Welcome back RotoBallers to our Week 9! It’s June already. It’s almost time to make some big decisions about your fantasy teams. If you’re struggling, hopefully some of these additions can help turn your season around. Today, we're back with another edition of our first base and third base fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
For those who are not familiar, each week at RotoBaller, we publish a waiver wire article for each position. This article will look at corner infield options, at both 1B and 3B. You can also read our other articles for middle infield (2B and SS), outfield, starting pitchers, and more.
Let’s keep rolling right along here with some names to consider as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for this upcoming week of the MLB and fantasy baseball season – June 6 through June 12.
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Nathaniel Lowe, Texas Rangers
36% Rostered
The 25-year-old slugger finally received everyday playing time and put together a breakout season at the plate in 2021. Lowe appeared in 157 games and recorded 24 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, and a .771 OPS.
Like many of the Rangers sluggers, Lowe has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this season but he seems to be on his way to turning things around. Over his past 15 games, he’s hit four of his five home runs on the season.
Over that span, Lowe has also posted a .302/.351/.585 slash-line and has nine RBI and 10 runs scored. Lowe’s power metrics are a bit down from last season, but he appears to be trending back in the right direction at the plate.
Jonathan Schoop, Detroit Tigers
23% Rostered
It’s been a bit of a slow start to the season for the veteran Tigers infielder. Through 51 games, Schoop has just a .576 OPS and 69 OPS+ while recording just 15 extra-base hits. This comes after Schoop posted a career year at the plate in 2021.
While Schoop and the Tigers are still struggling, he has been turning it on a bit of late. Over his past 15 games, the slugger is hitting .281 and has a .832 OPS with a pair of home runs and nine runs driven in.
Despite still hitting below the Mendoza line, Schoop has reached base in seven of his last nine games and is trending in the right direction. His hard-hit percentage is up around a career-high of 42.9% which could be a sign of good things to come.
Santiago Espinal, Toronto Blue Jays
22% Rostered
To end the month of May, Espinal fell into a massive 2-for-23 slump. The 27-year-old has quickly forgotten about that as he's gotten off to a bit of a hot start in June. Espinal is 4-for-11 with a homer and four RBI over his first three games.
After breaking out at the plate last season, Espinal has received everyday playing time to begin the year and is off to a great start. In 51 games played, the infielder is hitting .269 and has a .330 OBP, 113 OPS+, 14 doubles, three home runs, and three stolen bases.
While his advanced metrics are down around league average, Espinal has posted career marks so far this season. Espinal has looked the part to begin the year, and as long as he keeps producing, he should continue to receive everyday playing time.
Kyle Farmer, Cincinnati Reds
20% Rostered
The Reds aren’t very good this season, there’s no denying that. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have some quality ballplayers on their club this year. Kyle Farmer is certainly one of those guys.
Farmer is quietly putting together another quality season at the plate. Over his past seven games, the veteran infielder is hitting 11-for-24 with four home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs, and a stolen base.
On the year, he is now hitting .263 with a .317 OBP, .752 OPS, 11 doubles, five home runs, and three stolen bases. Farmer isn’t going to win you your fantasy league, but in a pinch, he is a solid middle or corner infield option.
Luis Guillorme, New York Mets
16% Rostered
As a Mets fan, I just have to give some respect to my man Luis Guillorme. He’s always been known as more of a defensive guru, but this season, he’s turned himself into an offensive juggernaut.
Guillorme was absolutely unstoppable at the plate during the month of May. In 21 games, he hit his first homer of the season, three doubles, stole a base and posted a .414 batting average, and stellar .477 on-base percentage.
With Dominic Smith being sent down to Triple-A and Travis Jankowski on the IL, Guillorme has seen a bit of a boost in playing time, and man has he been taking advantage of it. The 27-year-old has elite plate discipline and is an on-base machine.
If you’re looking for a bit of a boost in the batting average department, I’d definitely consider riding Luis Guillorme while he’s red hot.
Others to Consider:
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