Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 7

Welcome to Week Seven 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 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 May 8 - May 14, 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 Saturday, May 6.

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Know Your Scoring System

Platform	AB	Hits	TB	1B	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	HBP
ESPN	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	-1	1	0	0
Yahoo	0	0	2.6	2.6	5.2	7.8	10.4	1.9	1.9	2.6	0	4.2	0	2.6
CBS	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	-0.5	2	-1	1
Fantrax	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	0	2	0	0
NFBC	-1	4	0	0	0	0	6	2	2	0	0	5	0	0

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 7: 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 APR. All injury information is sourced from RosterResource at FanGraphs.com.

*APR = Average Platform Ranking - the average platform ranking between ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, Fantrax, and NFBC (standard point settings)

Overall Leaderboards

 

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Matt Mervis, CHC, 1B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 8%) - If Mervis is available in your league, go ahead and grab him just for the upside, as the rookie has big-time pop, hitting 6 HR in 112 PA (with a .402 OBP) at Triple-A this season a year after hitting a total of 36 HR across three levels in 2022. There are almost always periods of adjustments for rookies but Mervis has enough talent to stash-and-wait, if necessary.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., ARI, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 9%) - Gurriel Jr. is still somehow hanging around on a lot of wires, even with a 48 APR over the past week (and two weeks). With seven games on tap in Week Seven, now is as good of a time as any to grab if he's available.

Carlos Santana, PIT, 1B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 22%) - Ho-hum, ho-hum, don't mind Santana, who has a 59 APR for the season but is somehow still ~20% rostered. I get it, he's Carlos Santana; but the best version of him has always been a points star, compiling his way to piles of points, one drip at a time. Things might not be as spectacular in Week Seven, as the Pirates are only scheduled to face one LHP (.423/.467/.538, .433 wOBA) but Santana still remains an easy plug-and-play for most point systems.

LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 9%) - Wade Jr. has seemingly seized San Francisco's first base job, starting their last seven games there as Wilmer Flores playing time has faded to the background. He now has a 113 APR for the season and a 37 APR over the past two weeks, with the Giants set for seven games in the upcoming week. Two will come against LHP but the left-handed Wade has held his own against them in 2023's short sample, slashing .267/.389/.600 over 20 PA.

Next Choices

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 5%) - Kirilloff will make his first start on Sunday after destroying Triple-A pitching to the tune of 3 HR and 2 SB over 46 PA, slashing .316/.435/.605 with 9 Runs and 12 RBI. But the same questions remain as always - how's the wrist? If healthy, Kirilloff has shown that he can hit but it's really hard to trust him after two years of injury woes.

Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - He has struggled at Triple-A in 2023 but since being called back up on April 28, Pratto is slashing .393/.469/.536, with a .442 wOBA and 183 wRC+, while starting seven of eight games.

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 18%) - Joe has cooled down but has still carved out a regular role and has a .278 AVG, .393 wOBA, and .920 OPS for the year. But the expected stats aren't nearly as rosy, with a .345 xwOBA and .787 xOPS, along with an unsustainable .371 BABIP.

Miguel Vargas, LAD, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 21%) - Well, this has been quite the heater! Vargas has a 19 APR over the past week. But also be aware of much of his hotness came from just two games against PHI when he went 5-for-9, with 1 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, and 1 SB.

Trey Mancini, CHC, 1B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 10%) - Mancini has started at DH in the two games since Matt Mervis was called up but his playing time might decrease if the Cubs continue the "we should keep letting Eric Hosmer hit" experiment.

Desperate Choices

J.D. Davis, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 7%) - Davis just keeps trucking along at an unspectacular, but usable, rate, but remains a liability vs LHP (.172/.242/.172). The Giants will face two LHP in Week Seven but one of them is Patrick Corbin, so-oooo...

Gavin Sheets, CHW, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Sheets has been struggling lately but is starting against all non-LHP, with the White Sox set to face all right-handers in Week Seven.

Spencer Steer, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - Steer has really started to drop off, running just a 238 APR over the past two weeks, now slashing .241/.311/.279 for the year, with a .311 wOBA and .279 xwOBA.

