Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 24

September 3, 2023

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver wire hitters to pick up for Week 24of the 2023 MLB season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

Welcome to Week 24 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of September 4 - September 10, 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 Yahoo 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, September 2.

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Know Your Scoring System

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 24 Leaderboards

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 24, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 13%) - Burger is cooking again, putting up a 28 APR so far in Week 23 after hitting three home runs in 23 PA (including a double-dong on Saturday). And with three lefthanders on the Week 24 schedule (against whom he has a .596 SLG and .380 wOBA, compared to a .500 SLG and .336 wOBA vs RHP), I'd bet on him continuing to burn deliciously.

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 10%) - Okay everyone, hardee-har-har; you got me. Clearly, Jones still being below our Roster% threshold is a hilarious joke. Coming off of a Coors homestand, Jones has a 27 APR so far in Week 23 and a 48 APR over the past two weeks. But even going on the road (@ARI, @SF) shouldn't scare you off, as Jones is still slashing .271/.346/.507 on the road, with a .361 wOBA and 127 wRC+.

Next Choices

Carlos Santana, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 22%) - At this point, what can we say that we haven't already for pretty much every week this season? Santana remains an unheralded points deity who can and will be a top-75 hitter in any given week. But he is much better vs LHP than RHP and the Brewers aren't scheduled to face any lefties in Week 24, so maybe temper your expectations.

Mark Canha, MIL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Canha has been on fire lately, starting the last 11 games for Milwaukee and slashing .361/.477/.500 0ver 44 PA, with 1 HR and .430 wOBA. As long as he's playing every day, Canha can compile his way to above-average points, particularly in leagues with a strikeout penalty, as the veteran is currently carrying a 16% K% and 10% BB%.

Desperate Choices

Garrett Cooper, SD, 1B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - Cooper has backed his way back into a full-time job, with Jake Cronenworth and Ji-Man Choi both on the IL. Starting 11 of their last 12 games, Cooper is slashing .326/.356/.442 over 45 PA, with a .346 wOBA and 123 wRC+.

J.D. Davis, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Davis remains a man of streaky production but it's usually best to try and ride that streak whenever he faces more LHP, which he'll do in Week 24, with three of his six games scheduled against the wronghanders.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 9%) - CES has put up decent scoring but his per-PA scoring rates (driven by a 31% K% and 5% BB%) are well below average on every platform, with his overall point totals heavily weighted by the number of PAs he gets.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Arias is on an absolute heater, posting a 17 APR so far in Week 23 and a 77 APR over the past two weeks, having started 18 of the last 19 games. But let's not get too carried away because even though Arias has a .288 AVG and .359 wOBA over those 19 games, he's still only up to a .219 AVG and .294 wOBA for the entire season.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - The rookie's production has mostly been meh but as long as he's batting leadoff every day (with an 11% K% and 18% BB%) value can be had.

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 - rehab assignment)
• Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - rehab assignment)

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 13%) - Burger is cooking again, putting up a 28 APR so far in Week 23 after hitting three home runs in 23 PA (including a double-dong on Saturday). And with three lefthanders on the Week 24 schedule (against whom he has a .596 SLG and .380 wOBA, compared to a .500 SLG and .336 wOBA vs RHP), I'd bet on him continuing to burn deliciously.

Davis Schneider, TOR, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 12%) - Scheider has gone absolutely bonkers since being inserted into the everyday lineup, starting the past seven games and slashing .458/.581/1.083 over 31 PA, with 3 HR, 10 R, 10 RBI, and 1 SB. Batting second for the last four games, Schneider is a must-add until he shows signs of slowing down.

Next Choices

Josh Rojas, SEA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 12%) - Josh Rojas will always eventually turn back into a pumpkin but he should at least get plenty of playing time in Week 24, with the Mariners scheduled to face all RHP. And it certainly won't hurt that three of those games will come in Cincinnati against starters that you literally might not have ever heard of.

Desperate Choices

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - McKinstry has been streaky all year but has hit his way back up to near the top of Detroit's lineup and is racking up a ton of PAs. The plate discipline still makes him a good compiler under most scoring systems when he's pulling lots of those PAs but be ready to abandon ship as soon as he cools down.

