Fantasy Baseball 2008

This week’s most recommended Waiver Wire pickups from the best fantasy sources on the web.

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It’s time once again to see if Billy Butler can live up to the hype.

Elijah Dukes | OF | Washington Nationals | NL

• It’s about time to add the hot-headed Dukes in Fantasy leagues. He survived a heated confrontation with skipper Manny Acta in early June to remain in the starting lineup and his production hasn’t suffered. Dukes is hitting .322 with three homers and 13 RBI in 23 June games. He also has 12 runs, four doubles, two triples, 13 walks and five stolen bases. -CBS Sports
• In addition to huge power potential, Dukes has added eight steals with an 88% success rate. His 3 HRs in 140 ABs is disappointing but he takes a ton of walks and is batting second, so is in an ideal position for a lot of runs. Depending on the size of your league, he’s probably worth the gamble as the added steal potential makes him a solid all around #4 fantasy outfielder. FFToolbox.com.

Billy Butler | OF/1B | Kansas City Royals | AL

• Butler is being recalled from Triple-A and is definitely worth a look. He has the potential to hit over .300, but .290 might be more realistic. He could also hit 15 homers given 500 at-bats. Whether he has mixed league value might depend on where he bats. He was batting fifth, sixth, and seventh when he was sent down, so if he bats there again, he could probably be used in certain mixed leagues. -The Hardball Times
• The Royals’ designated hitter to start the season, Butler was sent down to the minors at the end of May to rediscover a power stroke that had deserted him up to that point. After raking against Triple-A pitching for almost a month, Butler was recalled to the majors Saturday, June 28. -Yahoo! Sports

Brian Buscher | 3B | Minnesota Twins | AL

• Buscher is starting at third for the Twins and playing pretty well. His .375 average is being propped up, however, by a .378 BABIP and an uncharacteristic 96 percent contact rate. These should probably be closer to .310 and 90 percent. -The Hardball Times
• The 27 year old was slowed by injuries early in his minor league career but over the last two seasons at Triple-A Rochester, he hit over .300 with 15 homers in 213 at-bats. As the youth movement continues, BB is worth the gamble. He’s not a mixed league option but he’s worth picking up in AL-only leagues. FFToolbox.com

Jim Edmonds | OF | Chicago Cubs | NL

• Apparently Edmonds still has something left in the tank. After hitting just .178 with six RBIs in 90 at-bats with the San Diego Padres earlier this year, Edmonds has posted a .302 average with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and 11 runs since joining the division-leading Cubs. A big chunk of his improvement has come in June with his .338-6-19 line in 68 at-bats. -Yahoo! Sports
• Edmonds has been on fire hitting .339 in June with 6 HRs in 37 ABs at Wrigley Field. The 38 year old is always at risk for a DL stint (has struggled with plantar fasciitis) and his value is somehwat limited as he’s part of a platoon. At the very least, if you’re in a deeper mixed league, Edmonds might provide a decent stop gap for the next month. -FFToolbox.com

Gary Sheffield | OF | Detroit Tigers | AL

• Sheffield is back from the DL. Before his injury, he was striking out a lot more often than he normally does, so it will be interesting to see if that improves. His BABIP was also where it was at last year, which was much lower than his career and three-year average. There is a lot of uncertainty and risk with Sheffield, but when he’s himself, he’s a great player capable of hitting .280-.290 with 20 homers (given 500 at-bats) and can even steal double digit bases. -The Hardball Times
• Struggled mightly at the start of the 2008, hitting just .213 but he was a beast in 2007, hitting .320 with 21 homers in May, June and July (but faded big time towards the end of the season). If he can stay in the lineup, Sheff has the potential to hit 15 HRs with 40-50 RBIs from here on out. -FFToolbox.com