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Welcome back to another edition of first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. For those who are not familiar, each week at RotoBaller, we publish a waiver wire article for each position. This article will look at corner infield options, at both 1B and 3B. You can also read our other articles for middle infield (2B and SS), outfield, starting pitchers, and more.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve enjoyed some success here with a handful of our suggestions staying hot and keeping up their strong starts to the 2022 season.
With that being said, let’s keep the good times rolling with some names to consider on the waiver wire for this upcoming week of the MLB and fantasy baseball season - May 9th through May 15th.
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Rowdy Tellez, Milwaukee Brewers
40% Rostered
This is a bit of a long-shot waiver wire addition, but if Rowdy Tellez is somehow still available in your league you need to change that very quickly. The big slugger has been absolutely on fire this season for the Brew Crew.
He had a strong second-half in Milwaukee and has carried that over so far in 2022. Granted in a relatively small sample size, he’s seen his hard hit, barrel, and sweet spot percentages all increase to begin the year.
Tellez had a monster two-homer, eight RBI day earlier this week in the Brewers' 18-4 win over the Reds. He’s now up to seven home runs, 24 RBI, and a .926 OPS in 27 games played this season.
He’s been performing so well that he’s even been seeing time against southpaws early on. This may be the Rowdy Tellez breakout season we’ve been waiting for. Again, it’s unlikely, but if he’s somehow still out there let’s get Rowdy!
Josh Rojas, Arizona Diamondbacks
19% Rostered
Rojas returned from the injured list and made his season debut for the Diamondbacks this weekend. He ended up missing the first 26 games of the season with an oblique strain he suffered during spring training.
While he struggled a bit defensively last season, Rojas performed very well with the bat. In 139 games, he hit 32 doubles and eleven home runs while driving in 32 runs, stealing nine bases, and posting a .752 OPS.
While his advanced metrics aren’t much to write home about, Rojas was still able to put together a relatively solid campaign. He was also enjoying a pretty strong spring training prior to his injury.
The 27-year-old lefty should be out there at the hot corner and hitting in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup most days this season. His defensive versatility makes him fantasy eligible at second, third, and left field.
Rojas is definitely a name to watch on the waiver wire this week and moving forward.
Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays
16% Rostered
Diaz has very quietly been one of the Rays' best hitters so far this season. The 30-year-old has never hit for much power, but he’s already slugged a pair of homers and also has three doubles and a 169 OPS+.
On top of that, Diaz has continued to show elite plate discipline early on. Granted it’s still early on, but his 6.6% strike-out percentage and 17.6% walk rate are both career marks. Those numbers have certainly aided his outstanding .440 on-base percentage so far this season.
Diaz has been receiving more and more playing time with Ji Man Choi landing on the injured list for the time being. He should remain a key piece atop the Rays lineup moving forward this season.
Pavin Smith, Arizona Diamondbacks
6% Rostered
Pavin Smith is one of the good young pieces on that current Diamondbacks roster. After a solid performance in spring training, the 26-year-old has gotten off to a strong start during the 2022 season.
Smith already has four doubles and three home runs while posting a .354 OBP and .804 OPS. He’s also seen an increase in his barrel percentage and average exit velocity so far this season.
Smith put together a 27-double, 11-homer campaign in his first full big league season. He’s been hitting all over the Diamondbacks lineup, and again should receive plenty of opportunities to show what he can do.
LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants
5% Rostered
Like Rojas, Wade returned from the injured list and made his season debut for the Giants this weekend. The 28-year-old slugger is coming off a breakout season in his first year in the Bay Area.
In 109 games last season, he posted a 116 OPS+ and hit 17 doubles, 18 home runs, and added six stolen bases. While he didn't draw many walks (8.7%) and his strikeout percentage was a bit high (23.4%), Wade recorded a decent .328 on-base percentage.
He has some decent pop and sneaky speed, giving him the potential for a 20-homer, 10-stole base campaign. Wade slotted right back into the leadoff spot for the Giants and should see plenty of playing time moving forward.
Others Waiver Wire Options to Consider
- Christian Walker (5% Rostered)
- Dominic Smith (4% Rostered)
- Evan Longoria (4% Rostered)
- Brandon Drury (3% Rostered)
- J.D. Davis (1% Rostered)
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