RADIO
College football who? NFL who? Sorry, September is for MLB playoff races, and it's going to come down to the wire for a lot of teams. It's certainly an exciting time to be a baseball fan and perhaps a stressful time as well. Not only is the regular season ending, but so is the fantasy baseball season.
At this point, you may have given up all hope for your team, and I don't blame you. But I do want to inform you that there are still some decent waiver wire adds out there that can help your team make a leap if you so desire. I am trying to move back into second place myself, so I am monitoring the wire very closely. Below are the guys that stood out to me the most and that I would strongly consider picking up.
Good luck, fantasy owners! I hope these first and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 23 -- August 28 through September 3 -- are able to help you in your pursuits!
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Waiver Wire Pickups For Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B, New York Yankees (33% rostered)
The New York Yankees have had one of their worst seasons in decades. They sit at the bottom of the AL East -- 19 games back of first place, and 10 games back of an AL Wild Card spot -- and recently lost nine in a row for the first time since 1982. They are 2-8 in their last 10 games but DJ LeMahieu has quietly put together a hot streak amongst their abysmal offense.
His two-homer game against the Tampa Bay Rays helped them to a 6-2 win on August 25. In his last seven games overall, the veteran third baseman has slashed .280/.419/.640 with seven hits, five runs, three home runs, three RBI, and five walks. New York will look to win their first series this month on Sunday.
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (49% rostered)
Since returning from the injured list, Ke'Bryan Hayes has been electric for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a .913 OPS in August along with five doubles, a triple, five homers, and 16 RBI. Although the Bucs are long out of the postseason race -- barring a miracle -- gaining their 26-year-old third baseman back has been a delight.
Despite losing 10-6 to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Hayes belted a home run out of the lead-off spot. He has brought his slugging percentage up to .600 to go with 10 hits, six runs, and four RBI across his last seven games. With first-overall 2023 MLB Draft pick Paul Skenes quickly climbing through the minors and a healthy Hayes and Oneil Cruz, who knows what 2024 will bring for Pittsburgh?
Waiver Wire For Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Josh Rojas, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners (21% rostered)
After a slow offensive start to the season, the Seattle Mariners have suddenly emerged as a favorite to win the AL West. They are currently tied with the Texas Rangers for first place, and the Houston Astros trail them by just a game. That's why Seattle needs all hands on deck as September approaches and deadline acquisition Josh Rojas is answering the call.
The 29-year-old has slashed .387/.406/.613 with a dozen hits -- including a pair of home runs -- and six RBI in his last seven games for the M's. In 17 games with Seattle, Rojas has a .816 OPS, much better than his .588 OPS with the Diamondbacks in 59 games in 2023. So far, the former 26th-round pick is looking like a steal for the Mariners. But let's hope his production is somewhat sustainable down the stretch. Either way, add him while he's hot!
Osleivis Basabe, 3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (17% rostered)
Osleivis Basabe, a 22-year-old infielder, recently made his debut for the Rays on August 13. He has helped the club get back on track after a rough start to the second half. The Venezuela native has batted .286 alongside a .762 OPS in 12 games at the big league level and already collected his first major league home run in grand fashion.
He's added three doubles and nine RBI as well and has been on a tear the last week for Tampa Bay. He's reached base at a .375 clip and slugged .565 during that span. Prior to his call-up, Basabe was ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect for the Rays. Thus far, he's looked worth the hype.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (9% rostered)
The Angels shocked the baseball world by calling up Nolan Schanuel -- their 2023 first-round selection -- just weeks after he was drafted. But at this point, what do the Halos stand to lose? They've already learned that Shohei Ohtani has a UCL tear and will likely need Tommy John surgery in the offseason, leaving his 2024 season in doubt. Mike Trout returned from the injured list just to land back on it again. Moreover, they're essentially out of the playoff race despite having an active deadline.
Enter Schanuel, who in seven games has made the Angels' decision to promptly promote him to the majors (despite minimal time in the minors) a good one. Although he has yet to hit his first home run, he has seven walks, culminating in a .516 OBP and two RBI. And with an RBI single on August 23, he became the first Angels rookie to start his career with a six-game hitting streak since David Eckstein in 2001. Not bad company to be in for the youngster.
More Players to Consider
- Brandon Belt, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays (9% rostered)
- Enrique Hernandez, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (13% rostered)
- Luis Rengifo, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Angels (22% rostered)
- Jake Burger, 3B, Miami Marlins (47% rostered)
- Garrett Cooper, 1B, San Diego Padres (4% rostered)
- Mark Canha, 1B/OF, Milwaukee Brewers (8% rostered)
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