Third Base (3B) & First Base (1B) Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

July 16, 2014

Brian Polking analyzes fantasy baseball waiver wire sleepers at the first base (1B) and third base (3B) positions. These MLB sleeper hitters can have an immediate impact coming off the all start break.

The 2014 MLB season has reached the All-Star break, and while a few days off gives the players time to regroup and recharge, it also offers fantasy owners a chance to do the same. With a couple of days off before games resume, there is no better time to take a closer look at your roster and truly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. It also the perfect time to scan the waiver wire for the sleepers that best address the needs of your team. As you attempt to prepare your team for the stretch run of the season, here is a closer look at a handful of corner infielders that could be worth adding.

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Conor Gillaspie (1B/3B, CWS)

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues, Deeper Leagues

ANALYSIS: As his .326 average suggests, Gillaspie has been swinging a solid bat all season. However, it is his strong close the first half of the season that should have the attention of fantasy owners. Gillaspie heads into the break with a six-game hitting streak, and during the stretch, he has 3 home runs, 8 RBIs and 5 runs scored.

If Gillaspie's power numbers continue to rise in the second half, he will suddenly become a lot more that a guy with a solid average and modest RBI and run totals. For now, I recommend scooping him up in AL-only formats, but he is definitely worth keeping a close eye on when play resumes as he is only 12% owned in Fleaflicker and slightly more in Yahoo!

Brock Holt (1B/3B/OF, BOS)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Just when it seemed like Holt was starting to wear down, he bangs out a ridiculous 10 hits in the final three games before the All-Star break to raise his average to .327. Holt has also scored seven runs in his last 10 games, and has scored 37 times in 61 games overall, putting him on a 162-game pace of 98 runs.

Holt appears to be a safe bet to be Boston's leadoff man going forward, and as long as he is hitting atop the lineup, his run production should remain steady. There is always room on a fantasy roster for a guy that can score 100 runs and hit .300, especially one like Holt that is eligible at three positions. He is only owned in 46 percent of Yahoo! leagues (18% owned in Fleaflicker), and he can be a very useful addition to any lineup.

Casey McGehee (1B/3B, MIA)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Heading into the All-Star break, McGehee ranks fourth in the National League with a .319 average and 11th in the NL with 53 RBIs. He is also tied with Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen for the league lead in hits with 115. In other words, McGehee has been one of the steadiest bats in the game this season, and while fantasy owners are finally taking notice, he is still owned in just 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues (29% owned in Fleaflicker). Granted, he continues to provide zero help in the home run department, but despite just a single home run, his strong batting average and steady RBI production make him a valuable asset in any fantasy format. With a few days off, take time to see if McGehee is still out there in your league.

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Mark Teixeira (1B, NYY)

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues

ANALYSIS: He heads into the break with a .241 batting average, and while it is safe to say that Teixeira is never going to the all-around hitter he was in his prime, the guy still has plenty of pop left in his bat.

He has 17 home runs and 48 RBIs in 68 games this year, and if he stays healthy in the second half, Teixeira should make a run at 30 homers and 90 RBIs.

He is currently owned in 67 percent of Yahoo! leagues (47% owned in Fleaflicker), and if you need help in the power department, Teixeira can be the answer.

Lucas Duda (1B/OF, NYM)

BALLER MOVE: Add in NL-Only Leagues, Deeper Leagues

ANALYSIS: Duda has had the starting first base gig to himself since Ike Davis was shipped to Pittsburgh earlier in the year, and he has quietly been enjoying a solid season. He has been particularly dialed in recently, driving in eight runs in his last 10 games. Overall, Duda is hitting .256 with an .832 OPS to go along 14 home runs and 49 RBIs, and while the average isn't great, he is on pace to top 20 homers and 80 RBIs. Those are respectable numbers in the power categories, especially for a guy that's available in 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues (80% of Fleaflicker leagues). He is worth scooping up in all deep leagues where you roster 4 OF.

Stephen Vogt (C/1B/OF, OAK)

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only Leagues, Deeper Leagues

ANALYSIS: Since breaking into the lineup on June 1, Vogt has provided a surprisingly steady bat for the Athletics. He is hitting .358 with 4 home runs and 17 RBIs in just 109 at-bats and has 2 homers and 5 RBIs in his last five games. Meanwhile, Vogt has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, picking up multiple hits in five of his last eight. He hasn't shown overwhelming power, but he has been steady.

Playing in a powerful Oakland lineup that ranks second in the majors in runs scored should help ensure that he can continues to see plenty of RBI opportunities. The fact that he is also eligible as a catcher certainly doesn't hurt his value either. Vogt is currently owned in just 33 percent of Yahoo! leagues (11% owned in Fleaflicker), and while it remains to be seen how his numbers will hold up in his first extended run as a starter, he is at least worth grabbing in AL-only formats while he is hot and he should be owned in all 2-catcher leagues as well.