Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 23

Welcome to Week 23 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of August 28 - September 3, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax.

We'll be doing this points league roundup every week here at RotoBaller because we know points players get neglected and we're here to help. Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits, with waiver wire targets being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems on ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, Fantrax, and NFBC.

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, August 26.

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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 23 Leaderboards

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 23, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

 

 

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 10%) - Now slashing .282/.361/.508 over 280 PA, with 13 HR and 8 SB, there aren't any reasons to let Jones languish on your waiver wire if he happens to still be available. Particularly considering an upcoming homestand at rocket launch park. A 33% K% might ding him in leagues with a strikeout penalty but, at this point, he's hitting so much that it doesn't really matter.

DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 38%) - Between his own poor performance and the bottoming out of his team, one could be forgiven for overlooking just how great of a second half that LeMahieu has had. After slashing .220/.285/.357 in the first half, with a .280 wOBA and 78 wRC+, LeMahieu has turned back the clock since the All-Star Break, slashing an impressive .318/.425/.477 over 127 PA, with a .393 wOBA and 156 wRC+. Yeah, that'll play, Deej.

Next Choices

Carlos Santana, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 22%) - We worried that the return of Rowdy Tellez could take a big chunk out of Santana's playing time but that just hasn't been the case since Tellez came back, with the former having started every game since being traded to Milwaukee. As long as Santana's playing, he's probably worth a spot on your roster.

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - Sweet lord, are we really dealing with a Connor Joe SZN again? And without Coors??? Joe has a 34 APR over the past two weeks and has a 16 APR so far in Week 22, and has slashed .311/.434/.541 in August, with a .417 wOBA and 163 wRC+, having now started the last eight games (and 11-of-12). Joe will not only get the advantage of facing pitchers from two teams (@KC, @STL) that waved the white flag a long time ago but will face LHP in three of those six games. Over 152 PA vs LHP in 2023, Joe is slashing .269/.375/.462, with a .365 wOBA, 22% K%, and 12% BB%.

Desperate Choices

Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Noda was an underrated asset prior to missing a month with a broken jaw but has picked up right where he left off, slashing .389/.560/.556 over 25 PA, with 1 HR and 1 SB. And while he has sat the past two games vs LHP, he entered the games as soon as the starters left and Oakland will only face one left-hander in their six games in Week 23. A 33% K% can be a killer in leagues with a strikeout penalty but Noda does manage to mitigate some of that drag with an 17% BB%.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Schaunel has more than held his own since getting called up, collecting at least one hit in all seven games he's appeared in (six starts, one pinch-hit) and continues to collect plenty of PAs by batting leadoff.

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 8%) - Hernandez has kept hitting since coming back to Los Angeles but his production isn't the problem; the consistency of his playing time is. And with it not necessarily being dictated by the opposing pitcher's handedness, starting him is even more of a guessing game. You can usually count on 4-5 games per week but that'll be hard to stomach in leagues without daily moves.

On the IL

• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Joey Votto, CIN, 1B (shoulder discomfort - no timetable)
• Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (sprained shoulder - no timetable)
• Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - rehab assignment)

 

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 38%) - Between his own poor performance and the bottoming out of his team, one could be forgiven for overlooking just how great of a second half that LeMahieu has had. After slashing .220/.285/.357 in the first half, with a .280 wOBA and 78 wRC+, LeMahieu has turned back the clock since the All-Star Break, slashing an impressive .318/.425/.477 over 127 PA, with a .393 wOBA and 156 wRC+. Yeah, that'll play, Deej.

Next Choices

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - Perdomo continues to make a mockery of expected stats, with a .270 AVG and .342 wOBA backed by a .211 xBA (bottom 4%) and .281 xwOBA (bottom 7%). But everyday PAs with a .372 OBP, 16% K%, and 13% BB% is how you can get to a 91 APR for the season without any power, with a 65 APR over the past two weeks, and a 41 APR so far in Week 22.

Brendan Rodgers, COL, 2B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 2%) - Rodgers did in Week 22 what Colorado hitters tend to do when coming off of a Coors homestand, going just 1-for-17, with two walks. But nothing says get yourself right like getting back home - Rodgers hit .409 during his last trip home, with four doubles and a triple. However, even in the thin air of Colorado, do be aware of the really tricky pitching he'll be dealing with, scheduled to face Spencer Strider and 'dem Atlanta boys, as well as Kevin Gausman and his Toronto compatriots.

