Who to wait for? #1 Waiver priority...

[Steve-o]

I have #1 priority in my keeper league and was wondering who I should wait for. I don't see any must have prospects, like King Felix last year, so I need some advice. Remember, the guys have to not have yahoo eligbility now and must gain it before the end of the season, so they have to get time in the bigs this year. Here's my short list of guys to think about.

1.) Howie Kendrick, 22, 2B – Angels
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 10th Rd, 2002 draft
-upside: BA, speed, lack of depth at 2B
-downside: power?

2.) Brandon Wood, 21, SS – Angels
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2003 drat
-upside: power
-downside: track record?

3.) Ian Stewart, 21, 3B – Rockies
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2003
-upside: power, park
-downside: avg

4.) Daric Barton, 20, 1B – As
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2003
-upside: avg, strike-zone command
-downside: power yet to develop

5.) Stephen Drew, 23, SS – D-Backs
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2004
-upside: power?,
-downside: avg,

6.) Chad Billingsley, 21, SP – Dodgers
-ETA 2007
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2003
-upside: k/9, bb/9
-downside: young pitcher

7.) Carlos Quentin, 23, OF – D-Backs
-ETA Mid 2006
-pedigree = 1st Rd, 2003
-upside: power, OBP
-downside: avg?

8.) Justin Upton, 19, SS – D-Backs
ETA: 2007? 2008?
-pedigree 1st rd 2005 (1st overall)
-upside: avg, power, spd, etc
-downside: young

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Right now I am leaning, obviously, towards Kendrick because of avg and position. I also need power and pitching help, so anyone is pretty much open.

[laxguy8947]

I think either of the elder Dbacks on the list would be a good choice. They are a lot closer then most of these fellas.

[Melo255]

Stephen Drew already has yahoo! eligibility.

Assuming a combination of potential and time to be in the majors I would list them like this:

Wood
Quentin
Billingsley
Stewart
Kendrick
Upton
Barton

I don't think Upton or Barton will play this year. I feel pretty certain that at least Wood, Quentin and Billingsley will be called up at some point and I'm not sure when Stewart or Kendrick will get the call but I am assuming '07.

[raiders_umpire]

I think Kendrick and Billingsley are a injury away from being in the majors for good, but Drew is already eligible in yahoo. I also think Quentin and Barton will be up this year as well. Upton has the most upside but he is also the furthest away as well.

[bigken117]

As everyone already said...Drew is in Yahoo!

Either Kendrick, Stewart, or Wood are who I am keeping my eyes open for. Once either of these guys get a chance, they probably won't let go. Whomever comes up first I would put the claim in for.

It's still too crowded in Arizona for Quentin to find major PT. I think he'd be solid and worthy of #1 if promised 400 AB.

Unless the pitcher is truly special, I wouldn't use the #1 waiver on him.

I need to see more power from Barton if he's going to stay at 1B.

Upton most likely won't get the call this season but has the best long term upside.

[sockeye]

As everyone already said...Drew is in Yahoo!

Either Kendrick, Stewart, or Wood are who I am keeping my eyes open for. Once either of these guys get a chance, they probably won't let go. Whomever comes up first I would put the claim in for.

It's still too crowded in Arizona for Quentin to find major PT. I think he'd be solid and worthy of #1 if promised 400 AB.

Unless the pitcher is truly special, I wouldn't use the #1 waiver on him.

I need to see more power from Barton if he's going to stay at 1B.

Upton most likely won't get the call this season but has the best long term upside.

Bingo. Exactly what I was going to say while reading thru the thread. At least, in terms of restricting your wait for Stewart, Kendrick, and Wood.

[L.T. Rice]

Bump.

Someone in my keeper league lost patience and just dropped Yusmeiro Petit. I'm pretty high on the waiver wire in this 15 team league. He's been pretty solid so far in Triple A Alburquerque. Will he get the call soon from the Marlins, or should I wait on another prospect to join the Yahoo Universe?

[MadMobius]

Petit has looked really good but isn't that Florida team LOADED with pitching talent? They don't have nearly enough spots to go around. Anibal Sanchez is doing pretty darn good for them too.

[MadMobius]

steve-o (love the name)...

one guy that you don't have on here that may be really close is Cole Hamels. I know he has big injury concerns but the numbers he is putting up right now for Scranton/Wilkes is unreal and Philly has some starters that look like complete garbage right now. This is a guy that would be "waiver" worthy in my opinion...

[Steve-o]

steve-o (love the name)...

one guy that you don't have on here that may be really close is Cole Hamels. I know he has big injury concerns but the numbers he is putting up right now for Scranton/Wilkes is unreal and Philly has some starters that look like complete garbage right now. This is a guy that would be "waiver" worthy in my opinion...

I actually don't think pitchers are usually worth #1 priority in a keeper. Love to hear if anyone disagrees with that though.