We are down to just three weeks left in the 2024 MLB and fantasy baseball seasons. There’s little time left for tight roto races and fantasy H2H playoffs. However, one other issue at this point is that options for fantasy are getting fewer and fewer. Still, help can be found. Here’s a look at our five best fantasy baseball hitting targets on the waiver wire for Week 23 of the 2024 fantasy baseball season.
Best hitters to target for Week 23 of 2024 Fantasy Baseball
Here’s a look at the best pickup targets for Week 23 of the 2024 fantasy baseball season, based on availability (>= 50% availability in Yahoo! leagues):
- Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS)
- Seth Brown (1B/OF)
- Jonny DeLuca (OF)
- Jasson Dominguez (OF)
- Matt Vierling (3B/OF)
The big name on this list is Jasson Dominguez, promoted by the Yankees on September 9. This will be the second time Dominguez has been called up this season, the first of which came as the 27th man in the Little League Classic game in August.
Dominguez provided a late jolt for the Yankees last September, as he hit four home runs over eight games. However, his run in The Bronx was shortened by an elbow injury and subsequently, Tommy John surgery. He’s played primarily in Triple-A this season, and Dominguez hit .309 with seven home runs and 15 stolen bases,
The Yankees were adamant about their desire to keep Dominguez in Triple-A and allow Alex Verdugo to remain in their regular rotation of outfielders. Now, Dominguez’s promotion changes the calculus somewhat, even though both the two will be in the lineup on September 9. We’ll see how the Yankees rotate Verdugo and Giancarlo Stanton over the next few weeks. But, it’s clear that based on what’s been said about Dominguez, he wouldn’t be up unless he plays every day.
Seth Brown is another name to potentially target. Brown’s been one of the hotter hitters in baseball over the last three weeks. The A’s first baseman/outfielder posted 21 hits (.382 AVG) over his last 16 games, along with four home runs and 15 RBI. He’s been part of a strong trio of power hitters in Oakland, alongside Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker.
The 32-year-old isn’t a stranger in fantasy circles; Brown posted 20+ home run campaigns in 2021 and 2022.
Matt Vierling hit his 16th home run of 2024 this past week against the Padres. He’s already set a career-high in runs scored (17) this season, and Vierling should continue to be in a good position over the last three weeks of the year. Detroit has reliably slotted Vierling in the top third of the lineup for much of the second half.
We’ll cap off our Week 23 fantasy baseball waiver wire target lists with two Rays, starting with Jonny DeLuca. Over the last two weeks (15 GP), DeLuca batted .370 with three home runs and three stolen bases. It’s been a nice stretch for DeLuca, who’s struggled with pitches up this season. His 13.9% Pop-Up% is over five percent points higher than the MLB average.
Lastly, those in need of stolen bases should look towards Jose Caballero. He hasn’t hit (.229) for a high batting average whatsoever this season. But, his 39 stolen bases are fourth in the bigs this season.
Regarding players who are owned in more than 50% of Yahoo! leagues but worth targeting if available, look for Connor Norby. Norby has been on a hot stretch of late for the Marlins, as the infielder tied for 11th in the Majors in total hits (20) and third in runs scored (16) between August 23-September 8.
It’s been a successful run for Norby, who received his first significant stint at the MLB level over the last few weeks since the trade that brought him to Miami. The Marlins acquired Norby in the Trevor Rogers trade.