Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups - First Base (1B)

Deyvison De Los Santos - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: September ANALYSIS: Deyvison De Los Santos is having a minor league season for the ages. The 21-year-old corner infielder has been hitting the ball with incredible power this year for whatever team he's been playing for. De Los Santos hit 14 homers while at Double-A and amassed a […]

Coby Mayo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 19)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in 12+ Team Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August ANALYSIS: The time to stash Mayo in most formats could be right now. The Orioles have already made one trade for a starting pitcher in Zach Eflin, but are expected to be one of the most active contenders in the trade market as they have more […]

Tyler Locklear - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 18)

BALLER MOVE: Worth a flier in deep leagues when promoted CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: The Mariners finally made the move and cut bait with first baseman Ty France this week and were originally expected to promote Tyler Locklear to take over as their everyday first baseman for the foreseeable future. However, the club interestingly recalled corner […]

Juan Yepez - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 18)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues ROSTERED IN: 5% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Juan Yepez has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball and is worth adding in all standard formats. Since joining the major league roster on July 5, the 26-year-old has tallied at least one hit in his first 11 […]

Michael Toglia - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 17)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 11% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Since making his major league debut in 2022, Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia has had his fair share of struggles at the plate. He hit .216 across 31 games in 2022, and he finished with a .163 average last season. This year, […]

Should I Stash Kyle Manzardo In Redraft Leagues? Fantasy Baseball Prospect Outlook (Week 17)

The Cleveland Guardians' offense has been rolling right along in 2024 despite low expectations. They have posted the 12th-best wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching over the previous month and the sixth-best mark against left-handed pitching over the same timeframe. The question here is whether or not Kyle Manzardo should be stashed in your fantasy leagues, and […]

Kyle Manzardo- Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 15)

BALLER MOVE: Monitor in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: July/August ANALYSIS: Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo made his MLB debut earlier this year on May 6. However, Manzardo struggled across his first 30 games, and the Guardians eventually optioned him down to Triple-A on June 18. The 23-year-old first baseman hit just .207 with 10 doubles […]

Deyvison De Los Santos - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes for Week 14 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: De Los Santos has the Pacific Coast League buzzing as he's taken the league by storm since his promotion to Triple-A Reno. The 21-year-old third baseman was hitting .372 through 38 games at Arizona's Double-A affiliate Amarillo before getting promoted to Triple-A in late May. In […]

Jhonkensy Noel - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 14)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Cleveland Guardians unleashed one of their secret weapons on Wednesday night as they activated and started first baseman Jhonkensy Noel. He wasted no time making the most of his first start. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Noel smashed a high fastball over the […]

Ben Rice - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 14)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Yahoo Leagues, 5% of ESPN Leagues, 29% of CBS Leagues ANALYSIS: Due to an unfortunate turn of events, New York Yankees first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, is expected to miss the next eight weeks with a fractured right forearm. Cue 25-year-old rookie, Ben Rice. After […]

Ben Rice - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 13)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: New York Yankees prospect Ben Rice has been making noise at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre since his promotion two weeks ago. And his production after his promotion was well-timed as the Yankees have a major need at first base as a result of […]

Spencer Horwitz: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 2% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Blue Jays badly need an infusion of talent on offense, and therefore they have finally called up 26-year-old first baseman Spencer Horwitz from Triple-A Buffalo. Horwitz has demonstrated some elite on-base skills in 2023 and 2024 at the Triple-A level. He […]

Tyler Locklear: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Seattle Mariners were forced to bring up Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma when their regular first baseman, Ty France, was placed on the 10-day IL. Locklear was having a solid season at Double-A Arkansas, hitting .291 with eight home runs and […]

Deyvison De Los Santos- Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis (Week 11)

PROSPECT: Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: N/A CALL-UP ETA: 2024 ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks' No. 14 prospect Deyvison De Los Santos continues to put up solid numbers in the minors since signing for $200,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He hit .295 with eight home runs and 37 RBI […]

Derlin Figueroa - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis (Week 10)

PROSPECT: Derlin Figueroa, 1B/3B, Kansas City Royals CURRENT LEVEL: Single-A 2024 STATS: 40 G, .284/.347/.458, Six HR, 27 RBI, 20 R, Six SB, 8.6% BB%, 22.3% K%, .339 BABIP, .378 wOBA, 132 wRC+ ANALYSIS: Figueroa is a young corner infielder who was traded from the Dodgers to the Royals in last summer's Ryan Yarbrough trade. At the time […]

Tre' Morgan - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis (Week 10)

PROSPECT: Tre' Morgan, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays CURRENT LEVEL: High-A 2024 STATS: 35G, .361 AVG, .452 OBP, .534 SLG, 3 HR, 14 SB, 8.7% BB%, 11.3% K%, .403 wOBA ANALYSIS: Tre' Morgan, the Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect, has been on a rapid ascent this season. His scorching performance earned him a well-deserved promotion […]

