Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers - Catcher (C)

Brian Serven: Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 19

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 0% of leagues ANALYSIS: After going in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, it took several years of up and down play in the minors for catcher Brian Serven to make his way up to the Colorado Rockies. Now that the 27-year-old former ASU... Read More

William Contreras (C, ATL): Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS: William Contreras, 24-year-old brother to Cubs star Willson Contreras, is off to an excellent start for the Braves in 2022, and has yet to have a bad sample of play at the major league level. He hit eight dingers with a .701... Read More

Travis d'Arnaud (C, ATL) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 45% of leagues ANALYSIS: Atlanta is one of three teams to play eight games next week so d'Arnaud checks the volume box for us. He's scuffled a bit lately, so his numbers don't look that impressive, but he's somewhat salvaged what would have been a... Read More

Alejandro Kirk (C, TOR) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Blue Jays have roared back from the edge of oblivion in recent weeks, putting themselves in the driver's seat for a wild card spot thanks in large part due to a collective surge from their bats. You obviously won't be able to... Read More

Alejandro Kirk (C, TOR) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kirk has been raking at the plate since getting recalled on July 23. He's slashing a rock-solid .303/.360/.517 with four home runs and 14 RBI over 100 plate appearances since then and has a .273/.347/.492 batting line with seven home runs... Read More

Jacob Stallings (C, PIT) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: Our catcher options are pretty limited for next week. It's already the shallowest position in fantasy baseball and there just aren't many attractive options on the waiver wire this deep into the season. We've had to dig a little deeper than normal... Read More

Austin Nola (C, SDP) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 41% of leagues ANALYSIS: Volume is key when it comes to streaming, especially with catchers given how many days off they typically get. Well, our options are pretty limited at backstop this week so we're going against the grain with Austin Nola. The Padres are... Read More

Tyler Stephenson (C/1B, CIN) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: Early in the campaign the Reds boasted a pair of bona fide potential MVP contenders in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, but as the seasoned pushed deeper into summer, it became clear that a pair of NL ROY contenders had also emerged... Read More

Jorge Alfaro (C/OF, MIA) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: When Jorge Alfaro became a Marlin back in 2019, he had to leave behind his first MLB club (for a division rival) after a three-year stint that established "El Oso" as one of the more unique, versatile backstops in the game. It's... Read More

Carson Kelly (C, ARI) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 12+ teams ROSTERED IN: 21% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kelly was a hot commodity at the start of the season as he got off to a blazing start. He hit .338/.491/.613 with six home runs and 19 RBI over the first 28 games of the year before fracturing his toe in... Read More

Reese McGuire (C, TOR) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 1% of leagues ANALYSIS: The 26-year-old catcher has quietly been producing at the plate over the last 15 games, going 12-for-38 (.316/.350/.447) with five doubles and four runs scored. Overall, he's slashing .284/.329/.392 with 13 doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and 19 runs scored... Read More

Daulton Varsho (C/OF, ARI) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 42% of leagues ANALYSIS: Varsho's roster shares have exploded over the last few weeks and for good reason. He was a non-factor over his first 34 games played this season, slashing a measly .138/.250/.175 with five RBI, one stolen base, eight runs scored, and a... Read More

Zack Collins (C, CHW) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams and in OBP formats ROSTERED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: The week sets up nicely for Zack Collins, who's taken over as the everyday catcher for Yasmani Grandal (knee), who underwent surgery to repair a tendon tear in his left knee back on July 7. Collins hasn't really flashed... Read More

Luis Torrens (C, SEA) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: Torrens started the season as the Mariners' primary catcher but got off to an ugly start at the dish. He hit a paltry .178 with a .519 OPS over his first 96 plate appearances before being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on May 20. He... Read More

Eric Haase (C/OF, DET) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 47% of leagues ANALYSIS: How far off the radar was Eric Haase to open the season? Well, let's just say that his first name is misspelled in the tag on the image in our library. Now he's one of the most popular adds on Yahoo and based on... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 13 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 12 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 11 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 10

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 10 of the MLB season (5/31 through 6/6). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 10 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 9 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 8 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Omar Narvaez (C, MIL) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 40% of leagues ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez was activated from the injured list on Thursday after missing about two weeks with a hamstring injury. Prior to the injury, he was off to a hot start to the year, slashing .352/.434/.507 with three home runs, two... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 7 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 6 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 6

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 6 of the MLB season (5/2 through 5/9). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 5 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 4 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 4

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 4 of the MLB season (4/19 through 4/25). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 3 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 3

