Points League Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 8 (May 19 - May 25)

May 18, 2025

Nicklaus' H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 8 (2025) - May 19 - May 25. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 8 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of May 19 - May 25, 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, May 17.

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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

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 11%) - This is the O'Hearn stream you've been looking for. Baltimore has seven games this week (@MIL, @BOS) against mostly subpar pitching, but most importantly, zero LHP. If there's a righty on the mound, O'Hearn is probably starting, so expect a whole pile of PAs.

Over 112 PA vs. RHP this season, O'Hearn is slashing .299/.393/.536, with a .405 wOBA, .399 xwOBA, and just a 17% K%.

I repeat; this is the O'Hearn stream you've been looking for.

Michael Toglia, COL, 1B (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 4%) - Now is a good time to jump back on the Toglia bandwagon, if it's not too late. He has a 110 APR this week, but with two top-50 finishes in the three periods prior. Oh, and he'll also get seven games at home this week (vs. PHI, vs. NYY), with four left-handed starters on the agenda.

Bombs away, boyz.

Next Choices

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 34%) - Ahh, yes, so we're still doing this, I see. And by "this", I mean "continue to leave a points god on the wire/drive Nick crazy". Flores is the #2 hitter in Week 7, entering Sunday, and is now up to a 35 APR for the season. He'll get six games this week (vs. KC, @WSH), with three LHPs on the schedule.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 6%) - Possibly a points demi-god in-waiting, Schanuel is heating up, currently running a 73 APR in Week 7 and has a 134 APR for the season. Schanuel is already up to 170 PA for the year, with a points-friendly 14% K% and 10% BB% for his troubles. He gets seven games against bad pitching this week (@ATH, vs. MIA), with just one LHP scheduled.

Rhys Hoskins, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 12%) - I also don't know why he's still so widely available, but here we are. Hoskins is now up to a top-100 APR for the season after a rough start, with a 61 APR over the last two weeks. He'll get seven games this week (vs. BAL, @PIT), with two left-handers scheduled.

Desperate Choices

Kyle Manzardo, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - Manzardo finally picked up 1B-eligibility, upping his value significantly. He has a top-100 APR this period and gets seven games next week (@MIN, @DET), with just one fellow lefty scheduled to start.

Rowdy Tellez, SEA, 1B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - The Tellez-aissance continues! Well, kind of. Tellez has a 106 APR this week after an 85 APR this week and should get a ton of PAs in a week with seven games (@CHW, @HOU) and only one LHP scheduled.

Carlos Santana, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 11%) - Listen, even deities have to take time off, occasionally. Santana has a 195 APR entering Sunday, but averaged a 56 APR in the two weeks prior. He has seven games on the road this week (@MIN, @DET), with one LHP scheduled.

On the IL

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand, CIN, 1B (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
• Luke Raley, SEA, 1B/OF (strained oblique - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (strained back - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Hyeseong Kim, LAD, 2B (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 14%) - Get him while you still can because after a 28 APR in Week 7 after a 130 APR in Week 6, it looks like Kim is quickly settling in. And as soon as LA stops letting Miguel Rojas vulture his starts, Kim should blow up even more.

A high-contact hitter getting a lot of PAs on a historically good offense? Yes, please.

Santiago Espinal, CIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Espinal has started every game in May and has now batted second for six-straight games. Unheralded but with a points-friendly profile (9.0% K%, .280 AVG, .333 OBP), Espinal could compile his way to relevancy in Week 8, with six games (@PIT, vs. CHC) and three LHPs on the schedule.

Next Choices

Colt Keith, DET, 2B (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 8%) - It's hard to trust a man with two first names, but after a rough start to the season, Keith has looked more like the points-friendly player we saw last year. He's averaged a 91 APR over the last three periods and gets seven games this week (@STL, vs. CLE), with one LHP scheduled.

Chase Meidroth, CHW, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Welcome to the bigs, kiddo!. Meidroth is finishing up his first good week of the season (#39 entering Sunday), but unfortunately, he still plays for the White Sox, thereby limiting his upside. He has six games at home this week (vs. SEA, vs. TEX), with two LHPs on the board.

