X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 6 Waiver Wire - First Base (1B) and Third Base (3B)

Small sample sizes have now become reasonably big enough for us to make some informed decisions. It's unlikely you'll find any potential 30-HR bats still available on the waiver wire at this point, but streaming the right players each week can be extremely helpful even if you aren't in a head-to-head league.

The corner infield positions traditionally offer power with the potential for high averages, so you may want to target players that can offer an advantage in those categories to bolster your team. In this piece, I'll identify Week 6 waiver wire targets for first base and third base who should be able to contribute in multiple categories, either as replacements or bench depth. These players are owned in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.

We'll also look at the names mentioned in last week’s post, noting which players have graduated off of the waiver wire (ownership higher than 50%), which are still recommended pickups, and which we are dropping off the list entirely.

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

 

Week 6 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets

Yonder Alonso (1B, OAK) 20% owned - It's time to take Alonso for real. Although he was a big bat in the middle of the lineup at the University of Miami, that was nine years ago and he doesn't have a track record of big power numbers in the majors. To put it into context, Alonso is one home run away from tying his career high of nine, which came in 619 plate appearances for San Diego back in 2012. Supposedly, a change to his swing mechanic and an intense off-season workout program has led to his success this year, so there may be something to this other than a simple hot streak. Alonso has gone .444/4/8 in the last week alone, so don't wait any longer to scoop him up. Even if you don't believe in him for the long-run, Alonso is certainly worth streaming at a CI spot in mixed leagues.

Danny Valencia (1B/3B, SEA) 12% owned - Alonso's former teammate at UM, Valencia has reasserted himself as the regular first baseman after the Daniel Vogelbach trial resulted in failure. It doesn't hurt that Valencia is slashing .353/.389/.647 with three homers and seven RBI in the last two weeks. He didn't start Sunday's game due to hamstring tightness, but made an appearance later and drove in two more runs. He qualifies at both corner positions and is worth a look in mixed leagues of 12 or more teams.

Josh Bell (1B, PIT) 34% owned - Bell reappears on this list because he continues to find his power stroke and is only owned in one-third of Yahoo leagues. Pittsburgh's offense isn't doing enough to make him a huge threat scoring or driving in runs, but if he is going to continue going deep while hitting for average, there's a place for him on most rosters. Bell is up to five dongs on the season, all of which have come in the last 15 games. We're talking about a former top-100 prospect who is getting regular starts for the first time in his career - sometimes a little patience is all it takes.

Yunel Escobar (3B, LAA) 11% owned - Escobar was already officially hot before Sunday's game in which he hit two HR, doubling his season total to four. He's batting .333 in the past 10 games raising his season average to .262. Escobar has blossomed since arriving in Anaheim, finishing last season at .304. Just don't expect more power - he hasn't finished with double-digit homers in a season since 2011. Escobar is batting leadoff for the Angels, so he should provide a decent run total once Mike Trout returns to the lineup.

 

Graduated

N/A

 

Hold For Now

Justin Bour (1B, MIA) 7% owned - Bour hasn't homered or done anything particularly exciting since his offensive explosion on April 30, but he is making better contact. He has two runs and two RBI in the past week. If you're in a head-to-head league and strapped for power, Bour always has potential to deliver.

Yuli Gurriel (1B/3B, HOU) 40% owned - He's slowed down this week with just four hits in his last 22 at-bats, but he's still at .306 on the season. Gurriel is relatively safe, if unexciting, option if you can do without power at the corner infield position.

Hernan Perez (2B/3B/SS/OF, MIL) 41% owned - While it's encouraging that he's getting more regular playing time these days, Perez hasn't done much in the last week other than a solo homer on Saturday. He's added shortstop eligibility and now qualifies at four positions. That alone makes him worth a bench spot in most formats.

