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As we enter the second week of August, let's look at more first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 21 — August 12 through August 18.
In the final stretch of the fantasy baseball season, savvy waiver wire pickups can be the difference between clinching a playoff spot and falling short. As the MLB season winds down, player performance fluctuations, injuries, and late-season call-ups create opportunities for fantasy managers to bolster their rosters. Identifying and acquiring hot players peaking at the right time or capitalizing on favorable matchups can provide a much-needed edge.
Additionally, as real-life teams manage their lineups with postseason implications in mind, fantasy managers must stay alert to changes that could affect player availability. Making smart, timely moves on the waiver wire can be the key to a successful playoff push or a championship run.
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Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)
Jose Caballero, 2B/3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (32% rostered)
You may look at Jose Caballero's OPS and wonder why he's 32 percent rostered, and the simple answer is that he's still swiping bags. Caballero is a great player to roster in leagues where steals are paramount. He's logged three steals in four attempts over the last seven days. He also added this RBI single on Thursday.
Cabby tacks on another! pic.twitter.com/Hvs5qmzcUW
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) August 9, 2024
However, the 27-year-old hasn't had a great second half. He's had a fairly lackluster season, slashing .234/.293/.358 in 348 plate appearances. However, he's amassed 31 stolen bases -- good for fourth in MLB -- being caught 12 times across 97 games with Tampa Bay.
Michael Busch, 1B/3B, Chicago Cubs (49% rostered)
Since August began, Michael Busch has been excellent at the plate for the Cubs. He boasts a 1.011 OPS with three home runs and five RBI this month, with a .348/.400/.739 slash line in the last seven days.
BUH-BYE pic.twitter.com/mLnAbBAQnl
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 7, 2024
Although below .500 and currently out of a playoff spot, nobody has run away with the NL wild card. Chicago is only four games out, and if Busch can stay hot down the stretch, it would certainly help their chances.
Waiver Wire for Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)
Geraldo Perdomo, 2B/3B/SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (17% rostered)
Believe it or not, Geraldo Perdomo was an All-Star in 2023. It's a little hard to believe if you look at his stats this year, but it wouldn't be surprising if you only watched his last seven games. He's batted .381/.435/.619, belted his first home run of the season on August 7 and added three RBI.
🚨 DOMO DINGER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/MT1hiYpbSm
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 7, 2024
Against Arizona's current opponent, the Phillies, Perdomo also has solid numbers. He's hit .289 with five RBI in 17 career games when facing Philadelphia. Another team embattled in the NL wild-card race, it would be a major boost for the D-backs if Perdomo can once again channel what made him an All-Star last season.
Joey Ortiz, 2B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers (14% rostered)
The Brewers have flown under the radar all season, including infielder Joey Ortiz, who's compiled a respectable rookie year. The 26-year-old former Orioles prospect owns a .755 OPS with seven home runs, 37 RBI, and 43 walks in nearly 100 games with Milwaukee in 2024.
Joey Ortiz is heating up again for the @Brewers!
7 hits and 4 RBI in the last 3 games for the @NMStateBaseball alum.🔥
🎥 #ProAggies pic.twitter.com/Iz1CBO1Anb
— Adam Young (@youngpbp) August 9, 2024
Ortiz dealt with an injury about a month ago, and his bat had cooled off significantly, but he appears to be picking up the pace again as the stretch run begins. He's put up a .296/.387/.407 slash line, drove in five runs, and scored four. I mean, the kid was included in the trade that sent Corbin Burnes to Baltimore, so he's gotta be pretty good, right?
Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)
Jonah Bride, 1B/3B, Miami Marlins (2% rostered)
Since the Marlins traded half their roster on deadline day, Miami has had to get creative with their lineups. That's where Jonah Bride comes in. He's a former 23rd-round draft pick of the A's who made his major league debut in 2022. He spent two seasons in Oakland but was DFA'd in February 2024 when the Fish picked him up.
BACK TO BACK!
JONAH BRIDE MAKES IT 2-0 @MARLINS! pic.twitter.com/ry7QZ40byH
— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) August 10, 2024
Bride and Jake Burger -- who's hit 10 home runs since the All-Star break -- went back-to-back against the Pirates on Friday. The 28-year-old Bride was recalled in July from Triple-A and has remained with the big league club since. In 26 games, he's posted a .819 OPS, four homers, 14 RBI, and nine walks.
More Waiver Wire Pickups to Consider
- Luke Raley, 1B/OF, Seattle Mariners (10% rostered)
- Ernie Clement, 2B/3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays (12% rostered)
- Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (16% rostered)
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (24% rostered)
- Juan Yepez, 1B/OF, Washington Nationals (36% rostered)
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