1B and 3B Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 16

July 9, 2023

Lauren's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for 1B and 3B for Week 16 of the 2023 season. Consider adding and streaming these first basemen and third basemen.

The MLB All-Star break is here, which means the all-important second half is nearly upon us, and so is Week 16 of fantasy baseball 1B and 3B waiver wire pickups. Considering how tight some of these divisions and Wild Card races are, the second half is going to be must-see TV for baseball fans. Not only that, but the trade deadline on August 1 will further determine which teams go all in and make a push for the postseason.

The same sentiment goes for your fantasy team. Adding the right players will be key down the stretch and can help to propel you in the standings. So whether you're in first place and want to comfortably maintain your lead, or you're in second, third, or even fourth place and want to push for first, the players listed below can help you do so.

Here are some first and third-base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 16 -- July 10 through July 16.

Waiver Wire Pickups For Shallow Leagues (30-50% rostered)

Joey Meneses, 1B/OF, Washington Nationals (46% rostered)

The Nationals are having the kind of season everyone expected them to -- at the bottom of the National League East with a 35-54 record. Something Washington did not expect, however, was that Joey Meneses would lose his power stroke. Last season, the slugger hit 13 home runs in 56 games. This year, the 31-year-old has just five homers in 82 games.

It's been detrimental to an already lacking Nationals offense, but Meneses has shown out during their series with the first-place Texas Rangers. He's hit three home runs and collected four RBI during the three-game set, an encouraging sign against a good team. Washington now hopes there are better things to come for Meneses in the second half.

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Washington Nationals (38% rostered)

Jeimer Candelario is a player who's appeared on this list quite a bit, and it's because he's having a solid year for the rebuilding Nats. It would not be surprising for teams to inquire about him at the trade deadline, as he's shown he can hit for power and average. Like his teammate Meneses, he's also had a good series against the Rangers.

He hit this long three-run home run off Andrew Heaney in the first inning on Saturday, helping to lead Washington to an 8-3 victory. Overall, he's slugged .640 in his last seven games. Candelario could be a sneakily good hitter to add to your roster as the second half begins.

Waiver Wire For Deeper Leagues (10-30% rostered)

Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (10% rostered)

Ryan O'Hearn has continued to mash for the Orioles, slashing .391/.444/.609 across his last seven games. He's continued to be a decent replacement in the absence of the injured Ryan Mountcastle, with seven homers, 28 RBI, and a .879 OPS to show for it.

He's been able to provide Baltimore's lineup with a steady source of lefty pop as the O's now sit just two games back of the Rays in the AL East. Tampa Bay has lost seven straight games. The Orioles, at 53-35, hope to overtake their spot in first place as the second half gets underway.

Jake Burger, 3B, Chicago White Sox (20% rostered)

Burger King is back. The 27-year-old is the definition of a power hitter because if he's not hitting home runs, he's not doing much else. So when Jake Burger is blasting homers, it's best to take advantage of it. He popped his 19th long ball of the year against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, helping the Sox to a narrow 8-7 victory.

Although Chicago's season is a lost cause by this point, sitting at 38-53 in the AL Central (still only eight games back, however), they're hoping Burger can continue to provide that pop in their lineup during the second half of the season.

Deeper Waiver Wire Options to Consider (Under 10%)

Mike Ford, 1B, Seattle Mariners (4% rostered)

Mike Ford has been on another planet for the Mariners across his last seven games. He's batting .435/.500/.826 with a pair of homers and seven RBI, bringing his season totals up to eight home runs and 17 RBI.

The 31-year-old was designated for assignment by the Angels last year and signed by Seattle to a minor league deal in the offseason. They selected his contract on June 2. He's played in 30 games since, putting together a respectable .278/.333/.620 slash line in that span.

More Players to Consider

• Jonathan Aranda, 1B/2B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays
• Matt Vierling, 3B/OF, Detroit Tigers

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