Points League Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3 (April 14 - April 20)

April 13, 2025

Nicklaus' H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 3 (2025) - April 14 through April 20. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 3 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of April 14 - April 21, looking at players below ~50 percent rostered on ESPN or Yahoo points leagues.

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 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 are calculated using games through Saturday, April 12.

Waiver Wire Caveats and APR Explanation

Roster% Thresholds

We use a combination of roster percentages to assess who is in our target pool, relying mostly on Yahoo and ESPN. For some players, you'll notice a wide discrepancy between the two. This is because ESPN's roster percentage is heavily weighted by points players, with guys who don't do well in their system (often because of an inflated strikeout rate) lagging behind the Yahoo! roster percentage.

For this reason, you'll sometimes see players (especially early) who might make you question my sanity in including them in a waiver-wire article, but don't worry, it's just a necessary glitch for coverage purposes.

APR stands for "Average Platform Rank" and is the average hitter rank between the four major point platforms: ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and Fantrax. All player data is from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant, with injury information pulled from the Roster Resource section on the former.

Fantasy Baseball First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Spencer Torkelson, DET, 1B (Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 38%) - Last call for Tork has probably already passed for most of you, considering last week's Best Choice is currently going full ham again, Torklelson is the No. 21 hitter headed into Sunday and is now up to a whopping 17 APR for the season.

If for some reason, he's still on your wire, grab him quick and not just because of his overall value; with seven games in Week 3 (@MIL, vs. KC) and three of them scheduled vs. LHPs, don't be surprised if our guy Spencer hits Torretto-levels of Tork.

Ben Rice, NYY, 1B (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 23%) - I'm not sure why Rice's roster percentage hasn't risen more but the (other) New York first baseman continues to bop, currently rocking a 30 APR for the season but rising every week (No. 71, No. 61,  No. 33). Rice gets seven games (vs. KC, @TB) in Week 3, with all but one coming vs. RHPs.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 32%) - Flores' roster percentage is slowly starting to rise, particularly on a strikeout-penalty like ESPN, as the crowd is starting to see just how points-friendly his profile is in those systems. The ageless wonder has posted a top-50 in every period, so far, but on paper, is set up for another big week.

The Giants get seven games in Week 3, with four scheduled vs. LHPs -- for his career, Flores has been better vs LHPs, across the board, but particularly in the power department, posting a .479 SLG and .211 ISO against them (.416 SLG and .159 ISO vs. RHP).

Next Choices

Josh Bell, WSH, 1B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 7%) - Bell remains super points-friendly and has risen to a 110 APR in this young season after a Week 2 performance that has him in the No. 50 heading into Sunday's action. Granted, Bell hasn't been quite as good vs. LHPs as RHPs (though, not by a giant margin), and the Nationals are scheduled to see lefties in three of their seven games (@PIT, @COL). Counterpoint: three games at Coors Field.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 8%) - Last week, I questioned whether Schanuel was the one -- IE, the guy who, every year, has a low roster percentage that drives me absolutely crazy. Considering Schanuel is in the middle of another top-75 week, expect my questioning to continue. The points-friendly Schanuel has six games in Week 3 (@BAL, @PIT), with all but one scheduled vs. RHPs.

Carlos Santana, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 18%) - Rinse-and-repeat -- Santana is a (mostly) un-aging points god, who might not blow your doors off with big performances but still rocks top-100 weeks like it's his job, or something. Santana has an 87 APR for the season but, unfortunately, isn't scheduled to see any of the LHPs that he loves to feast on, with all six of Cleveland's games (@BAL, @PIT) coming vs. right-handed starters.

Desperate Choices

Michael Busch, CHC, 1B (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 14%) - Busch has busted out in a big way in Week 2, currently the No. 14 hitter headed into Sunday. You need to be wary of him in leagues with a strikeout penalty, but the left-handed Busch could have another big period in a week that sees the Cubs scheduled to face all RHPs (@SD, vs. ARI).

