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Welcome back RotoBallers to Week 16! The All-Star break festivities are over and we're into the second half of the season. Today, we're back with another edition of our first-and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
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.
Let’s keep rolling right along here with some names to consider as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for this upcoming week of the MLB and fantasy baseball season – July 25 through July 31.
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Wilmer Flores, San Francisco Giants
63% Rostered
As a Mets fan, I'll always have a bit of a soft spot in my heart for good old Wilmer Flores. I'll never forget that extra-inning game against the Nationals when he hit the walk-off just days after the trade deadline, I was there and it was magical.
Since leaving the Big Apple, Flores has been a pretty solid piece for the Diamondbacks and now the Giants. With his versatility, he's been playing pretty much everyday in the Bay Area and is enjoying another strong campaign.
In 88 games, Flores has 13 homers, 17 doubles, 51 RBI, a 117 OPS+, and .773 OPS. The big righty has mainly hit towards the top of the Giants lineup and has remained a steady contributor. He doesn't strike out much and draws a decent amount of walks.
While the playing time is there and he's producing, you should definitely consider picking up my man Wilmer. That is if he is still available, of course!
Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
28% Rostered
While the power hasn't really been there, Bohm has been enjoying a pretty decent bounce-back season at the plate. The youngster has just six homers but is hitting .276 and has a .313 OBP. He still isn't drawing many walks but has decreased his strikeout percentage (down to 19.9%) significantly.
Bohm's .292 xBA actually currently ranks in the top-five% of the league. He's currently riding a seven game hitting streak and is looking to carry some momentum into the second-half.
I was a firm believer that with the help of hitting coach Kevin Long, Bohm would have a big 2022 season. So far he's made steps in the right direction, now it's time to get that power stroke going in the second-half. Don't give up on the 25-year-old just yet, there's a ton of potential still in there.
Joey Wendle, Miami Marlins
17% Rostered
I've always looked at Joey Wendle as one of the more underrated players in the game today. He plays a handful of different positions, gets on-base a ton, and is a hits machine. He's one of those guys that does just about everything and is a very solid all-around ballplayer.
I really liked it when the Marlins quietly picked up Wendle this offseason. He had a strong start to the year, then missed some time, but since returning has picked up right where he left off.
Wendle picked up three more hits on Friday night for his sixth multi-hit game of the month. In that same span, he's now hitting .310 out of the leadoff spot for Miami. He's also recorded five doubles, seven RBI, and a pair of stolen bases.
He doesn't offer much when it comes to power, but Wendle is hitting .294 on the season with six stolen bases. Wendle doesn't strike out much, gets on-base a ton, and is a versatile and relatively reliable fantasy option.
Evan Longoria, San Francisco Giants
5% Rostered
UPDATE: Evan Longoria was injured on Saturday night, with a mild hamstring strain, and is now likely heading to the IL. Keep an eye for further updates.
Evan Longoria continues to produce at 36-years young. The veteran returned from the injured list just prior to the All-Star break and recorded a pair of hits in his first game back. So far, he's picked up right where he left off.
Longoria smacked a homer in Thursday night's series opener with the Dodgers and then reached base two more times on Friday night. He now has nine home runs and 19 RBI in just 48 games played this season.
Longoria missed a ton of time but quietly enjoyed a strong campaign last season too. He's already just four shy of topping his homer total. Again, in small sample sizes, he's drastically increased his launch angle over the past two seasons.
While he's healthy and in the middle of that Giants lineup, why not take a chance on the 15-year veteran.
Others to Consider
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