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Infield Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3 (1B, 2B, 3B, SS) - April 14 to April 20

Ben Rice - Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Dan's favorite infield-eligible fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups (1B, 2B, 3B, SS) for Week 3 of 2025 (April 14 - April 20). His top free-agent hitters to add.

Hello again, RotoBallers. I’m back with another installment of my favorite infield adds for the week ahead. Last week’s selections were mainly geared toward finding a replacement at first base for Freddie Freeman. Half of my write-ups were dedicated to first base eligible players, but the best hits were stashed among my “honorable mentions” at the end. That would include Ben Rice, who in the last week had four walks and five hits, including two home runs,  and Pavin Smith, who went 5-for-11 with a homer of his own and four runs scored.

Freeman replacements aside, the biggest “get” of my last batch was Kyren Paris. Last weekend, I wondered if he would see more playing time with Luis Rengifo’s hamstring acting up. Rengifo avoided missing time, but Paris still found his way into the lineup, filling in for Yoan Moncada, whose aching thumb cost him a couple of games before landing him on the injured list. Paris started in the Angels' last six games and went 7-for-20 with four home runs, seven runs scored, and one steal in that time. He is now rostered on 71 percent of teams as opposed to seven percent one week ago.

Are you trying to replace an injured starter for the week? Is it time to cut ties with a bench player who isn’t performing? Are you simply keeping tabs on the market, making sure the next big thing doesn’t slip past you? Whatever motivates your trip to the waiver wire this week, thank you for making this stop along the way. Hopefully, you will find some help among my favorite fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the infield for Week 3 - April 14 to April 20.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Waiver Wire Pickups For Shallow Leagues (30-50 percent rostered)

Ben Rice, 1B, New York Yankees (48 percent rostered)

By the time you are reading this, Rice will be over 50 percent rostered. If he is still on the wire in your league, figure out how he fits your lineup. The Yankees are doing just that. Not only are they making sure to keep Rice in their loaded lineup, but they are now using him at the top of the order. The 26-year-old batted either first or second in every game going back to April 3.

Hitting in front of Aaron Judge comes with its perks. During the season, Rice scored up to 11 runs. He also has a .310 batting average and four home runs. If Rice is heating up, then he picked a good time. The Yankees have seven games on the docket in Week 3. Three at home against the Royals to start, and then four against the Rays in their home away from home, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (42 percent rostered)

Jacob Wilson is off to one of the hottest starts of the new season. He has a hit in each game of the season, resulting in an active hit streak of 15 games. His batting average is .377, and he has two home runs, nine runs scored, and eight RBI. Yes, he’s on the Athletics, but that shouldn't be held against a player running this hot.

Wilson is an addition for teams needing a player who can boost the team’s batting average. Wilson will bring along some runs and RBI swinging such a hot bat, and we might see that production trend upward soon. The Athletics finally saw fit on April 12 to have Wilson lead off. If he can stick at the top of the order, he will be followed by Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, and Tyler Soderstrom in some order.

 

Waiver Wire Pickups For Deeper Leagues (10-30 percent rostered)

Wilmer Flores, 1B, San Francisco Giants (26 percent owned)

Ok, I confess. This is a homer pick. Wilmer Flores catching fire at the start of the year has been a great part of being a Giants fan in 2025. Also, including him gives me an excuse to share this:

Fun times. That hit last Sunday locked him into San Francisco’s lineup for this past week. Since Monday, Flores has gone 5-for-18, hit two more home runs (bringing his season total to six), and logged seven RBI. As of this writing, his 19 RBI on the season are second only to Aaron Judge’s 20. We know this won’t last forever, but we should make the most of it while it lasts. The Giants have seven games in Week 3, making it a good time to try to pad some stats.

Jorge Polanco, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners (19 percent rostered)

Jorge Polanco was listed among the handful of infielders in the “More Waiver Wire Pickups To Consider” section in back-to-back weeks. A stint on the paternity list and managing knee and side soreness have prevented Polanco from playing every day, but he has been valuable, nonetheless. Through April 12, Polanco has a .381 batting average, three home runs, and 12 RBI.

The Mariners will reportedly use Polanco as their designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup while he is on the mend. The Mariners are on the road in Week 3, first for three games in Cincinnati and then three more in Toronto. The Great American Ballpark is a bandbox, and Polanco is hitting .333 with four home runs in 91 plate appearances at the Rogers Centre.

 

Waiver Wire Pickups For The Deepest Of Leagues (Under 10 percent rostered)

Josh Bell, 1B, Washington Nationals (7 percent rostered)

Josh Bell was also previously included in the “MWWPTC” section back in Week 1. A cold start to the season quickly turned him into an afterthought. Last week, Bell showed he might be thawing out. He had a hit in each game he appeared in, hit his second home run of the season, and racked up five RBI. Week 3 brings a favorable schedule. Washington starts with four games in Pittsburgh and then plays three against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Jose Caballero, 2B/3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (7 percent rostered)

Thanks to manager Kevin Cash’s constant meddling, Jose Caballero has appeared in only seven games for the Rays in 2025. In daily leagues, where his sporadic use is less of a barrier to his viability in fantasy, rolling with Caballero on days when he managed to play paid off. In limited action, Caballero is batting .333 with one home run and two stolen bases. With injuries taking their toll on Tampa’s depth, Caballero might see more action soon. If he can stay in the starting lineup, he should be good for a couple of stolen bases.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups To Consider

  • Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (37 percent rostered)
  • Christopher Morel, 2B/3B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays (20 percent rostered)
  • Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (8 percent rostered)
  • Pavin Smith, 1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks (6 percent rostered)
  • Ty France, 1B, Minnesota Twins (4 percent rostered)

 



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
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Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

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David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
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Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

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Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

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Ryan Blaney

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Alperen Sengün

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Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

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Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
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Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
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Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
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LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
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DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
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Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

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Corey Perry

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Kyle Busch

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr

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Chase Elliott

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Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

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Ross Chastain

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Josh Berry

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Justin Haley

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Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

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Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
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In Dire Need Of Victory
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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