Josh Naylor, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 43%) - Naylor remains stuck in the skids, with a 181 APR for the year and a 205 APR over the past week. Don't expect things to get better in Week Seven, with the Guardians scheduled to face LHP in five of their six games - Naylor is slashing .125/.160/.125 vs LHP in 2023.

Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Noda (yes, Ryan Noda) has a 101 APR for the season and a 25 APR over the past two weeks, posting a .404 wOBA and .368 xwOBA. But Oakland will face LHP in three of their seven games this week, against whom Noda has yet to start in 2023.

On the IL

• Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Darick Hall, PHI, 1B (torn thumb ligament - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - expected to miss six weeks)
• Ji-Man Choi, TB, 1B (strained Achilles - expected to miss two months)

 

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Berti has now started six games in a row, slashing .429/.500/.429 over 24 PA but has feasted on facing LHP in four of the six. This week, the Marlins aren't scheduled to face a lefty in any of their six games.

Ramon Urias, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Another store-brand name on the Orioles that keeps producing, Urias has a 63 APR over the past two weeks and is crushing RHP to the tune of .319/.418/.426, with a .380 wOBA. Baltimore will face RHP in five of their six games this week.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 5%) - Don't look now but with one Luis Garcia hitting the IL with Tommy John surgery, another one has risen to take his place on the fantasy landscape. This Luis now has a 45 APR over the past two weeks and has batted second for eight games straight.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 23%) - Dubon has slowed down lately but still has a 93 APR for the year and will remain viable as long as he's batting leadoff every day for the Astros - so, right up until the exact point that Jose Altuve returns from the IL.

Next Choices

Chris Taylor, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 5%) - Taylor is on an absolute heater, slashing .438/.500/.938 over his past five games, with a 61 APR over the past two weeks. But it's also come over sporadic playing time, starting five of the Dodgers' past eight games.

Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 5%) - Duran has started eight games in a row, slashing .364/.382/.576 over 34 PA but seven of those starts have come at shortstop, a position that won't be available once Corey Seager returns from his hamstring injury.

Adam Frazier, BAL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 16%) - He's not starting vs LHP but Frazier just keeps producing points, posting a 72 APR over the past two weeks, 41 APR over the last week, now up to an 85 APR for the season. Nothing flashy but a 12% K% and 12% BB%, with an impressive 20 Runs and 6 SB keeps the veteran relevant. The Orioles are scheduled to face just one LHP in their six games in Week Seven.

Miguel Vargas, LAD, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 21%) - Well, this has been quite the heater! Vargas has a 19 APR over the past week. But also be aware of much of his hotness came from just two games against PHI when he went 5-for-9, with 1 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, and 1 SB.

CJ Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 12%) - Abrams has put up a respectable 133 APR for the year and 123 APR over the past two weeks but remains allergic to taking a walk, running just a 5% BB%. That's unlikely to get him moved up the batting order, and he's batted in the bottom third of Washington's order every game this season.

Michael Massey, KC, 2B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - Massey has started five of Kansas City's six games in May, picking up four hits and five walks in 17 PA. While he has mostly been starting vs LHP, it's a shame he won't see any left-handed starters in Week Seven, as he's slashing .429/.438/.500 over 36 PA against them, compared to .137/.158/.151, with a .140 wOBA vs RHP.

Desperate Choices

Elvis Andrus, CHW, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2%) - The ghost of Elvis just won't die; Andrus has a 59 APR over the past week but has a .197 AVG and .280 OBP for the season.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 2%) - Rengifo has an 84 APR over the past week and has started three games in a row but with no true position of his own, counting on regular playing time remains tenuous.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 12%) - Perdoma has an 86 APR for the year but this BABIP-fueled hype train is starting to level out, posting just a 194 APR over the past week. The .397 AVG and .467 wOBA still look shiny but a .481 BABIP and .310 xwOBA are saying there is more pain ahead.

Ha-Seong Kim, SD, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 10%) - Kim is only slashing .218/.325/.356 but has a 72 APR over the past two weeks due to his well-rounded profile of production (3 HR - 10 R - 10 RBI - 5 SB).

Emmanuel Valdez, BOS, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Since getting called back up on April 25, Valdez has started nine of 12 games, slashing .323/.344/.516, with 1 HR and 3 SB. But while he might have a 38 APR over the past week, the upcoming schedule (5 games, 2 vs LHP, 3 vs RHP) isn't ideal for the left-handed 24-year-old.

On the IL

• Luis Urias, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Kyle Farmer, MIN (facial laceration - no timetable)
• Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - expected to miss six weeks)
• Nicky Lopez, KC, 2B/3B/SS (Appendicitis - not timetable)

 

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 39%) - Old man Rendon just hanging around with a 114 APR for the season and a 33 APR over the past two weeks. This might not be prime Rendon, as he has yet to show any power (0 HR, .313 SLG) but a .277 AVG, .400 OBP, and 11% K% will play in any league.

Brett Baty, NYM, 3B (Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 16%) - Baty is warming up, slashing .324/.395/.588 over the past two weeks but just as important, he's started three of New York's past four games against LHP.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Berti has now started six games in a row, slashing .429/.500/.429 over 24 PA but has feasted on facing LHP in four of the six. This week, the Marlins aren't scheduled to face a lefty in any of their six games.

Ramon Urias, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Another store-brand name on the Orioles that keeps producing, Urias has a 63 APR over the past two weeks and is crushing RHP to the tune of .319/.418/.426, with a .380 wOBA. Baltimore will face RHP in five of their six games this week.

Next Choices

Nick Senzel, CIN, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 11%) - I hate to throw cold water on the Senzel-aissance but he's been doing all of his damage vs LHP (.476/.522/.810, .563 wOBA), compared to slashing .204/.278/.286 vs RHP, with just a .258 wOBA. In Week Seven, the Reds are scheduled for six games, with only one set to come against a left-hander.

Chris Taylor, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 5%) - Taylor is on an absolute heater, slashing .438/.500/.938 over his past five games, with a 61 APR over the past two weeks. But it's also come over sporadic playing time, starting five of the Dodgers' past eight games.

Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 5%) - Duran has started eight games in a row, slashing .364/.382/.576 over 34 PA but seven of those starts have come at shortstop, a position that won't be available once Corey Seager returns from his hamstring injury.

Desperate Choices

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 2%) - Rengifo has an 84 APR over the past week and has started three games in a row but with no true position of his own, counting on regular playing time remains tenuous.

Spencer Steer, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - Steer has really started to drop off, running just a 238 APR over the past two weeks, now slashing .241/.311/.279 for the year, with a .311 wOBA and .279 xwOBA.

Ha-Seong Kim, SD, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 10%) - Kim is only slashing .218/.325/.356 but has a 72 APR over the past two weeks due to his well-rounded profile of production (3 HR - 10 R - 10 RBI - 5 SB).

Emmanuel Valdez, BOS, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Since getting called back up on April 25, Valdez has started nine of 12 games, slashing .323/.344/.516, with 1 HR and 3 SB. But while he might have a 38 APR over the past week, the upcoming schedule (5 games, 2 vs LHP, 3 vs RHP) isn't ideal for the left-handed 24-year-old.

On the IL

• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (lower back - no timetable)
• Luis Urias, MIL 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Jake Burger, CHW, 3B (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Josh Donaldson, NYY (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Kyle Farmer, MIN (face laceration - no timetable)
• Aledmys Diaz, OAK, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained hamstring - not timetable)
• Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - expected to miss six weeks)
• Nicky Lopez, KC, 2B/3B/SS (appendicitis - no timetable)

 

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 8%) - Tovar is finally starting to show some of that top-prospect shine after beginning the season terribly. He only has a 175 APR for the season but that's up to a 46 APR over the past two weeks and a 26 APR over the last week. Tovar has now started 14 games in a row, slashing .311/.340/.578, and will get three games at Coors in Week Seven.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Berti has now started six games in a row, slashing .429/.500/.429 over 24 PA but has feasted on facing LHP in four of the six. This week, the Marlins aren't scheduled to face a lefty in any of their six games.

