2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Hitters to Target on the Waiver Wire (Week 7)
A new week in fantasy.
It’s a new week in fantasy baseball, and that means it’s time to take a scan of the waiver wire for some bargain shopping. So, which MLB hitters should you look to target this week? Let’s take a look at five position players that are interesting targets as we head into the third full week of the month.
Related: What to Expect from Reds Shortstop Matt McLain
Michael Conforto
The 2023 season hasn’t been particularly kind thus far to Giants outfielder Michael Conforto, who missed all of last year due to a shoulder injury. Conforto, though, has been hitting as of late. Over the past week, the 30-year-old batted .273 with three home runs, four runs driven in, five runs scored, and six hits in total.
It’s been a long time coming for Conforto, a talented power hitter who possesses an above-average Chase% and a career-high 51.9% Hard Hit% in 2023. Unfortunately for Conforto, a below-average K% and too many ground balls have kept his batting average below .200 for most of the year. But if the last week is any indication, he just might be turning the corner.
Austin Hays
O’s outfielder Austin Hays was one of our favorite sleepers this past spring, and he’s quietly put up a solid season so far. Hays went 8-23 (.348) to raise his average on the season to a very respectable .302. That average sits in the top 15 among all MLB outfielders. The 27-year-old’s showcased strong bat-to-ball skills he’s had for his whole pro career, and he’s made much harder contact in recent years. While he’s not been elevating the ball as he has in the past, his 14.0% Barrel% and 46.2% Hard Hit% rates are both career-highs.
Hays may not get the same attention — for obvious reasons — that his teammates Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander get. But, he’s an underrated sources of base hits and home runs. He might only has four so far, but he’s cranked 38 over the last two campaigns.
Yoan Moncada
White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada torched opposing pitchers early on in 2023, before back problems sidelined him for a month. The 27-year-old returned from the IL this past weekend against the Astros and posted a three-hit game in his second game back. Over 52 plate appearances in 2023, Moncada owns a .300 average with two home runs and five runs batted in.
Health has been a problem for Moncada in recent years, as he’s spent time on the IL in three of the last four seasons. But when he is healthy, Moncada’s power makes him a threat to do damage.
Gabriel Moreno
D-Backs catcher Gabriel Moreno has been a fixture on this list for weeks — and for good reason. This past week was a typical one for Moreno, who tallied eight hits and tied MJ Melendez and Jonah Heim for most in the league between May 8-14 among catchers. Not to mention, the 23-year-old swiped his first two stolen bases of the season on the year.
Moreno’s average sat at .320 as of May 15, and his 33 base hits ranked among the top ten catchers in the game. He only has one home run on the year, but he should be able to push that total up by the end of the year.
Casey Schmitt
Giants 2B/SS Casey Schmitt did quite well for himself during his first week as a Major Leaguer. Schmitt went 11-24 (.458) with two home runs and five runs batted in. One of those home runs was a monstrous shot off an inside curveball from LHP Tommy Henry that Schmitt turned on and sent deep into the stands at Chase Field.
Schmitt performed well in the Minors in each of the last two seasons, and stands a good chance of accruing regular playing time while Brandon Crawford is on the IL. And if he keeps this up, the former San Diego State star could stick in the Majors for good.