Andrew Vaughn, CHW, 1B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 5%) - I might love talking smack on Vaughn's roto value but I've always been willing to admit how much better his profile plays in points, even if being a White Sox generally never equals anything being "better". Vaughn has had a fairly terrible season, so far, slashing a horrific .102/.170/.204 over 53 PA.

However, his x-line says he's also been pretty unlucky, currently running a .255 xBA and .481 xSLG that are more in line with previous norms. He'll get six games in Week 3, with three scheduled vs. LHPs, against whom Vaughn has been demonstrably better for his career.

Jonathan Aranda, TB, 1B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 5%) - Aranda is running hot, but it might be a struggle for him to keep things rolling in Week 3, with LHPs scheduled for three of Tampa Bay's seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY). For his career, Aranda is slashing .118/.268/.176 vs. LHP, with a .224 wOBA and 34 percent strikeout rate

On the IL

• Mark Canha, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Christopher Morel, TB, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 17%) - Those in leagues with a strikeout penalty must always be wary about relying on Morel (career 30 percent strikeout rate, 36 percent in 2025) but he's might be worth the risk in a week that will see the Rays face LHPs in three of their seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY), even if he's generally been better vs. RHP for his career.

Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 25%) - Well, that worked out poorly. My guy Otto has run a disappointing 241 APR as a Best Choice for Week 2, but hey, there's always Sunday! Regardless, Lopez still remains a strong streamer play in a week that'll see the Marlins face two LHPs in their six games (vs. ARI, @PHI).

Next Choices

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 15%) - Rengifo remains a boring but useful compiler, currently running a 122 APR for the season. It's a good week for him to keep it up against mostly subpar pitching in six games at Texas and vs. San Francisco.

Jorge Polanco, SEA, 2B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 9%) - Another week passes with yet another great week by the ageless wonder (who is somehow still just 31 years old?). His general ceiling is closer to a top-100 player than a top-50, but that'll certainly do if you're in need of someone in the MI range. Polanco gets six games in Week 3 (@CIN, @TOR), with two coming vs. lefties.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Cleveland has been intent on keeping Arias in the lineup lately, starting all but two games this year, getting starts at second, third, and shortstop. This might not be the big breakout you're looking for, but Arias is piling up PAs with good numbers early that are backed by solid expected stats.

He won't get any left-handed starters to feast on in Week 3 (@BAL, @PIT), but he also won't face anyone much better than mediocre...Okay, except for that Paul Skenes character.

Desperate Choices

Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 8%) - Caballero is coming off his best period of the season and will see LHP in three of Tampa Bay's seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY).

Lenyn Sosa, CHW, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - For those looking for exposure to a mediocre hitter on one of baseball's worst teams, allow me to offer Sosa, who will see LHP in three of his six games this week (vs. ATH, @BOS). For his career, Sosa has slashed .278/.303/.428, with a 101 wRC+ -- which doesn't seem very impressive unless comparing it with what he's done vs. RHP (.208/.235/.312, 50 wRC+).

Tyler Fitzgerald, SF, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 3%) - Fitzgerald is currently having another solid (though not spectacular) period with a 115 APR for the week. However, it might be a good time for a proper breakout in a week when the Giants face four LHPs on the road (@PHI, @LAA).

On the IL

• Nick Gonzales, 2B, PIT (fractured ankle - no timetable)
• Jared Triolo, 2B/3B, PIT (strained back - no timetable)
• Vidal Brujan, 2B/SS/OF, CHC (strained elbow - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4%) - Smith has come back down to earth in Week 2 after being the No. 27 hitter in Week 1 but a 120 APR headed into Sunday isn't exactly a bad number if you picked him up for a quick stream. You might want to roll him out again in Week 3, though, as Smith is set to face LHPs in three of his seven games (vs. LAA, vs. LAD).