Ronny Mauricio, NYM, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 3%) - Mauricio has started all three games since getting called up from Triple-A, a good sign for his role going forward. But it's always hard to trust rookies in their first taste of big-league action, even if Mauricio absolutely has been slaying the minors in 2023, slashing .292/.346/.506 over 532 PA, with 23 HR and 24 SB.

Trevor Story, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 14%) - If Trevor Story had a time machine there's no way he'd be below our Roster% threshold. But, unfortunately, it's still 2023 and he's not currently turning back time, slashing an abysmal .185/.224/.296 over 85 PA since returning to the big leagues, with just a .227 wOBA and 32 wRC+. Until we see proof of baseball life, Story's probably safe to leave on your wires.

Liover Peguero, PIT, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Peguero has been lighting up a little lately but does most of his damage vs LHP and the Pirates aren't scheduled to face any left-handed starters in Week 24.

On the IL

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

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 13%) - Burger is cooking again, putting up a 28 APR so far in Week 23 after hitting three home runs in 23 PA (including a double-dong on Saturday). And with three lefthanders on the Week 24 schedule (against whom he has a .596 SLG and .380 wOBA, compared to a .500 SLG and .336 wOBA vs RHP), I'd bet on him continuing to burn deliciously.

Davis Schneider, TOR, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 12%) - Scheider has gone absolutely bonkers since being inserted into the everyday lineup, starting the past seven games and slashing .458/.581/1.083 over 31 PA, with 3 HR, 10 R, 10 RBI, and 1 SB. Batting second for the last four games, Schneider is a must-add until he shows signs of slowing down.

Next Choices

Josh Rojas, SEA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 12%) - Josh Rojas will always eventually turn back into a pumpkin but he should at least get plenty of playing time in Week 24, with the Mariners scheduled to face all RHP. And it certainly won't hurt that three of those games will come in Cincinnati against starters that you literally might not have ever heard of.

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 6%) - Compiling PAs by batting leadoff is never a bad thing in point leagues but some of that shine is bound to be taken off when doing it for a team like the Royals. Garcia has been fine in his rookie campaign and routinely turns in APR that are rosterable if only to upgrade your bench. But the ceiling remains limited and you can probably find a better option in a week where he'll face some tricky starting pitchers.

Desperate Choices

J.D. Davis, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Davis remains a man of streaky production but it's usually best to try and ride that streak whenever he faces more LHP, which he'll do in Week 24, with three of his six games scheduled against the wronghanders.

Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) - Step one to a rookie call-up making a big fantasy impact is an everyday job and Marte has seemingly passed that test, having now started the last 12 games for Cincinnati after sitting twice in his first four games. But step two is them producing like what they did in the minors to earn their promotion and Marte hasn't quite gotten there yet, slashing just .222/.300/.289 over his first 50 PA, with no home runs (but 5 SB). The prospect pedigree is tantalizing but he'll need to earn our production trust first.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 9%) - CES has put up decent scoring but his per-PA scoring rates (driven by a 31% K% and 5% BB%) are well below average on every platform, with his overall point totals heavily weighted by the number of PAs he gets.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Arias is on an absolute heater, posting a 17 APR so far in Week 23 and a 77 APR over the past two weeks, having started 18 of the last 19 games. But let's not get too carried away because even though Arias has a .288 AVG and .359 wOBA over those 19 games, he's still only up to a .219 AVG and .294 wOBA for the entire season.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - McKinstry has been streaky all year but has hit his way back up to near the top of Detroit's lineup and is racking up a ton of PAs. The plate discipline still makes him a good compiler under most scoring systems when he's pulling lots of those PAs but be ready to abandon ship as soon as he cools down.

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)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 18%) - Sweet Christmas - you've got to be kidding me! Crawford is still rostered under 30%??? Broken record alert - Crawford still has a super friendly points profile, still bats leadoff every single game, and still has a top-75 APR for the season. Oh, and he's still absolutely on fire, putting up a 9 APR over the past two weeks and a 3(!) APR so far in Week 23. Why won't you love him? And why in the hell does freaking points sink, Javier Baez, still have a higher Roster%?