Desperate Choices

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 5%) - It's been a down period for Schneemann (#162 hitter), but those landings are a lot softer when you get on base and don't strike out very much. Schneemann will look to bounce back in seven games on the road this week (@MIN, @DET), with one LHP scheduled.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - Welp, there's always IKF. Rarely exciting but a points-friendly profile and a bunch of PAs will help him compile his way to band-aid status, if necessary. The Pirates get seven games at home this week (vs. CIN, vs. MIL), with one LHP scheduled.

On the IL

• Luke Keaschall, MIN, 2B (fractured forearm - no timetable)
• Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B (sprained ankle - rehab assignment)
• Nick Gonzales, 2B, PIT (fractured ankle - rehab assignment)
• Casey Schmitt, SF, 2B (strained oblique - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 4%) - So-ooo...Remember how we talked a lot this season about how interesting it was that Vargas has suddenly started crushing lasers, with significant jumps in key exit-velocity metrics? Well, those hard-hitting chickens are starting to hatch. Vargas is the #6 hitter in Week 7, with three top-75 finishes in his last four periods.

Unfortunately, he still plays for the White Sox, but Vargas plays a lot and has always had excellent discipline, two of the key components for being points-friendly. Add lasers into the mix, and suddenly we have someone who shouldn't be sub-five percent rostered.

Since making a swing adjustment on April 23, Miguel Vargas has taken off for the #WhiteSox :

.328/.414/.525, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 170 wRC+ in 17 games

One of the hottest bats in the lineup the past 3 weeks, Vargas is flashing the upside that Chicago believed in.pic.twitter.com/6xG5KecrFp

— Adrian White (@AdrianWhiteSox) May 14, 2025

Santiago Espinal, CIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Espinal has started every game in May and has now batted second for six-straight games. Unheralded but with a points-friendly profile (9.0% K%, .280 AVG, .333 OBP), Espinal could compile his way to relevancy in Week 8, with six games (@PIT, vs. CHC) and three LHPs on the schedule.

Next Choices

Brooks Lee, MIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Lee continues to be a steady points presence, averaging a 132 APR since getting called up, with a one-week low of #173. It gets old but still bears repeating; excellent discipline plus everyday playing time often equals points relevancy. Starting every day in the middle of the order, Lee should continue to produce.

Chase Meidroth, CHW, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Welcome to the bigs, kiddo!. Meidroth is finishing up his first good week of the season (#39 entering Sunday), but unfortunately, he still plays for the White Sox, thereby limiting his upside. He has six games at home this week (vs. SEA, vs. TEX), with two LHPs on the board.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 16%) - Our Best Choice from last week pick a bad time to have his lowest APR of the season (#269) entering Sunday but I'd still ride with him in Week 8, given his general consistency. The Rangers have seven games on the road this week (@NYY, @CHW), with two LHP scheduled.

Ryan McMahon, COL, 3B (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - After two great weeks, McMahon has been back in the dumpster in Week 7, with just a 244 APR. It's so weird how he's so good some weeks and so bad in others...I wonder if there is a pattern? Regardless, he gets seven games at Coors Field this week, so that's probably good.

Unfortunately, there are four left-handers on the schedule -- McMahon has a .257 wOBA and 34% K% vs. LHP this season, with a .292 wOBA and 29% K% over the last three seasons.

Connor Norby, MIA, 3B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Connor Norby SZN, anyone? Okay, maybe pump the brakes, but Norby has been more than solid since returning from the IL a month ago. He's the #68 hitter in Week 7 and has three top-100 finishes in the last four periods. The Marlins have six games this week (vs. CHC, @LAA), with just one vs. an LHP.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - Welp, there's always IKF. Rarely exciting but a points-friendly profile and a bunch of PAs will help him compile his way to band-aid status, if necessary. The Pirates get seven games at home this week (vs. CIN, vs. MIL), with one LHP scheduled.

On the IL

• Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (strained back - no timetable)
• Paul DeJong, 3B/SS, WSH (fractured nose - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Trey Sweeney, DET, SS (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 4%) - Sweeney has been a familiar face here for the last few weeks and should keep it rolling in a week of solid matchups (@STL, vs. CLE). And not for nothing, but Sweeney's "little bit of everything" profile is running some really nice rates; in a 600 PA season, Sweeney is ~pacing for 15 HRs, 90 R, 75 RBI, and eight SBs. Not too shabby.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 9%) - A 204 APR in Week 7 will make it two duds in a row for Crawford but widely ignored is how I like my J.P., so I'll roll with him again in a week where he gets to face the White Sox on the road.

