Points League Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23 (September 1 - September 7)

September 3, 2025

Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 23 (2025) - September 1 - September 7. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 23 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of September 1 - September 7, 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 30.

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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: 33%, ESPN: 21%) - O'Hearn has had a pretty ho-hum second half, putting up a lot of usable, but mediocre, scoring periods. But it almost always remains a good idea to give him a shot when he won't have to see many left-handers, and San Diego is only set to see one of them in Week 22. Way more important, though, is a juicy three-game set in Colorado, against a trio of bad right-handed starters.

Add in a revenge series against Baltimore, and we have the makings of a classic O'Hearn bomb-o-rama.

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - We've been pretty consistent with our Romy Gonzalez drumbeat, generally thinking it's a good idea to stream him when a bunch of left-handers are on the schedule, as he's currently slashing .318/.372/.600 over 121 PA against them in 2025, with a .409 wOBA and 65% Hard Hit%. So, obviously, we gotta roll with him in a Week 23 where Boston is set to face three LHPs in their six games (vs CLE, @ARI).

Jake Cronenworth, SD, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 36%) - He might not be as extreme as Ryan O'Hearn, but you generally only want to chance the former Rake when it's mostly right-handers on the schedule. Like in Week 23, where he'll only see one lefty starter, along with three games against bad righties in the thin air of Colorado.

Next Choices

Kody Clemens, MIN, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - After back-to-back finishes in the basement, Clemens has at least bounced back to mediocrity in Week 22 (158 APR), and is set to face a whole mess of high-ERA starters (vs CHW, @KC). Even better, none of them will be of the left-handed variety that vexes Clemens so much. Facing RHPs, Clemens has only managed a .223 AVG, but it's come with plenty of pop, running a .486 Slg and a 51% Hard Hit%.

Casey Schmitt, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - While quality Schmitt rarely comes around, he does like to pop out to say hello with an occasional top-50 week, before disappearing right back down the drain. Like finishing as the #54 hitter in Week 21, before sitting at #347 entering today's action. But nothing says potential floater week like two series against bad teams (@COL, @STL), with one being at Coors Field.

Desperate Choices

Eric Wagaman, MIA, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 3%) - Wagaman was a disaster in July, but has turned things around in August, averaging a 118 APR over the last four periods. But Week 23 could be a big streaming boom, as Miami is scheduled to see four LHPs in their six games (@WSH, vs PHI). In 148 PA vs LHP this season, Wagaman has a .291 xBA, .525 xSLG, and .363 xwOBA, with just a 21% K%.

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 15%) - It's hard to rely on Smith given how bad he is against lefties, but he might be worth a shot in a Week 23 that doesn't have any of the wrong-handers on the starting slates (@ARI, vs HOU). Facing RHPs this season, Smith is slashing .266/.344/.415, with a just a 14% K%.

On the IL

• Alec Burleson, STL, 1B/OF (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
• Jake Burger, TEX, 1B/3B (sprained wrist - no timetable)
• Rhys Hoskins, MIL, 1B (sprained thumb - rehab assignment)
• Jac Caglianone, KC, 1B/OF (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (sprained hand - no timetable)
• Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (wrist contusion - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - See earlier analysis.

Kody Clemens, MIN, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - See earlier analysis.

Brooks Lee, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 14%) - Outside of a really bad stretch over the summer, averaging a 287 APR from Week 14 to Week 17, Lee has been incredibly useful, currently with a respectable 167 APR for the season, even with that July disaster. Averaging a 101 APR over his last five periods, Lee (like his aforementioned teammates) has a whole slate of mostly poor starting pitchers (vs CHW, @KC), but, unfortunately, none of them are left-handed. Even without any lefties, though, Lee is good bet for solid performance in Week 23, and with plenty of upside.

Have you ever wondered what Twins youngster Brooks Lee would look like at the Metrodome?

Final out before extras. First pitch. pic.twitter.com/dUhHqc90B5

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 20, 2025

Jake Cronenworth, SD, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 36%) - see earlier analysis

Next Choices

Brett Baty, NYM, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 6%) - Baty has now started 13 of New York's last 15 games, only sitting (rightly) against two left-handed starters. New York has six games and only one LHP scheduled in Week 23, so Baty should again get plenty of PAs. Averaging a 66 APR over his last three periods, Baty is a good hot hand to keep riding.