Christopher Morel, TB, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 17%) - Those in leagues with a strikeout penalty must always be wary about relying on Morel (career 30 percent strikeout rate, 36 percent in 2025) but he's might be worth the risk in a week that will see the Rays face LHPs in three of their seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY), even if he's generally been better vs. RHP for his career.

Next Choices

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 15%) - Rengifo remains a boring but useful compiler, currently running a 122 APR for the season. It's a good week for him to keep it up against mostly subpar pitching in six games at Texas and vs. San Francisco.

Joey Ortiz, MIL, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 7%) - Our Best Choice from last week picked a timely period to bust out for the first time this season, currently the No. 48 hitter headed into Sunday. He'll have a chance to keep it going in a six-game homestand that will see two lefties come into town, but do be aware that he'll face a brutal pitching slate in the first half of the week, with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Reese Olson toeing up for the Tigers.

Cam Smith, HOU, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 8%) - Hype-train, rising. Smith has popped off as the No. 39 hitter headed into Sunday and has now started five games in a row. He'll get a chance to keep it rolling in six games in Week 3 (@STL, vs. SD), with only one scheduled vs. a LHP.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Cleveland has been intent on keeping Arias in the lineup lately, starting all but two games this year, getting starts at second, third, and shortstop. This might not be the big breakout you're looking for, but Arias is piling up PAs with good numbers early that are backed by solid expected stats.

He won't get any left-handed starters to feast on in Week 3 (@BAL, @PIT), but he also won't face anyone much better than mediocre...Okay, except for that Paul Skenes character.

Desperate Choices

Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 8%) - Caballero is coming off his best period of the season and will see southpaws in three of Tampa Bay's seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY).

Zach McKinstry, DET, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 17%) - May I interest anyone in a Zach McKinstry SZN? McKinstry is the No. 34 hitter in Week 2 and is up to a 62 APR for the season, but the Tigers are scheduled to face LHPs in three of their seven games (@MIL, vs. KC), which does not bode well for the leftie hitter.

Lenyn Sosa, CHW, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - For those looking for exposure to a mediocre hitter on one of baseball's worst teams, allow me to offer Sosa, who will see LHPs in three of his six games this week (vs. ATH, @BOS). For his career, Sosa has slashed .278/.303/.428, with a 101 wRC+ -- which doesn't seem very impressive unless comparing it with what he's done vs. RHP (.208/.235/.312, 50 wRC+).

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Why recommend just one mediocre player on a bad team (Lenyn Sosa) when I can double-down with Vargas? It just makes sense! For the dart-throwers, Vargas will see LHPs in three of his six games (vs. ATH, @BOS).

On the IL

• Jared Triolo, 2B/3B, PIT (strained back - no timetable)
• Yoan Moncada, 3B, LAA (sprained thumb - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jacob Wilson, ATH, SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 31%) - Sweet Jiminy, the pants are getting tight. And looking at his quickly rising roster percentage, it appears the rest of y'all have the same special feelings.

Wilson is the No. 67 hitter in Week 2 after finishing No. 25 last week and is set to face substandard pitching on the road against the White Sox and Brewers. Seriously -- outside of Freddy Peralta, I dare you to name more than two pitchers that are currently scheduled.

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4%) - Smith has come back down to earth in Week 2 after being the No. 27 hitter in Week 1 but a 120 APR headed into Sunday isn't exactly a bad number if you picked him up for a quick stream. You might want to roll him out again in Week 3, though, as Smith is set to face LHPs in three of his seven games (vs. LAA, vs. LAD).

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, SS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 33%) - Geraldo Perdomo SZN continues! We talked last week about Perdomo having a points-friendly profile you should definitely ride while hot, and he didn't disappoint, currently on his way to yet another top-50 performance. Perdomo is now up to an 18(!) APR for the season and is set for a week of pretty mediocre pitching in six road games against the Marlins and Cubs.