 

Cut Bait

Martin Prado (3B, MIA) - It's not that Prado hasn't been reaching base, he just isn't going to do so in the near future. Prado's troublesome hamstring caused him to exit Sunday's game early and could result in another stint on the DL for the veteran. If you need the roster space or are looking for more upside, feel free to part ways.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

De'Von Achane

De’Von Achane Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Avoids Serious Injury
Josh Hader

Unlikely to Return During Regular Season
Denny Hamlin

the Heavy Favorite to Win at Richmond
Christopher Bell

Has Been Great at Richmond
Kyle Stowers

Out Saturday With Left-Side Tightness
Tyrese Haliburton

No Longer Using a Scooter, Crutches
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Finally Break Through at Richmond?
Joey Logano

Will Start Last at Richmond After Practice Trouble
Chase Elliott

Lack of Top-Line Speed Hurts his DFS Potential
Kyle Larson

Recent String of Crashes Make Him a Big Risk at Richmond
William Byron

Probably Slightly Too Inconsistent at Richmond to Start for DFS
Ryan Preece

on Pole at Richmond as Playoff Deadline Looms Closer
Brad Keselowski

Probably the Best RFK Racing DFS Option at Richmond
Chase Briscoe

Still Figuring Out Richmond
Chris Buescher

a Solid Choice for DFS Play, but Teammates Look Faster
Ty Gibbs

is Mediocre at a Track Where his Grandfather's Team Won 19 Times
Ross Chastain

Despite Qualifying 33rd, Ross Chastain Not As Strong a DFS Option As Usual
Carson Hocevar

Will Carson Hocevar's Speed Overcome His Lack of Racecraft?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Not Enough Attrition at Richmond for Shane Van Gisbergen to Be Viable
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking for Another Solid Richmond Race
Austin Cindric

After Strong Iowa Run, Austin Cindric Might Surprise
Corey Heim

Probably Too Inexperienced to Contend at Richmond
Daniel Suarez

Won't Benefit From the Same Strategy Play This Year
Erik Jones

Was Slow at Richmond Even When He Had Fast Cars
Zane Smith

Not a Great DFS Option on Paper, but Typically Outperforms His Expectations
Jhoan Duran

Feels "100%"
Marcus Semien

Out on Saturday, Going for X-Rays on his Wrist
George Springer

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Dylan Beavers

Called Up by Orioles
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin From PUP List
Jhoan Duran

Takes Comebacker Off Foot, X-Rays Negative
Rashee Rice

NFL Could Reach Settlement Before Hearing
Matt Chapman

Goes to Injured List
George Springer

Likely Returning on Saturday
Max Muncy

Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Joe Mixon

Not a Lock to be Ready For Week 1
Rashee Rice

Receives Clearance to Travel to Brazil for Week 1
Haywood Highsmith

Dealt to Brooklyn on Friday
Amir Coffey

Signs One-Year Deal With Bucks
Jacob Misiorowski

Activated and Starting on Friday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back From the Injured List
Khamzat Chimaev

A Favorite At UFC 319
Dricus Du Plessis

Set For His Third Title Defense
Aaron Pico

Set For UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Chase Burns

Hits 15-Day Injured List With Flexor Strain
Geoff Neal

Looks For His Second Win In A Row
Travis Hunter

Dealing With Upper-Body Injury, Could be Held Out of Preseason Game
Michael Page

Set For His Second Middleweight Bout
Jared Cannonier

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kai Asakura

Looks For His First UFC Win
Tim Elliott

Set To Open Up UFC 309 Main Card
CBJ

Mikael Pyyhtia Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for One Year
UTA

Caleb Desnoyers Expected to Miss 12 Weeks After Wrist Procedure
Tyson Foerster

on Track to Be Healthy for Season Opener
NHL

Olivier Rodrigue Signs KHL Deal
NHL

Emil Bemstrom to Join Swiss Team
Payton Pritchard

Reportedly Moving Into Starting Lineup
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Expected to Return Friday
Michael King