Desperate Choices

Josh Rojas, SEA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 7%) - Rojas has booted Jose Caballero from Seattle's starting lineup, having now started the last six games at second base, albeit at the bottom of the order. And considering how nuclear he's been, that's the right move - Rojas has gone 6-for-27, with 3 SB. But he'll likely do what he always does; go right back to being ice cold.

Jorge Polanco, MIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 44%) - When actually healthy, Polanco can be a steady points asset, batting in the top-third of Minnesota's lineup and compiling PAs and points, one drip at a time. But unless he goes back to hitting dongs like it's 2021, his ceiling remains super limited.

Pablo Reyes, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 4%) -Reyes has a 46 APR for the past two weeks but just a 153 APR so far in Week 22. But a .200 BABIP for the week explains some of the struggles and Reyes continues to pull plenty of PAs, having now started 20 of the last 21 games.

Nick Madrigal, CHC, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Yeah, I'm probably going to die on the "In theory, Nick Madrigal has a super points-friendly profile because he never strikes out and runs when he gets on base" hill. Listen, nobody said it was Brevity Hill. But Madrigal needs to rack a bunch of PAs to activate said profile, which he has done lately, starting five of the last six games (four at 3B, 1 at 2B), with Christopher Morel being banished more and more to the bench, leaving DH open for Cody Bellinger/Jeimer Candelario, while Madrigal mans the hot corner.

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 8%) - Hernandez has kept hitting since coming back to Los Angeles but his production isn't the problem; the consistency of his playing time is. And with it not necessarily being dictated by the opposing pitcher's handedness, starting him is even more of a guessing game. You can usually count on 4-5 games per week but that'll be hard to stomach in leagues without daily moves.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 7%) - Rengifo has gotten back near the top of Los Angeles's order, partially because Nolan Schaunel has missed the past two games with illness but also because his stick has been heating up, three multi-hit games in his past five starts. But he also does most of his damage vs LHP, slashing .216/.308/.340 vs RHP, with a .290 wOBA. With the Angels only facing lefties in two of their six games, Rengifo is a tough play.

On the IL

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)

 

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 38%) - Between his own poor performance and the bottoming out of his team, one could be forgiven for overlooking just how great of a second half that LeMahieu has had. After slashing .220/.285/.357 in the first half, with a .280 wOBA and 78 wRC+, LeMahieu has turned back the clock since the All-Star Break, slashing an impressive .318/.425/.477 over 127 PA, with a .393 wOBA and 156 wRC+. Yeah, that'll play, Deej.

Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 9%) - Okay, so Lewis tends to suffer a devastating injury shortly after getting hot but we can't just keep ignoring his production since returning from his most recent trip to the IL - and for the entire season. Lewis has slashed .297/.395/.541 over 43 PA, with 2 HR, 1 SB, a .401 wOBA, 19% K% and 12% BB%. And for the season, Lewis has been even better slashing .318/.366/.492 over 142 PA, with 6 HR, 17 R, 20 RBI, and 2 SB. But also, he'll probably be back on the IL by the time you finish this sentence.

Next Choices

Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - My biggest question with counting on Marte for consistent production (besides the normal rookie hiccups) was the playing time but the Reds have seemingly answered that question, with Marte having started the past four games at third base, and six of the eight games since being called up last week. But the tools are loud, fantasy-wise, and while he hasn't shown much power in 2023 (11 HR over 414 PA at Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB), the 22 SB over that same stretch is enough to make we degenerates water for more. You might have to drop him if he hits a cold streak but the upside if more than worth a gamble for a September run if you have the roster room.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - Perdomo continues to make a mockery of expected stats, with a .270 AVG and .342 wOBA backed by a .211 xBA (bottom 4%) and .281 xwOBA (bottom 7%). But everyday PAs with a .372 OBP, 16% K%, and 13% BB% is how you can get to a 91 APR for the season without any power, with a 65 APR over the past two weeks, and a 41 APR so far in Week 22.

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 7%) - Garcia returned to the Kansas City lineup in Week 22 after missing the previous weekend but mostly did a whole lot of nothing, collecting three hits and stealing one base. But I'll still bet on his skill set as long as he's batting every day at the top of the order - even if it's the Royals order.

Desperate Choices

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Schaunel has more than held his own since getting called up, collecting at least one hit in all seven games he's appeared in (six starts, one pinch-hit) and continues to collect plenty of PAs by batting leadoff.

