RADIO
Welcome to Week 19 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 August 15th - August 21st, 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, August 12th.
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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 19: 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
Dan Vogelbach, NYM (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - He still doesn't start vs LHP but Big Salad is still returning big value, even in his part-time role. Vogelbach has a 59 APR over the past two weeks and since joining the Mets on July 24th, is slashing .333/.464/.556, with a .442 wOBA and 193 wRC+. Big fella gotta eat and he might do so again in Week 19 - the Mets have eight games but are only scheduled to face two LHP.
Vinnie Pasquantino, KC (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 7%) - The Italian Breakfast has finally woken up hungry, with three home runs in his past five games. Since the start of August, Pasquantino is now slashing .317/.356/.610, with a .405 wOBA and 167 wRC+.
Next Choices
Eric Hosmer, BOS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 47%) -Hosmer has had a bad start to his Boston career, but a .285 wOBA over the past two weeks is backed by a more than respectable .434 xwOBA. Nothing exciting but if your league penalizes strikeouts, Hosmer (15.1% K%) might just be viable.
Darick Hall, PHI (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 5%) - Hall has terrific per-PA scoring rates, both for the season and over the past two weeks, but will be continued to be hampered by no starts against lefties and sporadic days off vs righties. The Phillies play seven games this week and are scheduled to face three LHP.
Luke Voit, SD (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 33%) - What whiffs will always whiff. After spending a few weeks rising in APR, Voit is back to a 33.3% K% and back to an also-ran for points.
Desperate Choices
Carlos Santana, SEA (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 44%) - Nothing changed (Part 157) - Santana is severely limited but has a K/BB ratio that will let him compile his way to startable for some point formats.
Jesus Aguilar, MIA (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 33%) - What can we say about Aguilar that hasn't already been said by "currently in a platoon with Lewan Diaz"?
On the IL
- Edwin Rios, LAD (strained hamstring - on rehab assignment)
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Jose Iglesias, COL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 12%) - We hyped him last week as a "Best Choice" and our guy Jose didn't disappoint, going 7-for-18 over his last four games, slashing .438/.389/.500. Sure, that was during a Coors homestand but Iglesias continues to hit, regardless of venue, posting a wOBA on the road that is 70-points higher than at home.
Nico Hoerner, CHC, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 34%) - His dropping Roster% says the crowd has cooled on Hoerner but I don't see why. Hoerner has a 109 APR for the year and is currently on a nice hot streak, slashing .343/.378/.429 over his past 10 games, with a .356 wOBA and 128 wRC+.
Aledmys Diaz, HOU, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 21%) - The super utility star with a 17.2% K% should continue to get regular at-bats with the news that Micheal Brantley is officially done for the season. Diaz has a 54 APR over the past two weeks and is eligible at every position besides catcher, batting in the middle of a really good offense. He probably shouldn't be on the wire.
Bryson Stott, PHI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 4%) - Stott has now started 11 of Philly's last 12 games (including one against a left-handed starter), slashing .357/.386/.452 over 44 PA, with a .367 wOBA and 135 wRC+. If he's going to continue nearly every day, Stott's profile makes him a borderline must-add if you're in need up the middle.
Next Choices
Adam Frazier, SEA, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 41%) - Frazier keeps doing Frazier things (IE: a boring but great points profile) but got booted from his leadoff spot the moment that Julio Rodriguez returned from the IL on Friday.
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 7%) - Gordon is slashing .405/.455/.649 over his past 12 games and has now started nine of the Twins' last 10 games. But more importantly, for points purposes, he's knocked his strikeout rate down to a 15.4% K% over the past two weeks, with a 10.3 BB%. Playing every day while cutting 10 points from your strikeout rate and doubling your walk rate is a quick way to earn value in point leagues.
Christopher Morel, CHC, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 19%) - Morel rejoins the ranks of the sub-50% club and deserves it after running ice cold for the past month plus. Since July 1st, Morel is slashing .219/.306/.385 and has started losing some playing time, sitting against RHP in three of the Cubs' past 10 games.
David Fletcher, LAA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 40%) - Fletcher has previously run a really strong per-PA scoring profile and that has immediately shown back up since his return from the IL, starting the Angels last six games and batting leadoff in the last four. However, while he has a 67 APR over the past two weeks, his value is significantly higher in leagues with a strikeout penalty.
Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Kim has been putting together a solid points campaign but now gets a new lease on his playing-time life following the news of Fernando Tatis's 80-game suspension for PED use.
