Whether it’s that summer internship you took for granted, the girl you know you didn’t treat as well as you should have or possibly that time you went to In N’ Out and didn’t get that amazing 4×4, it’s important to know when a good thing comes along. This holds true for fantasy as well.
Now that we’re in May there is going to be a lot of good things coming a long. The hardest part is knowing trash from treasure. Hopefully I can help you.
Pickup of the Week
Your best option off the waiver wire.
C.J. Cron 1B – Los Angeles Angels (6% owned)
Also falling into the ‘Rookie Watch’ sector and someone I’m picking over proven veterans off the waiver wire right now is Cron. He simply intrigues me because of his potential. He was hitting .319/.369/.602 at Triple-A before getting the call over the weekend. In his first two games he has five hits and the Angels have him in the four-hole. Manager Mike Scioscia was raving about him to the LA Times. Again, very interesting.
Zombie Award!
Who is coming back from the dead.
Brandon McCarthy SP – Arizona (6% owned)
Everyone welcome back Brandon! The 6-foot-7 pitcher had two stellar years in Oakland before having to go under emergency brain surgery for being struck with a come-backer straight to the skull:
He’s struggled since coming back from that hit … until now. After being lit up his first two games of the year, McCarthy has only given up six runs in his last four games and has a 1.42 ERA over the last two weeks. He even had 12 Ks against the Phillies.
Rookie Watch!
Looking for the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.
Robbie Ray SP – Detroit
Not sure if this guy is for real or not, but he’s been dominant at Triple-A so far this season, posting a 1.53 ERA and 2.91 FIP with a 6:1 K:BB ratio. He’s expected to get the call from the Tigers soon. If you have an opening he’s a spot-starter, at worst, to begin with.
Charlie Chaplin Award!
Silently having a solid season.
Wily Peralta SP – Milwaukee
Don’t ask me how he’s only owned in 59% of leagues. Peralta is having a breakout season and it shouldn’t be that surprising. He had flashes of brilliance last year as a full-time 24-year-old and so far this season he’s sitting on a 2.04 ERA, 1.03 WHIP with 32 Ks in 39.2 IP. He still may be a speculative spot starter until he proves himself against another offensive team, but he needs to be owned in every league even until that point.
Helmuth Hail Mary!
The lottery ticket that just might help you win a fantasy league.
Jonathan Villar SS – Houston
His minor league numbers suggest that he’ll hit for a low average, but he has some pop and will steal plenty of bases. Expect him to have plenty of peaks and valleys throughout the season, but boy, those peaks could be impressive.
Ripe Relievers!
Aaron Loup RP – Toronto (16% owned)
Sergio Santos is out as closer and Loup got the call over the weekend. What do we know about Loup? Not much. But what the hell, the Jays like him, why not pick him up, eh?
Hitter of the Week:
Troy Tulowitzki SS – Colorado: .619/2/8, 9 runs
Hurler of the Week:
Jose Fernandez SP – Florida: W, 15 IP, 18 K, 1.20 ERA, 0.87 WHIP
Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
All stats are via Yahoo! as of Monday, May 5.
