Fantasy Baseball Week 7: Top waiver wire picks – Sporting News

This week’s waiver wire picks are more exciting than last week’s recommendations, largely because we have a little bit of everything. New closer, top prospects, notable players returning from injuries, an infielder on an HR tear, good young pitchers — it’s pretty much everything fantasy baseball owners love.

We’re still in a “calm-before-the-storm” phase with pickups. The Rangers’ closer job is the first to change hands in a while (not counting the Yankees), and we still haven’t hit the Super 2 call-up barrage of top prospects. Even though there are more interesting options this week, we should probably enjoy this period while we can — injuries, demotions, and promotions are about to overwhelm us.

MORE: Full waiver wire list

For now, stash a few prospects and grab a player or two that might be able to help you make incremental improvements. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive.

Week 7 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups

Sam Dyson, RP, Rangers. All signs point to Dyson taking over as the Rangers closer now that Shawn Tolleson has been demoted, and he’s well worth a pickup in all formats. Dyson has pitched to a 2.38 ERA since the start of 2014, and even though his K-rate is merely average in that span (7.7), he has nasty stuff and is equipped to handle the role. Anyone who’s closing has value, and Dyson could be “this year’s Tolleson”. If he can’t handle the job, keep an eye on Jake Diekman, who has an 11.9 K/9 ratio this season.

Trea Turner, 2B/SS, Nationals. The Nationals won’t call up Turner until at least May 30 so they can keep him under team control for another season, but fantasy owners should be ready to pounce once he is promoted. Through his first 38 games at Triple-A this year, the 22-year-old infielder had a .322/.383/.477 line with three homers and 14 steals. With Danny Espinosa struggling at the plate, it seems likely that Turner will take over at shortstop sooner rather than later.

MORE: Waiver wire pickups | Top 50 prospects

Cameron Maybin, OF, Tigers. Maybin missed the first six weeks of the season because of wrist and shoulder issues, but he’s starting his second go-round with the Tigers on a tear, stealing three bases in his first three games. It’s a bit surprising because Maybin didn’t play well during his 27-game rehab assignment (.194/.313/.367), but he’s continued taking a ton of walks and showing good all-around plate discipline. As long as he can continue to do that, he has a lot of upside in the runs and steals departments.

For more worthwhile pickups, check out this week’s full waiver wire list.