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Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - Mixed Leagues and AL/NL Only
Friday July 12th, 2013
Logan Morrison could be a big second half boost for your team. (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
Chris Carpenter - SP, St. Louis Cardinals (12% owned)
Veteran St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter is on track to make a comeback from what initially was believed to be a career ending injury. Recently, Carpenter threw a simulated game to some of the Cardinals reserve players before a game and looked impressive. He will start the rehab process next week, making a start for the team's Double-A affiliate in Springfield. Because this is a unique injury, there is no timetable set for his return, and hard to predict what kind of set-backs could be in his future, but he is definitely worth stashing in deeper mixed-league formats for a second half arm.

Juan Uribe 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers (2% owned)
Just when you think he was done, Juan Uribe is once again back as an every day player for a major league team. There have been a lot of moving parts this year for the Dodgers, and Uribe started the season destined to come off the bench, but with the injuries to Hanley Ramirez, and the lack of production from Luis Cruz and Dee Gordon, Uribe took advantage of the playing time he was given and has proven he is worthy of a starting job. Currently, Nick Punto is the only player on the Dodgers roster that could steal time from Uribe, but that is unlikely to happen.

Logan Morrison - 1B/OF, Miami Marlins (20% owned)
The once Twitter phenomenon that was @LoMoMarlins is now healthy again, and back to being fantasy relevant with his recent performance at the plate. Since being activated from the disabled list on June 9th, Logan Morrison has his 4 home runs, plated 11 RBI, while carrying a .303 batting average. He was being eased into a full time role in mid-June, but is now seeing - and should continue to see - every day at-bats. If he can avoid injury, he could be a difference maker for a team down the stretch.

Jose Quintana - SP, Chicago White Sox (12% owned)
Jose Quintana has been stellar in his last three starts for the Chicago White Sox. The young lefty has struck out 21 batters in his last 21 innings pitched, and doing so against good offenses in the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. His next two starts should come against the struggling Phillies and the Tigers, once again. Even though the White Sox offense will probably not give him much margin for error when it comes to collecting a win, Quintana should continue to see strong strike out numbers in his next two outings.

NL-Only Options
Reed Johnson - OF, Atlanta Braves (10% owned)
The injury to Jason Heyward on Thursday evening more than likely will lead to an increase in playing time for Reed Johnson. Even though he is not an every day player, Johnson has been known to perform very well in short stretches when he is filling in as one. He has some pop in his bat, and the ability to steal bases, but his production usually fades after seeing every day at-bats for a few weeks. Another option the Braves have is prospect Joe Terdoslavich, that is currently with the team - another player to keep an eye on.

Brian Bogusevic - OF, Chicago Cubs (0% owned)
Until David DeJesus returns, Brian Bogusevic looks to be a full time outfielder for the Chicago Cubs. A position that he may keep after DeJesus's return if the team is able to move Alfonso Soriano at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old lefty has hit for a strong average so far this season, .286 through 35 at-bats, and does have the ability to steal bases. If he continues to perform like he has, he won't be a cheap pick-up for too much longer.

AL-Only Options
Ryan Raburn - 2B/OF, Cleveland Indians (4% owned)
Ryan Raburn has fit nicely into a left field platoon in Cleveland for manager Terry Francona. The platoon also makes him a nice fit for your fantasy team. His .979 OPS when facing lefties is better than the average, and in the last two weeks, he has two home runs and seven RBI while hitting .368 in just 19 at-bats. I would not recommend dropping an every day player for Raburn, but if you are already rostering a platoon player, he should probably be replaced with this guy.

Danny Salazer - SP, Cleveland Indians (0% owned)
Although he has only made one start at the major league level, Danny Salazar is a great arm to take a gamble on in an AL-Only league. Two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery, and only 23-years-old, he should have a lock on a rotation spot in Cleveland barring any acquisitions of a starting pitcher before the trade deadline. He went six strong innings in his major league debut against the Blue Jays, striking out seven along the way, and will probably face Minnesota in his next start.
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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