Next Choices

Brooks Lee, MIN, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Lee continues to be a steady points presence, averaging a 132 APR since getting called up, with a one-week low of #173. It gets old but still bears repeating; excellent discipline plus everyday playing time often equals points relevancy. Starting every day in the middle of the order, Lee should continue to produce.

Chase Meidroth, CHW, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Welcome to the bigs, kiddo!. Meidroth is finishing up his first good week of the season (#39 entering Sunday), but unfortunately, he still plays for the White Sox, thereby limiting his upside. He has six games at home this week (vs. SEA, vs. TEX), with two LHP on the board.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 16%) - Our Best Choice from last week pick a bad time to have his lowest APR of the season (#269) entering Sunday but I'd still ride with him in Week 8, given his general consistency. The Rangers have seven games on the road this week (@NYY, @CHW), with two LHPs scheduled.

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 5%) - It's been a down period for Schneemann (#162 hitter), but those landings are a lot softer when you get on base and don't strike out very much. Schneemann will look to bounce back in seven games on the road this week (@MIN, @DET), with one LHP scheduled.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - Welp, there's always IKF. Rarely exciting but a points-friendly profile and a bunch of PAs will help him compile his way to band-aid status, if necessary. The Pirates get seven games at home this week (vs. CIN, vs. MIL), with one LHP scheduled.

• Carlos Correa, MIN, SS (concussion - no timetable for return)
• Paul DeJong, 3B/SS, WSH (fractured nose - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jordan Beck, COL, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 7%) - Time for a riddle! Who has nearly a top-50 APR over the last four periods, is the #28 hitter in Week 7, and gets seven games at Coors Field this week? No guesses? Okay, he's also a right-handed hitter, is scheduled to face four LHPs, and is sub-20% rostered?

It's Jordan Beck!

Massive night for Jordan Beck!!

3-5, 2 HRs, 3B, 3 RBI pic.twitter.com/ecNrJZFe0Q

— Vols in Pro Baseball (@ProBaseVols) May 18, 2025

Why are you reading this? Go see if you can pick him up! And then come back.

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 11%) - This is the O'Hearn stream you've been looking for. Baltimore has seven games this week (@MIL, @BOS) against mostly subpar pitching, but most importantly, zero LHP. If there's a righty on the mound, O'Hearn is probably starting, so expect a whole pile of PA.

Over 112 PA vs. RHP this season, O'Hearn is slashing .299/.393/.536, with a .405 wOBA, .399 xwOBA, and just a 17% K%.

I repeat; this is the O'Hearn stream you've been looking for.

Austin Hays, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 13%) - Hays has been a rollercoaster since returning from the IL, starting off with back-to-back top-20 finishes before averaging a 358 APR over the last two weeks. He's gotten off the schneid in Week 7, though, currently the #78 hitter entering Sunday's action.

I'll happily bet on him keeping his form in Week 8, as the Reds get six games (@PIT, vs. CHC) but with three of those lefty-matchups that Hays craves.

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 4%) - So-ooo...Remember how we talked a lot this season about how interesting it was that Vargas has suddenly crushing lasers, with significant jumps in key exit-velocity metrics? Well, those hard-hitting chickens are starting to hatch. Vargas is the #6 hitter in Week 7, with three top-75 finishes in his last four periods.

Unfortunately, he still plays for the White Sox, but Vargas plays a lot and has always had excellent discipline, two of the key components for being points-friendly. Add lasers into the mix, and suddenly we have someone who shouldn't be sub-five percent rostered.

Next Choices

Trevor Larnach, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 8%) - It's official; Larnach has been good enough that we can go ahead and unretire the "Larnach Monster" nickname. Larnach is the #45 hitter this week after finishing #47 in Week 6. Throw in a #10 finish in Week 4, and you have a really solid stretch of success.

The Twins have six games this week (vs. CLE, vs. KC), but do be aware that three left-handed starters might pose trouble for Larnach.

Daulton Varsho, TOR, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 6%) - Since returning from the IL at the end of April, Varsho has apparently entered his "all gas, no brakes" era -- he has six HRs in his first 53 PA, with a 37% K% and 4.0% BB%. He's the #23 hitter in Week 7, and gets six games in Week 8 (vs. SD, @TB), with no left-handed starters set to vex him.

