Stay tuned each week to Athlon Sports for a 2012 Fantasy Baseball Weekend Waiver Wire every Monday and a Weekend Rundown every Thursday.
Patience is a virtue. Those who have bided their time with first basemen Mark Teixeira, Albert Pujols, Justin Morneau and outfielder Nelson Cruz have seen their fantasy teams rewarded. Getting Pujols for dirt cheap may never happen again, so if you want to go after the historic slugger, now is the time. His price is rising by the day.
Cruz has the ability to completely dominate the fantasy world when hot – and that Nelson Cruz is so hot right now.
And don't look now, but the White Sox outfield is a pretty good place to find fantasy support if your lineup needs a boost.
Top 25 fantasy baseball hitters of last week (05/21-05/28):
| Name | Team | Pos. | R | HR | RBI | SB | BA | OPS | |
| 1. | Melky Cabrera | SF | OF | 11 | 2 | 8 | 3 | .414 | 1.245 |
| 2. | Paul Konerko | CWS | 1B | 10 | 3 | 10 | 0 | .536 | 1.567 |
| 3. | Mark Teixeira | NYY | 1B | 8 | 4 | 10 | 0 | .524 | 1.868 |
| 4. | Jason Kipnis | CLE | 2B | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | .448 | 1.122 |
| 5. | Troy Tulowitzki | COL | SS | 8 | 3 | 9 | 0 | .429 | 1.341 |
| 6. | Giancarlo Stanton | MIA | OF | 8 | 3 | 8 | 1 | .370 | 1.285 |
| 7. | Albert Pujols | LAA | 1B | 6 | 4 | 8 | 1 | .357 | 1.227 |
| 8. | Nelson Cruz | TEX | OF | 6 | 3 | 11 | 1 | .320 | 1.106 |
| 9. | Alex Rios* | CWS | OF | 8 | 3 | 9 | 1 | .286 | 1.012 |
| 10. | Michael Brantley* | CLE | OF | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 | .409 | .935 |
| 11. | Dayan Viciedo* | CWS | OF | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | .357 | 1.093 |
| 12. | Justin Morneau* | MIN | 1B | 7 | 4 | 10 | 0 | .250 | 1.017 |
| 13. | Brandon Phillips | CIN | 2B | 7 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .348 | 1.247 |
| 14. | Jeff Francoeur* | KC | OF | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | .478 | 1.457 |
| 15. | Dexter Fowler* | COL | OF | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | .533 | 1.630 |
| 16. | Carlos Gonzalez | COL | OF | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | .333 | 1.127 |
| 17. | Yadier Molina | STL | C | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .417 | 1.107 |
| 18. | Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | .400 | 1.087 |
| 19. | Starlin Castro | CHC | SS | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | .308 | .923 |
| 20. | Joe Mauer | MIN | C/1B | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .385 | 1.038 |
| 21. | Colby Rasmus* | TOR | OF | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | .333 | 1.083 |
| 22. | Quintin Berry* | DET | OF | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .360 | .869 |
| 23. | Bryce Harper | WAS | OF | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | .391 | 1.220 |
| 24. | Tony Gywnn Jr.* | LAD | OF | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | .308 | .616 |
| 25. | David Freese | STL | 3B | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | .350 | 1.181 |
* - less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues
Outfield Help
Of the Top 25 hitters from last week, 13 of them were outfielders. But most importantly, eight of those 13 are owned in 70% or less of Yahoo! leagues. If you need power Dayan Viciedo, who has been hitting seventh behind Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski, should be able to provide some pop — and some ribeye steaks as well. Rios and Jeff Francoeur are what they are but have the ability to deliver over short periods of time — only if you can handle the 2-for-23 runs that generally follow suit.
I would be more interested in the "post-hype" names on this list, Dexter Fowler and Colby Rasmus. Fowler is playing at a high fantasy level currently and should be one of the top OF adds this week. Rasmus might need to prove it for another 7-10 days before I give him a shot.
For what it is worth, I picked-up Viciedo this morning over all other OFers on this list.
DL Watch
- I can't make this up. Brewers stud catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who is hitting .345, was sent to the DL after breaking his hand on his own luggage. While searching for a sock under his hotel bed, his wife somehow managed to drop the suitcase on his hand. It is broken and he will miss 4-to-6 weeks.
- Jered Weaver has provided the biggest fantasy scare of the week thus far after leaving his Monday start after throwing to just four Yankees. After 12 pitches, the Angels ace left with "excruciating lower back pain." He will have an MRI Tuesday and a trip to the DL is uncertain. It certainly didn't look good. Especially, considering CJ Wilson is questionable for his June 2 start against Texas.
- Roy Halladay is questionable for his June 2 start against Miami. This one is very concerning as his shoulder soreness has led the Phillies' ace to get an examination after lasting only two innings on Sunday. He is having one of his worst seasons, so fantasy owners' worries should be warranted.
- Freddie Freeman is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals with an eye issue. He missed Monday's game because of vision problems and Atlanta doesn't seem too optimistic about his long-term availability. Apparently, he cannot make tears.
- Dustin Pedroia is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Detroit with a thumb issue. The two-sacker left Monday's game with a jammed right thumb, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to warrant a DL trip. He could miss a few games, however.
- Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera is doubtful for Tuesday's start against Kansas City. He is day-to-day due to tightness in his left hamstring. Those are tricky to nail down. The Indians need the shortstop's bat now that catcher Carlos Santana is on the seven-day DL with concussion issues.
- The brittle David Freese had a great week over the last seven days but is questionable for Tuesday's game with a wrist injury.
