Franklin Gutierrez is a 20/20 player waiting to happen.

Welcome to the first edition of “Waiver Worth, Waiver Waste”, the weekly feature where we take a look at the waiver wire of your average 12-team, mixed fantasy league.  The idea is to find some hidden gems that you can pick up to bolster your fantasy team’s fortunes.  At the same time, I will also tell you about players that are best left on the waiver wire for your opponent to pick over.  Some leagues have had their drafts already, but many have not.  Therefore, for this first edition, I will look at players who may not be on your radar screen just yet.  Call the waiver worthy players sleepers if you like.  Stay far away from the waiver waste.

John Bale – Starting Pitcher – Kansas City Royals – Bale was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1996 amateur draft, and bounced around through the Orioles, Mets, and Reds farm systems, never really distinguishing himself as a starter.  Bale then relocated to Japan, where he made 81 appearances in two seasons, striking out 118 in 96.2 innings.  The rap on Bale is his tendency for leaving the ball up in the zone, resulting in too many home runs. He seemed to get that under control last season, giving up only one long ball in 40 innings.  He’s been lights out for the Royals this spring, giving up just 5 runs in his 14 innings and striking out 13, while walking just one.  The Royals don’t have any better lefties in camp, so it appears they are going to give Bale a rotation spot.  He’s worth a flier as a pitching sleeper, given his high strikeout rate and stellar peripheral stats.

Franklin Gutierrez – Outfield – Cleveland Indians – Gutierrez is described by most as a five-tool player with terrific upside.  The Indians turned to him last season when all else failed in right field, and he had a solid season, batting .266 with 13 home runs, and 8 stolen bases in 100 games.  He’s going to be the full-time right fielder this season, and he’s good bet for a 20 homer, 20 steal effort, along with an average around .275.  You could do a lot worse for a fourth or fifth outfielder in deeper formats.  His second year stats compare very well with Corey Hart’s, and the 25-year-old could surprise with a breakout season for the wise manager.

Edinson Volquez – Starting Pitcher – Cincinnati Reds – Here is a pitcher for those deep NL only leagues.  He’s been up to the majors for a couple of cups of coffee the last two Septembers, and mostly coughed up homers in bunches.  A stay in the minors last season helped him cut the walks by 40% and he’s really developed the command of his fastball and killer changeup.  In 13 innings this spring, he’s struck out 19 and walked just 3.  If he makes the rotation, he’s someone to grab at the end of the draft and stash away. 

J.R.Towles – Catcher – Houston Astros – Towles rocketed through two levels of the minors last season, ending up in Houston where he batted .375 and knocked in an even dozen runs in 14 games.  He’s got solid hitting skills and plus speed for a catcher.  Many have compared him to a young Craig Biggio.  Towles is in line to be the starting catcher for the Astros, and he’ll make a fine second backstop in just about any fantasy format.  Take a flier on the youngster at the end of your draft.  A 15 homer, 15 stolen base season is not out of the question for Towles. 15 steals from a catcher is fantasy gold.