Josh Rojas, SEA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 7%) - Rojas has booted Jose Caballero from Seattle's starting lineup, having now started the last six games at second base, albeit at the bottom of the order. And considering how nuclear he's been, that's the right move - Rojas has gone 6-for-27, with 3 SB. But he'll likely do what he always does; go right back to being ice cold.

Jorge Polanco, MIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 44%) - When actually healthy, Polanco can be a steady points asset, batting in the top-third of Minnesota's lineup and compiling PAs and points, one drip at a time. But unless he goes back to hitting dongs like it's 2021, his ceiling remains super limited.

Nick Madrigal, CHC, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Yeah, I'm probably going to die on the "In theory, Nick Madrigal has a super points-friendly profile because he never strikes out and runs when he gets on base" hill. Listen, nobody said it was Brevity Hill. But Madrigal needs to rack a bunch of PAs to activate said profile, which he has done lately, starting five of the last six games (four at 3B, 1 at 2B), with Christopher Morel being banished more and more to the bench, leaving DH open for Cody Bellinger/Jeimer Candelario, while Madrigal mans the hot corner.

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 8%) - Hernandez has kept hitting since coming back to Los Angeles but his production isn't the problem; the consistency of his playing time is. And with it not necessarily being dictated by the opposing pitcher's handedness, starting him is even more of a guessing game. You can usually count on 4-5 games per week but that'll be hard to stomach in leagues without daily moves.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 7%) - Rengifo has gotten back near the top of Los Angeles's order, partially because Nolan Schaunel has missed the past two games with illness but also because his stick has been heating up, three multi-hit games in his past five starts. But he also does most of his damage vs LHP, slashing .216/.308/.340 vs RHP, with a .290 wOBA. With the Angels only facing lefties in two of their six games, Rengifo is a tough play.

On the IL

• Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Josh Donaldson, NYY, 3B (strained calf - questionable for season)

 

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 13%) - Surely, Tovar's Roster% won't stay down with an upcoming homestand, right? Ri-iiiiight??? The pitching matchups aren't great but Tovar has to be trusted at home, how he's been running lately. In his last trip home, Tovar slashed .360/.448/.640, with a .461 wOBA and 2 HR.

Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 9%) - Okay, so Lewis tends to suffer a devastating injury shortly after getting hot but we can't just keep ignoring his production since returning from his most recent trip to the IL - and for the entire season. Lewis has slashed .297/.395/.541 over 43 PA, with 2 HR, 1 SB, a .401 wOBA, 19% K% and 12% BB%. And for the season, Lewis has been even better slashing .318/.366/.492 over 142 PA, with 6 HR, 17 R, 20 RBI, and 2 SB. But also, he'll probably be back on the IL by the time you finish this sentence.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 12%) - Let's not just repeat what we've been harping on all season, as Crawford has once again been showing off his point league chops in Week 22, posting a 21 APR, and now up to a 75 APR for the season. I won't even mention that this isn't new for Crawford and that the Mariners know exactly what they have, continuing to keep Crawford locked in at leadoff as they make moves to win the AL West.

Instead, we'll just end with a simple statement that perfectly describes how I feel every time I see Crawford's Roster%:

Next Choices

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - Perdomo continues to make a mockery of expected stats, with a .270 AVG and .342 wOBA backed by a .211 xBA (bottom 4%) and .281 xwOBA (bottom 7%). But everyday PAs with a .372 OBP, 16% K%, and 13% BB% is how you can get to a 91 APR for the season without any power, with a 65 APR over the past two weeks, and a 41 APR so far in Week 22.

Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - My biggest question with counting on Marte for consistent production (besides the normal rookie hiccups) was the playing time but the Reds have seemingly answered that question, with Marte having started the past four games at third base, and six of the eight games since being called up last week. But the tools are loud, fantasy-wise, and while he hasn't shown much power in 2023 (11 HR over 414 PA at Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB), the 22 SB over that same stretch is enough to make we degenerates water for more. You might have to drop him if he hits a cold streak but the upside if more than worth a gamble for a September run if you have the roster room.

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 7%) - Garcia returned to the Kansas City lineup in Week 22 after missing the previous weekend but mostly did a whole lot of nothing, collecting three hits and stealing one base. But I'll still bet on his skill set as long as he's batting every day at the top of the order - even if it's the Royals order.