Heading to 15-Day Injured List
Aaron Nola

to Return on Sunday
Quinshon Judkins

Won't Face Formal Charges
Sam LaPorta

To "Miss a Little Bit of Time"
Rashee Rice

Disciplinary Hearing Scheduled For Late September
Chris Godwin

Likely to Start the Season on PUP List?
Kevin Durant

Rockets Not Interested in Keeping Kevin Durant with Max Extension
Paul Goldschmidt

Could Land on the Injured List
NBA

Isaiah Mobley Joins Turkish Team
NBA

Cole Swider Links Up with EuroLeague Powerhouse
Ethan Thompson

Joins Heat for Training Camp
Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers Add Jason Preston for Training Camp
Stefon Diggs

Unsure About Availability for Week 1
Jakob Marsee

Homers Twice in Seven-RBI Night
Owen Caissie

Cubs Promoting Owen Caissie to Majors
Miguel Amaya

Going on 10-Day Injured List With Sprained Ankle
Max Muncy

Scratched With Side Soreness on Wednesday
Justin Jefferson

Won't Practice This Week, Will be Re-Evaluated Next Week
Akshay Bhatia

a High-Upside Play at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

a Safe Play at BMW Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im a Risky Play at BMW Championship
Xander Schauffele

Chases Big Week at BMW Championship
Shane Lowry

Aims to Rebound at BMW Championship
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Build Momentum at BMW Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looking to Rebound at BMW Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Eyeing Another BMW Championship Victory
Neemias Queta

Wants to Raise His Free-Throw Attempts
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Stuggling to Trade Anfernee Simons
James Cook

Bills Agree on Four-Year Extension
Cole Anthony

Focuses on Winning with Bucks
NBA

Jesse Edwards Moves to Australia
Kessler Edwards

Joins Nuggets
Bradley Beal

Feeling Rejuvenated in Los Angeles
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Looking "Incredible"
PIT

Chad Ruhwedel Retires From NHL
MIN

Jack Johnson Signs Tryout Deal with Wild
Ryker Evans

Kraken Extend Ryker Evans with Two-Year Deal
Rondale Moore

Out for the Season With Knee Injury
Christian Watson

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List
Jordan Love

Undergoes Procedure on Left Thumb
Bud Cauley

Needs a Big Result in Maryland
Harris English

Confident for BMW Championship
Jason Day

Faces Uphill Battle at BMW Championship
Cameron Young

Hot at the Right Time
J.J. Spaun

Rolls in After Near Miss in Memphis
Brian Harman

is a Longer Shot Heading to Maryland
Corey Conners

Appears Safe This Week in Maryland
Daniel Berger

Must Play Better at BMW Championship
Miami Heat

Kai Jones Works Out for Heat
Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook Likely to Join Kings
Golden State Warriors

Al Horford Expected to Sign with Warriors if He Doesn't Retire
Jonathan Kuminga

Reportedly Leaning Toward Accepting Golden State's Qualifying Offer
Sepp Straka

Withdraws From BMW Championship
Maverick McNealy

Finishes Tied for 28th at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Third at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For 22nd at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Rory McIlroy

Finishes Tied For Seventh at Open Championship
Brandon Aiyuk

Could Return in Week 6
Anthony Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak To Eight
Roman Dolidze

Submitted At UFC Vegas 109
Ode' Osbourne

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 109
Steve Erceg

Gets Back In The Win Column
Angela Hill

Outclassed At UFC Vegas 109
Angela Hill

Iasmin Lucindo Dominates Angela Hill
Christian Rodriguez

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Andre Fili

Gets Back in the Win Column
Miles Johns

Drops Split Decision At UFC Vegas 109
Miles Johns

Jean Matsumoto Edges Out Miles Johns To Win Split Decision
Eryk Anders

Suffers First-Round TKO
Christian Leroy Duncan

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Alexander Mattison

Will Miss Entire Season With Neck Injury
Zayne Parekh

Has Sights Set on Making Flames Roster
Hampus Lindholm

Fully Healthy for New Season
NHL

Nathan Bastian Joins Stars on One-Year Contract

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP