Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers - First Base (1B)

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.... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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,... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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%... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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.... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KC) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 5% of Leagues ANALYSIS: While Nick Pratto has flaws, they aren't strong enough to warrant putting an above-average everyday hitter in the five-percenters club. Pratto is slashing .255/.341/.403 with six home runs, 27 runs, and 28 RBI in 63 games. His poor plate discipline (36.9% strikeout rate,... Read More

Jordan Westburg (SS, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 40% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The endless chain of Oriole prospects to graduate to the Majors now includes Jordan Wesburg and the number-four prospect in Baltimore's loaded farm system has gotten off to a nice start in the Big Leagues. Through 10 games, the 24-year-old is slashing .314/.400/.457... Read More

Ryan O'Hearn (1B/OF, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Orioles' rotation of hitters is getting crowded, and the approaching return of Ryan Mountcastle won't help matters. Still, Ryan O'Hearn continues to rake. He's slashing .307/.353/.526 with seven home runs and a 143 wRC+ across 45 games this season. Despite the wealth... Read More

Kyle Manzardo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays ANALYSIS: When the Rays selected Kyle Manzardo with their second-round pick in 2021 out of Washington State, his ability to make contact was not in question. But many were not sure if he would have enough power to work as a first baseman. In his first full season... Read More

Tyler Soderstrom - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B, Oakland Athletics ANALYSIS: Moving out west, we have a pair of Oakland Athletics bats that will likely receive some playing time before the end of the season. Let's start with Tyler Soderstrom who has the higher fantasy upside of the Oakland duo. In 66 games this season, Soderstrom has already cranked 15... Read More

Matt Mervis - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Matt Mervis, 1B, Chicago Cubs ANALYSIS: Since being sent back down to Triple-A Iowa, Mervis is hitting .263 with a pair of home runs and five walks in 11 games. His first stint with the Cubs was underwhelming on the surface, but Mervis produced impressive quality of contact metrics with a 13.8% barrel rate... Read More

Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KC) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 8% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City is on the road all next week, but the pitchers they face are right-handed. Against righties on the road this season, lefty Nick Pratto has a .309 batting average, with a home run and eight RBI in 77 plate appearances.... Read More

Jordan Westburg (SS, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues ANALYSIS: In the pantheon of top prospects, Jordan Westburg got lost in the shuffle. Perhaps it's because of the loaded Orioles farm system, which includes a higher-rated shortstop in Jackson Holliday. Whatever the reason Westburg was overlooked, he's in the Majors now and got... Read More

Should I Stash Christian Encarnacion-Strand In Redraft Leagues? Fantasy Baseball Prospect Outlook

Christian Encarnacion-Strand tormented minor-league pitching at the Single-A and Double-A levels from 2021 to 2022. The 23-year-old has maintained this status at Triple-A Louisville in 2023, slashing a hearty .326/.399/.634 with 17 home runs and 52 RBI over 227 at-bats. Encarnacion-Strand has gradually dipped, to be fair, in each month of play with descending triple-slash... Read More

Joey Votto (1B, CIN) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 33% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Reds' 12-game win streak may have been snapped by the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, but Cincinnati is still atop their division and just added 39-year-old veteran Joey Votto back to their lineup. Votto returned on June 19 in the midst of the... Read More

Lamonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF, SF) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 40% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Yes, he's back. The Giants are 9-1 in their last 10 games, and LaMonte Wade Jr. has been a big part of that. He's batted .321/.443/.482 across his last 15 games, with a home run, 10 RBI, and 13 walks. Overall, he's... Read More

Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KC) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 8% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Nick Pratto has been featured here frequently. The fact remains he's a consistent fantasy contributor that's more available than he rightfully should be. Pratto continues to operate as the Royals' leadoff hitter and carries a respectable .271/.356/.425 slash line with five home... Read More