Osleivis Basabe, TB, SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 3%) - Basabe has thrived since being unexpectedly thrust into Tampa Bay's lineup, slashing .286/.333/.429 over 35 PA, with 1 HR, 9 R, and 9 RBI. As long as he's playing every day (which it seems he will continue to do), Basabe is definitely worth a look if you're in need, with a 69 APR over the past two weeks.

Desperate Choices

Pablo Reyes, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 4%) -Reyes has a 46 APR for the past two weeks but just a 153 APR so far in Week 22. But a .200 BABIP for the week explains some of the struggles and Reyes continues to pull plenty of PAs, having now started 20 of the last 21 games.

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 8%) - Hernandez has kept hitting since coming back to Los Angeles but his production isn't the problem; the consistency of his playing time is. And with it not necessarily being dictated by the opposing pitcher's handedness, starting him is even more of a guessing game. You can usually count on 4-5 games per week but that'll be hard to stomach in leagues without daily moves.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 7%) - Rengifo has gotten back near the top of Los Angeles's order, partially because Nolan Schaunel has missed the past two games with illness but also because his stick has been heating up, three multi-hit games in his past five starts. But he also does most of his damage vs LHP, slashing .216/.308/.340 vs RHP, with a .290 wOBA. With the Angels only facing lefties in two of their six games, Rengifo is a tough play.

On the IL

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Zach Neto, LAA, SS (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Brandon Crawford, SF, SS (strained forearm - no timetable)

 

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 10%) - Now slashing .282/.361/.508 over 280 PA, with 13 HR and 8 SB, there aren't any reasons to let Jones languish on your waiver wire if he happens to still be available. Particularly considering an upcoming homestand at rocket launch park. A 33% K% might ding him in leagues with a strikeout penalty but, at this point, he's hitting so much that it doesn't really matter.

Adam Duvall, BOS, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 24%) - Good gravy, it's been a minute, Adam Duvall SZN...Duvall started out 2023 on fire but has done little since returning from a long absence in IL land. But damn, the dude can still hit homers in bunches, running a (checks notes), 1 APR so far in Week 22, after hitting four home runs in six games, collecting multiple hits in every game but one. With only one LHP scheduled in Week 23 (against whom he slugs 60 points lower) and a series against the hapless Royals, Duvall should be a full go again.

Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 22%) - After going gangbusters at home in his return from the IL (16 APR), Blackmon did slow down on the road but has still managed to run a top-100 APR in Week 22. With a homestand on the books in Week 23, you know we're going to keep rolling with the ol' caveman-lookin', melon-farmer.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 15%) - Benintendi (obviously) must have heard about me disparaging his team/ceiling, running a 16 APR so far in Week 23. He's always had a super points-friendly profile but leading off for the White Sox isn't exactly the cushiest spot in the majors. But with some suspect pitching on the horizon, he's certainly worth a roll if you're in need, especially in leagues with 5 OF and a strikeout penalty.

Next Choices

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - Sweet lord, are we really dealing with a Connor Joe SZN again? And without Coors??? Joe has a 34 APR over the past two weeks and has a 16 APR so far in Week 22, and has slashed .311/.434/.541 in August, with a .417 wOBA and 163 wRC+, having now started the last eight games (and 11-of-12). Joe will not only get the advantage of facing pitchers from two teams (@KC, @STL) that waved the white flag a long time ago but will face LHP in three of those six games. Over 152 PA vs LHP in 2023, Joe is slashing .269/.375/.462, with a .365 wOBA, 22% K%, and 12% BB%.

Tommy Pham, ARI, OF (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 9%) - I don't even want to talk about Pham's fantasy potential in Week 23, even though he has a 47 APR over the past two weeks and now has 3 HR, 10 R, 17 RBI, and 5 SB in his 87 PA with the Diamondbacks. No, what I want to discuss is the real concern I have for this kid's safety:

Listen, I'm not even kidding...Have we confirmed this kid is alive and well? Because if Tommy Pham will slap someone over a fantasy football beef, I shudder to think what he'd do to a fan robbing him of a 3-run jack. Even if it's a child - Tommy don't play. Seriously, if we later find out that Pham showed up at this kid's house to have a "little talk" about fan etiquette, would anyone really be that surprised?

Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 7%) - Herr Kepler doesn't start (or do) much vs LHP but has a 74 APR so far in Week 22 (.375/.474/.750, 1 HR) and is only scheduled to face one left-hander in Week 23.

