Week 5 Waiver Wire - First Base (1B) and Third Base (3B)

Corner Store is open! Primary shoppers: Wil Myers owners (again), Greg Bird owners, Jake Lamb owners, Justin Turner owners, Josh Harrison owners, and Josh Donaldson. It is only week five and long term DL stints are affecting many rosters. Therefore, it is important that you are fluid and dynamic in your ability to fill the voids and get positive results. Therefore, do not grow roots with the first player you get off the waiver wire. It might be better to go with the hot hand. Below I've included the recent performance so you can compare and make a better selection.

Again, you will not find a commensurate replacement for the corner infielder that you lost. When looking for a replacement or upgrade, identify the needs of your roster and how a player would fit in to improve your roster as a whole, or boost a certain category at the very least. First base and third base are generally the best spots to look to improve your team’s power. From the waiver wire, those individuals will usually come with a poor batting average. The main alternative is players that give you average production across the board. Choose wisely.

Key points - the primary focus of this list is on players who are owned in less than 50% of yahoo leagues. Below are some names that might be available as well as players that have recently graduated from the parameters. Check your leagues for availability.

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Week 5 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets

Daniel Robertson (3B, TB) - 34% owned

Robertson is a super-utility player who had promise coming up as a prospect in the Athletics organization. Now with the Rays, he has been given an opportunity to play and is making the most of it. In 21 games, Robertson has three HRs, six doubles, and 14 runs. He has a .345 batting average and a 1.103 OPS; however, expect his batting average to regress with a .425 BABIP.

Robertson has a very good eye at the plate with great OBP (.500). Impressively, he has a better walk rate (21.1%) than he does strikeout rate (19.7%). When Robertson does take the bat off the shoulder, he makes contact more often than not, with only seven percent swinging strikes. He is a line-drive hitter (30.2%) that can hit with authority, a 41.9 hard-hit percentage. 53.5% of Robertson’s hits are to the pull-side though so it wouldn’t be surprising to see opponents using the shift against him. Invest in him now, at least while he is hot. If it continues, you have a guy with multi-positional eligibility for little to nothing. Upcoming matchups against the Tigers and Blue Jays are quite favorable.

Last 7 days: four runs, one HR, three RBI, .545 AVG, 1.493 OPS

Jeimer Candelario (3B, DET) - 30% owned

For the second straight week, Candelario has shown he might be more than just a capable replacement player. He continues to get on base and score runs hitting in front of Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos. His BABIP (.324) isn’t such that you would worry about a batting average (.282) regression. The one concern with Candelario is his splits; he hits .291 against right-handed pitcher, but only a .190 against lefties. If you have the ability to stream him, start him more against righties. Candelario is lined up to provide this week with favorable opponents in the next three series at Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Texas.

Last 7 days: 11 runs, one HR, three RBI, .304 AVG, 1.060 OPS

Yonder Alonso (1B, CLE) - 27% owned

Alonso is one of the few first baseman available that will give you plenty of power in an optimal lineup. Alonso made the improvement to modify his swing, which has led to a 45.8% fly ball rate. There is baggage that comes with that power; he will not help your lineup in the batting average (.236) department. Another good sign is that he has a .203 BABIP, so some positive regression can be expected. If this occurs, Alonso’s value and ownership would increase. He has games against Texas, Toronto, and the New York Yankees, which might be beneficial for lefty Alonso.

Last 7 days: five runs, four HR, nine RBI, .267 AVG, and .958 OPS

C.J. Cron (1B, TB) - 25% owned

Cron continues to hit, yet people just aren't giving him the love. He is getting playing time. Hitting out of the two-hole, he has given you quality production. Yes, Cron does not walk a ton. But, you cannot complain about his swing that leads to a 45.1% fly ball rate. Cron has six homers and 17 RBI on the year to go with a .270 average. Thus far, he has shown to be a safe, stress free option for your corner infield position. He has Detroit and Toronto coming up this week.

Last 7 days: six runs, two HRs, six RBI, .286 AVG, .882 OPS

Risky Business

Matt Davidson (1B/3B, CHW) - 48 % owned

Matt Davidson has one skill and that is hitting home runs. He has added an ability to get on base in 2018; he has a 13.1% BB rate. Davidson’s biggest dilemma is his ability to resolve his 32.3% strikeout rate. The other big number that Davidson would rather focus on is 53.8%. That is his hard hit rate. However, he has a below average contact percentage of 70.6. When he does make contact it does go flying. This is another hitter that is made for rosters that have high-average guys. Regardless, there is no reason that a power hitter that has already hit nine homers should be on the waiver wire in more than 50% of leagues. At the very least, claim him and work toward trading him for at least some value. He will take on St. Louis and Minnesota this week.

Last 7 days: five runs, four HRs, seven RBI, .345 AVG, 1.252 OPS

*note – ownership jumped to 53%

Weekly Performance of Past Graduates

Miguel Andujar (3B, NYY) - 63% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, one homer, three RBI, .400 AVG, 1.133 OPS

Christian Villanueva (3B, SD) - 66% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, two homer, four RBI, .262 AVG, 1.086 OPS

Yangervis Solarte(2B/3B/SS, TOR) - 66% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, two homer, four RBI, .148 AVG, .549 OPS

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