Desperate Choices
Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 5%) - Clearly, Rengifo has been listening to all of the jokes I make about the Angels offense and is none too pleased, running a 49 APR over the past two weeks. But bad news, Luis. You're still Luis Rengifo; I know it, you know it.
Christian Arroyo, BOS, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Since returning from the IL on July 30th, Arroyo is slashing .400/.426/.600 over 47 PA, with a .440 wOBA and 189 wRC+. Umm, what? I'm sure it has nothing to do with a .459 BABIP over that period. Nope, nothing at all. But hey, playing every day with a 15% K% can take you surprisingly far in some point leagues.
Nicky Lopez, KC, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - He's a low-budget compiler that accumulates points by playing every day. Nothing exciting but useful if you're in a pinch.
Nolan Gorman, STL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 16%) - Gorman has no problems going yard but his playing time continues to be limited (and not just against LHP), starting just three of St. Louis's last eight games.
On the IL
- Kike Hernandez, BOS (strained hip flexor - on rehab assignment)
- Jace Peterson, MIL (sprained elbow - no timetable for return)
Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Things are really, really ugly among players with 3B as their MVP position. Die. Err.
Best Choices
Nico Hoerner, CHC, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 49%, ESPN: 35%) - Covered at second base.
Aledmys Diaz, HOU, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 21%) - Covered at second base.
Next Choices
Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Covered at second base.
Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 5%) - Covered at second base.
Desperate Choices
Gio Urshela, MIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 21%) - Do you need a fill-in that won't really do much but also probably won't be a complete drain? Then Gio Urshela could be for you!
Elehuris Montero, COL, 3B (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 2%) - The rookie has started 11 straight for the Rockies since getting called up, slashing .278/.297/.417 over 74 PA, with 1 HR. The playing time is nice but a 32.4% K% and 1.4% BB% ain't going to cut it in points. Check back the next time the Rockies are at home.
On the IL
- Miguel Sano, MIN (knee inflammation - unlikely to return in 2022)
- Mike Moustakas, CIN (strained calf - no timetable for return)
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Shortstop continues to be a dumpster among players with it as their MVP position and I'd still rather use the players below that were covered earlier.
Best Choices
Paul DeJong, STL, SS (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 7%) - He's...He's...He's ALIVE! Back from his Triple-A exile, DeJong has now started 12 games in a row at shortstop for the Redbirds, slashing .300/.396/.725 over 48 PA, with a .460 wOBA and four HR. Until he cools down, DeJong must be added. But, more importantly, somewhere there are two burned-out husks that had their life force drained out by the combined voodoo of DeJong and Matt Carpenter. Cardinal devil magic, indeed.
Jose Iglesias, COL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 12%) - Covered at second base.
Aledmys Diaz, HOU, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 21%) - Covered at second base.
Next Choices
Bryson Stott, PHI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 4%) - Covered at second base.
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 7%) - Covered at second base.
Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Covered at second base.
Desperate Choices
Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 5%) - Covered at second base.
Nicky Lopez, KC, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - Covered at second base.
On the IL
- None
Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
What, do you want me to lie to you?
Next Choices
William Contreras, ATL (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 30%) - Contreras has a 54 APR over the past two weeks but will go back to being a part-timer once Travis d'Arnaud returns soon after missing the past four games with injury.
Jose Trevino, NYY (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 11%) - He (still) doesn't walk but also (still) rarely strikes out and has a 107 APR over the past two weeks.
Carson Kelly, ARI (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 13%) - After returning on fire, Kelly has cooled way down, with just a 221 APR for the past two weeks. But his playing time is also slowly ticking up, starting four games in a row before getting sat down on Friday.
Desperate Choices
All catcher adds are desperate adds. Now and forever.
Joey Bart, SF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 4%) - Bart started off with a hot August, slashing .391/.417/.652 over 24 PA but has now missed the last three games with an ankle injury.
Danny Jansen, TOR (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 6%) - Jansen's per-PA scoring rates are still great but the playing time continues to be minuscule. Until that changes, he can't be started.
