RADIO
Yet another week of baseball is in the books. August is upon us. The trade deadline has come and gone, and quite honestly, it was a bit underwhelming this year. And oh yeah, in case you missed it, Jose Ramirez clocked Tim Anderson with a right hook last night in an on-field brawl between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox. There's never a dull moment, huh?
If your league is anything like mine, then there hasn't been much movement in recent weeks in the standings. Although time is moving quickly, it still isn't too late to make that jump you've been hoping to make. There is certainly no shortage of players who can help you to take that leap.
If you're lacking in the corner infield department, then I am once again here to share with you some names you should consider picking up this week to fulfill those needs. Consider adding these first and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 20 – August 7 through August 13.
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)
Luis Rengifo, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Angels (35% rostered)
While the Angels' playoff hopes seem to be slowly dwindling, Luis Rengifo has been productive at the plate for skidding Los Angeles. The 26-year-old had a fantastic July, posting a 1.069 OPS along with six homers, four doubles, two triples, 12 RBI, and 10 walks.
Although he's begun to cool off a bit in August, he's still slugged .556 with a pair of home runs, eight hits, four runs scored, and four walks across his last seven games. As the Halos hope to secure a playoff spot in the midst of a historic season from Shohei Ohtani, they'll need guys like Rengifo to contribute down the stretch, especially as superstar Mike Trout makes his way back from injury.
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (36% rostered)
Ke'Bryan Hayes just returned from the injured list on August 1 after missing nearly the entirety of July, so a quick glance at his recent numbers will show they are less than ideal. Prior to hitting the IL, however, the 26-year-old had a standout June, slashing .337/.337/.518 with a trio of homers and 13 RBI. Something Hayes struggles with is walking, though, having drawn just 16 free passes this season.
As the Pirates wait for Hayes to heat up and at least finish up his third year on a high note even as the club heads for another losing season, they can at least take solace in the fact that he's an elite-level third baseman. Pair his stellar defense at the hot corner with another hot streak at the plate and you have yourself an All-Star-caliber player, something Pittsburgh has been hoping for since Hayes' debut in 2020, although injuries have held him back from reaching his full potential.
Waiver Wire For Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Harold Ramirez, 1B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays (23% rostered)
Harold Ramirez has had an interesting season for Tampa Bay. By all accounts, his numbers aren't bad, and at the beginning of the year, he displayed some power for the Rays. However, that power has largely disappeared and the 28-year-old doesn't always find himself in the starting lineup. Whether he should see more playing time is debatable, but right now, Ramirez's recent numbers should put him in the starting nine.
Ramirez hasn't homered since June 8 (!) but he's been able to contribute in other ways. He's batted .391 and reached base at a .440 clip in his last seven games. He started off August on the right foot by going 5-for-10 in three games, including a three-hit performance on August 4 vs. Detroit. However, most of his hits haven't been going for extra bases. If Tampa Bay wishes to try for the division crown, Ramirez and others need to heat up as they did in the first few months of the season.
Jordan Westburg, 2B/3B/SS, Baltimore Orioles (20% rostered)
After a slow start following his promotion to the big leagues, Jordan Westburg has begun to heat up for the Orioles. In Week 18 of this series, I noted that it was only a matter of time before the 24-year-old hit his stride at the major league level. He promptly responded by hitting his first MLB home run against the Phillies that week, and he's continued to show why he's a valuable asset to Baltimore's young core.
In his last seven games, Westburg has slashed .333/.385/.542, hit his second career homer, drove in three runs, scored five, and collected eight hits. It's been an encouraging sign for the O's, who have seen themselves rise three games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for sole possession of first place in the AL East.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Curtis Mead, 2B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays (5% rostered)
Curtis Mead, the Rays No. 3 overall prospect, was promoted to the majors on August 4. Acquired by Tampa Bay in November 2019 from the Phillies in exchange for left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, Mead has slowly risen in the ranks in the minor league system. While he hasn't taken the league by storm just yet, he collected his first MLB hit in his first game on Friday, and figures to be in the starting lineup as the season carries on.
2023 has seen the promotion of several top prospects across the league, and a good chunk of them have contributed to their respective clubs in many ways. As the Rays try to move into first place in the AL East once again, Tampa Bay is hoping that Mead can help aid that cause as August begins and September will be here before we know it.
More Players to Consider
- Nolan Jones, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies (19% rostered)
- LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF, San Francisco Giants (15% rostered)
- Jake Bauers, 2B/3B/SS/OF, New York Yankees (1% rostered)
- Alec Burleson, 1B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals (2% rostered)
- Mike Moustakas, 1B/3B, Los Angeles Angels (5% rostered)
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