Brett Baty over his last 40 games:

.299 BA | 7 HR | 13 RBI | 35 H | 26 R

Brett is just on an absolute heater right now!!🥵 pic.twitter.com/WfKrJO3Hje

— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) August 28, 2025

Caleb Durbin, MIL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 8%) - What has a top-150 APR for the season, but is less than 15% rostered? Oh, y'all are smart -- it's Caleb Durbin! Durbin and his 10% K% has a 145 APR in 2025, and has averaged an 88 APR over his last three periods. He gets six games in Week 23 (vs PHI, @PIT), but with just one LHP scheduled (Ranger Suarez).

Desperate Choices

Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 20%) - My guy, Otto, is back, baby! Lopez has been stuck in something worse than neutral for over a month, averaging a 207 APR over the last five weeks, but is back where he belongs in Week 22. No, not just my heart -- also the top-50 hitters!

Unfortunately, I'm tempering my expectations in Week 23, with the Marlins scheduled to face four left-handed starters in their six games (@WSH, vs PHI). Facing lefties this season, Lopez is slashing just .216/.243/.266, with a .229 wOBA.

On the IL

• Hyeseong Kim, LAD, 2B/OF (shoulder bursitis - no timetable)
• Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/3B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Brooks Lee, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 14%) - See earlier analysis.

Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 21%) - Lewis is generally worth using when he's healthy, and in the nine periods since returning from his most recent IL stint, he's averaged a 143 APR. And not to be a broken record, but the Twins are set to face some very suspect starters (vs CHW, @KC).

Next Choices

Brett Baty, NYM, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 6%) - See earlier analysis.

Caleb Durbin, MIL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 8%) - See earlier analysis.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 15%) - See earlier analysis.

Jeremiah Jackson, BAL, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) - The rookie has been on a heater lately, averaging a 77 APR over his last three periods. Unfortunately, he's got a whole week of tough starters starting down his barrel in Week 23 (@SD, vs LAD), with two LHPs on the schedule.

Trent Grisham didn’t play for one pitch in the playoffs last year. He was a sub for most of the regular season.

This season? A career year that keeps on getting better…

With this grand slam, Grisham is up to 28 HR with a .249 BA and .840 OPS.pic.twitter.com/l3EnktrXNU

— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) August 30, 2025

On the IL

• Jake Burger, TEX, 1B/3B (sprained wrist - no timetable)
• Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (sprained hand - no timetable)
• Joey Ortiz, MIL, 3B/SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Matt Vierling, DET, 3B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 16%) - Tovar is in the middle of a mediocre stretch, but mediocre for him usually still means a top-150 week, and that means he probably shouldn't be on any waiver wires. Especially with a six-game homestand on the horizon. Oh, you need more convincing? The Rockies are also set to face three left-handed starters, against whom Tovar is slashing .277/.338/.415, with a .378 xwOBA.

Romy Gonzalez, BOS, 1B/2B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - See earlier analysis.

Next Choices

Brooks Lee, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 14%) - See earlier analysis.

Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 20%) - See earlier analysis.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 15%) - See earlier analysis.

Jeremiah Jackson, BAL, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) - See earlier analysis.

On the IL

• Joey Ortiz, MIL, 3B/SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/3B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Ha-Seong Kim, TB, SS (lower back - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Chandler Simpson, TB, OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 17%) - Rookies are bound to have their bad weeks (like being #329 in Week 22), but Simpson has had exactly two of them, along with six finishes in the top-100, and three in the top-50. He'll get seven games at home (vs SEA, vs CLE), with only one scheduled against one of his fellow left-handers.

Trent Grisham, NYY, OFF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 28%) - Poor Trent Grisham just can't get any Roster% respect, even though he's currently sitting with an impressive 68 APR in 2025, including some recent hotness, finishing #31 last week, and at #14 this week, heading into Sunday. He'll make for another solid points play in Week 23, getting six games (@HOU, vs TOR) and just one left-handed starter.

Trent Grisham didn’t play for one pitch in the playoffs last year. He was a sub for most of the regular season.