Ramon Urias, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Another store-brand name on the Orioles that keeps producing, Urias has a 63 APR over the past two weeks and is crushing RHP to the tune of .319/.418/.426, with a .380 wOBA. Baltimore will face RHP in five of their six games this week.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 7%) - Like a shortstop-playing Carlos Santana, Crawford continues getting zero respect for his point-league skills, rocking a 97 APR for the season, 66 APR over the past two weeks, and 75 APR for the last week, but is <10% rostered. Nothing exciting - just piles of PAs, a near 20% BB%, and being surrounded by a great lineup.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 5%) - Don't look now but with one Luis Garcia hitting the IL with Tommy John surgery, another one has risen to take his place on the fantasy landscape. This Luis now has a 45 APR over the past two weeks and has batted second for eight games straight.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 23%) - Dubon has slowed down lately but still has a 93 APR for the year and will remain viable as long as he's batting leadoff every day for the Astros - so, right up until the exact point that Jose Altuve returns from the IL.

Next Choices

Chris Taylor, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 5%) - Taylor is on an absolute heater, slashing .438/.500/.938 over his past five games, with a 61 APR over the past two weeks. But it's also come over sporadic playing time, starting five of the Dodgers' past eight games.

Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 5%) - Duran has started eight games in a row, slashing .364/.382/.576 over 34 PA but seven of those starts have come at shortstop, a position that won't be available once Corey Seager returns from his hamstring injury.

CJ Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 12%) - Abrams has put up a respectable 133 APR for the year and 123 APR over the past two weeks but remains allergic to taking a walk, running just a 5% BB%. That's unlikely to get him moved up the batting order, and he's batted in the bottom third of Washington's order every game this season.

Desperate Choices:

Elvis Andrus, CHW, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2%) - The ghost of Elvis just won't die; Andrus has a 59 APR over the past week but has a .197 AVG and .280 OBP for the season.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 2%) - Rengifo has an 84 APR over the past week and has started three games in a row but with no true position of his own, counting on regular playing time remains tenuous.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 12%) - Perdoma has an 86 APR for the year but this BABIP-fueled hype train is starting to level out, posting just a 194 APR over the past week. The .397 AVG and .467 wOBA still look shiny but a .481 BABIP and .310 xwOBA are saying there is more pain ahead.

Ha-Seong Kim, SD, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 10%) - Kim is only slashing .218/.325/.356 but has a 72 APR over the past two weeks due to his well-rounded profile of production (3 HR - 10 R - 10 RBI - 5 SB).

Zach Neto, LAA, SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) - Neto still isn't hitting much but has batted leadoff for eight games in a row, never a bad thing, especially when being followed by Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

On the IL

• Luis Urias, MIL 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Kyle Farmer, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (face laceration - no timetable)
• Aledmys Diaz, OAK, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Brandon Crawford, SF, SS (strained calf - no timetable)
• Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - expected to miss six weeks)
• Nicky Lopez, KC, 2B/3B/SS (appendicitis - no timetable)

 

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Randal Grichuk, COL, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - Few can get hot like Grichuk on those brief stretches where he's locked in but while he hasn't hit any home runs since making his season debut last week, he is slashing .455/.520/.545 over his first 25 PA. With three games at home and facing two LHP for the week, this is as good a time as any to try and spike one of his signature lava weeks.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., ARI, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 9%) - Gurriel Jr. is still somehow hanging around on a lot of wires, even with a 48 APR over the past week (and two weeks). With seven games on tap in Week Seven, now is as good of a time as any to grab if he's available.

Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 22%) - Another veteran getting it done, Blackmon has a 99 APR for the year and a 96 APR over the past two weeks, slashing .261/.365/.400 for the year, with an 11% BB% and 12% K%.

TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 4%) - He's up to a 76 APR for the season but Friedl still mostly sits vs LHP. However, Cincinnati will see RHP in five of their six games this week, against whom he's slashing .326/.371/.449, with a .359 wOBA.

LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 9%) - Wade Jr. has seemingly seized San Francisco's first base job, starting their last seven games there as Wilmer Flores playing time has faded to the background. He now has a 113 APR for the season and a 37 APR over the past two weeks, with the Giants set for seven games in the upcoming week. Two will come against LHP but the left-handed Wade has held his own against them in 2023's short sample, slashing .267/.389/.600 over 20 PA.

Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 4%) - Kepler's still a liability vs LHP but the Twins will only face one of them in Week Six, and he's posted a 57 APR over the past two weeks.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Berti has now started six games in a row, slashing .429/.500/.429 over 24 PA but has feasted on facing LHP in four of the six. This week, the Marlins aren't scheduled to face a lefty in any of their six games.

Joc Pederson, SF, OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 8%) - The Giants have seven games in Week Seven but don't count on Pederson starting more than the five that are scheduled against RHP. But even with just five games, Pederson's numbers vs RHP are good enough to eat the benching vs LHP, posting a .361 wOBA and . 405 xwOBA.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 23%) - Dubon has slowed down lately but still has a 93 APR for the year and will remain viable as long as he's batting leadoff every day for the Astros - so, right up until the exact point that Jose Altuve returns from the IL.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 19%) - Benintendi is slashing just .190/.261/.238 in his six starts since missing two games after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow but he still has a 125 APR for the year even in what has been a mostly disappointing season.

Next Choices

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 5%) - Kirilloff will make his first start on Sunday after destroying Triple-A pitching to the tune of 3 HR and 2 SB over 46 PA, slashing .316/.435/.605 with 9 Runs and 12 RBI. But the same questions remain as always - how's the wrist? If healthy, Kirilloff has shown that he can hit but it's really hard to trust him after two years of injury woes.

Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - He has struggled at Triple-A in 2023 but since being called back up on April 28, Pratto is slashing .393/.469/.536, with a .442 wOBA and 183 wRC+, while starting seven of eight games.

Nick Senzel, CIN, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 11%) - I hate to throw cold water on the Senzel-aissance but he's been doing all of his damage vs LHP (.476/.522/.810, .563 wOBA), compared to slashing .204/.278/.286 vs RHP, with just a .258 wOBA. In Week Seven, the Reds are scheduled for six games, with only one set to come against a left-hander.

Chris Taylor, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 5%) - Taylor is on an absolute heater, slashing .438/.500/.938 over his past five games, with a 61 APR over the past two weeks. But it's also come over sporadic playing time, starting five of the Dodgers' past eight games.

Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 5%) - Duran has started eight games in a row, slashing .364/.382/.576 over 34 PA but seven of those starts have come at shortstop, a position that won't be available once Corey Seager returns from his hamstring injury.

Adam Frazier, BAL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 16%) - He's not starting vs LHP but Frazier just keeps producing points, posting a 72 APR over the past two weeks, 41 APR over the last week, now up to an 85 APR for the season. Nothing flashy but a 12% K% and 12% BB%, with an impressive 20 Runs and 6 SB keeps the veteran relevant. The Orioles are scheduled to face just one LHP in their six games in Week Seven.

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 18%) - Joe has cooled down but has still carved out a regular role and has a .278 AVG, .393 wOBA, and .920 OPS for the year. But the expected stats aren't nearly as rosy, with a .345 xwOBA and .787 xOPS, along with an unsustainable .371 BABIP.

Edward Olivares, KC, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) - Olivares got hot for a minute but is slumping most recently, slashing .182/.308/.273 for the week, heading into Sunday. But luckily, the Royals won't face any LHP in Week Seven, as Olivares is slashing .242/.286/.424 against them, with a .303 wOBA and .281 xwOBA.

Miguel Vargas, LAD, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 21%) - Well, this has been quite the heater! Vargas has a 19 APR over the past week. But also be aware of much of his hotness came from just two games against PHI when he went 5-for-9, with 1 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, and 1 SB.

Victor Robles, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) - There isn't any power and likely won't be any in the future but you don't need home runs to succeed in point leagues, as evidenced by Robles' 92 APR for the season, 90 APR over the past two weeks, and 78 APR over the last week. That's a pretty consistent run of points production and Robles will at least get to face two LHP in Week Seven, against whom he's slashing .400/.464/.480, with a .420 wOBA.