Next Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 6%) - Compiling PAs by batting leadoff is never a bad thing in point leagues but some of that shine is bound to be taken off when doing it for a team like the Royals. Garcia has been fine in his rookie campaign and routinely turns in APR that are rosterable if only to upgrade your bench. But the ceiling remains limited and you can probably find a better option in a week where he'll face some tricky starting pitchers.

Desperate Choices

Jasson Dominguez, NYY, SS/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 9%) - Like the other big-name prospects we've talked about over the past few weeks, it remains to be seen whether Dominguez can repeat the success he's had in the minors at the big level for the last month of the season. But he's at least started his first two games in the show and should get a continued everyday look. And that by itself is more upside that you're likely to find floating around your wire.

Ronny Mauricio, NYM, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 3%) - Mauricio has started all three games since getting called up from Triple-A, a good sign for his role going forward. But it's always hard to trust rookies in their first taste of big-league action, even if Mauricio absolutely has been slaying the minors in 2023, slashing .292/.346/.506 over 532 PA, with 23 HR and 24 SB.

Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) - Step one to a rookie call-up making a big fantasy impact is an everyday job and Marte has seemingly passed that test, having now started the last 12 games for Cincinnati after sitting twice in his first four games. But step two is them producing like what they did in the minors to earn their promotion and Marte hasn't quite gotten there yet, slashing just .222/.300/.289 over his first 50 PA, with no home runs (but 5 SB). The prospect pedigree is tantalizing but he'll need to earn our production trust first.

Trevor Story, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 14%) - If Trevor Story had a time machine there's no way he'd be below our Roster% threshold. But, unfortunately, it's still 2023 and he's not currently turning back time, slashing an abysmal .185/.224/.296 over 85 PA since returning to the big leagues, with just a .227 wOBA and 32 wRC+. Until we see proof of baseball life, Story's probably safe to leave on your wires.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Arias is on an absolute heater, posting a 17 APR so far in Week 23 and a 77 APR over the past two weeks, having started 18 of the last 19 games. But let's not get too carried away because even though Arias has a .288 AVG and .359 wOBA over those 19 games, he's still only up to a .219 AVG and .294 wOBA for the entire season.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - McKinstry has been streaky all year but has hit his way back up to near the top of Detroit's lineup and is racking up a ton of PAs. The plate discipline still makes him a good compiler under most scoring systems when he's pulling lots of those PAs but be ready to abandon ship as soon as he cools down.

Liover Peguero, PIT, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Peguero has been lighting up a little lately but does most of his damage vs LHP and the Pirates aren't scheduled to face any left-handed starters in Week 24.

On the IL

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Pablo Reyes, BOS, 2B/SS (elbow discomfort - no timetable)
• Zach Neto, LAA, SS (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 10%) - Okay everyone, hardee-har-har; you got me. Clearly, Jones still being below our Roster% threshold is a hilarious joke. Coming off of a Coors homestand, Jones has a 27 APR so far in Week 23 and a 48 APR over the past two weeks. But even going on the road (@ARI, @SF) shouldn't scare you off, as Jones is still slashing .271/.346/.507 on the road, with a .361 wOBA and 127 wRC+.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 17%) - Benintendi has had a really down week so far in Week 23 but this week is a good bet for him to get back on that high horse, with the White Sox scheduled to face left-handers in three of their six games.

Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 24%) - Obviously, you'll like him more at home but even on the road Blackmon continues to put up strong points, with a 33 APR over the past two weeks. He's an easy plug-and-play if you're in need in leagues with five outfielders and/or ones with a strikeout penalty.

Mike Tauchman, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 5%) - Tauch Man doesn't much start vs LHP but bats leadoff vs RHP - out of his seven games in Week 24, can you guess how many come against lefties? You guessed it, Jim - zero. That means a likely seven games at leadoff for don't call me Stedman, and the pile of PAs that'll come with them.

Next Choices

DJ Stewart, NYM, OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 3%) - D.J. Stewart, drop that small-sample track! Stewart just keeps mashing home runs, having now hit four in his last four games, and nine in his last 15 games. But the Mets only have five games in Week 24, three of which will come against LHP. Even with the power surge, there's a chance you're looking at two starts and three pinch-hit appearances.

