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As the 2024 MLB season unfolds, several players have emerged as valuable assets for first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 16 — July 8 through July 14.
Despite the team's struggles, Michael Busch of the Cubs has maintained a hot bat, batting .297 in June and boasting a 1.007 OPS in July. Similarly, White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn is on an impressive run, with a .320 batting average and .640 slugging percentage in the last week. Yankees rookie Ben Rice has shown promise since his June debut, particularly against right-handed pitchers, and recently thrived in the leadoff spot. Detroit's Colt Keith is displaying the power that earned him a lucrative contract, hitting three home runs in his last two games.
Meanwhile, Lenyn Sosa of the White Sox has been a sparkplug since his recall, batting .294 with four home runs since late May. Adding these players to your fantasy team could provide the offensive boost needed to climb the standings.
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Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Michael Busch, 1B/3B, Chicago Cubs (33% rostered)
Since a scorching hot start to the 2024 season, former Dodgers first-round pick Michael Busch had somewhat cooled off. The Cubs' offense, in general, has been mired in a slump for most of the season. Chicago is in last place in the NL Central and could blow it all up at the trade deadline. However, Busch could be a potential building block for the club.
2 pitches, 2 runs for the Cubs thanks to Michael Busch's 2-run homer!
📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/tgFCpJHels
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 29, 2024
The 26-year-old batted .297 in June, and that offensive production has since carried over to July, where he owns a 1.007 OPS in three games. In his last seven, he's slugging .500 with a homer, two RBI, six walks, and five runs scored. Busch has been swinging a hot bat along with teammates Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki since June 1. Unfortunately, it hasn't resulted in many wins for the Cubs.
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Chicago White Sox (49% rostered)
White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn ended the month of June on a high note, and he's hoping that carries over to the All-Star break and beyond. In the last week, the 26-year-old has a pair of homers, six RBI, three walks, and six runs scored, culminating in a .320 batting average and .640 slugging percentage.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Vaughn 🫡 pic.twitter.com/rY50WVXSK1
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 2, 2024
Per Just Baseball's Elijah Evans, Vaughn has a 161 wRC+ and hit .337 since June 1. The former third-overall draft pick's offensive improvement could move his name into potential trade deadline conversations, along with teammates Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr.
Waiver Wire for Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Ben Rice, C/1B, New York Yankees (24% rostered)
The Yankees have looked like a different ballclub in recent weeks, but rookie Ben Rice isn't to blame for their struggles. Since making his debut on June 18, he's hit .265 and hit his first career home run against the Reds on July 4 (how American!)
BEN RICE LEADOFF BOMB! pic.twitter.com/GrWPmiCA59
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 6, 2024
The 25-year-old hasn't hit lefties well so far but sees righties just fine, slashing .313/.410/.500 in 14 games against them. Additionally, Anthony Volpe has drastically tapered off since his great start to the season, causing New York manager Aaron Boone to move him down in the lineup. Rice will now try his hand at batting first, and it's already seemed to work out well for him -- hitting THREE homers from the leadoff spot against the Red Sox on Saturday.
Colt Keith, 2B/3B, Detroit Tigers (15% rostered)
Everyone is still waiting for the true Colt Keith breakout, but he's shown flashes this season of what earned him a six-year deal with the Tigers before he even played a major league game. The 22-year-old has blasted three home runs in his last two games and added five RBI, a walk, and six runs.
Colt Keith AGAIN!
(via @tigers)pic.twitter.com/aJLz6aqJJb
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 6, 2024
The rookie's first career multi-homer showing came on Friday against the Reds. His two HRs traveled a combined distance of 828 feet, and both came off the bat at over 100 mph. In 51 games since May 1, Keith has slashed .285/.319/.465 with eight doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 23 RBI, and 22 runs scored.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Lenyn Sosa, 2B/3B, Chicago White Sox (8% rostered)
Two White Sox on the same list?! Since being recalled by the White Sox at the end of May, Lenyn Sosa has operated as a sparkplug for a lowly Chicago offense. It's a far cry from when Sosa made his MLB debut in June 2022, posting a .186 average and 52 strikeouts in 63 games. He also hit seven homers in 209 plate appearances.
Sosa Smash pic.twitter.com/7IGkggvFwV
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 4, 2024
In 32 games since May 31, the 24-year-old has batted. 294/.330/.459 with four home runs and 14 RBI. Two of those homers have come in his last seven games, where he owns a 1.198 OPS. Has Sosa had a breakthrough? Maybe, maybe not -- but for now, allow his hot streak to help your fantasy lineup.
More Waiver Wire Pickups to Consider
- Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates (4% rostered)
- Chris Taylor, 3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (5% rostered)
- Miguel Rojas, 2B/3B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (13% rostered)
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