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Welcome back RotoBallers, we are here as always to help you pickup the best players and set those winning lineups. Today we're back with another edition of our 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.
Let’s keep rolling right along here with some names to consider as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for this upcoming week of the MLB and fantasy baseball season – May 23 through May 29.
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Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals
35% Rostered
It’s officially Nolan Gorman’s time to shine. With Tyler O’Neill heading to the injured list, the Cardinals’ top prospect received the call to the show earlier this week and was thrown into the starting lineup right away, singling in his first big league at-bat.
Gorman is the #29 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and he’s been on fire to start the 2022 season. In 33 games at the Triple-A level, he hit .308 and posted a 1.044 OPS while crushing 15 home runs and four doubles. The sweet-swinging lefty has some big-time pop but that does come with some high strikeout numbers. He certainly figures to have the opportunity to carve out everyday playing time moving forward.
If the 22-year-old slugger is still sitting out there in your leagues, go get him before it’s too late.
Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals
8% Rostered
Sticking with the theme of young Cardinals infielders, Brendan Donovan has been really solid for them since being called up. Donovan is the Cardinals’ #12 prospect and broke out during the 2021 season.
He rose through the system up to Triple-A and put together a tremendous finish to the campaign. So far he’s carried that over to the 2022 season during his stint at the big league level. Donovan is hitting .316 and has a .490 OBP and .990 OPS while recording a homer, five RBI, and a stolen base. As he showed in the minors, Donovan is a relatively disciplined hitter, posting 11 walks and nine strikeouts, which is impressive for a 25-year-old in his first big league stint.
It’s still unknown how the playing time will work out in the Cardinals' relatively crowded infield, but Donovan has certainly looked the part so far and is a guy to keep an eye on over the next few days.
Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins
23% Rostered
This is the second consecutive week I’ve had Arraez in my waiver wire suggestions. Since returning from the injured list back on May 12 he’s put together three multi-hit games in seven starts. Arraez still doesn’t offer much in the power department, but he remains a reliable contributor when it comes to on-base percentage and batting average. Through 30 games this season, Arraez is hitting .323 and has a .425 on-base percentage.
He currently sits in the top-1% of the league strikeout percentage and top-8% in walk rate. Arraez is an on-base machine and continues to hit towards the top of the Twins lineup making him a good source for runs the rest of the season.
In a pinch, he’s a solid versatile fantasy option with eligibility at first, second, third, and in the outfield.
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
18% Rostered
Christian Walker’s calling card over his eight-year big league career has always been his power. During his last full season back in 2019 he hit a career-high 29 home runs and posted 26 doubles for the Diamondbacks. Walker struggled a bit last season, hitting just ten homers, but this season he’s gotten off to a strong start. Through 39 games, he’s already one shy of his mark from last season and he has seven doubles.
Early on, he’s seen a significant increase in his barrel, hard hit, and sweet spot percentages. Walker has quickly jumped back to around his 2019 marks. He’s also been more disciplined at the plate, posting a higher walk rate and lower chase rate and strikeout percentage.
He started out the year a little slow but seems to quickly be jumping into form. If Walker can stay on the field, he could be looking at a monster bounce-back season at the plate.
Others Waiver Wire Option to Consider
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