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Hunting for values on the waiver wire is one of the most fun, and most challenging, parts of any fantasy season. This can be especially true at the infield corners, an area where the stars are readily scooped up. Finding a low cost alternative can be often difficult.
Here at RotoBaller, we're always looking for ways to help our readers succeed in all aspects of the game. With that aim in mind, each week I'll be bringing you my recommendations for which waiver wire first and third basemen should be on your radar as you peruse the waiver wire. Let's get started as we enter Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for first base and third base, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Top First Base Waiver Wire Pickup
Mike Napoli (1B, BOS)
Fleaflicker: 37% owned; ESPN: 41.1% owned; Yahoo: 57% owned
Don't let his less-than-stellar season stat-line fool you, Napoli has been the hottest thing on the planet of late. Over the past two weeks he's hit .317/.429/.707 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and eight Runs scored. Frankly, if he continues to hit like this, I would not be surprised to see Napoli slowly begin inching his way up the Red Sox batting order. Manager John Ferrel must be getting desperate to do something to jolt some life into his last place team. Elevating the position of his best hitter could easily be his solution to that problem. Even in the 5th spot, however, Napoli has proven just how productive he can be for fantasy owners.
Now's a good time to buy-in on Napoli. The Red Sox begin a seven day homestand next week against the A's and Twins. Minnesota and Oakland have both allowed a 4.23 ERA on the road thus far this season thanks to below average pitching staffs which will soon be marching into hitter-friendly Fenway to face Napoli. Subsequent series against the Orioles and Jays should likewise prove to be tempting matchups for fantasy owners. Not bad for a player only owned in 41% of ESPN leagues.
Other 1B Notables
Chris Colabello (1B/OF, TOR)
Fleaflicker: 12% owned; ESPN: 34.4% owned; Yahoo: 22% owned
No team in baseball has scored more runs this year than the Toronto Blue Jays. With 263 runs scored, the Jays lead the second place Rangers by almost 40 entries in this category. Why does that matter? It matters because Chris Colabello in the middle of that lineup. Colabello is hitting .374 through the month of May with four home runs, 14 RBI, and 14 Runs scored. While no one thinks that he'll be able to keep this kind of production up long term, right now Colabello is one of the hottest hitters in the game, hitting in the middle of the best lineup in baseball. If Napoli has already been scooped up in your league, you could do a lot worse than to add a bat like Colabello's to your everyday lineup.
Top Third Base Waiver Wire Pickup
Trevor Plouffe (3B, MIN)
Fleaflicker: 36% owned; ESPN: 31.3% owned; Yahoo: 25% owned
This isn't the first time I've recommended Plouffe to RotoBaller readers and for good reason. He's hit .360 over the last week with a home run and plenty of counting stats to go with it. During the month of May Plouffe has been a .303 hitter with four home runs, 19 RBI, and 12 Runs scored. In fact, he's been a top 10 3rd baseman in terms of RBI and home runs so far this season (for the curious, he's ranked 11th in batting average). Considering that nearly all of this production has come within the last calendar month, it's incredibly impressive how much Plouffe has been able to accomplish.
Like many others on this list, Plouffe is the beneficiary of a strong upcoming schedule. To this point in the season, the Red Sox and Brewers have two of the three worst rotations in baseball in terms of ERA-allowed. The Twins will face both next week, with a four game series against the Red Sox at Fenway and then three games against the Brewers at home. Could you ask for more?
Other 3B Notables
Jung-Ho Kang (3B/SS, PIT)
Fleaflicker: 28% owned; ESPN: 29.1% owned; Yahoo: 36% owned
Jung-Ho Kang was one of the best players the South Korean league has ever seen. Questions about his ability to make the transition to major league play held down his free agent value, however. This is why the Pirates were able to scoop him up over the offseason for only a 4 year, $11 million contract. A lot of teams must be regretting not topping that offer now.
In only 120 plate appearances this season, Kang has absolutely crushed the ball for the Pirates. He's slashed .302/.375/.453 during his time in the majors, displaying a blend of power (3 home runs) and speed (4 stolen bases) that fantasy owners are always on the hunt for. Having watched a few of his games, I've been personally impressed by the authority with which he's hitting the ball right now. Those home runs he's hit are the kind you want to sit back and just admire. It was honestly something of a toss-up for me with regard to whether Kang or Plouffe deserved top honors on this list. Plouffe's short term schedule advantage broke the tie in this case, but no matter which player you end up with, you should be very happy with the results.
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