RADIO
Is anybody else in disbelief we are approaching the middle of August, or is it just me? We are officially coming down to the wire here for the 2023 Major League Baseball season as well as the fantasy baseball season. That went fast, didn't it? Maybe a little too fast.
Nevertheless, it's going to be an interesting next few weeks in the baseball world, and let your fantasy team make the most of it by adding the guys listed below to your corner infield positions. Whether they're in the midst of a hot streak or just beginning to heat up, these pickups can help your team right now.
Having a sensational August and September can essentially define your season as not only a team but as a player. People will remember what you did in big moments. Did you step up? Were you a hero? This is the time of year when new legends are made. Sure, not all of the teams below are competing for a playoff spot, but they want to end their seasons on a high note regardless. Consider adding these first and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 21 -- August 14 through August 20.
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Waiver Wire Pickups For Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (30% rostered)
If you followed my advice last week, you know Ke'Bryan Hayes has had quite a week since coming off the injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 26-year-old had three straight games with three RBI in a home series against the MLB-best Atlanta Braves and has knocked in 10 overall in his last seven games.
He's done so with his speed and via the long ball -- hitting three homers to bring his total up to eight on the year -- and adding a triple and a double as well. The struggling Bucs are certainly happy to have the versatile infielder back in their lineup.
Josh Bell, 1B, Miami Marlins (39% rostered)
Something the Cleveland Guardians waited for all season was a Josh Bell power surge, and the 30-year-old waited until he got dealt to the Miami Marlins to do so. He has three home runs in his last seven games for Miami, along with five RBI and two walks.
Since joining the Fish at the deadline, Bell has batted .308 and posted a 1.039 in 10 games. Still, it hasn't helped the Marlins much. They have gone 4-6 since. Luckily for them, they are still just a half-game back of the final NL Wild Card spot.
Waiver Wire For Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Nolan Jones, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies (30% rostered)
It's been a dismal season for the Colorado Rockies. Not only do they have the worst record in the NL, but they traded away C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk -- the two lone bright spots in their lineup -- and Kris Bryant remains on the injured list, a place he's spent a majority of his time since joining Colorado.
One positive from this Rockies season comes in the form of Nolan Jones. In his last seven games, he's slugged .583 with a pair of homers and driven in four. While he's struggled at the plate for stretches of time, he has proved that he possesses immense power, slugging .495 overall with 11 big flies on the year. The former second-round pick has also collected 29 RBI and posted a .849 OPS across 61 games in 2023. Not too shabby, except the 25-year-old has struck out 78 times in 229 plate appearances as well.
Luke Raley, 1B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays (30% rostered)
Following an extremely rough July that saw them fall out of first place in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays' offense seems to finally be waking up -- and they need to since nearly their entire pitching staff is out with injuries. One player that's been quiet since the All-Star break is Luke Raley. Hopefully, a big game against Cleveland on Saturday is a sign of better things to come for the 28-year-old.
Raley went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBI, and a walk vs. the Guardians, helping lead the Rays to a 6-5 walk-off win despite Cleveland's starting pitcher Gavin Williams fanning 10 batters. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in their last 10 and are just 1.5 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for first place. If their lineup -- including Raley -- starts hitting home runs at the pace they were in the first half, then they could be a dangerous threat down the stretch for the division crown.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Joey Gallo, 1B/OF, Minnesota Twins (8% rostered)
Joey Gallo has been doing typical Joey Gallo things for the Minnesota Twins this season -- crushing baseballs, drawing walks, and striking out a bunch. He's hit just .185 across 93 games in 2023 but hit the ball out of the yard 20 times while adding only 38 RBI. The man can still hit absolute tanks, but when he's cold ... he's ice cold.
Luckily, Gallo seems to be heating up, slashing .313/.500/.875 with a trio of home runs, six RBI, and six walks in his last seven games. He and the Twins are hoping a hot stretch can help to bring his OPS on the year above .800, as it sits at just .770 right now. Due to his streakiness at the plate, adding Gallo while he's on is always a good idea.
More Players to Consider
- Jon Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros (1% rostered)
- Ildemaro Vargas, 3B/SS/OF, Washington Nationals (1% rostered)
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