1B and 3B Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

Somehow, it's already September. If you're still in the championship hunt, congratulations on navigating the first five months of the long grind that is the fantasy baseball season.

With trade deadlines firmly in the rearview mirror, the waiver wire is your only recourse for reinforcements. A well-timed pickup could prove to be the difference between a title and a winter of wondering what might have been. Fortunately, you've come to the right place for help on that front.

As a reminder, our focus is on players who are below 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, and standard 5x5 scoring. Your mileage may vary, in terms of availability or league settings. Using that cutoff point for ownership rate, however, these are your corner infield waiver wire targets and adds for Week 23 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

C.J. Cron (1B, MIN) — 33% Owned

It's been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Twins' first baseman. After a first half that looked like a springboard to a breakout year, injuries and ineffectiveness ruined his July. Cron may be rounding back into form as we enter the stretch run, however, as he's homered in four of his last six games. The veteran's August output (.262/.326/.512, six home runs, and 20 RBI) more closely resembles his first-half performance than the midsummer swoon.

Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS/OF, MIA) — 32% Owned

Berti has been a regular presence on this list in recent weeks, and while fantasy owners are beginning to take notice, he remains free to add in over two-thirds of Yahoo leagues. The Marlins' leadoff hitter was recalled from the minors on July 31 and has been a force, slashing .282/.363/.473 with four homers, 24 runs, and seven steals in just 29 games. That kind of well-rounded production combined with four-position eligibility makes Berti a great pickup in almost any format.

Starlin Castro (2B/3B, MIA) — 28% Owned

The Marlins are bad. I know it, you know it, the American people know it. But along with Berti, Castro has been one of their few bright spots of late. The veteran infielder homered again on Sunday, giving him five in his last 10 games. After posting an atrocious .245/.272/.336 in the first half, Castro owns an excellent .308/.319/.527 line since the break.

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Tommy Edman (2B/3B/SS/OF, STL) — 25% Owned

Edman swiped another base on Sunday, his 10th of the year in just 238 plate appearances. In the current environment, that qualifies him as a speedster. But he hasn't been a zero in the other categories, hitting .282 with five homers and 59 R+BI as well. The 24-year-old has collected multiple hits in five of his last 11 games, and is seeing time at the top of the Cardinals lineup. He also qualifies at four positions, making him an excellent utility option for fantasy owners.

Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, ARI) — 12% Owned

Flores isn't playing every day, which is the only reason his ownership rate remains so low. It certainly isn't his fault, as he's been absolutely crushing the ball when given the opportunity. In 20 August contests, the infielder hit a ludicrous .451/.491/.824 with five homers and 24 R+BI. If you can afford to roster a guy with inconsistent playing time, it's almost impossible to find a better option than Flores right now. When he does suit up, he can be plugged in at any of the three base positions.

Colin Moran (2B/3B, PIT) — 12% Owned

With a two-hit game on Sunday, Moran has now hit safely in 11 straight and 12 of 13. He's tallied four multi-hit games, a pair of homers, and 19 R+BI during that time. Overall, he's hit .291/.337/.458. The counting stats aren't overly impressive (13 HR, 77 RBI, and just 43 R) but Moran has been a top-75 player over the last two weeks. When the clock is running out on the season, every little bit helps.

For Your Radar

Nathaniel Lowe (1B, TB) — 6% Owned

The Rays haven't been terribly kind to Lowe, sending him back to the minors after the trade deadline despite a .294/.365/.510 line and five homers in 30 games. The rookie got the call to start for the big club on Sunday with rosters expanding, and promptly went 2-for-4 with a homer, scoring two runs and driving in two as well. If he can get regular at-bats (and with Tampa desperately clinging to a wild-card berth, he really ought to at this point), Lowe could be a difference-maker in the final month.

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