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Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - Mixed Leagues and AL/NL Only
Friday June 21st, 2013
Roy Oswalt has made his return to the big leagues. (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
Dillon Gee - SP, New York Mets (15% owned)
Dillon Gee got off to a rough start this season, posting a 6.34 ERA through his first 10 starts. His strikeout rate is not tremendous, and never has been, so Gee always depended on his control and minimizing the damage, which wasn't happening. But since May 30th, the 27-year-old righty has been a different guy. He has averaged 7-plus innings a start since, allowing only five runs in 29-plus innings, and has surprisingly struck out 32 batters. Don't expect the strike out total to maintain those kind of numbers, but his control seems to be back, making him once again an effective pitcher.

Nate Schierholtz - OF, Chicago Cubs (15% owned)
At age 29, Nate Schierholtz is having the kind of year that prospecting fantasy owners thought he would have three years ago. The biggest reason why he is breaking out this year though isn't based on his potential probably, but more on his opportunity. His .297 batting average and nine home runs thus far on the season, has graduated him out of the platoon role he initially shared at the beginning of the year. Over the last week, he consistently has been the third hitter in Dale Sveum's Cub lineup, adding to his value. There has always been the potential there, so as long as he keeps playing he needs to be added - even in 10 team leagues.

Billy Hamilton - SS, Cincinatti Reds (9% owned)
Even though Billy Hamilton only has shortstop eligibility at this time, it won't be long after his call-up that outfield eligibility will be added since that is where he spending his time while at Triple-A. The Reds have struggled with keeping outfielders healthy, and there is a good chance that Hamilton would already be a big leaguer if he had been performing well when the team lost Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey to injury. Hamilton did much better in the month of June, hitting .279, but more importantly for this speedster, carried a .341 OBP. Still not great numbers, but the Reds are not getting much production from their left field spot, and Hamilton's threat of speed once he reaches base is a game changer.

Joaquin Benoit - RP, Detroit Tigers (34% owned)
If you have not caught the news yet - and more importantly if no one else in your league has - Tigers manager Jim Leyland has stated he will not name a closer, but will "try to close with him (Benoit) right now." Benoit's numbers this year are excellent, a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 10.5 K/9, and the only thing that has held him back from being a full time closer throughout his career is the inability to pitch three days in a row. Look for Benoit to get more save chances than anyone else on the Tigers staff for the rest of the season, and should be looked at as the team's primary closer.

NL-Only Options
Roy Oswalt -SP, Colorado Rockies (11% owned)
Roy Oswalt has been working his way through the Rockies minor league system in 2013, getting himself ready for his return to the big leagues that he made on Thursday evening. A lot of people probably thought Oswalt was crazy for signing with the Rockies, but it looks like this team will have enough to make a run at the National League West divisional title. He hasn't been - and won't be - the dominate Roy Oswalt that most of us remember - even though he struck out 11 in his 2013 debut - but he will be better than a lot of your current options in a National League only format.

Marlon Byrd - OF, New York Mets (6% owned)
It has probably taken too long for me to mention Marlon Byrd - and I have resisted the last two weeks from including him - but what he has been doing at the plate can no longer be ignored in deeper leagues. His.293 batting average, three home runs, and stolen base over the last two weeks should be enough to at least be your fifth outfielder. He has performed at a respectable level as recently as 2011, so his horrible 2012 should not make you completely forget him.

AL-Only Options
Esmil Rogers - SP, Toronto Blue Jays (2% owned)
Esmil Rogers struggled at the beginning of the year, starting the season in the bullpen for the Toronto Blue Jays. With a need for starting pitching, the Jays decided to convert the struggling reliever - 4.74 ERA and 1.41 WHIP - into a starter. In his first two appearances in his new role, Rogers has impressed. Through 13-plus innings as a starter, he has a 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. The biggest difference in his performances is his use of his sinker and until hitters figure that out, he should be a strong play.

Oliver Perez - RP, Seattle Mariners (8% owned)
Yes, that Oliver Perez, appears to have taken over as closer for the time being in Seattle. Do not expect this to be a long tenure as the team's ninth inning guy, but he could surely pick up a handful of saves for your team while he is there. His numbers this year have been strong, posting a 1.11 ERA and striking out almost three for every walk allowed. He is striking out more than a batter an inning and has only allowed two home runs in 25-plus innings pitched. All of these stats add up to a reliable closer, and if he can continue to perform this well, his relinquishment of the role may be further away than most expect.
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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