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Points League Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 19 (August 4 - August 10)

Jordan Beck - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 19 (2025) - August 4 - August 10. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 19 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of August 4 - August 10, 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, August 2.

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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 primarily 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, SD, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 24%) - There is no quicker way to endear yourself to new teammates than by showing them how you smash fools -- particularly of the right-handed variety. One of the newest Padres has six games (@ARI, vs. BOS) and zero left-handers in Week 19, so you already know what to do.

Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 22%) - We're back, babies -- take it away, Ern! The rarely exciting, but always compiling, Ernie Clement is a great option in a "gets three games at Coors" week, with four LHPs on the schedule. Over 133 PA vs. LHPs this season, Clement is slashing .341/.371/.561, with a .395 wOBA and .932 OPS.

Otto Kemp, PHI, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Kemp has performed admirably starting in place of the injured Alec Bohm, but has been super-shiny vs. LHP, slashing .286/.375/.514 over 40 PA, with a ridiculous 68% Hard Hit% and .386 wOBA. In Week 19, the Phillies are scheduled to face three LHPs in their six games (vs. BAL, @TEX).

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - Gonzalez had been slumping, but has gotten right back to standing on business in Week 18, currently the #60 hitter headed into Sunday. In Week 19, Gonzalez has a good chance of keeping the train rolling, with six games (vs. KC, @SD) and two left-handers on the schedule.

Facing LHPs this season, Gonzalez is slashing .344/.388/.678, with a .445 wOBA (.426 xwOBA).

Next Choices

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 17%) - Welp, back to this again; if you're interested in a first baseman with a 69 APR, Schanuel remains widely available. He'll get six games in Week 19 (vs. TB, @DET), with only one of his fellow lefties scheduled.

Andrew Vaughn, CHW, 1B (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 13%) - Vaughn apparently just needed to get rid of that southside stink; he's the #3 hitter so far in Week 18 (with 4 HRs), and has averaged a 65 APR over the last four weeks. Milwaukee and Vaughn have six games in Week 19 (@ATL, vs. NYM), with two scheduled vs. LHPs.

Lenyn Sosa, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) -

Sosa is currently the #10 hitter in Week 18 after an absolute dud last week (#255), but don't sleep on how good he's been since returning from injury last month. Prior to last week's nonsense, Sosa had averaged an 82 APR over the previous four periods. The White Sox have six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE), but with only one left-hander on the schedule.

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 32%) - Nothing says fantasy baseball in August like having to recommend multiple White Sox. But, to be fair, Vargas has been a top-100 hitter for most of the season (92 APR) and has gotten back on track the last few weeks after averaging a 287 APR in Weeks 13, 14, and 15. Since then, he's averaging a 67 APR (#117 in Week 18) and gets six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE).

Update - Vargas has been placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain

Desperate Choices

Carlos Santana, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 10%) - Our portly, points pontiff has been slumping a little bit lately, but gets six games (@NYM, @CHW) against mostly subpar pitching to get back on track.

Kyle Manzardo, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 7%) - Manzardo has finally woken up recently, finishing in the top-50 the last two weeks. It's a solid schedule this period (@NYM, @CHW), but there are two LHPs on the books, which is generally not ideal for Manzardo. But while he doesn't get on base against them often (.204 AVG, .273 OBP), when he does, he tends to make them count (19.4 Brl%, 50% Hard Hit%, .531 SLG, .529 xSLG).

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 20%) - Mr. Every Other Week has been bad in Week 18 (204 APR) after being - you guessed it - good in Week 17 (53 APR). Science says he's gotta be good in Week 19, right? No, no, it does not -- the Rangers are scheduled to face four LHPs in Week 19, against whom Smith is slashing .229/.286/.253, with a .246 wOBA and 0% Brl%.

Even desperate Donnies shouldn't be taking a chance here.

On the IL

 

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 38%) - Lopez is currently in the midst of one of his worst weeks of the season, but that won't stop me from strongly recommending my guy Otto, for seemingly the hundredth time. He's not only been a top-100 hitter all season, but will get a supersized helping of PAs in a week where Miami has eight games on the schedule (vs. HOU, @ATL).

Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 22%) - We're back, babies -- take it away, Ern! The rarely exciting, but always compiling, Clement is a great option in a "gets three games at Coors" week, with four LHPs on the schedule. Over 133 PA vs. LHPs this season, Clement is slashing .341/.371/.561, with a .395 wOBA and .932 OPS.

