RADIO
This week's list will showcase four catchers who are making a big splash at the Waiver Wire this week or have made enough noise to warrant your attention. As per every week not every name is going to be flashy or exciting and a lot of owners do not have the need to pick up a C as a first option or as a UTIL spot in their lineups.
The trick is to find value at every position you can to maximize your output from week to week or to add for the rest of the season. Take a look at these four options for this week.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for first base and third base, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Waiver Wire Analysis For Catchers
Derek Norris (C/1B,SDG)
31% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues
The San Diego Padres made a ton of moves this year including bringing over Derek Norris from Oakland to replace Yasmani Grandal who went to Los Angeles. Norris was brought it to get everyday playing time and be a hitting presence behind the plate. Norris' first season in San Diego has seen a noticeable dip in BA down to .246, his OBP down to .291 and his OPS hovering around the .700 mark. However Norris has shown improvement in his .414 SLG% and his ISO of .167. He has also posted a new career high in doubles this year and will also set a new career best in the RBI department in 2015. Over the past few weeks Norris has a .324 BA with 6 XBH and an OPS over .900.
Norris also has 1B eligibility and is a sneaky add to those in need of a CI or UTIL if they already have a solid C option.
Baller Move: Add in 10+ Leagues
Wilson Ramos (C,WSH)
19% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues
Ramos possesses a true power threat from the C position on a team such as the Nationals with loads of offensive talent up and down the lineup. The issue with Ramos is staying healthy as he has not eclipsed the 100 games played mark as a professional since 2011 where he appeared in 113 games.
The BABIP of .266 has been disappointing for Ramos this year and his K% and BB% are not trending positively in either case. But Ramos brings a bat who hits in the middle of the lineup with protection around him. Recently Ramos is hitting .265 with 2 HR and 4 RBI with a 9% BB rate which doubles his season average to date.
The Nationals will need Ramos and the rest of their lineup to start backing up their pitching staff in order to make a late season push after giving the division lead away to the surging Mets. You could do a lot worse for your fantasy team.
Baller Move: Add in 12+ Leagues
Miguel Montero (C,CHC)
15% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues
Talk about a guy who is hitting the cover off of the ball! Miguel Montero has come alive! Over the past few weeks Montero has hit 4 HR, collected 10 RBI, hit over .300 and has an OPS near 1.200.
Montero's first season on the North side of Chicago has not been the rosiest of situations for him but he seems to just get enough done to warrant consideration as a solid backstop. Even though his BA, BABIP and K% have all taken negative dips Montero has enjoyed a solid year statistically in many other areas that he has previously been historically known for struggling with. Firs,t Montero's BB% has needed to get higher but without much success until this year. His BB% is up near 13% which is the highest it has ever been. Next, Montero's OBP of .345 is also the highest it has been since 2012. And finally his SLG% of .436, his wOBA of .338 and his wRC+ of 114 are all at its highest since 2011.
The writing is on the wall for Montero to be a highly productive catcher for the rest of the season and provide some security in Chicago that they have indeed found their guy for years to come. That is unless Kyle Schwarber decides he wants to master the craft of catching...
Baller Move: Add in All Leagues
J.P.Arencibia (C,TB)
2% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues
This is the wild card of this list simply because he enters it after Curt Casali went down to injury. Arencibia has been called up to fill in for Casali and shadow over Rene Rivera. That is precisely the reason he makes this list because have you seen Rivera's numbers this year? They aren;t great! Arencibia's career .196 ISO and .403 SLG% are much more enticing options that Rivera and with Tampa Bay still clinging to the .500 mark it may be time for the Rays to try something drastic. Yes Arencibia's career .207 BA should make a ton of people nervous and his residuals across the board are not sparkling. But for those of you in deep leagues looking for a potential late sleeper to plug and play Arencibia could be just the answer you are looking for.
Baller Move: Add in 16+ and AL-Only Leagues
