Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Saves and Steals Pickups

Cover Photo: Getty Images

Two of the most sought-after stats off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball are saves and steals. With that in mind, The Duel will provide weekly updates on players you should consider picking up who are available in at least 50 percent of standard fantasy leagues.

Here are three options for saves and steals following MLB's Opening Weekend.

Steals: Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong is one of those players that fantasy owners have been waiting on for a breakout for a few seasons now. Coming off a year where he tallied just over 350 at-bats and stole just six bags, calling him a buy-low candidate would be putting it kindly.

In the two seasons of his career with at least 400 at-bats, Wong has at least 15 steals and 11 home runs. His defense will likely keep him in the lineup every day, and having already notched three homers and two steals in just five games, Wong is well worth a stash, just in case this is the year he finally breaks out.

Saves: Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy isn't a name I expected to be typing about when it came to picking up saves this season. Having signed Brad Boxberger this offseason and with Wily Peralta already in-house, it seemed like the Kansas City Royals were all set at the back-end of their bullpen. But just three games into the season, Kennedy has pitched two scoreless innings, including his first career save.

Following his save, Royals' manager Ned Yost said that he likes both Kennedy and Peralta as late-inning options, with no mention of Boxberger, who got a one-out save last Thursday. Kennedy looks to be favorite for saves in KC at the moment, and that's well worth a waiver wire pickup this early in the season.

Steals: Delino DeShields

This is as speculative an add as they come. Delino DeShields is one of those players that if he ever gets to 500 at-bats, he is practically guaranteed 40 steals. He's batted leadoff for the Texas Rangers in two of his four starts this season, which provides added run-category value, and he tallied 20 stolen bases in 393 plate appearances last season. In 2017, he swiped 29 bags in 440 plate appearances.

Owned in less than 5 percent of leagues across the board, DeShields is the type of player that could save your fantasy season if you have a stolen-base need and an extra bench spot.

New customers will get 40/1 on any of the Final Four teams to win the tournament.