Otto Kemp, PHI, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Kemp has performed admirably starting in place of the injured Alec Bohm, but has been super-shiny vs. LHP, slashing .286/.375/.514 over 40 PA, with a ridiculous 68% Hard Hit% and .386 wOBA. In Week 19, the Phillies are scheduled to face three LHPs in their six games (vs. BAL, @TEX).

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - Gonzalez had been slumping, but has gotten right back to standing on business in Week 18, currently the #60 hitter headed into Sunday. In Week 19, Gonzalez has a good chance of keeping the train rolling, with six games (vs. KC, @SD) and two left-handers on the schedule. Facing LHPs this season, Gonzalez is slashing .344/.388/.678, with a .445 wOBA (.426 xwOBA).

Next Choices

Davis Schneider, TOR, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 13%) - Schneider has started four of the last five games and gets three games at Coors Field. That alone might be good enough for a cheeky stream of a 0%er, but add in four LHPs on the schedule, and now we could be cooking. Facing left-handers this season, Schneider is slashing .233/.395/.433, with a .370 wOBA and 20% Brl%.

Lenyn Sosa, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - Sosa is currently the #10 hitter in Week 18 after an absolute dud last week (#255), but don't sleep on how good he's been since returning from injury last month. Prior to last week's nonsense, Sosa had averaged an 82 APR over the previous four periods. The White Sox have six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE), but with only one left-hander on the schedule.

Desperate Choices

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 43%) - India's Roster% continues to outstrip his actual value, as he's currently running a 158 APR. But if you need someone to be your replacement-level huckleberry, I guess he's your guy. The Royals have six games on the road in Week 19 (@BOS, @MIN), with one LHP scheduled.

Nick Gonzalez, PIT, 2B (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 13%) - It's generally not a good idea to recommend too many Pirates. Still, the unexciting Gonzalez has a points-forward profile that can be a valuable fill-in as a compiler of points. Pittsburgh gets seven games (vs. SF, vs. CIN) and two left-handed starters in Week 19.

On the IL

 

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 22%) - We're back, babies -- take it away, Ern! The rarely exciting, but always compiling, Clement is a great option in a "gets three games at Coors" week, with four LHPs on the schedule. Over 133 PA vs. LHPs this season, Clement is slashing .341/.371/.561, with a .395 wOBA and .932 OPS.

Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 18%) - Marte has been inconsistent since returning from the IL (170 APR over five weeks), but is set up well in a week with seven games (@CHC, @PIT) against mostly mediocre starting pitching. Even better, there is only one left-hander on the schedule; facing LHPs, Marte is slashing .189/.302/.189, with a 28% K%.

Facing RHPs, on the other hand, he's been a different player, slashing .309/.336/.582, with a .389 wOBA.

Otto Kemp, PHI, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Kemp has performed admirably starting in place of the injured Alec Bohm, but has been super-shiny vs. LHP, slashing .286/.375/.514 over 40 PA, with a ridiculous 68% Hard Hit% and .386 wOBA. In Week 19, the Phillies are scheduled to face three LHPs in their six games (vs. BAL, @TEX).

Next Choices

Lenyn Sosa, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - Sosa is currently the #10 hitter in Week 18 after an absolute dud last week (#255), but don't sleep on how good he's been since returning from injury last month. Prior to last week's nonsense, Sosa had averaged an 82 APR over the previous four periods. The White Sox have six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE), but with only one left-hander on the schedule.

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 32%) - Nothing says fantasy baseball in August like having to recommend multiple White Sox. But, to be fair, Vargas has been a top-100 hitter for most of the season (92 APR) and has gotten back on track the last few weeks after averaging a 287 APR in Weeks 13, 14, and 15. Since then, he's averaging a 67 APR (#117 in Week 18) and gets six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE).

Update - Vargas has been placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain

Desperate Choices

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 43%) - India's Roster% continues to outstrip his actual value, as he's currently running a 158 APR. But if you need someone to be your replacement-level huckleberry, I guess he's your guy. The Royals have six games on the road in Week 19 (@BOS, @MIN), with one LHP scheduled.

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 20%) - Mr. Every Other Week has been bad in Week 18 (204 APR) after being - you guessed it - good in Week 17 (53 APR). Science says he's gotta be good in Week 19, right? No, no, it does not -- the Rangers are scheduled to face four LHPs in Week 19, against whom Smith is slashing .229/.286/.253, with a .246 wOBA and 0% Brl%.

