The 2023 fantasy baseball season is in full swing as we head into Week 3. With that, attacking the waiver wire and getting your bids in is crucial to success in your fantasy baseball leagues. For Week 3, here are some of the top hitters and pitchers you should be targeting on the waiver wire. Continue reading with Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 3.

Last week in baseball was rough for the injury department. For the second week of the season, it’s always tough to see injuries this early on. Corey Seager and O’Neil Cruz are two of the names that highlighted the week of injuries. Numerous call-ups have made this a loaded waiver wire. Continue reading for my advice on which players to target on the waiver wire for fantasy baseball this week.

Waiver Wire Hitters

Edouard Julien, 2B, Minnesota Twins

Edouard Julien got the call-up from the Minnesota Twins and had an immediate impact. Not only did he get his first career hit against the Yankees, but they batted around the order and he hit his first career home run. An opposite-field home run on top of that.

Now, a lot of questions are if Julien will stay up in the majors with Jorge Polanco coming back soon. However, if he keeps hitting, then they won’t send him down. Also of note, he led off Thursday night with a full lineup. Furthermore, he is a threat to not only hit but steal bases as well.

Vaughn Grissom, 2B, Atlanta Braves

With Orlando Arcia landing on the injured list, Vaughn Grissom finds his way back into the majors. Once he was sent down to the minors, he crushed it. There, he hit for .366 with a home run and two stolen bases. Arcia may be out for a month or two, and Grissom seems like the odds-on favorite to run away with the job. Overall, his being demoted was a shocker in the spring. However, now he is a must-add in all fantasy baseball leagues.

Esteury Ruiz, OF, Oakland Athletics

Is the Esteury Ruiz breakout finally here? The Athletics put Ruiz in the leadoff spot on Wednesday, and he responded with a 3-4 day with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Additionally, he only has two stolen bases this season, but he is highly regarded for his speed. With that, if he continues to bat leadoff, he will get more plate appearances, and more chances to get on base.

Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Austin Hays is in the middle of a breakout campaign. There is a high chance he is no longer on your waivers, but in the event he is, this is a must-add. Hays is batting .340 this season with three home runs, six RBIs, and 12 runs scored. Additionally, he also has a stolen base. All in all, Baltimore’s lineup has been very good this season, and Hays is adding to it.

Franchy Cordero, 1B/OF, New York Yankees

Out of nowhere! Franchy Cordero has been crushing it for the Yankees. He has hit four home runs so far this season while batting in 11 runs and scoring five times. Additionally, he is batting .250 so far. However, he is still expected to platoon, but when he is in the lineup, he makes for a power add now. Cordero is better added in daily lineups when the Yankees are facing right-handed pitchers.

Chas McCormick, OF, Houston Astros

The Houston Astros seem to love Chas McCormick. Currently, he is batting .275 with two home runs, 9 RBIs, seven runs scored, and four stolen bases. Furthermore, he is acting as a five-tool player right now. The Astros have put him in the leadoff spot, and he is flourishing. Finally, he plays in a deep lineup and is a must-roster in deeper formats, mostly 5 OF leagues.

MINOR LEAGUE ADD

Brett Baty, 3B, New York Mets

Any day now, Brett Baty should be up for the Mets. I talked about him last week, and still believe he is a great stash option. He is hitting in AAA. Furthermore, he is currently batting .387 with four home runs, and ten RBIs, and is looking the part. Eduardo Escobar has not been playing well for the Mets, and it is only a matter of time before the switch occurs. With that being said, go get him now while the FAAB bid is low before it goes to 25% or more of your budget.

Waiver Wire Pitchers

Taj Bradley, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Taj Bradley’s promotion is here to add to the Rays’ currently undefeated season (As of Friday afternoon). Bradley was promoted when Zach Eflin went on the injured list with a back injury. Additionally, he was optioned after his first start to the minors.

Now with the news of Jeffrey Springs, Bradley may be called back up and may stay for a while. While the ERA isn’t great, he threw five innings and struck out eight batters. Additionally, he only walked one batter in the winning effort. Overall, Bradley has a very high upside on a good Rays team and a fine addition to your fantasy baseball teams.

Kris Bubic, SP, Kansas City Royals

Kris Bubic has turned himself around. For now. Currently, he has started two games and has thrown 11 innings. In those 11 innings, he has a 1.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 13 strikeouts, and only one walk which is great. Furthermore, he has thrown one quality start as well. Bubic seems to have turned the corner from his 5.58 ERA last season. Moving forward, if he can keep up this pace, we may be looking at a top-30 starting pitcher in major league baseball.

Drey Jameson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Drey Jameson got the start with Zach Davies going on the injured list. In that start, he threw 4 innings, struck out four batters, did not walk anyone, and gave up three hits. Including his relief appearances, Jameson has a 1.46 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Additionally, in 12.1 innings he has struck out 12 batters. Now, he is a two-start pitcher for next week with a very high upside against the Cardinals and Padres.

Anthony DeSclafani, SP, San Francisco Giants

In 2021, DeSclafani had a 3.17 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP, and won 13 games. He truly broke out that season. After that, his injuries slowed him down last season, and he wasn’t himself. Now in 2023, it seems as if DeSclafani is back on the 2021 path.

So far, he has started two games and has a 0.73 ERA. Additionally, he has a 0.49 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched. Moving forward, his next matchup is against the Tigers on Saturday on the road.

Andrew Chafin, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Have the Diamondbacks found their closer? It seems that way. Andrew Chafin currently seems like the favorite to close in Arizona as he has a spotless 0.00 ERA and 0.56 WHIP in 5.1 innings pitched. Additionally, he has also struck out seven batters and has two saves. If you’re in need of a closer, Chafin is a good addition off the waiver wire right now for your fantasy baseball teams.

Edward Cabrera, SP, Miami Marlins 

MINOR LEAGUE ADD

Matthew Liberatore, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

Matthew Liberatore was on this list last week, and he put out another great AAA start. He threw seven innings while giving up three hits, two earned runs, and struck out ten batters. Additionally, his velocity is up, and he is knocking on the door of the majors. Liberatore has put together three straight great starts in AAA and needs to be stashed all over. He is going to go for 25-30% of all FAAB budgets when called up and is available now for you to add to your fantasy baseball leagues.

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