Next Choices

Trevor Story, BOS, SS (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 31%) - Ho-hum, just another top-100 week for the once and (partially) future Story. A 32 percent strikeout rate is pretty onerous in a league with a strikeout penalty but Story is way too profitable of a value to be sitting on so many waiver wires. Boston has six games in Week 3 (@TB, vs. CHW, with only one scheduled vs. a LHP.

Joey Ortiz, MIL, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 7%) - Our Best Choice from last week picked a timely period to bust out for the first time this season, currently the No. 48 hitter headed into Sunday.

He'll have a chance to keep it going in a six-game homestand that will see two LHPs come into town, but do be aware that he'll face a brutal pitching slate in the first half of the week, with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Reese Olson toeing up for the Tigers.

Desperate Choices

Tyler Fitzgerald, SF, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 3%) - Fitzgerald is currently having another solid (though not spectacular) period with a 115 APR for the week. It might be a good time for a proper breakout this week as the Giants face four LHPs on the road (@PHI, @LAA).

Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 8%) - Caballero is coming off his best period of the season and will see LHPs in three of Tampa Bay's seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY).

On the IL

• Vidal Brujan, 2B/SS/OF, CHC (strained elbow - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Alex Call, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 3%) - Call yo' mama 'cause it's all coming together for Call, who is now up to a 114 APR after a top-50 period in Week 2. I wouldn't be looking to return this Call, either, with a great road trip on the horizon.

Once he finishes with Paul Skenes on Monday, Call gets three more games against poor Pirates pitching before heading to Colorado for a three-game set, and is scheduled to face three LHP for the week.

Christopher Morel, TB, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 17%) - Those in leagues with a strikeout penalty must always be wary about relying on Morel (career 30 percent strikeout rate, 36 percent in 2025) but he's might be worth the risk in a week that will see the Rays face LHPs in three of their seven games (vs. BOS, vs. NYY), even if he's generally been better vs. RHP for his career.

TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 7%) - Friedl can pop off for a top-50 week at any time, and Week 3 might be a good bet, with six games (vs. SEA, @BAL) but with only one scheduled vs. a left-handed starter.

Next Choices

JJ Bleday, ATH, OF (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 33%) - Still highly underrated in points, Bleday has been solid in the two weeks since starting the season with a short-week dud (212 APR in Week 0) and gets six games against mostly bad pitching (@CHW, @MIL), with only one LHP on the books.

Sal Frelick, MIL, OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 19%) - I'm not sure what kind of world we're living in when two of my most rostered players are named Otto and Sal, but here we are. Frelick is busting out in a big way, currently slashing .321/.400/.396, with four SB and a 12 percent strikeout rate that is sure to make all the points players in the house say, "uh-hhhh".

However, it might be a tougher week for Frelick, with two of his six games at home coming vs. LHPs (Jeffrey Springs, Tarik Skubal).

Cam Smith, HOU, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 8%) - Hype-train, rising. Smith has popped off as the No. 39 hitter headed into Sunday and has now started five games in a row. He'll get a chance to keep it rolling in six games in Week 3 (@STL, vs. SD), with only one scheduled vs. a LHP.

Desperate Choices

Jake McCarthy, ARI, OF (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 9%) - McCarthy hasn't done much to earn any streaming confidence, but the left-hander will see nothing but RHPs in Week 3, and against mediocre teams (@MIA, @CHC).

Zach McKinstry, DET, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 17%) - May I interest anyone in a Zach McKinstry SZN? McKinstry is the No. 34 hitter in Week 2 and is up to a 62 APR for the season, but the Tigers are scheduled to face LHPs in three of their seven games (@MIL, vs. KC), which does not bode well for the leftie hitter.

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Why recommend just one mediocre player on a bad team (Lenyn Sosa) when I can double-down with Vargas? It just makes sense! For the dart-throwers, Vargas will see LHPs in three of his six games (vs. ATH, @BOS).

