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During the second week of the MLB season, the excitement and intensity on the diamond reached new heights as teams began to settle into their rhythms. And a new week of baseball brings a new week of fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
By this point, players you drafted who are worth dropping have begun to stick out like a sore thumb, which begs the question: who do you pick up in place of them? Well, we have a few options for you to consider.
Let's get into it. Here are more first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 3 – April 8 through April 14.
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Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Brendan Donovan, 1B/2B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals (34% rostered)
Since the turn of the calendar, Brendan Donovan has begun to pick it up for the Cardinals. He's batted .615/.722/1.077 with eight hits, including a homer, three doubles, two RBI, and three walks. Donovan has always been kind of a super utility player for St. Louis, but he's playing his way into more starting time.
Brendan Donovan is having himself a night 🔥#STLCards | #ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/rEiOYpkjY2
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 2, 2024
The 27-year-old almost single-handedly willed the Cards to victory on Saturday against the winless Marlins, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run, and a walk. One of his doubles came with two strikes, further emphasizing Donovan's adjustments at the plate.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, New York Yankees (49% rostered)
It took some time, but Anthony Rizzo finally got his first home run of the season in the Yankees' win over the Blue Jays on Saturday. The ball just stayed fair and was a difference-maker in New York's 9-8 victory. Let's hope this is the beginning of a hot streak for Rizzo, who's struggled early in the season.
Anthony Rizzo keeps this ball fair for his first homer of the season! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/8vSMlueTxf
— MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2024
Still, this hasn't hindered his roster percentage; he's nearly 50 percent rostered. Perhaps patience is key for the 34-year-old who appeared in only 99 games last season due to an injury. The Yankees lineup is plenty talented; it's just a matter of getting them going. Saturday's game was a good sign of things to come for the Bronx Bombers.
Waiver Wire for Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Connor Joe, 1B/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (20% rostered)
The Pirates have had one of their best starts to the season in years, and journeyman Connor Joe has been in the thick of it. In his second year with Pittsburgh, Joe is hitting .323/.432/.548 with a home run, four doubles, seven RBI, and five walks in seven games. But beware, Joe doesn't play every day -- even though the Pirates seem to perform better when he does.
Connor Joe and the @Pirates are rolling. 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/CByegSG2XT
— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2024
Additionally, this is a common trend for Joe. Throughout his career, he's typically had a stronger first half than second half. Therefore, it's wise to take advantage of the veteran's hot streak while it lasts and the Pirates' success. Both are fleeting.
Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF, Minnesota Twins (12% rostered)
This name frequented our lists last year, and Alex Kirilloff is back with a vengeance in 2024. He's gotten off to a hot start in April, slashing an eye-popping .438/.526/.875, along with seven hits, two walks, and an RBI. Four of Kirilloff's seven hits were for extra bases, including three triples.
Alex Kirilloff has a triple in three straight games!
He's the first player to do so since Kolten Wong in 2019. pic.twitter.com/10sHnJDHQa
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 6, 2024
He's appeared in all seven games for Minnesota this season and has been one of the lone bright spots for the Twins offense thus far. They rank 28th in the league with a .191 team batting average. Meanwhile, Kirilloff is batting .385 in 30 plate appearances. With Royce Lewis again landing on the injured list, the Twins are hoping Kirilloff, another former first-round pick, can step it up.
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Gio Urshela, 1B/3B/SS, Detroit Tigers (3% rostered)
Since a three-year stay in New York, Gio Urshela has spent the last three seasons with different teams. He seems to love Detroit so far, hitting .381/.381/.476 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and three RBI in his last seven games.
Gio Urshela gives the Tigers the lead in the 8th with a huge RBI double!
This team is on fire to start the season! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z5BcsYKyzZ
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 5, 2024
The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Tigers in the offseason, and he's looking like an absolute steal for up-and-coming Detroit. He's provided clutch hits and offers a veteran presence on a roster filled with young talent. Don't sleep on the Tigers or Urshela this year.
More Waiver Wire Pickups to Consider
- Jared Walsh, 1B/OF, Texas Rangers (6% rostered)
- Jared Triolo, 1B/2B/3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (6% rostered)
- J.D. Davis, 1B/3B, Oakland Athletics (16% rostered)
- Michael Busch, 1B/3B, Chicago Cubs (13% rostered)
- Colt Keith, 2B/3B, Detroit Tigers (25% rostered)
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