Tyler Black - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Tyler Black made his major league debut on April 30 but was recently sent back down to Triple-A. Through his first seven major league games, he posted a .227/.261/.318 slash line with two stolen bases and a 1:8 BB:K ratio. He […]

Justyn-Henry Malloy - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in AL-only Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Detroit Tigers infield/outfield prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy is continuing to succeed at Triple-A and is making a case to be promoted to the major league roster. The 24-year-old has posted a solid .272/.425/.456 slash line through 33 games this season with three home runs, two stolen bases, […]

Kyle Manzardo - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 8)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12 Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS:  The Cleveland Guardians recently called up one of their top prospects, first baseman Kyle Manzardo, and is worth adding in most formats. Manzardo is ranked as the number two first base prospect and 39th overall prospect on MLB Pipeline. Earlier this season, […]

Tyler Black - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 8)

BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues/ NL-Only CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Tyler Black was promoted to the major league roster earlier this season but was recently sent back down to Triple-A. However, Black has been performing well in the minors and should return to the major league roster fairly soon. Black's performance […]

Justyn-Henry Malloy - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 8)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues / AL-Only ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After performing well in Triple-A last season, Detroit Tigers third base and outfield prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy is nearing his major league debut. Through 31 games with Triple-A Toledo, the 24-year-old has posted a strong .271/.419/.449 line with three home runs, […]

Jon Singleton - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 8)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Due to Jose Abreu's demotion, Jon Singleton has established himself as Houston's starting first baseman and is worth adding in deeper formats. On the season, Singleton has a .218/.311/.397 with four long balls, ten RBI, and a 11:20 BB:K ratio. However, since […]

Tyler Black - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 6)

PROSPECT: Tyler Black, 1B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #9 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: After four home runs in the last 10 days, Tyler Black is now up to five in 25 games this season with a trio of steals and a solid .303/.393/.525 slash line. This coming after a season where he […]

Matt Mervis - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues/NL-Only ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis was called up Tuesday in a corresponding move as Garrett Cooper was designated for assignment.  The first baseman was off to a scorching start with Triple-A Iowa, riding a .288/.402/.606 line across the opening 18 […]

Kyle Manzardo - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Kyle Manzard, 1B, Cleveland Guardians ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #4 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: With three home runs in his last two games, Kyle Manzardo is now up to four in 18 games with a .308/.400/.585 slash line and nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (14). Two home runs for Kyle Manzardo […]

Michael Busch- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs first baseman/third baseman Michael Busch is worth checking your waiver wire for and should be rostered in all leagues. Michael Busch, who joined the Cubs via a trade this winter, has been off to a hot start with his new team. […]

Joey Loperfido - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Joey Loperfido, OF/1B/2B, Houston Astros ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #5 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: We're eight games into the season for Joey Loperfido and he won't stop going yard, now up to five in eight games. And for anyone yelling about his 38.9% strikeout rate, it would only be 26.7% if you take […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 114 CURRENT ADP: ~156 ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand earned his call-up after crushing 52 long balls over a year and a half in the minors. He didn't disappoint the Reds by batting .270 with 13 HRs, a 48.4% hard-hit rate, and .476 xSLG, putting him in the top […]

Triston Casas - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 68 CURRENT ADP: ~95 ANALYSIS: Triston Casas is a popular breakout candidate for good reason and is currently selected in the top 100 picks of fantasy drafts. Casas produced as a rookie last season with 24 HRs, 66 runs, and 65 RBI while slashing .263/.367/.490 in 132 games. Bad […]

Vinnie Pasquantino - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 150 CURRENT ADP: ~157 ANALYSIS: Vinnie Pasquantino, a man of some great nicknames,  was a draft-day darling last season, shooting up boards in March. Pasquantino was hitting .247 with nine home runs when he was shelved for the season with a torn labrum. Pasquantino is said to be healthy […]

Cody Bellinger, Lane Thomas, Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Fantasy Baseball Sleepers Analysis (2024)

The bulk of the 2024 MLB season is set to get underway, but fantasy baseball drafts will take place up to the first pitch on Opening Day and beyond. There is still time to find and analyze which players are sleepers and which players have bust potential ahead of Thursday's action. Cody Bellinger, Lane Thomas, […]

Ryan Mountcastle - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 197 CURRENT ADP: ~239 ANALYSIS: Most of you would say Ryan Mountcastle had a disappointing 2023 campaign, right? He only played in 115 games and while he improved on his worse 2022 numbers, he still only produced a .779 OPS with an ISO 50 points lower than the .232 […]

Kyle Manzardo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook (2024)

ANALYSIS: After being selected by the Rays in the second round of the 2021 draft, Manzardo hit and hit some more, with his breakout coming during the 2022 season. After dealing with things off the field for most of 2023 as well as a dislocated shoulder, 2023 felt like a lost season in some ways, […]