But honestly, you should just pick him up for this:

This is not photoshopped 🤯

Daulton Varsho got UP to try and rob this home run 😯 pic.twitter.com/hUzSJQjexM

— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2025

Chandler Simpson, TB, OF (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 17%) - In case you haven't heard, Simpson is very, very good at stealing bases. As evidence, I present nine thefts in his first 99 PA, with a .301 AVG, .327 OBP, and 12% K%. Zero power, but it doesn't matter where you get your points from, and Chandler is going to get a ton as rewards for his general thievery.

There's no such thing as "routine" when Chandler Simpson is running. 😳

Turning this into a double is INSANE. pic.twitter.com/tRCWDfialD

— MLB (@MLB) May 12, 2025

Desperate Choices

Jesus Sanchez, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - An underrated points asset (21% K%, 12% BB%), Sanchez has finished with a top-125 APR in three of the last four periods. The left-hander gets six games this week (vs. CHC, @LAA), with only one against a fellow left-hander.

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 5%) - It's been a down period for Schneemann (#162 hitter), but those landings are a lot softer when you get on base and don't strike out very much. Schneemann will look to bounce back in seven games on the road this week (@MIN, @DET), with one LHP scheduled.

On the IL

• Lane Thomas, CLE, OF (bone bruise - rehab assignment)
• Victor Robles, SEA, OF (shoulder dislocation - expected to miss ~three months)
• Matt Wallner, MIN, OF (sprained hamstring - no timetable)
• Jake Mangum, TB, OF (strained groin - no timetable)
• Garrett Mitchell, MIL, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Dane Myers, MIA, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Luke Raley, SEA, 1B/OF (strained oblique - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Jonny DeLuca, TB, OF (strained shoulder - expected to miss two to four weeks)
• Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (strained calf - no timetable)
• Jesse Winker, NYM, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jose Siri, TB, OF (fractured shin - expected to miss eight to ten weeks)
• Jake Fraley, CIN, OF (calf discomfort - no timetable)
• Mike Tauchman, CHW, OF (sprained hamstring - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Agustin Ramirez, MIA, C/1B (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 13%) - Ramirez has been a fantasy revelation (relative to his position) in his first 21 games, with three of four periods in the top-100 and a 75 APR over the last two weeks. Still not universally rostered, Ramirez gets six games this week (vs. CHC, @LAA), with one LHP on the schedule.

Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 25%) - Stephenson hasn't done much since coming off the IL, but seeing three LHPs in his six games this week (@PIT, vs. CHC) is a good bet for a jumpstart. Over the last three seasons, Stephenson has a .347 wOBA (.338 xwOBA) and a 19% K% vs. LHP, with a .633 wOBA in his first 12 PA against them in 2025.

Next Choices

Ryan Jeffers, MIN, C (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 8%) - Jeffers bounced back with a top-100 APR in Week 7 and is set up for success again in Week 8, with Minnesota scheduled to face three LHPs (vs. CLE, vs. KC). He has a .384 wOBA and .421 xwOBA in 35 PA vs. LHP this season, carrying a .372 wOBA against them over the last three seasons.

Drake Baldwin, ATL, C (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Drake Baldwin says, "I'm not dead, yet" -- Baldwin started four games in Week 7 to Sean Murphy's three starts, with a bulk of Murphy's starts continuing to come against left-handers. Atlanta will face two of them this week (@WSH, vs. SD), but it's reasonable to assume Baldwin will get at least three of the remaining starts.

But honestly, it's not like he's been bad vs. LHP in his first tiny sample; in 18 PA, Baldwin has a .352 wOBA (.337 xwOBA) and 75% Hard Hit%.

Desperate Choices

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 34%) - Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. Moreno is looking to finish up his first top-100 finish this week (#91 hitter), with his points-friendly profile and playing-time share helping him compile his way to a 116 APR over the last two weeks.

While facing the Dodgers on the road is never ideal, they'll at least get Landon Knack and Dustin May (along with Yoshinobu Yamamoto).

On the IL

• Endy Rodriguez, PIT, C/1B (finger laceration - rehab assignment)
• Gary Sanchez, BAL, C (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
• Jake Rogers, DET, C (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
• Rob Brantly, MIA, C (strained lat - no timetable)
• Korey Lee, C, CHW (strained oblique - rehab assignment)

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