RADIO
Rosters are ever-changing and player values continue to rise and fall, depending on the flavor of the moment. Consider making a couple of moves to keep your team competitive. If you're in jeopardy of missing the playoffs, take a risk to get a player that could make the difference.
The corner infield spots generally offer power bats. However, waiver wire players come with as much downside as they do upside and these power bats could come with their own distinct issues. In this article, I'll discuss waiver wire targets for first base and third base in week 19. This week we cover a few guys that cover the age spectrum, others that are on a little hot streak while at least one other has enticing matchups.
Key points - the primary focus of this list is on players who are owned in less than 50% of leagues. Below are some names that might be available.
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Week 19 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets
Trey Mancini (1B/OF, BAL) 30% owned
Mancini came busting into the league in 2017 hitting .293 with 24 HR and 78 RBI. He was given a hard dose of reality in 2018 as he is hitting a terribly low .231, pulled down partially due to a .275 BABIP. He does have 15 homers on the season though. If there is a silver lining, it is that Mancini has shown some signs of life recently. In the last 14 days, he has three homers, seven RBI, and a slash line of .306/.333/.510. This is accompanied by a .204 ISO and a 43.2% hard-hit rate, compared to 32.2% overall this season. Mancini has a road series against the Rays but it is followed by a tough home series against the Red Sox.
Johan Camargo (2B/3B/SS, ATL) 23% owned
The trade deadline passed and Camargo remains the Atlanta third baseman. Not only that, but he has shown uncharacteristic hitting traits as of late. Camargo is not known as a power hitter but in the last 14 days, he has four homers and nine RBI to go with a .293 batting average. His HR total now sits at 13. With some good fortune, Camargo could reach 20 by year's end. It is not something I would bet on, but enjoy it while striving for consistency. The recent display of power is surprising because Camargo still maintains a 48.1% ground-ball rate. Thankfully he still possesses a 38% hard-hit and 11.1% walk rate. Camargo has also been quite clutch with a .297 AVG with men in scoring position. This week he plays four games on the road against the Nations, which includes a doubleheader on Tuesday. Then the Braves head back home to host the Brewers.
Jake Bauers (1B, TB) 27% owned
Bauers' continued adjustment to the major leagues is going well. In the last week, he hit three homers and five RBI and added in a stolen base for good measure. Bauers has very good self-control at the plate with a very good walk rate (13.1%) and an ability to restrain himself from swinging at pitches outside the zone (24.2%). In the last 30 days, Bauers has adjusted his swing and increased his fly ball rate (42.4%) to be coupled with his hard-hit rate (45.5%). As such, he had seven homers, eight doubles, and 19 RBI. He pitched in three stolen bases as well. Unfortunately, that came with a .242 batting average. Despite that, Bauers production and regular playing time should have at least earned more ownership than his current levels. In the coming week, Bauers will have favorable matchups at home against Baltimore and then a series in Toronto.
Kendrys Morales (1B, TOR) 16% owned
For some reason, Morales continues to remain discarded on the waiver wire. He has a history of power with average yet his age (35) seemingly is keeping people from adding him to their roster. It's ok. This is to your advantage. In the last two weeks, Morales has two HR, eight RBI, and .326 AVG. While some might not consider that impressive enough, others should relish the opportunity of acquiring a high-average power bat for free to fill in as a replacement. Do not let the season stats mislead you. Morales has increased his effort the second half with a .288 AVG, compared to a .246 in the first half. He continues to increase his hard-hit rate ( 42.2%) this season as well as his fly ball rate (36.9%). Keep in mind that the Blue Jays will only play six games this week; however, they will all be at home versus the Red Sox and Rays.
David Freese (1B/3B, PIT) 3% owned
At 35 years old, Freese is demonstrating that he can be a productive player on your roster. In 211 plate appearances in 2018, he has a .286 batting average to go with eight homers and 36 RBI. It is surprising because he isn't hitting the ball that hard (33%) and pounds it on the ground too often (51%), though it is better than he did the last four years. Accordingly, his line drive (21.2%) and fly ball (27.4%) rates have improved from past seasons. To illustrate the production Freese will carry into this coming week, he has three homers, 11 RBI, and a .306 batting average in the last 14 days. Freese has the pleasure of playing a series in Colorado; however, it is followed by a series in a less hitter-friendly environment in San Francisco.
