Ackley, Guerra & Maybin: Waiver Wire

Young players all around today, three of ’em for your fantasy squad…

Dustin Ackley | 2B | Mariners | Ownership: 36% Yahoo!, 64.6% ESPN

It’s been about a month since Ackley was called up from Triple-A, and he’s already emerged as the Mariners’ top hitter with a .297/.347/.505 batting line and a .371 wOBA. Of course that isn’t saying much given the rest of the team, but in the realm of fantasy second baseman, Ackley is a godsend. ZiPS isn’t the biggest of fans (projected .250/.332/.375 the rest of the way), but Safeco doesn’t completely stifle left-handed batters like it does right-handers, and all the scouting reports indicate that he has the ability to hit for a high average and get on base regularly. Chip in a handful of steals, and you’ve got someone already producing better than half the players at his position. You’re not going to get many runs or RBI because the Mariners stink, but Ackley a solid bet for AVG and OBP with the upside for much more. He’s a must-grab in keeper leagues too.

Javy Guerra | RP | Dodgers | Ownership: 25% Yahoo!, 58.2% ESPN

After a month or so of confusion, we finally have a clear picture of who is closing games for the Dodgers. Guerra has five saves in his last six outings (he got the win the other time after pitching the ninth inning of a tie game), and this weekend he worked back-to-back days for the first time in two months, getting that win and a save. Manager Don Mattingly is clearly comfortable using Guerra in tight spots, so it’s safe to say it’s his job to lose. The 25-year-old righty has gotten his career-long walk issues under control the season and is missing bats regularly (9.3% whiffs, 7.15 K/9). How many saves he gets is up to his teammates, but Guerra’s getting better by the day and if nothing else, is poised to hold onto the ninth inning for the rest of the season.

Cameron Maybin | OF | Padres | Ownership: 35% Yahoo!, 66.5% ESPN

Maybin is already up to 3.3 WAR this season, more than he had from 2007-2010 combined (2.2). A lot of that is defense (+4.4 UZR), but his performance with the bat has been above-average (.283/.337/.418) and he’s 22-for-24 in steal attempts. Furthermore, he’s a .237/.298/.317 (.293 wOBA) hitter at Petco Park but .320/.369/.500 (.389 wOBA) on the road. It seems like he’s been around forever, but Maybin is just 24 and his career arrow still points up. ZiPS forecasts just .257/.327/.390 with four homers and eight steals the rest of the way, but it’s not unrealistic to expect him to outperform that, at least not the stolen bases. Maybin left yesterday’s game with a strained hip flexor, but he was lifted as a precaution and it doesn’t sound serious.