Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: First Base (1B) & Third Base (3B)

June 13, 2014

Brian Polking analyzes week 11 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers at first base (1B) & third base (3B) for AL Only, NL Only & Mixed Leagues.

As the 2014 MLB season wears on, it is easy to assume that there just aren't any players left on the waiver wire that can make an impact. Granted, it is going to be tough to find a player that can single-handedly provide useful production in every offensive category, but that doesn't mean you can't find sleepers and players to help address your biggest need, especially in deeper leagues like AL-Only and NL-Only formats. At the corner infield spots alone, several players are widely available that rank in the top 10 at their positions in one category or another. Depending on your needs, here is a closer look at some of the corner infielders worth targeting.

Third Base Waiver Wire Options

Lonnie Chisenhall (3B, CLE)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Chisenhall was owned in just 41 percent of Yahoo! leagues when I recommend him last week, but after a three-homer, nine-RBI performance on Monday, Chisenhall's ownership has now jumped to 61 percent.

His batting average has been incredible all year, as he currently boasts a .385 mark. The power outburst Monday was probably an exception, but as long as he continues to hit at his current clip, RBIs will come.

Chisenhall currently ranks 41st overall on the Yahoo! player rater, and he is the fifth-best third baseman. He is worth a roster spot in any format at this point. If you are lucky enough to play in a league where he is still a free agent, grab him now.

Trevor Plouffe (3B, MIN)

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

ANALYSIS: Despite a pedestrian .246 batting average, Plouffe continues to both score and driver in runs at a solid pace. His 32 runs scored rank 10th among all third-base eligible players, and his 36 RBIs rank sixth at the position. Granted, he has just five home runs on the year to go along with the weak batting average, but Plouffe is still a solid two-category contributor. Meanwhile, he is owned in just 23 percent of Yahoo! leagues. If you happen to need help with runs and RBI, Plouffe is providing top-10 production at his position in both departments and makes for a solid pickup.

Matt Dominguez (3B, HOU)

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting, Add in AL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: In his second full year in the majors, Dominguez continues to make small strides across the board. He has nine home runs on the year, and while power remains his biggest asset at this point, he is also on pace for career-highs in runs scored and RBI. Perhaps more importantly, he has been able to push his average above the .250 mark after hitting in the .220s in early May.

Dominguez seems to be coming into his own at the plate, and as the former 12th overall pick, he clearly has some potential. Meanwhile, Houston's lineup continues to improve as a whole with young players like George Springer and John Singleton getting called up, which should only help Dominguez.  He is owned in just 12 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so you don't necessarily have to act immediately. However, his best days should be ahead of him, so keep an eye on Dominguez and be ready to make a move.

First Base Waiver Wire Options

Casey McGehee (1B / 3B, MIA)

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues

ANALYSIS: It feels like I am campaigning for McGehee on a weekly basis, but he is still owned in just 29 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite his steady RBI production. He has driven in 38 runs on the year, which ranks ninth among players with first-base eligibility.

For comparison's sake, McGehee has as many RBI as Adrian Gonzalez and David Oritz, and while he only has a single homer this year, he is also hitting .300. Only three other players at first base rank in the top 10 in RBI while batting at least .300, so while McGehee isn't an across-the-board offensive contributor, he is strong in two separate categories. Unless your biggest need is power, McGehee deserves your attention.

Kendrys Morales (1B, MIN) 

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Last week, I mentioned that Morales would have a new home sooner rather than later. After which, he promptly signed with the Twins and went 1-for-3 with a walk in his debut. Since the signing, his ownership has jumped from 20 percent to 34 percent in Yahoo! leagues, and that number is only going to go up if he looks anything like the productive hitter he has been throughout his career.

He was slotted sixth in the lineup in his season debut, but you can expect Morales to move into the fourth or fifth spot once he gets his timing back. A questionable power play by Morales and his agent left him without a team for the first couple of months of the season, but his loss can be your gain. You normally won't get an opportunity to add a proven bat this late in the season, and if you need some more in your lineup, Morales is the guy to target.

Jon Singleton (1B, HOU)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Singleton's upside was on full display in his first week in the majors. Sure, he is hitting just .200, but he also smashed a pair of homers to go along with six RBI and a steal. His power is proving to be as legit as advertised, and while there will no doubt be some ups and downs in his rookie season, Singleton is only going to get better as a hitter. In the meantime, he should continue to provide some homers and RBI as a big bat in the middle of an ever-improving Houston lineup. He is currently owned in just 48 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and there is no reason that a player with his ceiling should be available in more than half the leagues out there.