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It's Sunday, so we have another edition of first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 6 – April 29 through May 5. As April draws to a close and May emerges on the horizon, the pulse of MLB quickens. Across ballparks nationwide, teams evaluate their early-season performances, taking stock of successes and setbacks.
For some, April offered a glimpse of promise, with standout performances and unexpected victories fueling aspirations for postseason glory. Yet, the opening month brought challenges and adjustments for others, prompting reevaluation and renewed determination.
As the calendar turns, the MLB landscape brims with anticipation as teams brace for the relentless grind ahead.
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Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, New York Yankees (40% rostered)
The Yankees' offense has cooled off somewhat since their torrid start to the 2024 campaign, dropping to 19th in team batting average at .236, but have racked up 30 home runs, good for sixth in MLB. To the delight of New York fans, Anthony Rizzo has begun swatting the ball out of the park again, with two home runs in his last seven games.
Anthony Rizzo two-run shot! pic.twitter.com/a7UUd9i6ju
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 23, 2024
With Aaron Judge mired in a slump and Giancarlo Stanton seeming to fall back into his old ways, the Yankees need all the offensive help they can get from Rizzo. Luckily, Juan Soto has come as advertised, and the Bronx Bombers are still at the top of the AL East. New York will have a battle for first place in the division as a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles awaits this week.
Luis Rengifo, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Angels (42% rostered)
Here we go...the curious case of Luis Rengifo. The 27-year-old is hot again, slashing .300/.417/.350 with two RBI, four walks, and a stolen base in his last seven contests. However, Rengifo has always battled consistency, whether due to injuries, not playing every day, or being a defensive liability.
Just a reminder Luis Rengifo is perfect on steal attempts.
Stole: 7
Caught: 0ELITE speed and PERFECT jumps 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/uRq16inkXv
— Rengifo hits 20 HRs if Plays Everyday (@RengifoMVP) April 25, 2024
His batted ball metrics are less than inspiring, with his Statcast page a sea of blue. Rengifo is certainly not a terrible option for your fantasy roster, as he can slot into multiple positions and is good for a stolen base or two, so why not take the chance on him while he's swinging the bat well and swiping bags?
Waiver Wire for Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Ty France, 1B, Seattle Mariners (12% rostered)
The Mariners' offense has struggled to begin the year, with many heavy hitters, including Julio Rodriguez and Ty France, looking lost at the plate. However, Rodriguez and France have recently picked it up offensively. The 29-year-old France finally broke through for his first home run of the year on Thursday against Texas -- a two-run shot that scored Rodriguez came off the bat at 101.1 mph and traveled 368 feet.
Ty France, his first of the year. pic.twitter.com/5ZkAipJck7
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 25, 2024
Perhaps his long ball on Thursday was the start of good things for the first baseman as he added another two-run home run on Saturday. France still places in the top 10 percent of the league in hard-hit percentage and is just two seasons removed from a 22-homer campaign in 2022. It would greatly help Seattle's push for a division crown if he can find his power stroke again.
Tyler Freeman, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Cleveland Guardians (24% rostered)
24-year-old Tyler Freeman has gone from being just five percent rostered last week to 24 percent this week. As discussed in Week 5, his play has him in consideration for Cleveland's everyday center field position.
Tyler Freeman his last 7 games:
.333-BA/2-HR/5-RBIHe put on some muscle over the last year, is finally getting consistent playing time.. and his barrel%/hard-hit% have exploded. It's enough to make a grown man emotional pic.twitter.com/Oi7YbwSZjm
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) April 24, 2024
Freeman's OPS is just below .700, and he has seven extra-base hits and 12 RBI in 87 plate appearances overall games this year. With a .232 BAbip, there's reason to believe he's run into some bad luck. He's using the whole field and hitting the ball hard, aiding the Guardians in their hot start to the 2024 season. They sit atop the AL Central at 19-8 with some breathing room over the Royals, who are 2.5 games behind.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Josh Rojas, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners (3% rostered)
The Mariners are 8-2 in their last 10 and have a 1.5-game lead over the reigning World Champion Rangers for first place in the AL West. Josh Rojas has been a large part of their recent success. He has six hits, including a homer, in his last seven games -- good for a .310 on-base and .462 slugging percentages.
Josh Rojas, on the very first pitch. And against his old team.
108.4 mph, 405 feet ... His season slash line is up to .327/.393/.527 (.920 OPS) pic.twitter.com/IcP9bGkwox
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 27, 2024
The former Diamondback took Arizona's Zac Gallen deep on Friday on the first pitch of the game. It's a welcome sign for Rojas, who recently started batting leadoff for the M's. Perhaps Seattle will consider keeping him there amid his hot streak, allowing him to get more at-bats. His season totals are supported by supreme underlying numbers, ranking in the 84th, 86th, and 88th percentiles in xSLG, xwOBA, and xBA, respectively.
More Waiver Wire Pickups to Consider
- Josh Smith, 3B/SS/OF, Texas Rangers (14% rostered)
- Willi Castro, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Minnesota Twins (8% rostered)
- Joey Meneses, 1B, Washington Nationals (6% rostered)
- Carlos Santana, 1B, Minnesota Twins (3% rostered)
- Ernie Clement, 2B/3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays (2% rostered)
- Elehuris Montero, 1B/3B, Colorado Rockies (2% rostered)
- Tyler Nevin, 1B/3B/OF, Oakland Athletics (1% rostered)
- Santiago Espinal, 2B/3B/SS, Cincinnati Reds (1% rostered)
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