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season - April 12th through April 18th. This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 2 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, preparing my defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams. Each... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 2

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 2 of the MLB season (4/5 through 4/11). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Elias Diaz (C, COL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 360 CURRENT ADP: ~382 overall ANALYSIS: You want hitters in Coors. This is not a new strategy. After coming over from Pittsburgh last year, Diaz seems to be the starter in Colorado this year. In the small sample size of 2020, he had an 11.3% barrel rate, 41.5% Hard Hit%,... Read More

Yan Gomes (C, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 9

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues OWNED IN: 4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Throughout most of his career, Yan Gomes has never been much of a flashy fantasy pick. He's good for between 10 and 15 home runs, with an OK average, but not really much else. Since his All-Star 2018 season, Gomes has been in... Read More

Austin Barnes (C, LAD) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS: Picture this scenario: the 2020 MLB season is winding down, you need stolen bases wherever you can get them, and you aren't fortunate enough to roster the likes of J.T. Realmuto, Christian Vazquez, or Isiah Kiner-Falefa at backstop. In two-catcher leagues where the pickens get... Read More

Jacob Stallings (C, PIT) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: On a very stitched-together 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates squad, even Jacob Stallings name doesn't tend to stick out, and it certainly didn't jump off the page before the season started when compared to fellow Buccos backstops John Ryan Murphy and Luke Maile. While Maile hit the... Read More

Sean Murphy (C, OAK) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: If you took a look at any preseason odds for who would win the AL Rookie of the Year distinction for this season, you certainly saw Sean Murphy on the majority of shortlists, and that projection was well earned after Murphy earned five doubles,... Read More

Austin Nola (C/1B/2B, SEA) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 32% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Seattle Mariners have been one of the sneaky-good offenses in the league and catcher Austin Nola has been a big part of it. Nola has been particularly good this past week with seven RBI and six runs scored in his last six games.... Read More

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C, 3B, TEX) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa has catcher eligibility despite having not caught a game for the Texas Rangers in 2020. All ten of his appearances this year have come at third base but being able to start him in the catcher position of your fantasy lineups as an... Read More

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C/3B, TEX) Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in two-catcher leagues OWNED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa got pushed down the catcher rankings before a majority of drafts. That makes a lot of sense, as he only showed a meager ability to hit the long ball -- only five career home runs in 618 plate appearances is very underwhelming. Another... Read More

Mike Zunino (C, TB) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~500s CURRENT ADP: ~629 overall ANALYSIS: There is no hidden meaning to find in his .165/.232/.312 slash line; Mike Zunino was very bad at the plate last year. However, two things are working heavily in his favor in 2020, with the first being that 2019 seemed more like an aberration for the... Read More

Jorge Alfaro (C, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~180-195 CURRENT ADP: ~209 overall ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro continued his development in 2019 by slashing .262/.312/.425 with 18 HR, 57 RBI, 44 R, and 22 BB. The overall numbers may not seem all that impressive, but given that he plays at a relatively weak fantasy position, he performed quite admirably as he... Read More

Jason Castro (C, LAA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~320-335 CURRENT ADP: ~376 overall ANALYSIS: Jason Castro's 2019 was lost in the shuffle because his teammate, Mitch Garver also broke out over more at-bats. However, Castro is worth mentioning, especially at a shallow position. He slashed .232/.332/.435 with 13 HR, 30 RBI, and 39 R in only 237 at-bats. Castro only... Read More

Francisco Mejia (C, SD) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~205-220 CURRENT ADP: ~232 overall ANALYSIS: Recently touted top prospect Francisco Mejia had an up and down season for the San Diego Padres in 2019. He slashed .265/.316/.438 with eight HR, 22 RBI, and 27 R over 226 at-bats in 2019. This stat line does not paint the whole picture for Mejia as he picked... Read More

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 26

If you're reading this, you're likely in your head-to-head league final or making one last final effort to catapult up the standings of your roto format. With one week remaining in the long grind of the fantasy baseball season, we've reached a point with our catcher waiver wire article where we look solely at possible... Read More

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 25

As we enter the final two weeks of the regular season, the amount of September call-ups muddy up the waters even more for fantasy baseball's already most volatile position. As more foul tips off the mask and bruises from blocking balls in the dirt add up, the more likely we see big-name catchers get more... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 24

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the injured list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 24

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the injured list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 24

As we enter the final weeks of the regular season we start to see more prospects getting the big league phone call as rosters expand. The September call-up season can muddy up the waters even more for fantasy baseball's already most volatile position, which further adds to the frustration of managers. With that being said,... Read More