On the IL

• Victor Robles, SEA, OF (shoulder dislocation - expected to miss ~three months)
• Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (strained groin - no timetable)
• Jonny DeLuca, TB, OF (strained shoulder - expected to miss two to four weeks)
• Manuel Margot, DET, OF (strained knee - no timetable)
• Mark Canha, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - no timetable)
• Vidal Brujan, 2B/SS/OF, CHC (strained elbow - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Sean Murphy, ATL, C (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 15%) - Remember (not too long ago) when Murphy was considered an elite fantasy catcher? Ahh, good times. But, hey! Murphy is back and has started three of his four games since coming off the IL, seemingly banishing Drake Baldwin back into the sea. Murphy and 'dem Braves get six games in Week 3 (@TOR, vs. MIN), with only one scheduled vs. a left-handed starter.

Danny Jansen, TB, C (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Jansen has done a whole lot of nothing down by the bay, but the Rays have three games vs. LHPs in their seven games this week (vs. BOS, vs. NYY), so he should get plenty of PAs. Currently with a 70 APR in Week 2, now might be the time to capitalize on a heating up Jansen.

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Oh-hhh, baby. Finally, I get my first chance to share my outsized love for Mr. Bailey. Sure, he hasn't done anything yet in 2025, but the time might be right to smash that pickup in Week 3. The Giants have seven games in Week 3, with a whopping four scheduled vs. LHPs. This is his chance to prove that, once and for all, he shouldn't be losing playing time to Sam Huff...It's a battle for the ages.

Next Choices

Carson Kelly, CHC, C (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 24%) - Kelly is still primarily the backup behind Miguel Amaya, but perhaps he'll start earning more playing time if he continues hitting like this, currently with four HR and a .625 wOBA through his first 35 PA. Unfortunately, there are no LHPs on his Week 3 schedule, likely limiting him to two to three games.

Miguel Amaya, CHC, C (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 5%) - Also limiting Carson Kelly's value? His backstop-mate, Amaya, who is hitting just fine, himself. Amaya has a 67 APR in Week 2 and is now slashing .278/.289/.472, with a .293 xBA and .352 xwOBA.

You know what they say when you have two mostly mediocre catchers on the same mostly mediocre team -- you don't have any. Actually, that probably isn't a real saying, but you get it, right?

Endy Rodriguez, PIT, C (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - I mean, sure, he hasn't been any good (.190/.277/.262, .251 wOBA), but at least he's playing almost every day lately? Rodriguez has started the past five games, with four of the five coming at first base, as the Pirates have apparently realized that starting Enmanuel Valdez regularly is probably not a great strategy.

Pittsburgh has a seven-game homestand (vs. WSH, vs. CLE), with two games scheduled vs. LHPs.

Desperate Choices

Dillon Dingler, DET, C (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 25%) - Jake Rogers (oblique) hit the IL this week, so Dingler should get a majority of the playing time until Rogers returns, with just Tomas Nido on the roster to provide backup. A .526 BABIP says a correction is coming, but desperate times sometimes call for Detroit catchers -- and this one gets seven games in Week 3 (@MIL, vs. KC), with three scheduled vs. LHPs.

Hunter Goodman, COL, C (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 12%) - You know me, I'm a simple man -- show me a Colorado catcher getting three games at home and I'll probably be in. Well, at least when I'm desperate. And even with a set in the thin air of Coors, you might have to have a little gamble in you to roll the dice on Goodman whilst he's still splitting playing time with Jacob Stallings.

After starting Colorado's first nine games (six at catcher, three at DH), Goodman has only started two of the last five (both at catcher). It's probably not coincidental that this downtick in playing time lines up with the callup of super-prospect Zac Veen; Veen needs to play, and that means the DH position (already locked down by Kris Bryant) will have more mouths to feed when Bryant is sitting.

On the IL

• Ivan Herrera, C, STL (knee inflammation - expected to miss ~four weeks)
• Connor Wong, C, BOS (fractured pinkie - no timetable)
• Korey Lee, C, CHW (strained oblique - no timetable)

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