Watch List Wonders

  We're just about at the half way point in the season for most fantasy baseball leagues.  This season, like any other, has seen it's fair share of big name players go down with injuries.  Here are a few of my recommendations for players who could help your team and are most likely available in your league's free agent pool:

Nick Franklin (2nd/SS, Seattle Mariners)- Franklin was called up in late May to take the place of Seattle's struggling second baseman, Dustin Ackley.  Since then, he's hitting .287 with 4 homers, 13 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases.  Not bad numbers when you consider the lack of depth in the league at the middle infielder positions.  He also has eligibility at both second and short, which just increases his value.  I picked up Franklin myself when Tulo broke his rib and so far I have no complaints.  He has decent power and good speed.  Franklin is currently available in 62% of Yahoo leagues.
  

Leonys Martin

Leonys Martin (OF, Texas Rangers)-  Martin had been battling Craig Gentry for the starting center field position for the Rangers.  Gentry broke his hand, giving the starting job to Martin by default.  Martin took the opportunity and ran with it.  He now has an 11 game hitting streak, bringing his average up to .288.  Martin has speed (13 stolen bases) and with the high powered Ranger offense, the ability to score runs.  He's available in 80% of Yahoo leagues.

Anthony Rendon (2nd/3rd, Washington Nationals)-  Rendon got his first shot in the majors this year when Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went down with an injury.  When Zimmerman came off the DL, Rendon was sent back down to the minors.  The Nationals however, where so impressed with Rendon that they converted him to second base to replace the struggling Danny Espinosa.  Rendon came back to the majors on June 6 and has taken full advantage of his second shot at the big show.  He has eligibility at second and third, and has raised his average to .354/.402 OBP, with 12 runs scored.  Good second baseman are really hard to come by these days, so at the very least, keep an eye on Rendon.  He has the potential to be a star and he's available in 64% of Yahoo leagues.

Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki (OF, New York Yankees)-  Ichiro has been a disappointment for most of this year, but it seems like he is finally coming around.  He's hitting .362 over the last 2 weeks, with 3 homers and 7 stolen bases.  The ancient and hobbled Yankees are in need of any kind of offense they can get lately, so if Ichiro is hot, look for him to continue to get the green light stealing bases.  Suzuki is available in 53% of Yahoo leagues.

Eric Stults (SP, San Diego Padres)- Stults got off to a rocky start this year, but has been outstanding for the last 2 months.  He's only given up more than 3 runs once since the beginning of May.  He's currently rocking a 3.20 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 67 strikeouts, with 6 wins.  Stults is at least worth a spot on your watch list, because you never know when one of your starters will go down with an injury.  I know I will probably be picking up Stults if/when I finally decide to throw in the towel on Cole Hamels.  That is of course if I can't trade him... Stults is available in 66% of Yahoo leagues.

As always, thanks for reading! I'm going to try and get more material out to you on a regular basis.  My wife and I are expecting our second child so things have been a little busy around here...  My next feature should be a mid season update on my roster.  Things have changed quite a bit since the draft...