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Welcome to Week 22 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire hitters. We'll be doing this roundup of points leagues every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver wire targets and streaming pitchers being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, and Fantrax.
Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits. We know points league players get neglected and we're here to help.
These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of September 5th - September 11th, looking at players below ~50% rostered for ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax. Position eligibility is taken from Fantrax and players are grouped by their most valuable fantasy position, using a hierarchy of: C > 2B > OF > 3B > 1B > SS. Stats and rankings for charts are calculated using games through Friday, September 2.
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Know Your Scoring System
You know what I'm going to say, right? You must account for, as precisely as possible, how a player performs under your particular scoring system. Don't be fooled into believing you can just make rough adjustments in your head, bumping up guys with high on-base percentages and low strikeout rates. Every point, in every category, counts.
For example, ESPN and Fantrax are virtually identical in their scoring for hitters and roster size. The only difference is that stolen bases are worth one more point on Fantrax and ESPN subtracts one point per strikeout. That's the difference between Trea Turner being a top-five hitter versus a top-25 hitter.
If your league uses standard settings, then great! Turn to page 94 and you can skip ahead to the leaderboards. If you play with custom settings, it'll still be fine. Go back to page 43 and look below at the scoring systems of the four major platforms. I bet there's a chance that you'll find that your league's scoring is very similar to one of the four (well, not Yahoo!'s), even if it's not the platform you actually play on.
You'll likely find a suitable mirror to your own system if you look above. While every point counts, as long as they aren't seismic changes, you can get away with some "close enough" calls. IE. You're probably fine if everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar).
Week 22: Waiver Wire Leaderboards
All charts are updated prior to Saturday's games, on stats and ownerships, and clicking on a chart will open a new page with a magnified version. Players on overall leaderboards are ordered according to their current Roster% on Yahoo.
*APR = Average Platform Ranking - the average platform ranking between ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and Fantrax (standard point settings)
The 14-Day Leaderboard, Presented by Hansel
These players are so hot right now. Here are the players on the wire who are running inside the top-100 of APR over the past two weeks:
Overall Leaderboards
First Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Joey Meneses, WSH, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 13%) - You could've won a lot of money off of me last week claiming that Meneses Roster% would only rise a few points. But here we are. Since Meneses was a "Best Choice" last week, the rookie has slashed .440/.500/.720 over 27 PA, with a .519 wOBA, 238 wRC+, and 14.3% K% (17.4% K% for the year). Seriously, why is he still so available?
Harold Ramirez, TB, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 25%) - Ramirez's roster% is finally(!) starting to creep up, as he's starting every day for the Rays and is slashing .343/.338/.448 over 68 PA since returning from the IL. If available, can you please just pick him up for your ol' pal Nick?
Next Choices
Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) - The Royals have started Pratto for their last seven games and the rookie has rewarded their choice, slashing .310/.333/.759 over 30 PA, with 3 HR, 6 R, and 10 RBI. With Kansas City seeming to officially move into the annual "let the kids play" portion of their season, playing time (and point league value) is moving in the right direction.
Desperate Choices
Daniel Vogelbach, NYM, 1B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 6%) - Big Salad has been big disappointing lately, as the Mets have sent him to the bench as they faced a string of left-handers. But they'll only face one in Week 22, opening the door for Dan to squeeze his way back into some tight value.
Albert Pujols, STL, 1B (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 19%) - We all know how hot Pujols has been but he's still much better vs LHP, with a .478 wOBA that is over 200 points higher than the mark vs RHP. The Cardinals might be playing him against righties but that doesn't mean you should. In Week 22, St. Louis isn't scheduled to face a left-hander.
On the IL
- Vinnie Pasquantino, KC (shoulder discomfort - no timetable for return)
- Brandon Belt, SF (knee inflammation - no timetable for return)
- Eric Hosmer, BOS (lower back inflammation - no timetable for return)
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 14%) - A classic points compiler, Rengifo has a mundane .330 wOBA and 114 wRC+ since the All-Star break but has collected 6 HR, 14 R, and 24 RBI over those 165 PA. That doesn't look crazy but is a 20+ HR/90+ RBI full-season pace. Pair that with a 16.1% K% for the year and you end up with a solid points contributor.
Bryson Stott, PHI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 7%) - The profile isn't sexy but all the PAs have helped him compile a lot of points, as Stott has continued to cement his role as Philadelphia's everyday shortstop. Stott only has a 111 APR over the past two weeks but in the second half is slashing .280/.336/.417 over 143 PA, with 2 HR, 15 R, 13 RBI, and 5 SB.