Desperate Choices

Gavin Sheets, CHW, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Sheets has been struggling lately but is starting against all non-LHP, with the White Sox set to face all right-handers in Week Seven.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 2%) - Rengifo has an 84 APR over the past week and has started three games in a row but with no true position of his own, counting on regular playing time remains tenuous.

Riley Greene, TEX, OF (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 14%) - Greene is quietly putting together a nice points season (110 APR, 67 APR over the last two weeks) but .319 OBP and 31% K% gives him a narrow path to consistent scoring from week to week.

Lane Thomas, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - Thomas might have a 77 APR over the past two weeks but it's time for my weekly reminder that he really can only hit LHP, slashing .375/.444/.500 against them in 2023, compared to .228/.279/.329 vs RHP. The Nationals will face RHP in four of their six games in Week Seven.

Alex Call, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Call has a 119 APR over the past two weeks, with his points value being driven by a 20% K% and 13% BB% for the season. But he also does most of his damage vs LHP (.333/.421/.500 vs .176/.274/.270 vs RHP) and the Nationals will only face two in their six games this week.

Jorge Soler, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 8%) - This probably isn't the week to try and catch some of Soler's streakiness, as the Marlins aren't scheduled to face any LHP, against whom he's slashing .320/.433/.880, with a .532 wOBA and .573 xwOBA. It's a different story against RHP, with Soler slashing just .182/.234/.330, with a .248 wOBA (.291 xwOBA).

Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 4%) - Carlson has a 130 APR over the last two weeks and a 95 APR over the past week but it's hard to trust anything on the Cardinals right now, whether production or playing time.

Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Noda (yes, Ryan Noda) has a 101 APR for the season and a 25 APR over the past two weeks, posting a .404 wOBA and .368 xwOBA. But Oakland will face LHP in three of their seven games this week, against whom Noda has yet to start in 2023.

On the IL

• Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Mike Yastrzemski, SF, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Garrett Mitchell, MIL, OF (shoulder subluxation - no timetable)
• Chas McCormick, HOU, OF (lower back tightness - on rehab assignment)
• Austin Meadows, DET (anxiety - no timetable)
• Aledmys Diaz, OAK, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (sprained shoulder - no timetable)
• Kyle Isbel, KC, OF (strained hamstring - expected to miss six weeks)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)

 

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Elias Diaz, COL, C (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 29%) - Diaz not only has a top-100 APR for the season but gets three games at home this week, and that's more than enough to make him the bell of this terrible waiver wire ball. The bad news is that he'll have to face three LHP (.160/.276/.160, .219 wOBA) but two of them will come at Coors, with one being Ranger Suarez making his season debut.

Next Choices

Eric Haase, DET, C (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Haase has been getting mixed in more at left field and DH, starting Detroit's past six games. And the Tigers are only scheduled to face one left-handed starter in Week Seven, against whom he's posted a .286 OBP and .239 xwOBA.

Yasmani Grandal, CHW, C (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 9%) - Grandal only has a 177 APR for the season but has been top-100 over the past week and the White Sox are only scheduled to face right-handed starters in Week Seven, against whom he's slashing .297/.373/.473 over 83 PA (.143/.250/.333 vs LHP).

Desperate Choices

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 9%) - Moreno has posted a .294 AVG but it's mostly been empty, with just 1 HR and 6 R, good for only a 213 APR. But hey, he'll get seven games?

Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 11%) - With 6 HR in 114 PA, Langeliers definitely has some pop but the A's will also face LHP in 3-of-7 games, against whom he's slashing .077/.138/.077, with a .110 wOBA and .194 xwOBA.

Blake Sabol, SF, C/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - It's desperate times indeed if you need to call upon Sabol, who has now sat for four games in a row after starting six of seven.

On the IL

• Travis d'Arnaud, ATL, C (concussion - rehab assignment)
• Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (shoulder surgery - out 4-6 months)
• Yan Gomes, CHC, C (concussion - no timetable)
• Mitch Garver, TEX, C (sprained knee - no timetable)
• Omar Narvaez, NYM (strained calf - no timetable)

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