Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Pickups, April 2008

Ok so your fantasy baseball draft is now over. All that planning and preparation has hopefully been put to good use, and the dust has cleared from all the draft day fun. But if you are like most managers, myself included, then I am sure there is probably a few glaring needs or at least one particular need on your team. Maybe it's steals, maybe it's homeruns, maybe it's saves. But whatever it is, now is the time to snag those players on your waiver wire that can fill your teams extra needs. Here is a list I have compiled based on the highest percentage of free agents available in standard yahoo twelve team fantasy leagues.

Homeruns & Average:

Casey Kotchmen - 1b - Los Angeles Angles
Kotchman is only owned by teams in 39% of yahoo leagues. In 2007 he finally made good on his talent with career highs in homeruns, runs batted in, hits, runs scored and average. All vital categories in any fantasy league. With a clear path at first base that is his to lose, Kotchman should easily duplicate his '07 numbers and probably even outdo them in 2008.

Billy Butler - 1b/OF - Kansas City Royals
While Butler has been a top prospect for the Kansas City Royals for a few years now, many fantasy managers know very little about this talent from Kansas City. After just a short stint with the Royals at the end of 2007, Butler produced as anticipated and a continuance into 2008 is highly anticipated. To begin the 2008 season, Butler is currently only owned in only 13% of yahoo fantasy leagues.

Others: Mark Reynolds - 3b - Arizona Diamondbacks, Jose Guillen - OF - Kansas City Royals

Homeruns:

Luke Scott - OF - Baltimore Orioles
After being muddled in with the numerous Houston Astros outfielders in 2007, Scott finally has his chance to claim a full-time starting outfield spot in Baltimore. If Scott can get 500 plus at bats in 2008, he has enough power and potential to hit 25 homeruns. However unlike Kotchman or Butler, Scott will probably bat close to an average of .270 instead of nearly .300 like Kotchman and Butler.