RADIO
Hunting for values on the waiver wire is one of the most fun, and most challenging, parts of any fantasy season. This can be especially true at the infield corners, an area where the stars are readily scooped up and finding a low cost alternative can be often difficult.
Here at RotoBaller, we're always looking for ways to help our readers succeed in all aspects of the game. With that aim in mind, each week I'll be bringing you my recommendations for which waiver wire 1st and 3rd basemen should be on your radar as you peruse the waiver wire. Let's get started with a look at the top corner infield waiver wire options for Week 10.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for first base and third base, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Top 1B Waiver Wire Pickup
Chris Colabello (1B/OF, TOR)
ESPN: 53.9% owned; Yahoo: 31% owned
Colabello has been nothing short of a revelation for the Blue Jays (and fantasy owners) through this point in the season. Last week I recommended Colabello to RotoBaller's readers as one of my top two 1st base waiver wire pickups. Since then he's gone on to hit .308 with four runs scored and three RBI while establishing himself as Toronto's everyday number five hitter. As impressive as those numbers are, they pale in comparison to Colabello's season-long stat-line. In 117 at-bats Colabello is slashing .359/.400/.538 with four home runs, 17 RBI, 18 Runs scored, and two stolen bases. Oh and did I mention he's playing in the most potent offense in all of baseball? No team in the game has scored as many runs as the Toronto Blue Jays so far this season. In fact, no team has come remotely close. The runner up for the title, the Diamondbacks, are over 30 runs behind Toronto's 296. Mix Colabello's current hot streak with that kind of a lineup and you have a very dangerous fantasy asset indeed.
It's needless to say that this hot streak has an expiration date. Colabello has established a reputation for extreme hot and cold streaks during his time in the major leagues. Remember last year when he was the hottest thing on the planet for the Twins...until he wasn't? So do I. That said, Colabello's short term schedule certainly supports the idea that he'll be able to continue this hot streak a little while longer. A series at home in the very friendly Rodgers' Stadium against the Marlins followed by a trip to Boston to face the Red Sox' bottom five pitching staff are the kinds of matchups fantasy owners dream of. Who knows how long he can keep this up. While he is hitting though, there are few waiver wire hitters I like more right now than Colabello.
Other 1B Notable(s)
Yonder Alonso (1B, SD)
ESPN: 8.8% owned; Yahoo: 5% owned
An unfortunate injury got in the way of what was shaping up to be a very strong season for the Padres' first baseman. Impressively, Alonso seems to have picked up right where he left off and is absolutely crushing the ball right now. Since coming off the DL, Alonso has racked up eight hits, four Runs scored, six RBI, and a grand slam home run. Together with his early strong start, this puts his season-long stat-line at a very impressive .363/.450/.480.
While the Padres have struggled with pitching and defense so far this season, their offense has been consistently strong. They have the 5th most runs scored in all of baseball at 254. Hitting 5th in a lineup like that behind Wil Venable, Derek Norris, Justin Upton, and Matt Kemp is a pretty enviable position. As long as Alonso continues to hit like this, he'll have no shortage of runners to drive in.
Top 3B Waiver Wire Pickup
Brett Lawrie (3B/2B, OAK)
ESPN: 25.6% owned; Yahoo: 46% owned
Don't look now, but Brett Lawrie is quietly turning a corner for the A's. After a dreadful start to the season, he's hit well ever since. In May he slashed .295/.315/.410 and his bat has only continued to heat up since then. June has seen Lawrie deliver a .600/.647/.1.000 stat-line. While no one in their right mind thinks that kind of production is sustainable, it does speak to the authority with which he's driving the ball of late.
So far this season, the biggest thing missing from Lawrie's game has been the power/speed combination that made him a sexy 20/20 sleeper in some circles earlier this year. I'd contend that player hasn't gone away. We might not have seen Lawrie deliver much in those categories so far this season, but at only 25-years-old, it's far too early to say that the strength that let him club 12 home runs in only 70 games last year is gone. As long as his bat stays hot, it's only a matter of time until the rest of his skillset makes itself evident. While he's delivering batting averages like this, it certainly couldn't hurt to grab him on that hope.
Other 3B Notable(s)
Will Middlebrooks (3B, SD)
ESPN: 9.4% owned; Yahoo: 7% owned
Remember what I was saying about the Padres having a good offense this year? Well Will Middlebrooks has been a rather important part of it. Despite a sub .250 batting average, he's up to eight home runs, 20 Runs scored, and 26 RBI on the season. Of that production, 13 RBI, eight runs, and four home runs have all come within the last two weeks. Middlebrooks might be a difficult player to roster for some teams as his production has been very dependent on the players surrounding him in the lineup. Still, as long as he continues to drive the ball well when he does make contact, some teams will find a place for him. No matter what, he's worth keeping an eye on.
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