Tommy Pham, ARI, OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 8%) - Pham only has a 167 APR over the past two weeks but hasn't slapped anyone in months (allegedly) and will get seven games in Week 24, two of which will be against he left-handers that he's posted a .413 xwOBA against this season.

Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 14%) - BDLC is ALIVE!!! Well, kind of. At least, he is compared to the brutal slump he's been mired in for the second half. De La Cruz has posted a 44 APR so far in Week 23 and is currently on a modest six-game hit streak, including a three-run homer on Saturday night. But he'll also face three left-handers in Week 24, against whom he is slugging 60 points less.

Mark Canha, MIL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Canha has been on fire lately, starting the last 11 games for Milwaukee and slashing .361/.477/.500 0ver 44 PA, with 1 HR and .430 wOBA. As long as he's playing every day, Canha can compile his way to above-average points, particularly in leagues with a strikeout penalty, as the veteran is currently carrying a 16% K% and 10% BB%.

Desperate Choices

Jasson Dominguez, NYY, SS/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 9%) - Like the other big-name prospects we've talked about over the past few weeks, it remains to be seen whether Dominguez can repeat the success he's had in the minors at the big level for the last month of the season. But he's at least started his first two games in the show and should get a continued everyday look. And that by itself is more upside that you're likely to find floating around your wire.

Brandon Marsh, PHI, OF (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 10%) - Marsh continues to perform well but is being limited by sporadic starts vs LHP, having sat in three of his last four opportunities. With two of his six games in Week 24 coming vs lefties, Marsh could again be a victim of a lack of PAs.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Arias is on an absolute heater, posting a 17 APR so far in Week 23 and a 77 APR over the past two weeks, having started 18 of the last 19 games. But let's not get too carried away because even though Arias has a .288 AVG and .359 wOBA over those 19 games, he's still only up to a .219 AVG and .294 wOBA for the entire season.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - McKinstry has been streaky all year but has hit his way back up to near the top of Detroit's lineup and is racking up a ton of PAs. The plate discipline still makes him a good compiler under most scoring systems when he's pulling lots of those PAs but be ready to abandon ship as soon as he cools down.

Randal Grichuk, LAA, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - Poor Randal Grichuk, whom the Angels set out on the curb with a "Free!" sign but still didn't get any takers. Grichuk has put up a 68 APR so far in Week 24 but remains on a sinking ship in the OC.

On the IL

• Jarred Kelenic, SEA, OF (fractured foot - rehab assignment)
• Michael Conforto, SF, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Henry Davis, PIT, C/OF (strained hand - no timetable)
• Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (sprained shoulder -rehab assignment)
• 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)
• 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 - rehab assignment)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Aaron Hicks, BAL, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 7%) - Since returning from the IL on August 13, Moreno has been hitting like the points-friendly catcher his minor league profile always said he could be, slashing .339/.383/.661 over 60 PA, with 4 HR, 10 R, 13 RBI, and 1 SB (with 2 HR in Week 23). His biggest obstacle remains that he's only getting around four games a week but really, isn't that the same problem most catchers have? Even without the PA bulk that the top-tier options afford, Moreno is looking like a top-10ish option the rest of the way home.

Mitch Garver, TEX, C (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 9%) - Garver has slowed down some this week but still managed another home run, bringing his second-half total up to 9 HR in 141 PA. More importantly, he's still playing nearly every game since Jonah Heim returned, making him one of the few catchers you can count on for a pile of PAs from week to week.

Next Choices

Bo Naylor, CLE, C (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - It's really hard to count on consistent performance from rookie catchers but Naylor has been heating up lately, posting a 31 APR so far in Week 23 after hitting two home runs (and two doubles), with six hits in five games.

Desperate Choices

Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 4%) - Langeliers remains a PA compiler whose point value from week to week is largely determined by his power output. But considering he has just a .271 SLG vs LHP and Oakland will face three left-handers in Week 24, this probably isn't the week to bet on a strong performance.

On the IL

• Henry Davis, PIT, C/OF (strained hand - no timetable)
• Danny Jansen, TOR, C (fractured finger - no timetable)
• Tom Murphy, SEA, C (sprained thumb - no timetable)

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