It may be hard to believe, but this is the last week of July. Baseball will march straight into the stretch run of its season at the end of this week. The playoffs in fantasy baseball are approaching fast. Managers need to be ready to get their rosters in prime condition. This article is presented to help do just that! Without wasting another moment, let’s dive right into this fantasy baseball waiver additions stretch run edition.

Brad Keller, SP, Kansas City Royals, 6.6% Owned

Many a fantasy manager is wondering how Brad Keller can get a recommendation with a eyesore of a season ERA of 5.84. His 1.72 WHIP certainly doesn’t help his case, either. However, what does is that Keller has pitched much better just before and after the All-Star break. Further, with injuries to Brady Singer and Danny Duffy, Keller will be near the top of the Royals’ rotation until their return.

Without question, all managers should be interested in a starter that has pitched into the seventh inning in his last three appearances. In his last 20.2 innings, Keller has allowed just six earned runs while striking out 22. While Keller walks too many hitters for his own good, he has been able to limit the damage of late. On a bright note, Keller has scored 49 fantasy points in his last three starts. That is practically unheard of for a pitcher with a less than 10 percent ownership rate. He can clearly help a team, so act today.

Eric Lauer, SP, Milwaukee Brewers, 21.3% Owned

As everyone in fantasy knows, pitchers that go seven innings on a routine basis are a rare find in baseball anymore. However, there are pitchers that give six innings regularly that can greatly enhance a rotation. One of those pitchers is Eric Lauer. In fact, the Brewers’ left-hander has pitched at least six innings in three of his last four starts. In that fourth start, Lauer pitched five innings of three hit shutout baseball against the Royals.

During that stretch, Lauer has allowed just two earned runs in 23.1 innings. For the season, he is 3-4 with a 3.52 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. The Brewers are playing excellent baseball, especially lately, and Lauer will be in line for a win each time he takes the mound. In addition, Lauer can be counted on for fantasy points, as he has scored at least 18 in three of his last four starts. Positive production is what gets Lauer the recommendation on this fantasy baseball waiver additions stretch run edition.

Austin Gomber, SP, Colorado Rockies, 40% Owned

After Austin Gomber went on the injured list in June, many a fantasy manager dropped him to the waiver wire. That was a move that made sense at the time. However, now that Gomber is healthy, those same managers need to take another look at him. Most in fantasy get scared off at the prospect of using a Rockies pitcher when the team plays in Colorado. Yet, that is where Gomber has thrived this season. On June 19, Gomber lasted just two innings against Milwaukee. Since then, in his last 20 innings at home, Gomber has allowed just three earned runs.

Justifying this recommendation even further is the fact that Gomber has won his last four decisions. For the year, Gomber is 7-5 with a 3.74 ERA with an excellent 1.04 WHIP. He has 79 strikeouts in 84.1 innings. It is certain that managers will not take long to notice this kind of a performance and those looking for pitching help will want to act quickly before Gomber finds himself another fantasy home.

Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks, 31.4% Owned

It is well known that the Arizona Diamondbacks are having a terrible season. However, that won’t stop one of their pitchers from being included on this fantasy baseball waiver additions stretch run edition. After all, this is a pitcher that has won his last five decisions. Further, he has established himself as one of the best starters in the majors. Of course, that pitcher’s name is Merrill Kelly. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.

This is a pitcher that has reached the sixth inning in his last seven appearances. Kelly has allowed more than three runs just once in that time. Even when that occurred, Kelly was the winning pitcher in that game. For the season, Kelly is 7-7 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Both of those stats have been on the decline since June 16. Arizona has had a tough time winning away from home. Even so, Kelly has won his last two road decisions. Best of all, Kelly will not be on an innings limit coming down the stretch like so many young pitchers will. He can be counted on to get a fantasy team ready for the playoffs. Without question, Kelly is highly recommended in all formats.

David Price, SP/ RP, Los Angeles Dodgers, 31.4% Owned

Another pitcher that is coming into his own as a second half starter is David Price. The Dodgers have had well known issues with their starting rotation with injuries and other problems. The team has been preparing Price for a starting role and the results have been excellent thus far. Since the All-Star break, Price has been going longer into games and that should not be a concern going forward.

In his last start, Price pitched into the sixth inning against Colorado. He allowed three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and only one walk. He was in line for the win until the Dodgers’ bullpen blew the save. Of course, Price knows how to pitch and has an excellent offense behind him. He should be in line for victories in the season’s second half. His ownership percentage figures to shoot off the charts so managers need to act quickly. Price should be a priority for any team needing starting pitching help going forward.

Gregory Soto, RP, Detroit Tigers, 18% Owned

When last seen before the break, Gregory Soto was blowing a save opportunity to the Minnesota Twins. Even with him being on the All-Star team, fantasy managers dropped him throughout the land. That decision was a bit hasty as Soto has earned the save in his last four opportunities since. Soto can certainly be called a strikeout pitcher with 48 in 40 innings. It’s too bad that he can’t face the Rangers the rest of the way. Soto has earned a save in his last four appearances against them.

Even if that can’t be the case, Soto has earned a placed on fantasy rosters needing relief help. He is 4-1 on the season with an excellent 2.48 ERA. Further, Soto has 11 saves and seven holds. His walk total of 22 looks like a concern, but Soto has allowed just one free pass in his last five appearances. Add it all up and Soto stands at the front of the line of relievers ready to help send a fantasy team toward the playoffs.

Hunter Dozier, 1B/ 3B/ OF, Kansas City Royals, 21% Owned

There are few players who have had more opportunities to redeem themselves than Hunter Dozier. Each time in the first half when it looked like he was ready to take off, Dozier only slumped completely back to Earth. His versatility made him an attractive waiver add, but the bat just wouldn’t wake up. However, that is no longer the case. Dozier’s bat has been resurrected and he is as hot as any hitter in the land right now.

