are not coming in the same kind of bunches as they did last season. He will never probably end up the .280 with 30 home run hitter that most thought he would be when breaking into the major leagues, but a .250-.260 average the rest of the way with another 15-20 home runs makes him worth adding in deeper mixed-league formats.

NL-Only Options
Anthony Rendon - 3B, Washington Nationals (15% owned)
Recently re-called Anthony Rendon will see everyday time at second base for the Washington Nationals while Danny Espinosa is on the disabled list with a wrist injury. Rendon had been impressive at Double-A this season, carrying a .319/.461/.603 triple-slash line in 152 plate appearances. His stay in the majors may be dependent on Espinosa's health, but should definitely be added in all NL-Only formats because he will get consistent at-bats, and will be adding second base eligibility sooner than later depending on your league rules.

Tyler Skaggs - SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (16% owned)
Tyler Skaggs was the "lesser known" pitching prospect in the Diamondbacks organization before Trevor Bauer was moved to Cleveland, but he probably will be better of the two at the major league level sooner than his once teammate, because of his professional experience. Currently 21-years-old, Skaggs started pitching professionally at the age of 17 after being drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Angels in 2009. He has consistently been good at striking out batters in the minors, but has also consistently had problems issuing walks. If he can limit the base-on-balls while up in Arizona, he will reach the high ceiling that has been projected for him.

AL-Only Options
Brian Dozier - 2B/SS, Minnesota Twins (7% owned)
Brian Dozier is seeing consistent at-bats in the Twins lineup, and one of the main reasons is his recent ability to get on base often. The utility infielder has reached base safely in his last eight games, which has raised his batting average over thirty points in the past 10 days. The mess that is the Twins infield right now will allow Dozier to keep getting at-bats, and if he can just do half of what he has done the past 10 days for the next few months, he is more than worthy of being on any AL-Only starting lineup.

Mike Aviles
- 2B/3B/SS, Cleveland Indians (10% owned)
The middle infield is extremely weak in fantasy this season, and it gets even thinner in an AL-Only league. This is why it perplexes me to see Mike Aviles owned in only 10% of Yahoo! leagues. Fantasy owners may have been scared off when he was tabbed as the team's utility man this year, but he is getting plenty of at-bats with Asdrubal Cabrera on the disabled list. Owners should be confident that he will have just as many chances to contribute as any other lineup regular. His batting average is up to .281, with three home runs and four stolen bases, so not outstanding in any one area, but able to chip in across the board.
Nate Springfield joined the Baseball Press crew for the 2010 season and hosts the site's podcast. His love for the game has grown thanks to fantasy baseball, with a specialty in NL-only auction leagues. You can contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @NateSpringfield.
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