X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

H2H Points League Pickups, Waiver Adds: Week 5

Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 5 of the 2020 fantasy baseball season, identifying free agents to add and pitchers to stream.

We almost had it. With the return of the St. Louis Cardinals, we almost had the full league in action. Not so fast, suckers! The pandemic struck again, this time snipping the Reds right out of the schedule.

But all we can do is march on and try to win each week. Oh, and trawl the wire for players that prove your league-mates aren't playing enough attention. I have bad news; the season is a third of the way over. A third! That means every week left is about 15% of the games remaining. There is no time to wait to see if these waiver wire darling will turn into pumpkins. You gotta make your moves now.

We'll be doing this roundup of point league happenings 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 fit at. We know point players get neglected and we're here to help. Let's get to Week 5.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Playing For Points Through a Pandemic

While the number of games has changed, the way that points are scored on each platform has not. 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 over Ronald Acuna Jr. being a top-five batter versus a top-25 batter.

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. For example, my home league started on a now-defunct platform before moving first to ESPN and is now at Fantrax. But our scoring is basically ESPN standard but with two points for stolen bases and a handful of other minor adjustments.

If you look above, you'll likely find a suitable mirror to your own system. While every point counts, as long as they aren't seismic changes you can get away with some "close enough". IE. If everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar), you're probably fine.

All of the following charts are updated prior to Saturday's games, on stats and ownerships. Clicking on a chart will open a new page with a magnified version.

 

First Base Leaderboard

 

First Base Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Dominic Smith (1B/OF), NYM 

If you don't know by now, Smith absolutely has to be owned in all leagues. He's playing every day and is as hot as it gets, with home runs in four straight games heading into Sunday's action.

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Corner Infielder)

Jesus Aguilar, MIA

Mitch Moreland, BOS

Rowdy Tellez, TOR

These guys are all in the same position, giving good production but only when they play. And none have a full-time gig and will sit according to their platoon weaknesses. As a stream, they're great but you don't want to rely on them as plug-and-play CI.

 

Second Base Leaderboard

Second Base Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Wilmer Flores, SF

Nick Solak (2B/3B), TEX

Flores is made for point league play and just keeps hitting. Solak is figuring things out and heating up. Your time to roster him is running out and I'd make a strong bet that he's not in this space next week.

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Middle Infielder)

Tommy La Stella (2B/3B), LAA

Jonathan Schoop, DET

Cesar Hernandez, CLE

Tim Lopes (2B/OF), SEA

Second base continues to be really deep on the wire and if I had to play any of the above as my starter for a period of time, I wouldn't think I was in the worst position. Lopes is probably the shakiest but he's playing every day and has a 108 wRC+, albeit on a tragic Mariners offense.

 

Third Base Leaderboard

Third Base Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Maikel Franco, KC

Rio Ruiz, BAL

The curious case of Maikel Franco. He's striking out more and walking less than he ever has before, and making less contact while swinging the same amount. That shouldn't equal the best start he's had in years and yet, here we are. I hold no illusions that this is some new and improved Franco but he's playing every day and has hit five home run in the first third of the season. What if he stays relatively hot for the next 20 games? In a regular season, who cares? But in a 60-game season you have to ride and find out. And just be ready to drop him at the first sniff of a 1-for 23.

I'm not that interested in the long-term prospects of Franco but Rio Ruiz is more than interesting. He plays his home games at a high school park and plays in a division littered with hitter's parks. And he seems to have mostly taken over the cleanup position, with no competition for playing time. He's staying in the top-ten of scorers for a reason.

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Corner Infielder)

Colin Moran, PIT

Todd Frazier, TEX

Yandy Diaz, TB

 

Shortstop Leaderboard

Shortstop Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Asdrubal Cabrera, WSN

Between Starlin Castro breaking his wrist and Carter Kieboom continuing to be a dud, Cabrera has no competition for playing time and is penciled in to bat in front of Juan Soto. Cabera was already off to a great start but now gets a lineup upgrade and is a must-add in all formats.

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Middle Infielder)

Nick Ahmed, ARI

Chris Taylor (2B/SS/OF), LAD

Not much to see here, both are playing a lot and putting up their same boring production. If you need an injury fill-in, either is fine. And always keep an eye alert for when Taylor is facing a sinkerball pitcher.