Even desperate Donnies shouldn't be taking a chance here.

On the IL

  • Jake Burger, TEX, 1B/3B (strained quad - rehab assignment)
  • Marcelo Mayer, BOS, 3B/SS (sprained wrist - no timetable)
  • Connor Norby, MIA, 3B (hamate surgery - expected to miss 6-8 weeks)
  • Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)

 

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 15%) - Hey! What's Tovar doing here? Tovar is averaging a 71 APR since returning from the IL and gets a series at home this week before going on the road to face the Diamondbacks. If he happens to be available, snatch him up like you're a human bear trap.

Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 38%) - Lopez is currently in the midst of one of his worst weeks of the season, but that won't stop me from strongly recommending my guy Otto, for seemingly the hundredth time. He's not only been a top-100 hitter all season, but will get a supersized helping of PAs in a week where Miami has eight games on the schedule (vs. HOU, @ATL).

Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 22%) - We're back, babies -- take it away, Ern! The rarely exciting, but always compiling, Clement is a great option in a "gets three games at Coors" week, with four LHPs on the schedule. Over 133 PA vs. LHPs this season, Clement is slashing .341/.371/.561, with a .395 wOBA and .932 OPS.

Next Choices

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - Gonzalez had been slumping, but has gotten right back to standing on business in Week 18, currently the #60 hitter headed into Sunday. In Week 19, Gonzalez has a good chance of keeping the train rolling, with six games (vs. KC, @SD) and two left-handers on the schedule. Facing LHPs this season, Gonzalez is slashing .344/.388/.678, with a .445 wOBA (.426 xwOBA).

Carlos Correa, HOU, SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 36%) - Correa has returned home, and while he mostly remains unexciting, he also plays every day in a good lineup with a points-friendly profile. And that's not nothing if you're looking for a band-aid to help you out for a stretch. Houston has six games on the road this week (@MIA, @NYY), with only one left-hander scheduled.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 20%) - Mr. Every Other Week has been bad in Week 18 (204 APR) after being - you guessed it - good in Week 17 (53 APR). Science says he's gotta be good in Week 19, right? No, no, it does not -- the Rangers are scheduled to face four LHPs in Week 19, against whom Smith is slashing .229/.286/.253, with a .246 wOBA and 0% Brl%.

Even desperate Donnies shouldn't be taking a chance here.

On the IL

  • Marcelo Mayer, BOS, 3B/SS (sprained wrist - no timetable)
  • Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)

 

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ryan O'Hearn, SD, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 24%) - There is no quicker way to endear yourself to new teammates than by showing them how you smash fools -- particularly of the right-handed variety. One of the newest Padres has six games (@ARI, vs. BOS) and zero left-handers in Week 19, so you already know what to do.

Jordan Beck, COL, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 6%) - After taking last week off (211 APR), Beck has gotten back to smashing, currently the #17 hitter in Week 18, after finishing as the #16 hitter in Week 16. He'll get three more home games to try and keep it up (vs. TOR, @ARI) before going on the road to face suspect starters in Arizona.

Still a sub-20% rostered player, Beck is now up to a 92 APR for the season.

Otto Kemp, PHI, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Kemp has performed admirably starting in place of the injured Alec Bohm, but has been super-shiny vs. LHP, slashing .286/.375/.514 over 40 PA, with a ridiculous 68% Hard Hit% and .386 wOBA. In Week 19, the Phillies are scheduled to face three LHPs in their six games (vs. BAL, @TEX).

Mickey Moniak, COL, OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 8%) - You won't catch him starting vs. LHPs very often, but when he's been in, Moniak has been quietly smashing, finishing in the top-50 four times since Week 12 -- and three times in the top-25. Yes, we have to temper it with the Coors-ness of it all, but we can't ignore that he's slashed .272/.317/.534 over 301 PA, with 16 HRs and a .361 wOBA.

Tyler Freeman, COL, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) - Unlike most of his brethren, Freeman has been pretty good on the road (as well as excellent at home), and has posted top-90 weeks in two of his last three periods. He'll get a chance to do both in Week 19 (vs. TOR, @ARI), with two lefties on the schedule.

