Week 18: Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters

Desmond Jennings (Tampa Bay Rays – OF) - Desmond Jennings is a young talent on the rise. Only in his second year in the majors, Jennings has been proving lately why he could be great in the future. Saturday on National Television against the Yankees, Jennings showcased his potential. At his first at-bat, Jennings came inches away from belting a solo shot to open the game. In the sixth inning, he left no question that the ball was leaving the park. Jennings connected on a no-doubter off of Phil Hughes to cut into the Yankees large lead. It didn’t have an impact on the game, but as a fantasy owner, we could care less.

The solid outing against the Yankees brought his hit streak to five games. Jennings has only been playing full-time since July 23rd, and has quickly made a case to stay in Tampa for the rest of the season and beyond. In twenty-one games, he has gotten a hit in fifteen, and nine of them were multi-hit efforts. Take a look at Jennings in the outfield for the rest of the season, and into the fantasy playoffs. He has a nice bat and can also steal bases. Also, make sure to have him on your radar heading into next season.

Jennings Stats – .338, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 13 Runs, 8 SB

Angel Pagan (New York Mets – OF) – Angel Pagan is best known for his speed and ability to get the ball in play. After a couple of greats seasons batting .290 and .360, his batting average his dipped severely. If you take a close look, though, Pagan was absolutely horrendous in April. Most of the problem was accredited to an oblique injury. Pagan was placed on the 15-day DL in April and came back with a vengeance in late May. He played well enough to raise his batting average from .159 to a season best .263 in late June.

Pagan is currently in the midst of a eight game hitting streak. Furthermore, since July 26th, he has gotten the ball in play in fourteen out of nineteen games, while continuing to nab bases at an impressive rate. Pagan is an excellent option late in the year. His numbers lie if you don’t take a look at the big picture.

Pagan Stats – .254, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 48 Runs, 24 SB

Alex Gonzalez (Atlanta Braves – SS) -  Finding a solid shortstop for your team can be difficult. If you didn’t draft a top shortstop, you can often find yourself experimenting with an array of players throughout the year. If you’re currently in that position, take a look at Atlanta Braves shortstop, Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez is another player where his stats lie at this time of the year. He is batting .233, but is doing just fine swinging the bat in the last month. He was on an eleven game hitting streak before it was snapped against the Cubs on Friday. However, Gonzalez came right back and got hits on Saturday and Sunday.

Gonzalez has reached base via a hit in nineteen out of his last twenty-one games. Seek him out if you are having shortstop issues.

Gonzalez Stats – .233, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 47 Runs, 2 SB

Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments in the contact section.

Related posts:

1. Week 17: MLB Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters
2. Week 13: MLB Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters
3. Week 16: MLB Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters
4. Week 6: MLB Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters
5. Week 15: MLB Waiver Wire Pickups – Batters

Tags: alex gonzalez, angel pagan, Desmond Jennings, fantasy baseball free agents, fantasy baseball waiver wire