RADIO
July is now over, and we’re creeping closer to the playoffs of the MLB fantasy season. Where does your team stand? Need to replace an injured catcher? Looking for a reliable backup?
RotoBaller has you covered with analysis on three catchers who may be free agents in your league, who you can target off the waiver wire in Week 18 of fantasy baseball.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for catchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
Waiver Wire Analysis for Catchers
Russell Martin, Toronto Blue Jays – Owned in 51% of FleaFlicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Formats
This one's a no-brainer, if Russell Martin is somehow still available in your league and you don't have an elite catcher, pick him up. He's behind only Buster Posey in fantasy production on the season, and is just one of the many key contributors to Toronto's crazy good offense. Martin is slashing .264/.347/.482 on the year and has 15 home runs, 57 runs scored, and 49 RBI to show for it.
Martin has collected a hit in 14 of his last 16 games and raked in three home runs, ten runs scored, and ten RBI in that span. He bats sixth and will continue to get enough opportunities to provide some counting stats for fantasy managers. For someone who won't kill your team's average, and is the epitome of consistency, Martin is underrated and needs to be owned unanimously.
Francisco Cervelli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Owned in 14% of FleaFlicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in Most Formats
Francisco Cervelli was quite a pick-up for the Pirates this off-season when they lost Russell Martin. Cervelli has made the transition much more bearable for the team and fans, especially with his consistency. He's got a slash line of .301/.371/.409 which perfectly illustrates the type of fantasy player he is. Cervelli will not hurt your team's average, but won't be a key contributor to the counting stats.
But at a position as weak as catcher is, serviceable catchers are hard to come by. Cervelli has five home runs, 34 runs scored, and 33 RBI on the year. He has been great this year making contact, ranking second in terms of balls hit softly (12%), trailing only Jason Castro of the Astros (9.5%). While he's also second in BABIP with .358, meaning there's a lot of room for regression, he will remain a top 10 fantasy option at the position even after said regression occurs.
Welington Castillo, Arizona Diamondbacks – Owned in 4% of FleaFlicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Formats - All Two-Catcher Leagues
Welington Castillo just had the series of his life against a Seattle Mariners team that traded him away earlier this season. In two games, the 28-year-old backstop went 3-for-7 with three homers, four RBI, and three runs scored. He continued that against the Astros, going 5-for-12 with one homer, four runs , and one RBI.
Castillo doesn't get as much playing time as some other fantasy catchers, but has still raked in 11 homers, 28 runs, and 27 RBI in his 211 plate appearances. His slash line sits at a serviceable .241/.318/.471 and he bats fifth for the D-Backs. That should allow for more opportunities to present themselves to Castillo as Arizona's offense is towards the top of most offensive statistics.
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]