Next Choices

Davis Schneider, TOR, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 13%) - Schneider has started four of the last five games and gets three games at Coors Field. That alone might be good enough for a cheeky stream of a 0%er, but add in four LHPs on the schedule, and now we could be cooking. Facing left-handers this season, Schneider is slashing .233/.395/.433, with a .370 wOBA and 20% Brl%.

Jurickson Profar, ATL, OF (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 34%) - Profar has pulled a disappearing act in Week 18 (211 APR), but has three top-75 finishes since returning from the IL in Week 14. He's a classic compiler, dragging himself to high APRs via lots of PAs and few strikeouts (17% K% in 2025), and has a great chance to do so in Week 19, with the Braves facing an eight-game homestand (vs. MIL, vs. MIA).

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 32%) - Nothing says fantasy baseball in August like having to recommend multiple White Sox. But, to be fair, Vargas has been a top-100 hitter for most of the season (92 APR) and has gotten back on track the last few weeks after averaging a 287 APR in Weeks 13, 14, and 15. Since then, he's averaging a 67 APR (#117 in Week 18) and gets six games in Week 19 (@SEA, vs. CLE).

Update - Vargas has been placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain

Jesus Sanchez, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - The Jesus has come to Houston, and since the Astros only have one LHP on their Week 19 schedule (@MIA, @NYY), you can feel safe to deploy his magical wizardry. Facing right-handed pitchers, Sanchez is slashing .338/.424/.405, with a .384 wOBA and .370 xwOBA.

Desperate Choices

Trent Grisham, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 21%) - Grisham has heated right back up after taking last week off (201 APR), and has a 36 APR headed into Sunday. He will get six games to try and keep it going (@TEX, vs. HOU), but it's best to temper expectations with three left-handed starters on the schedule. Facing LHPs this season, Grisham is slashing .182/.308/.295, with a 27% K%.

Austin Hays, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 17%) - Hays does get seven games against a lot of subpar starters (@CHC, @PIT), but none are at home and only one is against the left-handers that Hays does most of his feasting on (.364/.435/.691, .472 wOBA).

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 43%) - India's Roster% continues to outstrip his actual value, as he's currently running a 158 APR. But if you need someone to be your replacement-level huckleberry, I guess he's your guy. The Royals have six games on the road in Week 19 (@BOS, @MIN), with one LHP scheduled.

On the IL

  • Jac Caglianone, KC, 1B/OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
  • Lane Thomas, CLE, OF (plantar fasciitis - no timetable)
  • Jorge Soler, LAA, OF (lower back - no timetable)
  • Victor Robles, SEA, OF (shoulder dislocation - expected to miss ~three months)
  • Evan Carter, TEX, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
  • Jake Meyers, HOU, OF (sprained calf - no timetable)
  • Hyeseong Kim, LAD, 2B/OF (shoulder bursitis - no timetable)
  • Parker Meadows, DET, OF (sprained quad - no timetable)
  • Pavin Smith, ARI, 1B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
  • Jesse Winker, NYM, OF (back inflammation - no timetable)

 

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Drake Baldwin, ATL, C (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 11%) - Baldwin isn't worth streaming when the Braves have a bunch of left-handers on the schedule (like in the current period), but remains a great asset whenever Atlanta has righties ahead. There are two LHPs on the schedule in Week 19, but Atlanta has eight games, leaving six righty-matchups for Baldwin to shine in.

Next Choices

Tyler Heineman, TOR, C (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - The lightly-rostered Heineman has now started five of seven games since Alejandro Kirk went on the IL, but what makes him more interesting is that Toronto is set to face four left-handed starters in their seven games this week (@COL, @LAD).

In 40 PA vs. LHP this season, Heineman is slashing .441/.487/.647, with a .481 wOBA. Add that lefty-fever to a set in Colorado and you get a seriously sneaky catcher stream.

Desperate Choices

Ben Rice, NYY, C/1B (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 21%) - Rice is coming off a strong week, but I'd be careful in a period where New York is scheduled to face three left-handed starters in their six games (@TEX, vs. HOU). Facing LHPs this season, Rice is slashing .188/.240/.435, with a .248 wOBA.

Liam Hicks, MIA, C (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Is Liam Hicks any good? No, not really! But sometimes it's all about those PAs, and Hicks will at least get more of those in a week where the Marlins have eight games (seven vs. RHP) and former backup, Nick Fortes, is now in Tampa Bay. Desperation remains a stinky cologne.

On the IL

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice



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