This season? A career year that keeps on getting better…

With this grand slam, Grisham is up to 28 HR with a .249 BA and .840 OPS.pic.twitter.com/l3EnktrXNU

— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) August 30, 2025

Tyler Freeman, COL, OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%) - You generally want to avoid weeks where Freeman is set to face a lot of left-handers, like when he's scheduled to face three in Colorado's six games. Do you know what can negate that trepidation, though? You guessed it -- six games at Coors Field.

Next Choices

Matt Wallner, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 3%) - The #16 hitter in Week 22, Wallner is mostly inept against his fellow left-handers, but loves putting the big wood on righties. When he can manage to make contact, that is -- Wallner has a .208 AVG and 32% K% vs RHPs this season, along with a .505 SLG, 18% Brl%, and 51% Hard Hit%. He'll see nothing but right-handed starters in Week 23, with seven games versus the White Sox and at the Royals.

Six of the last nine home runs hit by Matt Wallner either tied the game or gave #MNTwins the lead. https://t.co/lIM9voxFC0 pic.twitter.com/Qc0tZ83x4X

— Twins Dingers (@TwinsDingers) August 27, 2025

Jo Adell, LAA, OF (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 15%) - It's always fine to use him when the good version of Adell comes around (86 APR over the last four weeks), with the Angels getting six games on the road (@HOU, @KC).

Kody Clemens, MIN, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - See earlier analysis.

Desperate Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 1B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 15%) - See earlier analysis.

On the IL

• Alec Burleson, STL, 1B/OF (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
• Tyler O'Neill, BAL, OF (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
• Jac Caglianone, KC, 1B/OF (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Lane Thomas, CLE, OF (plantar fasciitis - no timetable)
• Miguel Vargas, CHW, 1B/3B/OF (sprained hand - no timetable)
• Jorge Soler, LAA, OF (lower back - no timetable)
• Victor Scott II, STL, OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Jake Meyers, HOU, OF (sprained calf - rehab assignment)
• Hyeseong Kim, LAD, 2B/OF (shoulder bursitis - rehab assignment)
• Parker Meadows, DET, OF (sprained quad - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 29%) - Moreno finally returned after a nine-week stint on the IL and has gotten right back to his solid point ways, putting up a 139 APR in his first week back, and currently sitting at #100 in Week 22, headed into Sunday's action. He should again be a solid option in Week 23, with a six-game homestand against Texas and Boston, with two left-handed starters on the schedule. Facing LHPs this season, Moreno is slashing .315/.351/.463, with a .353 wOBA and 51% Hard Hit%. Wait... One of those lefties is Patrick Corbins??? Sign me up!

Next Choices

Kyle Teel, CHW, C (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 36%) - Teel's weekly APRs have been mostly dismal, but don't blame the kid -- he's doing plenty of hitting (with a points-friendly profile), but there is only so much a White Sock can do. In 201 PA, Teel is slashing .293/.380/.408, with a .350 wOBA (.359 xwOBA), 23% K%, and 11% BB%. Unfortunately, there are (obviously) few Runs and RBI available, which, combined with his light power output, have put his point totals mostly on life support, but I'll stay bullish on his future.

He'll have a good chance to be worth your streaming pick in Week 23, with seven games against mostly mediocre pitching (@MIN, @DET), with only one of his fellow lefties on the schedule.

Ryan Jeffers, MIN, C (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 8%) - No catcher has been more frustratingly inconsistent than Jeffers, especially in the second half, alternating one and two-week bursts in the top-75 with unplayable +250 APRs. It's been of the latter variety in Week 22, but Jeffers will see a host of bad pitching in Week 23 (vs CHW, @KC), even if there aren't any left-handed starters on the schedule.

Desperate Choices

Dillon Dingler, DET, (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - It's definitely a dart throw, but Dingler has started 13 of Detroit's last 15 games, and will certainly get starts against the two left-handers on the schedule. Facing LHPs in 2025, Dingler is slashing .329/.374/.600 over 91 PA, with a .412 wOBA and .974 OPS.

On the IL

• Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (fractured thumb - no timetable)
• Francisco Alvarez, NYM, C (sprained thumb - no timetable)
• Keibert Ruiz, WSH, C (concussion - no timetable)
• Victor Caratini, HOU, C (concussion - no timetable)
• Gary Sanchez, BAL, C (sprained knee - no timetable)
• Miguel Amaya, CHC, C (sprained ankle - no timetable)

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