Week 18 Waiver Wire - First Base (1B) and Third Base (3B)

It is week 18 and as we move closer to the playoffs, every win is vital. Don’t become complacent, regardless of your place in the standings. You don’t need to manage your active roster the next few days so take this opportunity to clean things up. Spend some time rummaging through the waiver wire to find assets to assist your endeavors. Consider making a couple of moves to keep your team competitive.

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 mediocre averages. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for first base and third base in week 18. This week we cover a broader range of players, but the old guys, out-of-favor guys, and rebound guys from last week are still available and recommended.

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. I've included the recent performance below as well, so you can compare and make a better selection.

Week 18 Corner Infield (CI) Waiver Wire Targets

Kendrys Morales (1B,TOR) 13% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, one HR, four RBI, .450 AVG

The father of time has yet to conquer Kendrys Morales. Even at 35 years old, he is not a handicap to any fantasy lineup. By itself, his 12 HR and .257 average on the season doesn’t exude confidence but when you look at his recent performance you’ll see the benefits he still provides. The last couple of months he has started swinging the bat well, with a .277 batting average in June and .345 in July. Even more recent, Morales has four homers with eight RBI to go with a slash line of .317/.421/.556 in the last 30 days. A 40.4% hard hit rate and 29.8% line drive rate during that time also demonstrates that he can still swing the bat like those 10 years his junior. Morales has a full plate of games this week on the road against the Athletics and Mariners.

Matt Chapman (3B, OAK) 38% owned

Last 7 days: 10 runs, two homers, five RBI, .483 AVG

Chapman took full advantage of a week in tremendously hitter-friendly environments last week. The entire Athletics offense put on a power display. Known for his power, Chapman increased his ISO to .203 and his homers now sit at 12 on the year. He is surely capable of finishing the season with more than 20 homers. Even though he hits too many ground balls (40.7%), the fact that he hits the ball hard (43.5%) helps maintain a certain degree of success. Additionally, he has a solid approach at the plate and is limiting his swings at pitches outside the zone (24.7%). That’s not to say he doesn’t strikeout (22.9%), but he doesn’t any more than the average power hitter. Chapman is a very good option in an improving offense. He should be able to continue some of the prior week’s success when the Athletics head back home to face Toronto and Detroit.

Speculation Picks

Justin Bour (1B, MIA) 42% owned

Last 7 days: you do not want to know

Bour is struggling and having an overall letdown season hitting .231, compared to his .289 batting average in 2017. It has been even worse in July with a .208 average. To the fantasy manager's benefit, Bour does have split issues as well; he has better outcomes when facing right-handed pitchers than left-handers. He hits the ball harder (42.3%) and becomes more of a fly ball hitter (36.8%) when facing opposite-side pitching. It is fortunate that all of the opposing pitchers this week are righties. This could increase the likelihood of Bour having a bounce-back week, if there is such a thing. Unfortunately, he does strikeout more when facing right-handers on the road (29%), but hopefully his very good walk rate (15.9%) will compensate for this issue. Although his recent performance has not been good, Bour does have decent hitting environments to play in this week and a full-slate of games in Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Johan Camargo (2B/3B/SS, ATL) 15% owned

Last 7 days: four runs, one HR, three RBI, .316 AVG

Camargo might be a surprise addition to this list. This recommendation is assuming that Atlanta does not make a trade for a third baseman before the deadline. Regardless, he fits a purpose and is getting consistent playing time. In the last 30 days, he has 12 runs, three homers and 11 RBI to go with a .292 batting average. It doesn’t blow you away but he definitely isn’t going to hurt you if you need a temporary replacement. Camargo has a very good approach at the plate with an 11.7% walk rate and a 19.2% strikeout rate. Even without big-time power, he uses his 38.9% hard hit rate to overcome his tendency to hit ground balls (48.5%). The Braves’ solid lineup will help him compile some counting stats once he does get on base. Camargo has an advantage of also playing a full schedule this week. He has a home series against the Marlins followed by a road series against the Mets.

Ryon Healy (1B/3B, SEA) 38% owned

Last 7 days: three runs, three HR, seven RBI, .429 AVG

Healy is well-known for his streaky performance and had a spell of good production this past week. He hit three homers and drove in 12 with a .429 batting average. Do not get too excited about the average. Healy provides one thing for your team, power in spurts. He doesn’t even offer value in OBP leagues with a lowly 3.6% walk rate. He strikes out often enough (22.9%) but unfortunately it stems from a 12.1% swinging strikes and 37.1% swing rate outside the zone. If you have the option of picking your battles with Healy, play him against righ-handed pitchers as he has a .253 average against them, compared to a .229 batting average against lefties. Thankfully, he faces off against at least four right-handers this week when the Mariners take on the Astros and Blue Jays at home.

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