Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 21

It’s Fantasy Baseball Week 21, time to scour the waiver wire for roster upgrades or replacements. We’ll try and look at suitable pick-ups for each spot in the lineup. We’ll select players who have been hot in the last week to month, and will be typically owned by half of the leagues or less out there. Taking a look at batting first:

*(positions in brackets are possible other eligible spots)

First Base

Russell Branyan - Sea: There isn’t much to pick at the 1B position lately, but Branyan is a decent power play with 5 bombs, 8Rs and 9RBIs over the last two weeks. His BAvg is horrendous though. So only pick up if really desperate for power.

Gaby Sanchez – Fla, Casey Kotchman – Sea or Mark Teahan – CWS might be more stable options available, but no eye-popping stats.

Second Base

Ryan Raburn - Det: The second baseman has batted .320 with 9Rs, 4HRs and 8 RBIs over the last 14 days. (1B,OF)
Jerry Hairston Jr. - SD: Has been hitting close to .280 for weeks and also delivered decent stats in all categories. (SS,3B,OF)

Third Base

Bill Hall- Bos: Hall is known for bursts of production over his career. He has been hot lately, see if you can ride him to the end on a hot bat.(2B,OF)
Wilson Betemit - KC: Has been hitting very well lately.  Batted .341, 7Rs, 3HR, 1SB, and 8RBIs over the last two weeks.

Short Stop

 Yuniesky Betancourt - KC: Royals players are really hot recently. The SS has a two week line of 6Rs, 5HRs, 15RBIs and has batted .378 with no steals.
Ian Desmond - Was: A highly touted rookie who hasn’t provided eye-popping stats, but plays a scarce position and will provide some steals. a possible consideration for keeper in those formats. (2B)
Jed Lowrie - Bos: Has stayed hot his two week line reads 6Rs , 3HRs, 5RBIs, 1SB, and a .389 Avg.

Outfield

Coco Crisp- OAK: Very under-owned, 10Rs, 6RBIs, 7SBs, and .351 AVG over last two weeks.
Pat Burrell - SF: An absolute source of power lately with 5 HRs and 13RBIs over 14 days.

Catcher

Ramon Hernandez - Cin: Has really come alive, this former star has 12Rs, 3HRs, 16RBIs and is batting .407 for the last month.

Now let’s switch to pitching:

Starters

Anibal Sanchez – Fla: Has 2Ws, 19Ks, 0.92ERA and 0.86WHIP over his last 3 starts.
Brian Duensing – Min: Last two weeks line looks like: 3Ws, 13Ks, 1.48ERA, 0.86 WHIP.

Closers

Hisanori Takahashi - NYM: Has replaced K-Rod and looks to have the job for the rest of the year.
Brandon Lyon - Hou: Has been collecting saves when the team has been able to get a lead.