We are always searching the waiver wire. Whether it’s looking for recently called prospects, or a player on a hot streak, we constantly search player lists. It goes without saying, almost every owner has dealt with an injury, or multiple, since the beginning of the season. I used to look solely for power, but recently started paying attention to players that were not only getting on base, but scoring runs. A player like Hunter Pence has been a solid addition for a variety of statistical categories. A lot of Pence’s success can be attributed to finally being healthy after battling numerous injuries in previous seasons. Who else is available? Below are my top-5 players that have been very successful the past 30 days in OBP categories as well as runs scored.

Gio Urshela – New York Yankees

OBP: .405

Runs Scored: 11

If you’re a Miguel Andjuar owner, such as myself, you’ve been plagued with the guessing game until recently. When it became clear rehab was his first route, he sat on numerous injured lists with the hopes that he would be able to make an impact in 2019. After undergoing labrum surgery, in the middle of May, it became clear Gio Urshela would see consistent playing time for the rest of the regular season. Over the past 30 days, Urshela has slashed .364/.405/.481. While power isn’t to be expected, he has been a significant source of runs scoring 11 over this time frame. With Urshela’s ability to get on base, and the Yankees showing the ability to generate the long ball even without the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, now could be perfect time to add him because once Stanton and Judge are healthy, it only makes Urshela’s high OBP more intriguing with the potential to increase his runs scored production.

C.J. Cron – Minnesota Twins

OBP: .376

Runs Scored: 20

Before the season started, I was asked if Cron’s 2019 season would mimic Logan Morrison’s of a season ago. I said no because I believe Cron is a better, and more well-rounded, hitter than Morrison. Early into the 2019 season, Cron has been phenomenal off the waiver wire. Over the past 30 days Cron has slashed .297/.376/.614 with nine home runs, 22 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Sitting toward the middle of the Twins lineup, he’s been an absolute force. The Twins have been hot, out of the gate, in 2019 and are already setting records via the home run. Assuming the health, and consistency, of their pitching continues, there’s no reason this lineup shouldn’t give their pitching breathing room. Early into the season, Cron is looking like one of the late-round, or free agent add, bargains.

Justin Smoak – Toronto Blue Jays

OBP: .348

Runs Scored: 12

After a dismal start to the season, Smoak was a free agent in numerous leads, and understandably so. However, seeing prospects like Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio have brought excitement to the Blue Jays clubhouse. Assuming good health, we could see Bo Bichette at some part during the season, and this could add to the already positive outlook to the future. That being said, Smoak has been better over the last 30 days seeing OBP hover around the .350 mark. He’s always going to hit for a low average, but we’ve seen him hit six home runs in May after totaling five through March and April. He’s nearly equaled his RBI and runs scored mark from March and April as well. Assuming he can keep his swings and misses low, Smoak could be a solid add after seeing his stock take a hit after the first month and a half of the season.

Mitch Moreland – Boston Red Sox

OBP: .329

Runs Scored: 13

There’s no questioning the glove of Mitch Moreland, and his Gold Glove defense will keep him in this lineup. After a slow start out of the gate, the Red Sox are finally starting to heat up. The reigning World Series champions were going to be dormant for only so long. Mitch Moreland will never have the appeal of numerous first basemen around the league, but hitting in this lineup, the chances will always be there to do big things. While his average is under his career mark, he is getting on base and the power is starting to show. Along with him getting on base, he’s giving Red Sox hitters the opportunity to drive in runs and help the runs scored potential for his owners. A lot like others on this list, the lineup his hitting makes him an intriguing target, and he’s on pace to set a career best mark in home runs, RBI, and runs scored.

Raimel Tapia – Colorado Rockies

OBP: .326

Runs Scored: 12

The 2019 season hasn’t started how the Rockies, or anyone for that matter, would have expected. Depending on whether or not he continues to see continuous playing time will be the main factor in Tapia’s ownership percentage, but May has seen him blow past his at-bat totals from March and April combined. Getting on base and having hitters such as Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story coming up to bat makes Tapia appealing compared to many others available on free agent lists. He was sever known for a power bat throughout the minors. But, in Denver makes for another appealing factor in adding Tapia, and he already has set career-best numbers in home runs and runs batted in. With Charlie Blackmon hitting the injured list Monday with a calf strain, playing time shouldn’t be in question for the next two weeks, but it will be something to monitor once Blackmon comes back.

Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio Show Join host Cole Freel live on Sunday May 19th, 2019 from 8pm-9:30pm EST for episode #161 of Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio. We are a live broadcast that will take callers at 323-870-4395. Press 1 to speak with the host. You can listen live on blogtalk, majorleaguefantasysports.com, or download the podcast on I-Tunes or any Android podcast app. We will discuss spot starters for the coming week, plus a weekend update, and look ahead to next week.

Our guests this week are Joe Iannone and Bryan Luhrs. Joe is a writer with majorleaguefantasysports.com and his articles publish every Sunday. Bryan is the owner of Real Deal Dynasty Sports and is also a league owner as well as a writer with majorleaguefantasysports.com.

Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio Show: Join host Cole Freel, and Kyle Amore live on Thursday May 23rd, 2019 from 7:30-9pm EST for episode #162 of Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio. We are a live broadcast that will take callers at 323-870-4395. Press 1 to speak with the host. You can listen live on blogtalk, majorleaguefantasysports.com, or download the podcast on I-Tunes or any Android podcast app. Cole and Kyle will discuss the latest happenings in the world of MLB and fantasy. They will take a look back on the previous few days and a preview of the coming weekend. Including spot starts, bullpens, offense, and minor league players.

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