Desperate Choices

Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Noda was an underrated asset prior to missing a month with a broken jaw but has picked up right where he left off, slashing .389/.560/.556 over 25 PA, with 1 HR and 1 SB. And while he has sat the past two games vs LHP, he entered the games as soon as the starters left and Oakland will only face one left-hander in their six games in Week 23. A 33% K% can be a killer in leagues with a strikeout penalty but Noda does manage to mitigate some of that drag with an 17% BB%.

Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 17%) - McCutchen remains about what he's been all season; he's a top-100ish hitter who can make for a great fifth outfielder/UT if you're looking for a high-floor/low-ceiling filler.

Brenton Doyle, COL, OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - We know the deal, right, babes? Colorado has a homestand and Doyle plays every day. Ride the snake.

Parker Meadows, DET, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Meadows the Younger has hit the ground running, going 6-for-17, with a double, triple, home run, and stolen base while starting every game. He had plenty of that power/speed juice that drives us crazy while at Triple-A this year (19 HR/19 SB) but all the usual caveats about trusting rookies/hitters on bad teams and in bad parks, still apply.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Schaunel has more than held his own since getting called up, collecting at least one hit in all seven games he's appeared in (six starts, one pinch-hit) and continues to collect plenty of PAs by batting leadoff.

Brent Rooker, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 13%) - Eeek - fantasy zomb-bie!! After mashing 9 HR in April, Rooker only hit 8 HR from May through July but has gotten back on the power track in August, hitting 5 HR in 82 PA. But a 32% K% with a surrounding cast of, well, cast-offs, Rooker's path to value remains narrow in any given week.

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 8%) - Hernandez has kept hitting since coming back to Los Angeles but his production isn't the problem; the consistency of his playing time is. And with it not necessarily being dictated by the opposing pitcher's handedness, starting him is even more of a guessing game. You can usually count on 4-5 games per week but that'll be hard to stomach in leagues without daily moves.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 7%) - Rengifo has gotten back near the top of Los Angeles's order, partially because Nolan Schaunel has missed the past two games with illness but also because his stick has been heating up, three multi-hit games in his past five starts. But he also does most of his damage vs LHP, slashing .216/.308/.340 vs RHP, with a .290 wOBA. With the Angels only facing lefties in two of their six games, Rengifo is a tough play.

On the IL

• Jarren Duran, BOS, OF (sprained toe - no timetable)
• Jarred Kelenic, SEA, OF (fractured foot - no timetable)
• Michael Conforto, SF, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - rehab assignment)
• Henry Davis, PIT, C/OF (strained hand - no timetable)
• Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (sprained shoulder - no timetable)
• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Jesse Winker, MIL, OF (back spasms - rehab assignment)
• Austin Meadows, DET, OF (anxiety - no timetable)
• Mike Yastrzemski, SF, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - rehab assigment)
• Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - rehab assignment)
• Manuel Margot, TB, OF (elbow surgery - expected to miss 3-4 weeks)
• Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jo Adell, LAA, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
• J.J. Bleday, OAK, OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
• A.J. Pollock, SF, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Aaron Hicks, BAL, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)

 

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Mitch Garver, TEX, C (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 7%) - The Mitch Garver Renaissance Tour continues, with Garver running a 47 APR so far in Week 22 and slashing .310/.389/.619 over the 96 PA since Jonah Heim hit the IL last month, with 7  HR and a .424 wOBA. But more important to his value for the rest of the season is that he's still starting every game even with Heim returning from the IL a couple of weeks ago. The old Mitch may pop out at any time but for right now, he's easily the best add if you're struggling behind the plate.

Next Choices

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 6%) - Oh-hh, so this is why Arizona traded for the former top prospect for the Blue Jays. Moreno has a 50 APR over the past two weeks, slashing .378/.395/.649 since returning from the IL on August 13, with multiple hits in five of his last six games. His profile is superb for future points success and we're finally starting to get a solid taste of his possibilities.

Desperate Choices

Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4%) - Langeliers' biggest value add in points has always been the playing time, as long as he's hitting home runs, that is, with his big whiff games really limiting the scoring systems you can reasonably use him in. He has an 11 APR so far in Week 22 almost solely on the strength of 4 HR in 23 PA but should go right back to waiver wire if the bombs don't keep dropping.

On the IL

• Henry Davis, PIT, C/OF (strained hand - no timetable)
• David Fry, CLE, C (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Tom Murphy, SEA, C (sprained thumb - no timetable)

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