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Welcome to Week 13 of fantasy baseball 1B and 3B waiver wire pickups! You know what they say about no. 13...no, it's not unlucky, especially with these players! It's hard to believe that we're less than a month away from the All-Star Break, which will be quickly followed up by the trade deadline on August 1.
Most division races are still tight as no team has run away quite yet with first place, and the Wild Card race is sure to be nerve-wracking all the way to October. Teams like the Reds and Diamondbacks have been a joy to watch this season, especially due to their youthful lineups that have led them to success.
Just as these rookies have provided a spark for their respective clubs, they can jumpstart your fantasy lineup as well. It's never too late to make a push in the standings. Here are some first and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 13 -- June 19 through June 25.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and weekly lineup resources:- Nick Mariano's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups (Premium)
- Start/Sit recommendations - All Pitcher Matchups for Week Ahead
- Fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings (top 80 players)
- FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Outfield fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 1B/3B fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 2B/SS fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Catcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Hitter streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Two-start pitcher streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Cut List - Players To Consider Dropping
Waiver Wire Pickups For Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Cincinnati Reds (33% rostered)
I know, I know. You're probably saying to yourself: this guy isn't even in the majors yet. But he's already 33% rostered! That's why it would be wise to add the Reds' No. 6-ranked prospect before he inevitably gets the call to the bigs. Encarnacion-Strand is the real deal, and he's going to come out hot just as Elly De La Cruz did for Cincinnati earlier this month. He may even be better if you can believe it.
The 23-year-old is currently in the midst of a position change in the minor leagues, which is perhaps what's prevented him from debuting. From an offensive standpoint, he's more than ready to face major-league pitching. He's belted 17 home runs and knocked in 47 RBI, and possesses a whopping 1.119 OPS in 47 games with Triple-A Louisville this season.
It shouldn't be long before the Reds call him up, as Cincinnati hopes to move into first place in the NL Central. Their youthful lineup has led them on a seven-game win streak, and they now sit just a half-game back of the Milwaukee Brewers with a 36-35 record.
Geraldo Perdomo, 2B/3B/SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (32% rostered)
Perdomo has taken a huge step forward for Arizona this season and it's helped them to reach first place in the NL West, where they possess a healthy 3.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 13 games in June, Perdomo has slashed .361/.478/.472 with four doubles, six RBI, and eight walks. Only a little over 30% rostered, Perdomo is a bit of a sleeper this year.
Overall, the 23-year-old has a .873 OPS and 18 extra-base hits across 56 games this year. His breakout is exactly what the D-backs needed to make their lineup a threat from top to bottom, alongside the likes of NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll, veteran Christian Walker, and former All-Star Ketel Marte.
Waiver Wire For Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (12% rostered)
With Ryan Mountcastle on the injured list, the Orioles called up another Ryan to take his place at first base. That would be Ryan O'Hearn, who was recalled by Baltimore on May 9. In the 28 games that followed, O'Hearn has been red hot. Across his last seven games, the 29-year-old has batted an astounding .478/.520/.826 with a pair of home runs.
While he's stepped up in the place of Mountcastle in a big way, it's probably not sustainable for the former eighth-round pick. In five seasons with the Kansas City Royals, he hit just .219 with an abysmal .683 OPS. However, there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of the hot streak while you can.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers (18% rostered)
The former No. 1 overall pick is once again beginning to heat up for the lowly Tigers. After slashing just .228/.323/.456 in his previous 15 games, he's since slugged .643 and reached base at a .406 clip, blasting two homers and collecting six RBI.
Detroit is set to begin a three-game set with the Royals on Monday -- a battle between the bottom two teams in the AL Central. Kansas City may be one of the few teams who the Tigers may have an edge against, so adding Torkelson in the middle of a hot streak against one of the league's worst could prove to be a smart move.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Donovan Solano, 1B/2B/3B, Minnesota Twins (7% rostered)
Solano has primarily appeared at first base for the Twins this season and has begun to pick things up offensively. The 35-year-old veteran has slashed .391/.533/.696 in his last seven games for Minnesota, helping to keep them afloat atop the AL Central with a 36-35 record.
He launched his first long ball of the season on June 11 against Toronto and followed that up with his second of the year on June 15 against the Tigers, improving his OPS to .952 for the month.
More Players to Consider
- Matt Vierling, 3B/OF, Detroit Tigers (4% rostered)
- Seth Brown, 1B/OF, Oakland Athletics (18% rostered)
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