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Welcome back to another edition of first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. It’s crazy to think we’re already on Week Three of the season!
For those who are not familiar, each week at RotoBaller we publish a waiver wire article for each position. This article will look at corner infield options, at both 1B and 3B. You can also read our other articles for middle infield (2B and SS), outfield, starting pitchers, and more.
Here are some names to consider on the waiver wire for this upcoming week of the MLB and fantasy baseball season. Let's get right to it!
Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres
26% Rostered
Maybe the nonstop trade rumors heading into the regular season lit a little fire under Hosmer. The 32-year-old first baseman has been killing it at the plate to start the year for the Padres.
Over his first 13 games, he’s hitting .375 and has a .878 OPS and 165 OPS+ with six doubles. Perhaps some of that success has come from his increase in launch angle to begin the season.
While Hosmer isn’t the most reliable option when it comes to offensive production, owners should definitely consider riding him while he’s red hot.
Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins
22% Rostered
Throughout his five-year big-league career, Luis Arraez has shown tremendous bat-to-ball skills. He's ranked in the top-1% of the league in both whiff and strikeout percentage for each season. Arraez is an on-base machine and just continuously puts the ball in play.
Over 905 at-bats, he has a career .313 batting average. Although, he has just seven home runs, 48 doubles, and a .779 OPS over that span.
While Arráez doesn’t offer much in the power department, he’s as consistent as it gets when it comes to batting average. He’s continued that success thus far this season hitting towards the top of the Twins lineup. Through 15 games he's hitting .354 and has a .426 OBP and .884 OPS.
Arráez is definitely someone to consider if you’re looking for a boost in the average department. There's also a chance he sees a slight increase in the power department, as he's increased his flyball rate early on this season.
Michael Chavis, Pittsburgh Pirates
7% Rostered
I’ve personally always been a fan of Chavis and his potential upside. Though he does swing and misses a ton, a 32.3% strikeout rate for his career, I did not think the Red Sox should give up on him so soon. However, they did and now he’s receiving a nice opportunity with the rebuilding Pirates.
Chavis is still stuck in a bit of a platoon, but when he’s on the field, he’s been outstanding. Through 12 games, he has two home runs, a double, and a triple, and has struck out just eight times. Early on Chavis has seen both his hard-hit (48.4%) and barrel (6.5%) percentages increase from last season.
If he continues to hit the way he has, there’s no reason he shouldn’t see regular playing time very soon. That upside and his hot start at the plate make Chavis a name to keep an eye on for fantasy owners early on this season.
Daniel Vogelbach, Pittsburgh Pirates
6% Rostered
Vogelbach is another interesting piece filling out that lineup for the rebuilding Pirates. The slugger has always had the power potential, it was just a matter of him putting it all together. Voggy has gotten off to a red hot start to the 2022 season hitting out of the leadoff spot for the Pirates.
The big lefty has slugged three home runs and a pair of doubles while posting a .936 OPS and 174 OPS+ over the first 13 games of the season. Early on, he's seen an increase in his launch angle at the plate and has been barreling balls up at a higher rate.
Like Chavis, he’s been playing in a bit of a platoon, but if he keeps this production up he could find himself out there every day real soon. Vogelbach is a solid first base option for fantasy owners to consider in what could be a breakout season.
Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
2% Rostered
Naylor is just making his way back from the injured list, but thus far, he’s been a nice addition to the Guardians lineup. The 25-year-old has been a decent piece over his four-year career, flashing signs of potential upside.
Naylor launched his first home run of the season over the weekend against the Yankees. He also has a pair of doubles and has posted a 1.023 OPS in just seven games played. While this is just a small sample size, Naylor does have a strong minor league track record.
The potential is certainly there, Naylor just has to stay healthy and put it all together at the big league level. If he can do that, he could be looking at a breakout season at the plate. He's certainly worth a speculative addition for fantasy owners.
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