 

Outfielder Leaderboard

Outfielder Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Mike Tauchman, NYY

Brian Goodwin, LAA

Hunter Renfroe, TB

Robbie Grossman, OAK

Austin Slater, SF

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Utility)

Shin-Soo Choo, TEX

Josh Reddick, HOU

Stephen Piscotty, OAK

Kevin Pillar, BOS

 

Catcher Leaderboard

Catcher Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues (Starter)

Pedro Severino, BAL

Martin Maldonado, HOU

Austin Nola, SEA

 

Reliever Leaderboard

Reliever Waiver Wire

Add in 12-Team Leagues

Trevor Rosenthal, KC

Cole Sulser, BAL

Jordan Romano, TOR

Streamer Worthy in All Leagues

Joakim Soria, OAK

Josh Tomlin, ATL

James Karinchak, CLE

Chad Green, NYY

 

Starting Pitcher Leaderboard

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire

Notable Stream Options

Zach Davies, SD: @ TEX, vs HOU

David Peterson, NYM: @MIA, vs NYY

Antonio Senzatela, COL: vs HOU

Framber Valdez, HOU: @ COL

Kevin Gausman, SF: vs LAA

Danny Duffy, KC: vs MIN

Pablo Lopez, MIA: vs NYM

Alec Mills, CHC: vs STL

Marco Gonzales, SEA: @LAD

Dylan Cease, CHW: vs DET

Martin Perez, BOS: @NYY, @ BAL

Alex Cobb, BAL: vs TOR, vs BOS

Jordan Montgomery, NYY: vs BOS, @NYM

Touki Toussaint, ATL: vs WSN, vs PHI

Tony Gonsolin, LAD: vs SEA

Tommy Milone, BAL: vs TOR

More Points Leagues Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Xavier Worthy

Avoids Concussion
Nolan Arenado

Going on Injured List With Shoulder Injury
DeVonta Smith

Misses Fourth Practice
Dontayvion Wicks

Takes Part in Friday's Practice
Jayden Reed

Practicing on Friday
Conor McGregor

Enters UFC Testing Pool
Emanuel Wilson

Suffers Leg Injury on Friday
Bryce Young

and Starters Will Play First Two Preseason Games
Ja'Tavion Sanders

"Shining" in Practice
New York Jets

Quinnen Williams is Week-to-Week with Calf Injury
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parson Considering Drastic Measures Amid Contract Negotiations
Grayson Rodriguez

Considering Having Surgery
Cam Skattebo

Missing Team Drills, Being Managed by Giants
Calvin Ridley

Won't Practice on Friday
Los Angeles Rams

Kam Curl is Considered Week-to-Week with an Ankle Injury
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Not Interested in Trading Terry McLaurin
Drake Maye

Has Yet to Throw an Interception in Training Camp
Detroit Lions

Dan Campbell Not Happy with Lions Performance in HOF Game
Cole Kmet

Works With First-Team Offense on Thursday
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Revamps Diet, Continues to Flash in Practice
Devin Williams

Yankees Plan to Keep Devin Williams in Closer's Role
Baker Mayfield

Won't Practice on Friday with Hand Injury
Keandre Lambert-Smith

Leads Chargers' Receivers, Scores Touchdown
Tre Harris

Quiet in Hall of Fame Game
HyunSung Park

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Tatsuro Taira

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Event
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Looks For His Second Consecutive Win
Chris Duncan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Elves Brener

Looks For His Fourth UFC Win
Esteban Ribovics

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Card Bout
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos Aims To Bounce Back
Karol Rosa

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nora Cornolle

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Neil Magny

Returns At UFC Vegas 108
Kevin Vallejos

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 108 Main Card
Danny Silva

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Omarion Hampton

Gets the Start, Flashes Promise
Mikal Bridges

Signs Extension with Knicks
Jackson Chourio

Expected to Go on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Jonathan Aranda

