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Nate Springfield
Under the Radar - Mixed Leagues and AL/NL Only
Thursday August 1st, 2013
Tyler Chatwood is a two-start pitcher next week. (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
Ryan Ludwick - OF, Cincinnati Reds (6% owned)
The fact the Reds did not make a move at the non-waiver trade deadline this week for an outfielder would lead you to believe that they think Ryan Ludwick is on track to be back for the team's stretch run. Ludwick landed on the disabled list opening day after only two plate appearances. He is currently at Triple-A, and even though his numbers are not impressive, when he is ready to join the big league team he will be worthy of a spot on most fantasy rosters.

Tyler Chatwood - SP, Colorado Rockies (19% owned)
Tyler Chatwood has been a nice surprise for fantasy owners that have been streaming him, or already picked him up in NL-Only leagues. With the consistency of effectiveness he has put together so far this year, it is time for mixed league owners to take notice, and see him as a full time solution. The 23-year-old's strikeout rate is not tremendous, sitting down 60 batters in 85-plus innings via the K, but his 3.15 ERA is great, and 1.38 WHIP should not hurt you. Even though pitching wins are hard to predict, Chatwood has been working deeper into games - outside of his most recent start - which gives him a better chance to keep adding to that win total.

Denard Span - OF, Washington Nationals (12% owned)
After a mediocre start to his 2013 campaign, and a very disappointing June, Denard Span turned things around at the plate in July. His stolen base total is still not where most owners thought, or want it to be, but his recent improvement in plate discipline has turned into better fantasy production. Striking out only nine times over 106 plate appearances in July has helped his batting average climb from .257 to .269 in that time frame. Look for the improved production to continue for the rest of the season, and perhaps more stolen bases as well.

NL-Only Options
Jenrry Mejia - SP, New York Mets (8% owned)
After his first two major league starts of the 2013 season, Jenrry Mejia owns a 2.08 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, with 11 strike outs in 13 innings pitched. The young righthander has been dealing with elbow inflammation, and will need to undergo offseason elbow surgery to remove bone spurs, but has been successful so far this season at the minor and major league level. It appears he will continue to pitch through the pain until the season is over.

Jake Marisnick - OF, Miami Marlins (2% owned)
Starting his major league career by going 0-for-9, Jake Marisnick has settled in and gone 6-for-19, good for a .316 batting average, since. He probably won't be a difference maker for your team, but he will see plenty of at-bats and could be a nice surprise for the final stretch of the season. If you are playing in any kind of keeper format, Marisnick would be a strong pick-up, because he should play a big role for the Marlins next year.

AL-Only Options
David Lough - OF, Kansas City Royals (4% owned)
With a triple-slash line of .304/.320/.454 through his first 54 games, David Lough has won the better half of the right field platoon in Kansas City. He is probably going to see a few less at-bats over the rest of the season after the acquisition of Justin Maxwell this week, but being a lefthanded and producing offensively, he will still see more than enough opportunities to be a great addition to any AL-Only outfield.

Jose Quintana - SP, Chicago White Sox (18% owned)
Jose Quintana has not been a consistent pitcher for the White Sox or fantasy owners this season, but recently he has put up good numbers. In his last six starts he has struck out 38 batters in 38-plus innings, allowing only 12 earned runs (a 2.80 ERA). Next week he will see two starts, facing off against two struggling offenses in the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.
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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