On the IL
- Elias Diaz, COL (sprained wrist - no timetable for return)
- Omar Narvaez, MIL (strained quad - no timetable for return)
- James McCann, NYM (strained oblique - on rehab assignment)
- Ryan Jeffers, MIN (fractured thumb - out 6-8 weeks)
Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Tyler Naquin, NYM (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 9%) - Even with great per-PA scoring rates, Naquin is generally only viable in a league with daily moves, as he'll never start vs LHP, and has now started only two of New York's past six games. However, the Mets have eight games in Week 19 and are only scheduled to face two left-handers, so with a likelihood of getting at least five starts, Naquin is one of my favorite adds this week. As a reminder, since joining the Mets (and facing only RHP), Naquin is slashing .333/.333/.788 over 34 PA, with a .475 wOBA and 215 wRC+.
Ramon Laureano, OAK (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 14%) - He can go through cold spots in points because his strikeout and walk rates are both below average and he's on a bad team but the accumulation from his playing time helps level it out. In a just world, Laureano would only be available in the shallowest of leagues.
Seth Brown, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 23%) - Since being named one of PLH*'s Best Choices for two weeks in a row following his return from the paternity list, Brown is slashing .306/.419/.750, with 5 HR and a .485 wOBA, absolutely not coincidentally. Clearly, we've inspired him. More importantly, for his long-term value, is that he's not an automatic sit when scheduled to face a left-hander. Though, if he keeps going 0-fer as he did on Monday, he might be again soon.
*Point League Hitters - don't mind me, just doing a little workshopping
Next Choices
Trent Grisham, SD (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 49%) - Grisham has dropped back below our Roster% threshold but why? Oh...he was sat in center field in favor of Wil Myers for three straight starts with a lefty starter? That makes more sense. But Grisham has been decent lately and the Padres are scheduled to face right-handed starters in all seven games this week, so this might be a good week to snag him if dropped.
Lars Nootbaar, STL (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - The man with a Hall of Fame name has now posted a 44 APR over the past two weeks, hitting for no power but chipping in a little of everything else and slashing .333/.438/.500. And having now started the past 19 games, the playing time is secure, at least for the time being.
Oscar Gonzalez, CLE (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 2%) - I'm going to be so annoyed if Gonzalez is just some neo-Yandy Diaz, sent here to crush balls but only at launch angles sub-optimal for power. Only one home run in his 35 PA since returning but Gonzalez is still slashing .371/.371/.543, with three doubles and a .394 wOBA. He only has a 148 APR over the past two weeks but that's more to do with having fewer games than most, as his per-PA scoring rates are well above-average. If he continues to play most days, Gonzalez should have a pretty high floor but with plenty of ceiling if those damn homers from the minors ever come knocking around the big leagues.
Desperate Choices
Eddie Rosario, ATL (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 44%) - Even with the addition of Robbie Grossman, Rosario had left field mostly to himself but was still sitting versus most left-handers. With Grossman now getting the nod for the past two vs LHP, this platoon seems to be settling in. The good news is that Atlanta isn't scheduled to face a left-hander in any of their six games in Week 19. But the bad news is that two of the starters are Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, so will they really count?
Alek Thomas, ARI (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 9%) - Thomas has settled into a very mundane rookie groove, with 119 APR over the past two weeks. But as we often preach, everyday PAs and a low strikeout rate can take you far under many scoring systems. Just don't expect that high of a ceiling.
Ben Gamel, PIT (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%) - Gamel SZN, anyone? Ok, probably not (because is it ever, really?) but Gamel is on an August heater, slashing .306/.390/.556 over 41 PA, with a .397 wOBA, and numbers that aren't being inflated by a .313 BABIP. And you could do worse than someone playing every day in the middle of the lineup. Ok, it's just Pittsburgh's lineup, but still!
AJ Pollock, CHW (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 19%) - Pollock has been such a dumpster for most of 2022, with just 5 HR in 338 PA. But with Luis Robert likely to miss some time after spraining his wrist on Friday, he'll at least play more...I guess? Honestly, the White Sox are such a mess that I try my best to just completely avoid the whole situation.
On the IL
- Harrison Bader, STL (plantar fascitis - on rehab assignment)
- Avisail Garcia, MIA (strained hamstring - no timetable for return)
- Harold Ramirez, TB (fractured thumb - no timetable for return)
- Juan Yepez, STL (strained forearm - on rehab assignment)
- Manuel Margot, TB (strained knee - on rehab assignment)
- Kole Calhoun, TEX (heel irritation - no timetable for return)
- Yonathan Daza, COL (shoulder dislocation - no timetable for return)
- Edward Olivares, KC (strained quad - no timetable for return)
- Trevor Larnach, MIN (core muscle surgery - expected to miss six weeks)
- Taylor Trammell, SEA (strained hamstring - on rehab assignment)
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