Rays Hope Jonathan Aranda Can Return in September
Shelby Miller

Brewers Acquire Shelby Miller
José Caballero

Jose Caballero Shipped to the Bronx
Bailey Falter

Traded to Royals
Charlie Morton

Headed to Detroit
Camilo Doval

Yankees Acquire Camilo Doval
Griffin Jax

Traded to Tampa Bay
Connor McDavid

Oilers Hope to Finalize Connor McDavid's Contract Extension Soon
Willi Castro

Joining Cubs
BUF

Devon Levi Re-Signs With Sabres for Two Years
Merrill Kelly

Rangers to Acquire Merrill Kelly
Martin Pospisil

Signs Three-Year Extension
Ramón Laureano

Ramon Laureano Heading to San Diego
Ryan O'Hearn

Padres Acquire Ryan O'Hearn From Orioles
Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez Traded to the Astros
Carlos Correa

Astros Acquire Carlos Correa From the Twins
Cedric Mullins

Mets Acquiring Cedric Mullins
Jonathan Aranda

Exits Thursday With Apparent Wrist Injury
David Bednar

Yankees to Acquire David Bednar
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits After Hit by Pitch Against Yankees
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
Bryce McGowens

Signs Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Misses Cut at 3M Open
Max Greyserman

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Jordan Spieth

Looks to End Regular Season on a High Note at Wyndham Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Tied For Fourth at Open Championship
Eric Cole

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Keith Mitchell

Needs a Big Week at Wyndham Championship
Robert MacIntyre

is the Perfect Kind of Ball-Striker for Wyndham Championship
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
Michael Kim

Needs More Solid Finishes
NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Added to Greece Training Camp Roster for EuroBasket 2025
Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Baldwin Jr. Waived by Clippers
Josh Green

May Not be Ready for Start of Hornets Training Camp
NBA

Thomas Bryant Set to Move to Greece
Cam Thomas

Nets Far Apart in Contract Talks
Kristaps Porzingis

Feeling "Great" Ahead of New Season
Chris Paul

Hints He Could Extend His Career Beyond the 2025-26 Season
Brandon Miller

Close to 100 Percent
Jayden Struble

Canadiens Lock Up Jayden Struble for Two Years
Robert Whittaker

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Reinier de Ridder

Gets Split-Decision Win
Conor Timmins

Avoids Salary Arbitration with Two-Year Deal
Marcus McGhee

Drops Decision At UFC Abu Dhabi
Toronto Raptors

Colin Castleton Waived by Raptors on Monday
Petr Yan

Extends Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Suffers Decision Loss
Shara Magomedov

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Dominated At UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA

Asu Almbayev Dominates At UFC Abu Dhabi
Kyle Larson

Falls Short of Back-To-Back Victories at Indianapolis
Denny Hamlin

Rallies Into Third Place At Indianapolis
Chase Briscoe

Pit Strategies End up Failing Chase Briscoe at Indianapolis
Ty Gibbs

Wins NASCAR's Inaugural In-Season Challenge Tournament
Ryan Preece

Finishes Fourth but Loses Ground to Playoff Cutline
Brad Keselowski

Has Good Strategy, but Not Enough to Win
Ryan Blaney

Bails from Hail Mary Strategy Attempt but Recovers to Finish Seventh
Tyler Reddick

Eliminated from Brickyard 400 in Crash After Top Five Run
Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan Agrees to Contract Extension with Chicago
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering At Indianapolis This Week?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Indianapolis DFS Lineups?
NASCAR

Could A.J. Allmendinger be A Solid Tournament DFS Option?
Zane Smith

Is a Respectable Value Option for Indianapolis Despite Low Experience
Cole Custer

Is A Solid Value Option for Indianapolis DFS Lineups
Riley Herbst

Is an Unfavorable DFS Option for Indianapolis Lineups
Zeev Buium

Aims for Big Role Next Season
NHL

Conor Sheary Signs Tryout Deal with Rangers
Denny Hamlin

an Easy DFS Target After Wreck in Qualifying
Arvid Soderblom

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Blackhawks
Kyle Larson

Will Start 13th to Defend Brickyard 400 Crown
Chase Briscoe

on Pole for Brickyard as Momentum Continues to Build
Ryan Blaney

Learned a Lot in Practice at Indianapolis
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Very Strong at Indianapolis
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Challenge for a Brickyard 400 Win on Sunday?
Ryan Preece

Don't Forget About Ryan Preece at Indianapolis
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF