Fantasy: Looking for stolen bases? Try E. Young
Brendan Ryan, #13, of the St. Louis Cardinals, takes the throw at Coors Field in Denver, Colo., as Eric Young Jr. of the Colorado Rockies steals second base. (Sept. 26, 2009) Credit: Getty Images
Trying to find an impact player on the waiver wire this time of the season isn't easy. Sure, the rosters will expand in more than one week and some fantasy relevant players will arrive, but to find a major source of stolen bases doesn't happen often.
Enter Eric Young Jr., the second baseman/outfielder for the Rockies. If you're looking for a huge boost in stolen bases, Young is your man. He missed three months with a stress fracture in his leg, but it hasn't affected his speed. Since being activated, he has played five consecutive games and is expected to stay in the leadoff spot and man second base.
Young has seven stolen bases in 52 at-bats. In each of the past four minor-league seasons, Young has swiped at least 46 bases.
Here are some more waiver-wire pickups.
Coco Crisp (Athletics, OF): Bet you didn't know he is one of the hottest players right now. In his last 10 games, he is 16-for-40 with one home run, five RBIs, four doubles, seven runs and four stolen bases. He's an excellent source of stolen bases with 19 in just 48 games.
Brandon Lyon (Astros, RP): He doesn't have ideal stuff for a closer, but has the job with Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list. Lyon has converted four saves this month and has 11 scoreless innings outside of a five-run game. Wilton Lopez has the better numbers and could get some save chances next month. He's a speculative pick in deeper leagues.
Hisanori Takahashi (Mets, RP): Takahashi is the closer for now. He has converted a save and taken a loss, while allowing two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings this month.
Trevor Hoffman (Brewers, RP): If you're in a tight race for saves, each one counts and Hoffman is two away from 600. The Brewers will give him the chance to get it.
Bud Norris (Astros, SP): Don't look at the season ERA of 5.43. Look at the July ERA of 3.73 and the 4.05 ERA and 1.01 WHIP this month with a 27/6 K/BB ratio in 26 2/3 innings. Norris has a 9.45 K/9, 3.80 BB/9 and an unlucky batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .335.
Chris Denorfia (Padres, OF): He's hitting .333 (29-for-87) with six home runs, 16 RBIs, 19 runs, five doubles, two triples, three stolen bases, and a 1.042 OPS since the All-Star break.
John Buck (Blue Jays, C): Returned from the disabled list Friday and if he was dropped, get him. He has a .277 average with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs.
Gregor Blanco (Royals, OF): If you need steals in deeper leagues, consider Blanco, who is batting .275 with six stolen bases this month.
All statistics through Thursday
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