A new week of the 2024 fantasy baseball season begins on April 15, meaning it’s time to reload and refocus. So, which hitters are currently trending upward? Here’s a look at five hitters to target on the waiver wire for Week 3 of the 2024 fantasy baseball season.
Brett Baty
We start our hitters waiver wire target list with Mets third baseman Brett Baty. It’s been a much better start for Baty in 2024, as he’s whiffed 15% less on breaking balls as compared to ’23 and is dealing with fastballs and offspeed pitchers better, as well. That’s resulted in a .302 campaign to this point.
Baty’s always had 20-25 home run potential, thanks to good plate discipline and raw power. Major League pitching was not easy for Baty in each of the last two campaigns but things are up for the 24-year-old to this point.
Michael Busch
The Cubs acquired ex-Dodger prospect and former first-round pick Michael Busch this past winter. Thus far, Busch has thrived in Chicago. From April 5-12, Busch was tied for third in the league in home runs (3) in that span. And, the early exit velocity numbers have been quite good, as he sits in the 96th percentile in Barrel% (20.0%).
The blockade in the Dodgers infield — one that included Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman, among others — prevented Busch from finding solid footing at the MLB level. But in Chicago, he’s found a home at first base.
Jose Caballero
It can be a struggle to find stolen bases in fantasy baseball, hence why someone like Jose Caballero could be of interest. The Rays infielder is off to a hot start to 2024, as the 27-year-old is hitting .341 with a home run and five stolen bases as of April 13. Caballero doesn’t have much power, so don’t expect in the home run category. But, he does get on base, swipe bases, and puts himself in position to score runs.
Caballero doesn’t have significant value, though, in mixed formats and is better suited for AL-only leagues.
Sal Frelick
It’s time to revisit Sal Frelick, who made this list two weeks ago. Since the start of the 2024 season, Frelick moved back into the outfield after Garrett Mitchell landed on the IL, and after a slow start, the 23-year-old looks like the outfielder who dominated in Brighton, MA.
Frelick accrued at least two hits in five of six games from April 7-13 and the BC product was fifth in runs scored (7) from April 5-12. There’s not much power in Frelick’s profile. However, his contact ability and plus speed make him a dangerous hitter and stolen base threat. To this point, both Frelick and Brewers teammate Brice Turang look like early breakout candidates.
Jackson Merrill
We finish our Week 3 fantasy baseball hitters target list with another talented prospect in Jackson Merrill. From April 5-12, Merrill batted .381 (8-21) with two RBI and stolen bases. Not to mention, Merrill walked more (5) than he struck out in that span, a very positive sign for the 20-year-old.
Merrill had just one home run over his first 16 games, although the power should come at some point. He hit 15 in the Minors last season and does have 20 home run potential.