Before going hitless Sunday, Dozier had hits in seven of his last eight games. Going back even further, Dozier has hits in nine of his last 11. He needed that spell to get his average up close to the Mendoza Line at .196. He just needs his teammates to get on base a bit more and his other counting stats will increase as well. Even if that doesn’t happen, Dozier will be in the Royals’ starting lineup on a daily basis. Managers are undoubtedly reluctant to add Dozier to their lineup given what they have seen thus far. Suppress that urge, however, and get to the wire today and add Dozier.

Max Stassi, C, Los Angeles Angels, 15.2% Owned

What if there was a catcher that had three hits on Sunday and was owned right around the 15 percent mark? That just happens to be the case with Max Stassi. Those three hits included a home run and a triple and Stassi drove in three runs on the day. The homer was Stassi’s second in six games and his third in his last nine. For the season, he is hitting .299-8-20.

One concern for fantasy managers is that Stassi only plays in two straight games before the Angels give him a seat. Given the state of catching in fantasy, that shouldn’t be the deciding factor of whether to add him to a roster. If there is any issues at the position (who doesn’t have that problem?), Stassi is well worth kicking the tires and perhaps making a purchase.

Jose Iglesias, SS, Los Angeles Angels, 10.2% Owned

Another Angels’ player that needs a look see is Jose Iglesias. After Sunday’s games, Iglesias has hits in seven of his last eight games. There aren’t many players that can be said about that are owned in ten percent of leagues. In addition, Iglesias hasn’t struck out in his last four games, keeping any potential negative points issues under control.

Further, Iglesias scored two runs and drove in two over the weekend. He has scored a run in three of his last four games. For the season, Iglesias is hitting .279-7-31 with 41 runs scored. Shortstop has become a strong fantasy position in recent years. However, there are sure to be teams out there with a hole in their lineup due to injuries. If that in any way describes your team, get to the wire today and add Iglesias.

Dalton Varsho, OF/ C, Arizona Diamondbacks, 24.3% Owned

Like Dozier above, many a fantasy manager has been waiting on Dalton Varsho to take off this season. Not only was there no launch during the first half, Varsho was banished to the minors for a spell. That all seems like a memory from ten years ago as Varsho has exploded on the scene. In the past five days, Varsho has nine hits. That is not a misprint. Prior to Sunday, he had two hits in four straight games. There was no hitter that had a better week than Varsho.

Need further proof? How does three homers, eight RBIs and seven runs scored during that period sound? There is no question that Varsho cannot possibly stay that hot. However, anything that comes relatively close in the second half could be a league winner for a fantasy manager. His eligibility at catcher is extremely valuable. He will be either behind the plate or in the outfield for Arizona. Varsho can be plugged into that fantasy catcher slot on a daily basis and left alone the rest of the way. However, his ownership rate has soared from four to 24 percent in the past five days. Varsho won’t be available for long. Act NOW!

Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals, 21.9% Owned

Another player who has been impossibly hot in recent days is Harrison Bader. He is truly a player that can help a fantasy team with outfield issues. There are plenty of candidates on the wire that can play in the outfield, no question. How many of them have hits in ten of their last 13 games, however? That isn’t even the best part. Bader has at least two hits in five of his last seven games, including two three hit games.

In that period, he is hitting a robust .481 with two homers and seven RBIs. The home runs were an especially nice touch as he hadn’t hit a long ball in his 12 games prior. For the season, Bader is hitting .289-8-24. He does have speed, as his five steals indicates. Like Varsho above, his ownership rate is going through the roof, having gone up over 10 percent since Friday. Hot streaks don’t always last and an owner will want to get in on this while there is still time. If the outfield on your team is a mess, get in line today.

Jeimer Candelario, 1B/ 3B, Detroit Tigers, 26.7% Owned

In last week’s waiver article, Jeimer Candelario was prominently featured and he makes a return trip here. It is safe to say that he will remain in these articles until his ownership percentage increases to a level that equals his performance. Kansas City kept him off the bases on Sunday. However, before that, Candelario had hits in his seven previous games. Candelario has an excellent batting eye. For the month of July, he has 12 walks against just 15 strikeouts.

Saturday’s game shows what Candelario can do. He had a home run, three RBIs and two walks against the Royals. For the season, he is hitting .266-7-31. Candelario’s dual eligibility at first and third can be a real plus for fantasy managers. He plays every day and that certainly adds to his value. If a manager has been let down by their corner infielders, adding Candelario can clearly help solve that problem.

Other Players to consider:

Don’t look now, but the best pitcher in the National League might be a St. Louis Cardinal. No, the reference isn’t for Adam Wainwright, but Kwang Hyun Kim. This is a pitcher that has won the last five times he has taken the mound. Further, he has only allowed three earned runs in that time. Kim is around the 50% ownership mark. That means he has disappeared from the wire in many leagues. However, everyone will want to at least check and definitely add him if possible.

The ownership rate for Eric Haase is also hovering right around the 50 percent mark. Thus, he may not be available in many leagues. Even so, owners should take a look to see if he is on the wire. Given the underwhelming performances of most fantasy catchers this season, it would be unwise not to do so. Haase has hits in six straight games and Detroit plays him in the outfield often. He will be in the starting lineup much more regularly than many catchers. Check his availability and act accordingly.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball pickups All-Star week edition! As always, I welcome input and suggestions from all of my readers. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!

The Belly Up Fantasy Live baseball show is on every Monday at 8 est. If you haven’t checked out the show yet, scoot on over to Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and give it a look. Hope to see you there.

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