:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12671009/20130427_kkt_sv7_693.0.jpg)
I was asked to participate in the first ever Tout Wars online mixed league draft back in March, and I was thrilled. This league is a 15 team league of experts which uses OBP instead of batting average as one of its five hitting categores. Heading into the draft, I was not sure how to value guys who knew how to get on base, so I decided not to even look at the category during my draft. I am currently in 8th place in this league, which is a few spots from where I was a few weeks ago, so I am happy with the progress thus far.
Anyway, when looking at the available players on the league waiver wire on Friday, I saw several guys I am considering picking up. Here is a look at a few hitters available in deeper mixed leagues that utilize the OBP category:
1. James Loney, TB
Loney is hitting .360-.415-.507 with a HR and 13 RBI thus far. How long he continues to get on base is anyone's guess. but he is off to his best start in quite awhile.
2. Juan Uribe, LAD
Uribe doesn't add much for fantasy owners, but he is getting on base at a .391 clip this season in part time duties. If you have an injury at the corner spot on your roster, and don't want to be hurt in the OBP category, he is a solid add at this point.
3. Ryan Raburn, CLE
Anthony Callani wrote about Raburn on these pages a few days ago, and he might be the hottest hitter in baseball in the last week. Raburn is currently hitting .333-.375-.600 with 4 HRs, 10 runs and 10 RBI this season, with all of his HRs, and the majority of his RBI, coming in the last week.
4. Jason Bay, SEA
Yeah, Jason Bay is actually playing baseball this year, can you believe it? And he has been productive in doing so as well, as he is hitting .279-.375-.475 with 3 HRs, 10 runs and 9 RBI in the early going.
5. Chris Denorfia, SD
Denorfia is playing almost every day, and has actually helped fantasy teams this season. I know, because I own him in an NL only 4 x 4 keeper league. He is hitting .303-.367-.416 with a HR, 14 runs and 9 RBI so far.
6. Devin Mesoraco, CIN
Mesoraco hasn't hit for power or average thus far, but is the Reds regular catcher while Ryan Hanigan is on the DL. Meso is hitting .240-.350-.320 with 6 runs and 6 RBI in 16 games this season. In deep leagues, where some catchers will kill your OBP, Mesoraco knows the strike zone and could provide some pop down the road.