Yorfran Medina - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Yorfran Medina, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers ANALYSIS: Medina was signed out of Venezuela last January as part of the Dodgers' huge Latin signing class. In fact, the Dodgers signed the most players of any team in the 2021-2022 international signing period. That also means that none of the players signed got "huge" bonuses, needing... Read More

Matt Mervis - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Matt Mervis, 1B, Chicago Cubs ANALYSIS: Given that he was just sent down a few days ago, I'm not expecting Matt Mervis to be recalled in the near future. But this is a bat you shouldn't completely write off this season. While the .167/.242/.289 slash line doesn't offer much inspiration, the 13.8% barrel rate,... Read More

Christian Encarnacion-Strand - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B, Cincinnati Reds ANALYSIS: Tick tock, tick tock. Honestly, I'm getting tired of writing about Christian Encarnacion-Strand in this weekly stash article. I'd much rather be writing about what he's doing in the Major Leagues but Cincinnati isn't allowing that to happen just yet. Over the last 28 days, Encarnacion-Strand is slashing... Read More

Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 18% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The former No. 1 overall pick, Spencer Torkelson, is again beginning to heat up for the lowly Tigers. After slashing just .228/.323/.456 in his previous 15 games, he's since slugged .643 and reached base at a .406 clip, blasting two homers and collecting... Read More

Owen Miller (1B/2B/3B, MIL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 33% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Owen Miller is a batting average machine who has also been racking up the counting stats as he leads off versus lefties and bats cleanup versus righties. The 26-year-old is one of the best contact hitters in baseball, and it's led to a... Read More

Ryan O'Hearn (1B/OF, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 12% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With Ryan Mountcastle moved to the injured list, Ryan O'Hearn becomes the beneficiary. He's been playing every day over the past week and making the most of the opportunity. O'Hearn may be more a streaming option than a long-term asset, depending on how... Read More

Ryan Noda (1B/OF, OAK) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 17% of Leagues ANALYSIS: In a largely subpar Oakland lineup, Ryan Noda continues to produce, hitting from the two-hole. He's carrying an impressive .838 OPS with seven home runs and 13 doubles through 67 games played. Though he wasn't a particularly heralded prospect before this season,... Read More

Rangel Ravelo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Rangel Ravelo, 1B, San Diego Padres ANALYSIS: After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft out of a Florida high school by the Chicago White Sox, Ravelo began a journey that led him across four major league organizations before deciding to ply his trade in Japan in 2021. The Padres signed... Read More

Zach Kokoska - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Zach Kokoska, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies ANALYSIS: The Rockies drafted the lefty-swinging outfielder from Kansas State in the 10th round in 2021. He's slowly moved up the Rockies' system over his first two seasons as a pro, spending all of his time patrolling the outfield while offering a balanced offensive approach. This season, the Rockies... Read More

Christian Encarnacion-Strand - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B, Cincinnati Reds ANALYSIS: Hey Cincinnati, what the (word redacted) are you waiting for? With Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz now up in the Majors, the last piece of the puzzle for their 2023 promotions is Christian Encarnacion-Strand who continues to mash in Triple-A. Over the last month, Encarnacion-Strand has cranked 11... Read More

Lamonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF, SF) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: LaMonte Wade Jr.'s breakout season continues to impress. He's slashing .279/.420/.463 with eight home runs through 61 games. Operating as the Giants' primary leadoff hitter, Wade is getting plenty of opportunities at the dish. Additionally, he has remained in the lineup more often... Read More

Miguel Vargas (1B/2B, LAD) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 37% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Fantasy baseball managers love to chase the next big thing while easily giving up on the previous big thing. Case in point, Miguel Vargas was all the rage during the draft season but is now available in over 60% of fantasy leagues. The... Read More

Imanol Vargas - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Imanol Vargas, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers ANALYSIS: Vargas signed with the Dodgers out of Venezuela in 2017. He has slowly progressed through the minor leagues and could still be in Double-A when his 25th birthday comes around at the end of June. Although Vargas is primarily a first baseman, he has spent more than... Read More