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Lauren's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for 1B and 3B for Week 12 of the 2024 season. Consider adding these free agent first basemen and third basemen.
Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Josh Smith, 3B/SS/OF, Texas Rangers (49% rostered)
Deja vu, right? Indeed, Josh Smith is back because he hasn't slowed down at the plate for the Rangers yet is still rostered below 50 percent. This is your sign to add him while you still can, as he's batting .310 and slugging .586 over the last week with a pair of homers and three RBI.
We must get Josh Smith to the All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/xREnMBmh5M
— Writing For the Rangers (@WritingRangers) June 6, 2024
The 26-year-old's .284 batting average, .371 on-base percentage, and 15 doubles lead the team. He's also added four home runs and 24 RBI in 62 games. Smith is having a breakout year for Texas, and the club may be forced to carve out a role for him in their lineup even when Josh Jung eventually returns.
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (47% rostered)
Like the Pirates' 2024 campaign, Ke'Bryan Hayes' season has had good and bad moments. On paper, Pittsburgh is a young, exciting ball club, and Hayes is an intriguing player. It's a matter of putting it all together and the 27-year-old third baseman reaching his potential and staying healthy. Right now, the Bucs seem to be clicking on all cylinders.
#Pirates Ke’Bryan Hayes since returning from the IL on 5/29
7G/29PA
- .360/.414/.480
- .389 wOBA & 153 wRC+
- 3/3 on SB attempts. First SBs of the year and only stole 1 in the 2nd half of last year so it’s good to see him running again
- Only concern is lack of power. 9… pic.twitter.com/US7x34lRXI— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) June 7, 2024
They're last in the NL Central but boast a dynamic one-two punch in Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, and the club nearly swept the powerhouse Dodgers this past week. This was partly due to the performance of Hayes, activated from the injured list on May 28, who slashed .333/.367/.444 with a home run, four RBI, two walks, and three stolen bases. Pittsburgh has the Cardinals and Rockies on deck, and Hayes hopes to continue swinging a hot bat.
Waiver Wire for Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (24% rostered)
A fair warning that Ryan O'Hearn is not an everyday starter for Baltimore, but when he does play, he makes it count. That's why he boasts a .333/.364/.524 slash line in his last seven games, as well as a home run, two RBI, and a stolen base. In fact, his underlying offensive statistics have drawn attention throughout the season. He ranks in the 94th percentile or higher in xSLG, xBA, and xwOBA.
Ryan O’Hearn’s Spray chart is beautiful. pic.twitter.com/PjESgWk1fx
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) June 8, 2024
O'Hearn keeps his strikeouts to a minimum, fanning just 18 times in 176 plate appearances. He also uses the whole field, as seen in his spray chart, but tends to go opposite field when hitting balls out of the ballpark. Either way, the 30-year-old is a strong platoon option or bench piece for the Orioles. His veteran presence among a plethora of young talent must pay dividends, too.
Luke Raley, 1B/OF, Seattle Mariners (23% rostered)
It's safe to say that Luke Raley may have been one of the most important off-season additions for the Mariners. This is the second time the 29-year-old journeyman has appeared on this list because he's still swinging the bat incredibly well and is only 23 percent rostered.
Luke Raley rockets one out for the second straight day, and for his sixth of the season ... 110.8 mph off the bat, 354 feet and just barely over the right-field wall.
Of note: The Mariners are 27-14 when homering and 27-9 when scoring first. pic.twitter.com/T4qSF5jfPP
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 2, 2024
Of course, like O'Hearn, it's probably because he doesn't play every day. The offensive production is there, and Seattle should consider awarding him a spot in their starting lineup. Following a rough stretch at the plate, Raley has hit .316 and slugged .737 with two home runs and four RBI across his last seven games.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Wilmer Flores, 1B/3B, San Francisco Giants (3% rostered)
Wilmer Flores frequented these lists in 2023, and now he's finally back in 2024 after having a multi-homer game against the reigning World Champions on Friday. The 32-year-old started June with a bang, with three homers and seven RBI in five games.
If nobody got me, I know Wilmer Flores got me 😎 pic.twitter.com/1TmTrtfGMM
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 8, 2024
The veteran infielder hopes the new month will help him turn things around offensively, as he's struggled mightily through the first half of the season. Overall, it hasn't been a great start for the Giants, who are currently in third place in the NL West. However, the NL wild card is wide open, and if players like Flores, Michael Conforto, Jorge Soler, and Heliot Ramos continue to hit, San Francisco should have no problem climbing the standings.
More Waiver Wire Pickups to Consider
- Spencer Horwitz, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays (2% rostered)
- Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF, Chicago White Sox (3% rostered)
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