Next Choices
Brendan Donovan, STL, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 21%) - His position changes daily but the Cardinals have been committed to playing Donovan every day, now starting him for the past 11 games. An everyday role with a double-digit walk rate and 16.4% K% is how we walk the path to point league value.
Jose Iglesias, COL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 19%) - Iglesias has been cold but will get some sweet home-cooking in Week 22, as the Rockies head back to Coors.
Ha-Seong Kim, SD, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 14%) - Compilers! Mount up. Kim plays every day and doesn't strike out very much; that might be good enough for you as a fill-in.
Isaac Paredes, TB, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 18%) - He doesn't have an everyday role but Paredes has already shown us once how he likes to hit homers in bunches and seems to be heating up again, with four home runs in his last six starts. He might turn right back into a drop but Paredes might be worth a pickup to try and ride the snake (ride the snake).
Enrique Hernandez, BOS, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 50%) - Hernandez has slashed .283/.328/.453 over 58 PA since returning from the IL but has also been sitting 1-2 times a week.
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%) - Gordon has now started eight games in a row, slashing .310/.333/.621 over 31 PA.
Rodolfo Castro, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Castro has been sneaky good since returning from Triple-A on August 9, slashing .300/.355/.557 over 76 PA, with 4 HR and a .390 wOBA. Plus, he moved up to hitting second in his last start, continuing to eat up Kevin Newman's role on the team.
Desperate Choices
Donovan Solano, CIN, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - Solano is the same as a lot of mediocre hitters in Cincinnati; nothing special but plays every day. Whoo-hoo. He only has a .307 xwOBA and .376 wOBAcon over the past two weeks but an impressive 57 PA drove him to a top-100 APR.
Kyle Farmer, CIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 24%) - See Solano, Donovan.
Ramon Urias, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 9%) - Urias is back on a little heater, slashing .258/.311/.424 over 75 PA, with 3 HR and a 108 wRC+. But that's only a "heater" relative to Urias, so let's not get too excited.
Keston Hiura, MIL, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) - The zombie is rising! Hiura's long-term viability vs LHP is still in question but he did recently start three times over a stretch where the Brewers faced five lefties in six games. Since July 1, Hiura is slashing an impressive .300/.364/.625 but a 36.4% K% (42% K% for the year) will still make him untenable in leagues with a strikeout penalty.
On the IL
- Matt Carpenter, NYY (broken foot - no timetable for return)
- Aledmys Diaz, HOU (strained groin - no timetable for return)
- Jonathan Schoop, DET (sprained ankle - no timetable for return)
- Luis Guillorme, NYM (strained groin - out at least 3-4 weeks)
- Dylan Moore, SEA (strained oblique - no timetable for return)
Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Gunnar Henderson, BAL, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 17%) - One of the many hot prospects to hit the scene recently, Henderson has started each of Baltimore's three games since getting called up, going 5-for-15, with a .417 OBP and .531 wOBA. If Baltimore is committed to playing him every day (which they absolutely should be), Henderson's on-base skills and low-K rate will make him a strong points asset.
Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 14%)
Evan Longoria, SF, 3B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - You know the deal, right? Longoria will hit really well until he inevitably goes back on the IL. But he's healthy now, so pounce while you can.
Next Choices
Jeimer Candelario, DET, 3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 42%) - Candelario has done a little heating up as of late, collecting hits in six of his past seven starts, slashing .333/.379/.667 over 29 PA. I still don't trust him.
Desperate Choices
Dermis Garcia, OAK, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Garcia has come up firing in his six games since getting called back up, slashing .375/.474/.813 over 19 PA, with 2 HR and a 15.8% BB%. But a K-rate north of 35% will make him a very limited asset in most point leagues.
Brian Anderson, MIA, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%) - Another zombie this week, as Anderson has quietly come back to life since returning from the IL. Just kidding! Anderson has three home runs since being activated on August 12 but is slashing just .159/.264/.333, with a .263 wOBA and 69 wRC+
On the IL
- Yoan Moncada, CHW (strained hamstring - no timetable for return)
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Gunnar Henderson, BAL, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 17%)
Bryson Stott, PHI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 7%)
Brendan Donovan, STL, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 21%)
Next Choices
Jose Iglesias, COL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 19%)
Ha-Seong Kim, SD, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 14%)
Enrique Hernandez, BOS, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 50%)
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%)
Desperate Choices
Rodolfo Castro, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%)
Oneil Cruz, PIT, SS (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 27%) - Wake me up when Cruz gets his strikeout rate under 35%.
