EFB DRAFT RANKINGS

Wednesday April 23rd, 2008

Waiver Wire Wasteland: Matt Diaz Can Hit, Period

by John Thornton

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Overall Top 25 Drafts

Top 10 rankings by Scoring Category

League by League Breakdown

WAIVER VALUE LEGEND: 

WW 1-4 = Worthy of Waiver Priority 1 through 4

WW 5-8 = Worthy of Waiver Priority 5 tthrough 8

WW 9-12 = Worth of Waiver Priority 9 through 12

FA = Take him if he's free!

Jose Lopez, 2B, SEA - WW 5-8 - Lopez leads all major leaguers in fewest strikeouts per-plate- appearance. He's whiffed just six times in 81 at-bats. Unfortunately, he's walked just 3 times in that same stretch but his ability to put the ball in playing is quite encouraging. Lopez, still just 24 years-old, has already racked up over 1500 at-bats in his young career. It's won't be long before his experience becomes confidence and that could mean formidable fantasy value at the shallow middle infield position. Hitting from the two hole all year in Seattle, Lopez could easily post a .285/10/80/80 line this season. He's got double-digit speed to boot, making him a solid play in shallow mixed leagues.

Frank Thomas, DH, TOR - WW 5-8 - Thomas is not suddenly unemployed because he can't hit. There were obviously underlying financial and personal issues connected with his release this week. There is no question that Big Frank can still mash with the best of them, and he can draw a walk too. The Mariners currently look like the best suitors, but if they pass someone else won't. I'm still confident that Thomas is a fantasy starter in mixed leagues when he's playing. He's probably still got 300 at-bats coming his way in '08 and that should translate to 18-20 HR and 60 walks for your fantasy squad.

Milton Bradley, OF, TEX - WW 9-12 - The man that brought you Monopoly is fighting his way back into fantasy relevance with the Texas Rangers. His surgically repaired knee is going to keep him from ever hitting more than 15 HR and he likely won't reach 500 AB this year, but Bradley is still too valuable to be on the wire right now. He's always known how to take a walk, but his patience at the plate so far in '08 has been better than ever. On April 17th Bradley reached base seven times, going 2-for-3 with five walks. He looks like he'll easily surpass his career high of 71 walks in a season, a plateau he reached in 2005 with the LA Dodgers. If he keeps getting on base at this rate, the always dangerousTexas offense will keep him crossing the plate regularly.

Matt Diaz, OF, ATL - WW 9-12 - Bobby Cox is a smart man- there's no doubt that he's one of the greatest managers of all-time. But he has mismanaged Matt Diaz long enough. Just when you think he's sold on Diaz' potential, he benches him for 2 or 3 games. Folks, Matt Diaz can hit. Matt Diaz has always hit. Matt Diaz will continue to hit. The guys got a .326 career batting average over 744 at-bats and he can't get an every day gig? It's time to grab Diaz once again and hope that Cox will see finally the light. He's never going to put up flashy numbers but he can help you in his own way as your #1 outfielder off the bench.

Cristian Guzman, SS, WAS - FA - Let me be the first to say that I'm not a fan of Cristian Guzman. He and Angel Berroa definitely make my short least for biggest fantasy flops of the last 10 years, and it seems like it's been forever since Guzman was relevant. With that said, Guzman is playing everyday for the first time in three years and it's starting to look like the progress he showed briefly in '07 might be for real. If you're a Rollins owner like me, looking for a brief replacement- Guzman might be your guy.

(Daily)- The box scores don't always tell the whole story, but you don't have to miss out on he inside scoop. Check in everyday as Tarrell Graham highlights the previous days MLB action from a fantasy perspective.

(Mondays)- Get the latest insight on bullpen situations for each MLB team. Tarrell Graham will cover the ever-changing world of relief pitching, highlighting potential closer changes and valuable middle men.

(Tuesdays)- Cory Channell brings Wall St. to the fantasy baseball world as he gives you the scoop on when to Buy Low, Sell High and Hold tight.

(Wednesdays)- Walking the waiver wire isn't always graceful but it is vital to a teams success. Check in every Wednesday for Waiver Wire Wasteland with John Thornton.

-Coming 4/23, Stay Tuned!

(Thurdays)- Keeping an eye on the farm leagues isn't only important for Keeper and Dynasty leaguers. Grabbing those key mid-season call-ups can be the push your team over the top.