Nolan Jones - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 49 CURRENT ADP: ~72 ANALYSIS: Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones needed only 106 games to join the prestigious 20/20 club last season. He slashed .297/.389/.542 with 20 home runs, 60 runs, 62 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and a .884 OPS across 424 plate appearances. The 25-year-old excelled, especially down the stretch, […]

Anthony Rizzo - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 245 CURRENT ADP: ~255 overall ANALYSIS: New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo was having an outstanding 2023 season before suffering a concussion in late May. Rather than hitting the injured list, he played 46 games with post-concussion symptoms and struggled immensely. Overall, his numbers for the year were underwhelming. He […]

Jose Abreu - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 229 CURRENT ADP: ~252 ANALYSIS:  Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu had an abysmal start to the 2023 season. He had a .212 batting average with one home run, 23 RBI, and eight doubles across the first 60 games. Then, something flipped for Abreu. Over the final 81 games, he hit […]

Nathaniel Lowe - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 175 CURRENT ADP: ~194 overall ANALYSIS: It's quite shocking to see where Lowe is currently going in drafts, and you can often select him in the final two rounds. His ADP currently sits at 175, which is too low for a player who has been a consistent offensive piece […]

Rhys Hoskins - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 179 CURRENT ADP: ~189 ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins enters the 2024 season in unfamiliar territory as the veteran slugger will play his first game for a franchise other than the Phillies. Hoskins missed all of 2023 with a torn ACL and will look to get back on […]

Matt Mervis - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Matt Mervis, 1B, Chicago Cubs ANALYSIS: Matt Mervis has been swinging a hot stick over the last couple of weeks. In his last 11 games, Mervis has cranked four home runs with a .289/.407/.600 slash line. However, that does come with a 33.3% strikeout rate which has been an issue at times this season, […]

Ryan O'Hearn (1B/OF, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 20

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 12% of Leagues ANALYSIS: In a sharp contradiction to Willi Castro, Ryan O'Hearn is crushing the ball this season. Through 65 games, he boasts an impressive .306/.344/.513 slash line with nine home runs and a 133 wRC+. O'Hearn's main drawback is that he's stuck in a strong-side […]

Luis Rengifo (2B/3B/SS/OF LAA) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 20

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: 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, six homers, four doubles, two triples, 12 RBI, and 10 […]

Kyle Manzardo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Cleveland Guardians ANALYSIS: In a rather surprising move, Kyle Manzardo is now a member of the Cleveland Guardians after being acquired in the Aaron Civale deal. When the deal happened, I didn't think it changed his ETA or 2023 rest-of-season outlook much. However, Cleveland then proceeded to deal Josh Bell to the Miami Marlins which […]

Matt Mervis - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Matt Mervis, 1B, Chicago Cubs ANALYSIS: Yes, his first Major League stint was underwhelming and earned him a demotion back to Triple-A Iowa, but we probably haven't seen the last of Matt Mervis in Chicago this season. Since he returned to Triple-A on June 16th, Mervis is hitting .300 with a .457 OBP, 19% […]

Josh Bell (1B, CLE) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 36% of Leagues ANALYSIS: In Week 15 of this column, I listed Josh Bell as a potential pick-up. This add may have seemed a bit perplexing at the time, but if you followed through on rostering the 30-year-old switch-hitter, it's started to pay off. Bell has finally […]

Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF, MIN) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: This is Alex Kirilloff's debut on this list. He's had a tough time establishing consistent playing time and consistent production at the plate this season, but the lefty may have finally turned a corner. Kirilloff has hit safely in five of his six […]

Tyler Soderstrom (C/1B, OAK)- Fantasy Baseball Hitter Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 29% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Athletics recently promoted their No. 1 prospect, Tyler Soderstrom, to the big leagues following an appearance in the Futures Game. He made his debut on July 14 and collected his first major league hit against the Twins on July 15. Top @Athletics […]

Triston Casas (1B, BOS) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 18% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Triston Casas has gotten off to a hot start since resuming play after the break. The 23-year-old has hit a homer in each of the last two games, with his long ball on Saturday leaving the bat at 112.1 mph and traveling […]

DJ LeMahieu (1B/2B/3B, NYY) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 39% of Leagues ANALYSIS: DJ LeMahieu and the rest of the Yankees' offense have severely underperformed this season. Sure, they've been without Aaron Judge since the beginning of June, but guys like LeMahieu need to be better. Luckily, the veteran seems to be on the upswing. […]

Jordan Westburg (2B/3B/SS BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The loaded Orioles farm system keeps on producing quality fantasy options. The latest example; Jordan Westburg, who is slashing .295/.367/.455 with eight runs and six RBI through his first 12 Big League games. Not only are his surface numbers off to a good […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B, Cincinnati Reds ANALYSIS: Now that many of the other prospects that occupied the top part of these rankings for the last several weeks are up in the Majors, Christian Encarnacion-Strand is left standing in the middle of an empty room like Will Smith at the end of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But […]