- Matt Kemp has begun his Triple-A rehab assignment and could be back as early as Tuesday. The A's Yoenis Cespedes also went 1-for-3 and played left field in his rehab stint and should be back this week as well while pitcher Brandon McCarthy could return to the mound June 2 against the Royals. The Mets' Jason Bay has been DHing and will soon play the field in an effort to return to the Flushing this weekend.
Top 20 fantasy Starting Pitchers of last two weeks:
| Name | Team | IP | W | K | ERA | WHIP | |
| 1. | Chris Sale | CWS | 19.2 | 3 | 28 | 0.92 | 0.76 |
| 2. | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | 20.0 | 3 | 29 | 2.25 | 0.80 |
| 3. | R.A. Dickey* | NYM | 20.1 | 2 | 29 | 1.77 | 0.74 |
| 4. | Kevin Millwood* | SEA | 20.0 | 2 | 14 | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| 5. | James McDonald | PIT | 20.2 | 2 | 24 | 1.74 | 0.82 |
| 6. | Josh Beckett | BOS | 21.2 | 2 | 19 | 1.25 | 0.88 |
| 7. | Justin Verlander | DET | 17.0 | 1 | 19 | 1.06 | 0.59 |
| 8. | Cole Hamels | PHI | 23.0 | 3 | 23 | 2.74 | 0.96 |
| 9. | Andy Pettitte* | NYY | 15.0 | 2 | 17 | 1.20 | 0.87 |
| 10. | C.J. Wilson | LAA | 17.2 | 2 | 15 | 1.02 | 0.96 |
| 11. | Dan Haren | LAA | 15.2 | 1 | 19 | 1.72 | 0.70 |
| 12. | Kyle Kendrick* | PHI | 22.0 | 1 | 12 | 1.23 | 0.77 |
| 13. | Chris Capuano | LAD | 19.1 | 2 | 19 | 2.33 | 0.93 |
| 14. | Adam Wainwright | STL | 20.2 | 2 | 12 | 1.31 | 1.06 |
| 15. | Brandon Beachy | ATL | 21.0 | 1 | 18 | 2.14 | 0.90 |
| 16. | Felix Doubront* | BOS | 17.2 | 2 | 22 | 2.55 | 1.19 |
| 17. | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | 16.0 | 1 | 10 | 1.12 | 0.88 |
| 18. | Ryan Vogelsong* | SF | 13.1 | 2 | 9 | 2.02 | 0.90 |
| 19. | Johan Santana | NYM | 22.0 | 1 | 19 | 2.45 | 1.00 |
| 20. | J.A. Happ | HOU | 18.1 | 2 | 20 | 1.47 | 1.42 |
* - less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues
Top 5 Spot Starts for the Week (Tues. - Sun.):
1. Chris Sale, CWS: Seattle (Sun.)
The stud Sox youngster has rebounded perfectly after a short injury scare. Struck out 15 hitters on Monday against Tampa and should dominate the Mariners this weekend.
2. Ryan Dempster, CHC: San Diego (Wed.)
Might not be on your wire, but has yet to win a game in 8 starts. This is his best chance yet.
3. Trevor Cahill, ARI: at San Diego (Sun.)
Is walking too many people (12 in his last five starts) but has been solid of late. Will face one of worst offenses in the league.
4. Ubaldo Jimanez, CLE: Minnesota (Sat.)
Has been very wild but if any match-up will get him back into the swing of things, it will be against the Twins.
5. Gavin Floyd, CWS: Seattle (Sat.)
Got shelled the last three outings but has nice 8.0 K/9 and 3.18 K/BB ratio thus far. Will face lowly Mariners at home.
Top 20 fantasy Relief Pitchers of last month:
| Name | Team | IP | W | SV | K | HLD | ERA | WHIP | |
| 1. | Fernando Rodney | TB | 16.2 | 1 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 1.08 | 0.84 |
| 2. | Aroldis Chapman | CIN | 13.2 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 3 | 0.00 | 0.44 |
| 3. | Santiago Casilla | SF | 14.1 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 1.26 | 1.05 |
| 4. | Chris Perez | CLE | 12.1 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 1.46 | 0.73 |
| 5. | Jim Johnson | BAL | 13.2 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1.32 | 0.51 |
| 6. | Jason Motte | STL | 12.1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 2.19 | 0.73 |
| 7. | Kenley Jansen | LAD | 10.1 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 1.74 | 0.97 |
| 8. | Joe Nathan | TEX | 11.0 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0.82 | 0.64 |
| 9. | Ernesto Frieri* | LAA | 14.0 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 4 | 0.64 | 0.71 |
| 10. | Joel Hanrahan | PIT | 11.0 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 2.45 | 1.09 |
| 11. | Tyler Clippard* | WAS | 11.2 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 0.77 | 0.51 |
| 12. | Jake McGee* | TB | 12.0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 0.75 | 0.67 |
| 13. | Nate Jones* | CWS | 15.0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0.60 | 1.00 |
| 14. | Jonathan Papelbon | PHI | 11.1 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 3.18 | 0.88 |
| 15. | Brett Myers | HOU | 11.2 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 2.31 | 1.03 |
| 16. | Craig Stammen* | WAS | 18.1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 1.47 | 0.82 |
| 17. | Casey Janssen* | TOR | 10.1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.68 |
| 18. | Brian Fuentes* | OAK | 11.1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1.59 | 0.79 |
| 19. | Alfredo Aceves | BOS | 17.2 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 3.06 | 1.08 |
| 20. | Jordan Walden* | LAA | 12.1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 0.73 | 0.89 |
* - less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues
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