With very little time left before the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline, contending teams have begun to load up for a title run. Fantasy owners should do the same, but which hitters on the waiver wire look tempting? Here’s a look at five names to watch.
Related: 2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Pitchers to Target on the Waiver Wire (Week 17)
Jeimer Candelario
We’ll start off the list with Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario. The 29-year-old third baseman has put up a pretty solid season to this point, and could benefit those in need of an extra bench bat thanks in large part to his power. Candelario’s been hitting well as of late, too. He’s posted at least one hit in five of seven games between July 24-30.
The big question for Candelario, however, is what team the third baseman will be playing with come August 2. Candelario has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks.
Willi Castro
It’s time once again to look for some stolen bases. This week, Twins utilityman Willi Castro has gotten our attention in that department. From July 14-29, Castro tied for second in the Majors with CJ Abrams for most stolen bases (7). His knack for swiping bases, plus his ability to slot in multiple positions, does give him a bit of value.
The problem, however, with Castro is the fact that he doesn’t have much power and will strike out. Nonetheless, those in need for some cheap stolen bases — especially those in AL-only formats — might want to look into the 26-year-old.
Michael Conforto
Giants outfielder Michael Conforto’s month of June was a rough one, as the veteran outfielder hit just .203 over 80 plate appearances. The month of July has treated him better, as Conforto’s racked up five multi-hit games since July 8.
Conforto’s hit .271 with eight RBI since the All-Star break, and one shouldn’t expect the 30-year-old to remain homerless in the second half.
Zack Gelof
Athletics infielder Zack Gelof has put himself on the fantasy radar, particularly in AL-only formats. Gelof started the second half of the 2023 season in Oakland, after he received the call up from Las Vegas (AAA) earlier this month. Since then, he’s hit just .213, but does have three home runs and five stolen bases. Not to mention, he’s notched a multi-hit game in three of his first 14 games.
Gelof struck out plenty in the Minors, and that issue could be magnified in the majors. On the other hand, he’s shown the ability to barrel up balls at the MLB level and swipe bases. That, at the very least, earns him a close look.
Wilmer Flores
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas destroyed Major League pitching from the beginning of the second half, as he owned the league’s best OPS (1.546) between July 14-29. The same, however, can be said for Wilmer Flores. In that timespan, Flores led all of MLB in extra base hits (11) and he accrued six multi-hit games since the 14th of July.
As of July 31, Flores owns a .300 average with 13 home runs and 34 RBI. Don’t expect Flores’ average to stay at .300, but his power and ability to put balls in play should continue to serve him well.
