It is hard to believe that baseball is already heading into week three of the season. However, it is at the door and all fantasy managers need to be ready. After the first two weeks, it is likely that every fantasy manager has underwhelming players requiring replacement. Not sure which direction to turn? Never fear! Begin by checking the week one article here and the second week here. Finished? Let’s dive right into this baseball waivers week three edition.

Travis Shaw, 1B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers, 15.5% Owned

Without question, Travis Shaw is one of those veteran ball players that have fallen on tough times in recent seasons. After hitting 31 and 32 homers in 2017 and 2018, Shaw has completely fallen off the map. Shaw combined for just 13 homers in 2019 and 2020 and hasn’t hit higher than .241 in the last three years.

Whenever reading stats like that, the question has to be why the recommendation? The reason is that Shaw has resurrected himself in the early going. He is currently hitting .297-3-12 with a .366/.568/.933 slash line. He had hits in five of six games last week, including two homers and five RBIs. If Shaw keeps hitting like this, he won’t be on the wire for long. Act now before it’s too late.

Danny Duffy, SP, Kansas City Royals, 20.1% Owned

There can be no doubt that Danny Duffy and the Kansas City Royals are off to flying starts in 2021. The Royals are currently in first place in their division and are the biggest surprise team of the year. One of the main reasons for that is the pitching of Duffy. He has wins in his first two starts and his stats are everything a fantasy owner could ask for.

In the two games, Duffy has pitched 12 innings, striking out 11, fashioning a 0.75 ERA with a 1.167 WHIP. Duffy looks like he is back to being the pitcher that had ERAs of 3.51 and 3.81 in 2016 and 2017. He has all the looks of an ace starting pitcher and should easily exceed his career high 12 wins this season.

Anthony DeSclafani, SP, San Francisco Giants, 36.5% Owned

There wasn’t much expected of the Giants entering the 2021 season, but they have defied the predictions. As of today, S.F. is in second place in the division and tied for the third best record in the N.L. One reason is the play of Tommy La Stella (see below). Another is the pitching of Anthony DeSclafani, about as unexpected a statement as there is likely to be made this entire season. After all, he completely disappeared from the face of the earth in 2020 with a horrid 7.22 ERA and only one win for Cincinnati.

Not surprisingly, DeSclafani was without a home in the offseason. The Giants signed him as a free agent and that investment has paid off handsomely. In three starts, DeSclafani has a win with an ERA and WHIP of 1.06. After walking three in his first start, he has only allowed one free pass since while striking out 12. He has given up only two earned runs on the season. His next start is Wednesday against Philadelphia. Of all the starters on the ESPN waiver wire, DeSclafani has the most points with 50. The only thing left to say about him is get him off the wire. Immediately.

Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B, Detroit Tigers, 34.1% Owned

While the Tigers are not winning so far this season, Jeimer Candelario certainly can’t be blamed. Entering Monday, Candelario is hitting the ball far better than at any time in his career. He has hits in eight of his last nine games. Candelario has two or more hits in five games this season, including three in a row at one point. He has a slash line of .295/.377./.410/.787, which certainly qualifies him to be a part of this baseball waivers week three edition.

After striking out three times on Opening Day, Candelario has only 10 since then. He is hitting the ball consistently and has appeared in all of Detroit’s games to date. The fact that he qualifies at both first and third base only strengthens his case. Candelario is primed for the best season he has ever had and fantasy managers should want him on their team. Take advantage of his availability and get him.

Zach McKinstry, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers, 28.4% Owned

Many baseball observers expected Gavin Lux to be the rookie getting all of the press for the defending champions. That is not the case in the early going, however, as Zach McKinstry grabbed the spotlight and hasn’t let go. McKinstry has appeared in all but one game so far played by Los Angeles. He had an especially good week as he had five hits in 11 at bats at one point. McKinstry has shown that he can swing the bat and hit for power.

Included with those five hits were two homers, six RBIs and three runs scored. His position rank as of this writing is third in all of baseball. He has even started in the outfield. Even if Lux is healthy and performs up to his lofty expectations, expect the Dodgers to find regular at bats for McKinstry. He plays in a potent lineup and his ownership percentage is sure to rise. Make the leap now and don’t worry if there’s a net.

Tommy La Stella, 2B/1B, San Francisco Giants, 19% Owned

If there is one thing that is known about Tommy La Stella, it is that he can hit the baseball. He has a .275 average with a .350 OBP in his eight year major league career. Guess what? As of this writing, La Stella is swinging the bat like never before and is hitting .350. His OBP is up to .409, his slugging .500 and his OPS .909. Not surprisingly, all of those figures would be career highs if he can maintain them.

It appears that the Giants weren’t sold on La Stella when the season began as he only started one of the first five games. No worries since then, though, as La Stella has been in the starting lineup four of the last five. It is amazing what a hot bat will do in both real life and fantasy. La Stella definitely belongs on this baseball waivers week three edition.

Wade Miley, SP, Cincinnati Reds, 28.7% Owned

Heading into a Sunday start against Cleveland, there aren’t many starters that have been as impressive as Wade Miley. In his first two starts, Miley didn’t allow an earned run. He beat the Pirates and Giants, allowing just four hits and two walks in 11 innings. He looks every bit like the pitcher than won 14 games for Houston in 2019.

Miley is another player that won’t be around long on waivers if he continues to pitch like this. That is especially true when he has a Cincinnati team that has piled up the runs in the early going behind him. Miley is a pitcher that looks to win quite a few games this season and fantasy managers need to get him on their team for pennies on the dollar.

Update:

Miley didn’t pitch as well on Sunday as he had in his first two starts. He allowed four earned runs in five innings and suffered the loss, his first of the year. Even so, Miley has an impressive 2.25 ERA on the season. Other managers might shy away from him after that outing, which will make him even more available. Miley deserves the benefit of the doubt and a place on a fantasy roster.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy baseball waivers week three edition! As always, I welcome input from all of my readers. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let me know! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!