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 Week 12 recommendations for which waiver wire 1st and 3rd basemen should be on your radar as you peruse the waiver wire. Let's get started.
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
Mitch Moreland (1B, TEX)
ESPN: 40.2% owned; Yahoo: 31% owned
Moreland has continued to hit his way up the Texas Rangers' batting order. Thanks to his impressive play, Manager Jeff Banister has entrusted him with cleanup duties twice in the last three days. Most notably, these outings have come against Zack Greinke and Carlos Rondon, a righty and lefty respectively, showing that Moreland has become something more than just a platoon option in the eyes of his manager. Looking at his season stat-line it's easy to see why. Moreland has delivered for the Rangers all season long, batting .303/.358/.514 with eight home runs, 33 RBI, and 20 Runs scored. He's been even more impressive during the month of June, hitting .328 with three home runs, 15 RBI, and 10 Runs scored.
Looking ahead, the Rangers have a schedule which could very much play to Moreland's strengths. After a tough series against Oakland, the Rangers will embark on a road trip to the hitters havens in Toronto and Baltimore. I especially look forward to seeing what the Rangers might be able to accomplish against the Jays' feeble pitching staff. Especially if Moreland continues batting cleanup, these could be some prime matchups for fantasy owners.
Other Notable(s)
Chris Parmelee (1B/OF, BAL)
ESPN: 13.5% owned; Yahoo: 9% owned
Parmelee burst onto the scene with a vengeance this week. After being called up the Orioles, he made his season debut by going 4/6 with two home runs, three Runs scored, and two RBI. He's hit another home run since then and is batting a sizzling .375 through his first week in the big leagues.
While he's consistently crushed the minor leagues, Parmelee was never able to make any grounds in the big leagues during his time as a Twin. His recent performance has some asking whether or not he's managed to figure something out. While it's much more likely that what we're witnessing is the product of small sample size, there's upside to a player that batted .312 with six home runs through only 61 games in the minors this year. Especially for our friends in deeper leagues, Parmelee represents the perfect kind of low risk flyer. Grab him now while his bat is hot and he's hitting for power. If he continues to preform well, then great. If not, you got a few weeks of valuable production for pennies on the dollar.
Top 3B Waiver Wire Pickup
Yunel Escobar (3B/SS, WAS)
ESPN: 51.6% owned; Yahoo: 37% owned
It's almost July and Escobar is still hitting the daylights out of the ball. He's batting .329 /.380/.408 as the regular number three hitter for one the best offense in baseball. As hard as it might be to believe, he's stepped up his game during June and is batting .377 on the month. While Escobar doesn't deliver much in the way of power or speed, as long as he continues to post batting averages like that, fantasy owners should be happy to make room for him.
There's also the matter of the team he plays for. The Washington Nationals have scored the 7th most runs in baseball through this point in the season. Looking up and down their lineup, one might almost conclude that this number was an under-achievement considering the amount of talent running through the team. As long as Escobar continues to get on base at the rate he has been so far this season, he'll be a major source of Runs, RBI, and Batting Average from that position in the lineup.
With series against the Phillies, the 3rd worst pitching staff in baseball by team ERA, and the Braves, the 8th worst pitching staff, there isn't a matchup coming up in the near future which you should be afraid to use Escobar against. My advice is to take full advantage of this potent hitter while he's still available on the waiver wire.
Other Notable(s)
Brock Holt (3B/OF, BOS)
ESPN: 25.4% owned; Yahoo: 38% owned
I've spoken before about my great esteem for the type of hitter Brock Holt is. In very limited playing time this season, Holt has been consistently impressive. He's hitting .310/.402/.458 on the season with two home runs, four stolen bases, 16 RBI, and 25 Runs scored. Despite starting the year without a true position, he's found a home as the everyday leadoff/number two hitter for the Red Sox. Truly, Holt has been one of the few bright spots in a lineup which is ranked 19th in baseball in Runs scored.
Against weak pitching staffs like those belonging to the Orioles and Jays, a leadoff man with Holt's kind of numbers can do a lot of damage for fantasy owners. At only 25.4% owned, he's practically delivering that production for free.
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