On the IL
- None
Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
It's dumpster season. I hope you don't need a catcher from the waiver wire.
Best Choices
Cal Raleigh, SEA, C (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 5%) - After a 2-HR night on Friday, Raleigh has three home runs in his past three games and even has his strikeout rate under (barely!) 30%. This is more than you can say about most available catchers.
Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 4%) - Langeliers has three home runs in 62 PA since getting called up but a 43.5% K% isn't going to play in most leagues.
Next Choices
Carson Kelly, ARI, C (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 12%) - Kelly has sat twice in Arizona's past six games but before that break had started 11 games in a row. Sometimes an everyday catcher is about the best you're going to find on the wire. How's that for an endorsement!
Desperate Choices*
*All catcher adds are desperate adds. Now and forever.
On the IL
- Joey Bart, SF (concussion - no timetable for return)
- Jorge Alfaro, SD (knee inflammation - no timetable for return)
- Ryan Jeffers, MIN (fractured thumb - out 6-8 weeks)
Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Riley Greene, DET, OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 17%) - Another red-hot rookie, Greene has locked down the leadoff spot for the Tigers and has now started every game since July 28. Currently on an 11-game hitting streak (with seven multi-hit games), over which he's slashing .422/.490/.689, Greene should absolutely not be on your waiver wire.
Joey Meneses, WSH, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 13%)
Manuel Margot, TB, OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 15%) - Hey! Everyone! Manuel Margot is back from the IL! Sorry for shouting but I'm assuming not everyone knows, considering that Roster%. Since returning, Margot has a 60 APR (in just 48 PA), slashing .318/.354/.409, with just a 12.5% K%. Please pick him up.
Jake McCarthy, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 45% ESPN: 15%) - The rookie has been red hot, posting an 8 APR over the past two weeks, with 3 HR, 9 R, 12 RBI, and 3 SB. That's a prime profile for roto but also in points, as McCarthy also packs good plate discipline (20.7% K%, 7.0% BB%) in an everyday role.
Harold Ramirez, TB, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 25%)
Next Choices
Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%)
AJ Pollock, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 19%) - Pollock has remembered how to hit in the second half, slashing .265/.329/.462 over 146 PA, with 6 HR, 17 R, and 19 RBI. Okay, that's not tha-at great but looks a lot better when you consider he slashed .227/.268/.333 over 272 PA in the first half, with just 4 HR.
Jake Fraley, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 8%) - Fraley has a 23 APR over the past two weeks but has only started two of the past five games and has only one start vs an LHP since returning from the IL.
Oscar Gonzales, CLE, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 4%) - The power from the minors hasn't been fully realized yet but since Gonzales returned from the IL on August 2, he's slashing .283/.303/.443, with a 22.9% K%. That might just be a floor but it'll still play in a lot of leagues.
Gavin Sheets, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 5%) - Even though a lot of his 28 APR over the past two weeks is driven by a 2-HR game on August 30, Sheets has still been productive, slashing .387/.459/.710 over his past 10 games, with 3 HR, 6 R, and 12 RBI. The bigger question is whether his playing time will start getting split again once Luis Robert returns from the paternity list after missing his previous six games with a wrist injury.
Corey Dickerson, STL, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - Umm, is anyone noticing just how well platoon-hitter Dickerson is hitting RHP, slashing .305/.332/.460 over 174 PA? With the Cardinals not scheduled to face a LHP in Week 22, this might be a good week to swap him in for a quick ride.
Desperate Choices
Lane Thomas, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3%) - Could you start Lane Thomas? Sure! He does play every day, which is always nice. Should you start Lane Thomas (.237/.289/.404, .302 wOBA, 25.1% K%)? Probably not.
TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Even without starting (mostly) vs LHP, Friedl has been raking lately, posting a 33 APR over the past two weeks but the .478 wOBA and .518 wOBAcon are backed by a .287 xwOBA and .265 xwOBAcon.
On the IL
- Jorge Soler, MIA (lower back spasms - no timetable for return)
- Harrison Bader, STL (plantar fascitis - no timetable for return)
- Ramon Laureano, OAK (strained oblique - on rehab assignment)
- Avisail Garcia, MIA (strained hamstring - on rehab assignment)
- Yonathan Daza, COL (shoulder dislocation - on rehab assignment)
- Edward Olivares, KC (strained quad - on rehab assignment)
- Trevor Larnach, MIN (core muscle surgery - no timetable for return)
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