Eric Thames and Mike Stutes: Deep League Waiver Wire

I really feel for you deep leaguers. Every week I get so excited to uncover those hidden gems, but I feel like maybe I am looking in the wrong cave. I keep just finding piles of dirt. Yeah, so I don’t know where I am going with this, but maybe these dudes could help you.

Eric Thames, TOR OF | 5% Owned

Expected to garner at-bats in left and right field, as well as DH, Thames may have actually required mixed league attention if his playing time situation was a little clearer. As is, the 24-year old had posted a .434 wOBA in Triple-A, though of course that was aided by a hefty .406 BABIP. Even so, he posted a fantastic .257 ISO, which follows a .238 mark in Double-A last season, and also improved his contact and walk rates. He stole five bases as well, displaying a potential power/speed combination. Though we do have to be cognizant of the hitter friendly league and park Thames hit in, as referenced by Jason Catania in his look at him a month ago, a player with these power and speed skills don’t become available in deep leagues very often.

Mike Stutes, PHI RP | 3% Owned

Ryan Madson is out, which apparently leaves Antonio Bastardo. He’s certainly solid, but: .153 BABIP and a woah-worthy 99% LOB%. Those metrics won’t stay there for long and that impending blow up could come at any time, maybe during his first save opportunity. That would bring some save opportunities to the supposed next in line, Mike Stutes. Stutes actually has a very similar skill set to Bastardo- tons of fly balls, excellent strikeout rate, poor control. That is not really the type of pitcher you want on the mound in the ninth, or any inning for that matter. But hey, saves are always at a premium in deep leagues and in just a couple of innings, anything could happen anyway! So might as well roll the dice and hope Stutes nabs a few saves without doing too much ratio damage.