Week 11 Waiver Wire - First Base (1B) and Third Base (3B)

The Corner Store is open! It is week 11 and there are still so many good options on the waiver wire. Continue to stay fluid with your lineup and ride the hot hand. Don't get attached. However, make a decision and initiate movement to get that player. Do not let someone else grab them while you hesitate.

When looking for a replacement or upgrade on the waiver wire, identify the needs of your roster and how a player would fit in to improve your roster as a whole, or boost a certain category at the very least. First base and third base are generally the best spots to look to improve your team’s power. From the waiver wire, those individuals will usually come with a poor batting average. The main alternative is players that give you average production across the board. Choose wisely.

Key points - the primary focus of this list is on players who are owned in less than 50% of leagues. Below are some names that might be available as well as players that have recently graduated from the parameters. Check your leagues for availability. I've included the recent performance below as well, so you can compare and make a better selection.

Week 11 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets

Max Muncy (1B/3B/OF, LAD) 31% owned

Last 7 days: six runs, four HR, seven RBI, one SB, .400 AVG

The Dodgers routinely seem to find hidden talents or players that can play above their own skills.  The apparently have done it again with Max Muncy, who was a fifth round pick in the 2012 draft by the Oakland Athletics. He was picked up by the Dodgers in 2017 and played the entire year in Triple-A.

Due to injuries Muncy got an opportunity in 2018 and has been taking advantage of every single at-bat. Muncy has been batting second behind either Joc Pederson or Chris Taylor. He has had a different batting profile then he has had in previous seasons.  Muncy is hitting the ball harder (42%) and has catered his swing to get the ball in the air at an increased rate (47%). He is also controlling the plate a lot better with just 20% swings at balls outside of the zone. If he can keep this up, he can serve as more than just a fill-in player. He can still be had for next to nothing; enjoy it while it lasts as the performance far exceeds the amount of investment.

Justin Bour (1B, MIA) 49% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, zero HR, three RBI, .304 AVG

Much was expected from Justin Bour after he hitch 25 HR in 2017. Some owners are let down because they aren’t getting the power they anticipated, as his ISO is down to .191, which is still better than league average. However, he has become an overall better hitter. Bour has better control at the plate with a walk rate of 22.5% and a strikeout rate of 22%. Another reassuring item is that his line drive, ground ball, fly ball, and hard-hit rates are all in line with 2017 output.

The unfortunate part is that he is playing for a team that has very little consistent production as well as very little determination for near-term competitiveness. The best outcome for Bour would be a trade to an improved lineup.  Barring that, Bour will be a good source of batting average with the potential for power in the coming months.

Josh Harrison (2B/3B/OF, PIT) 35% owned

Last 7 days: two runs, zero HR, three RBI, .333 AVG

Harrison’s season has been slowed down due to injuries and other personal matters. However, when he has been in the lineup, he has continued to hit. The Pirates lineup has not been able to take advantage of Harrison being on base in recent weeks.

While he only has two homers and one stolen base on the season, Harrison remains a power/speed threat. Actually, he is hitting the ball harder (35.5%) than he has at any point in his career. While he doesn’t walk much (5.1%), Harrison has increased his line drive rate to 30.2%, which, combined with his speed,0 should get him in scoring opportunities more often. Do not wait for a long stretch of success before you decide to jump back in on Harrison. By then, his ownership rates will have increased.

Risky Business

Brian Anderson (1B/2B/3B/OF, MIA) 28% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, one HR, six RBI, .500 AVG

Anderson falls into the category of a corner infielder that hits for high average but does not hit for power. He continues to hit in the middle of the lineup with prime RBI opportunities. However, Anderson has a 49% ground ball rate which limits a lot of his ability to drive in runs.

He is currently on a hot streak and has gotten a hit in 10 of the last 12 games. While he doesn’t provide immense power, Anderson definitely will not disrupt your ratios. On the year, he has 30 runs and 32 RBI to go with a  .307 AVG but at the same time only pitched in three homers.

Yonder Alonso (1B, CLE) 38% owned

Last 7 days: eight runs, two HR, six RBI, one SB, .410 AVG

Yonder Alonso is a guy who gets you power at all costs. The cost in this case is his batting average. He has a slash line of .245/.317/.446 to go with 11 homers. Alonso consistently bats fifth in a lineup that will continuously provide an opportunity to drive in runs. Unfortunately, he only makes contact at an average rate of 76%. Alonso also needs to be more disciplined at the plate; he swings 33.7% of the time at balls out of the zone, while only making contact 57% of the time. To increase your chances of having success with Alonso, only start him against righties as he has an underwhelming average of .180 against left-handed pitchers.

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