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Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 25 (2025) - September 15 - September 21. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.
Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 25 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of September 15 - September 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, September 13.
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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
Jake Burger, TEX, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 26%) - Far from being burnt out, this Burger continues to unleash a torrent of fantasy flavor on unsuspecting pitchers, currently sitting at #43 in Week 24, after returning from the IL last week with a #70 finish. Burger gets six games in Week 25 (@HOU, vs MIA), with one LHP on the books.
Jake Burger’s last 30 games:
.302/.337/.542
6 HR
21 RBI
.879 OPSOne of his best stretches as a Ranger! pic.twitter.com/zf0gSRzPCn
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 10, 2025
Kyle Manzardo, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 9%) - It turns out maybe we shouldn't give up on young hitters -- Manzardo has been a points-star in the second half, averaging a 113 APR over his last eight periods. It's actually better than that, though, as one of those weeks was an average-busting 348 APR; in the other six weeks, he finished in the top-75 five times. He'll get six games this week (@DET, @MIN), with one leftie scheduled.
Next Choices
Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 36%) - A Canadian man o' many positions, Clement is generally a high-floor/low-ceiling option, playing a lot while striking out very little and scoring bunches of runs. With seven games in Week 25, the PAs should pile up again, but even better, there are three LHPs on the schedule. Facing lefties this season, Clement is slashing .325/.349/.548, with a .380 wOBA and .897 OPS.
Desperate Choices
Josh Bell, WSH, 1B (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 9%) -May I interest you in a Josh Bell renaissance? Bell is the #3 hitter in Week 25 after hitting three bombs, but, to be fair, hasn't done a whole lot else in 2025. But he plays a lot and with elite discipline, and even better, won't have to see any left-handed starters in his six games this week (vs ATL, @NYM).
few players in MLB get more scorching hot in short spurts than Josh Bell. when Bell is locked in he is SERIOUSLY locked in pic.twitter.com/MGxDt4rkyu
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) September 9, 2025
Jared Triolo, PIT, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Yes, I know no one actually wants to stream a Pirate in another mathematically-eliminated September, but Triolo continues to be a low-key solid asset in most points formats, averaging a 73 APR over the last four periods. The Pirates have six games at home this week (vs CHC, vs ATH), with two lefties scheduled.
On the IL
- Jonathan Aranda, TB, 1B (fractured wrist - no timetable)
- Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (wrist contusion - no timetable)
- Warming Bernabel, COL, 1B/3B (concussion - no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Tyler Freeman, COL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) -Well, hello there, handsome - what are you doing at second base? Freeman has newfound eligibility, but the real reason to trust him with your stream is the six games he gets at home. You know, at Coors Field?
Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 25%) - I get grumpy when I have to go long without strongly recommending my guy, Otto, but that ends today. Lopez and the Marlins get six games on the road in Week 25 (@COL, @TEX), but the first three are ones that matter -- perhaps you've heard about balls flying well in thin air? Unfortunately, he'll also have to deal with three LHPs for the week, against whom he's far weaker, but I'll still take that trade-off. Especially since two of the lefties are Kyle Freeland and Patrick Corbin. Wink.
Next Choices
Caleb Durbin, MIL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 9%) - Durbin has been somewhat inconsistent, but that still doesn't explain how little Roster% love he's getting, now averaging an 87 APR over his last five periods, currently sitting at #43 in Week 24. He gets six games in Week 25 (vs LAA, @STL), with two left-handed starters scheduled.
Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 36%) - see earlier analysis
Desperate Choices
Jared Triolo, PIT, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - See earlier analysis.
On the IL
- Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/3B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Jake Burger, TEX, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 26%) - See earlier analysis.
Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 32%) - In the middle of a disastrous Week 24 (401 APR), take the chance to snag Marte if an impatient competitor dropped him. Marte had averaged a 91 APR in the seven periods prior, and gets seven games against mostly shoddy pitching in Week 25 (@STL, vs CHC).
Next Choices
Caleb Durbin, MIL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 9%) - See earlier analysis.
Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 36%) - See earlier analysis.
Desperate Choices
Jared Triolo, PIT, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - See earlier analysis.
On the IL
- Warming Bernabel, COL, 1B/3B (concussion - no timetable)
- Matt Vierling, DET, 3B/OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Surely, no one in your league dropped Tovar before a six-game September homestand (vs MIA, vs LAA), did they? Well, apparently, some did -- if you're lucky enough to be in one of those leagues, punish those fools ASAP.
Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 25%) - See earlier analysis.
Next Choices
Ernie Clement, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 36%) - See earlier analysis.
Desperate Choices
Jared Triolo, PIT, 1B/2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - See earlier analysis.
On the IL
- Max Muncy, ATH, 2B/3B/SS (fractured hand - no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Tyler Freeman, COL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) - see earlier analysis
Jordan Beck, COL, OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 6%) - I don't know about y'all, but I find few things sexier than a sub-20% rostered Colorado hitter with a six-game homestand in September. Okay, maybe it's more than just a "few things", but my point stands! There are few better bets for a powerful stream than the thin air of Colorado.
Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 32%) - See earlier analysis.
Next Choices
Chandler Simpson, TB, OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 16%) -Ahh, the inconsistent pitfalls of a young hitter. Chandler has been alternating fortnights of good and bad performances, averaging a 294 APR in Weeks 18 and 19, followed by a 40 APR in the next two periods, and a 262 APR in the next two. Well, good news, champions of small samples -- Simpson has been pretty good this week (91 APR), which means math is guaranteeing another good performance in Week 25.
Okay, maybe not "guaranteeing", but Mr. Speedy is still set up for a good week, getting seven games (vs TOR, vs BOS), with two left-handed starters scheduled.
Harrison Bader, PHI, OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 14%) - Oh no...We can't really be declaring a Harrison Bader SZN, are we? Apparently, so -- powered by a nation's hatred for Phillies Karen. Bader is the #7 hitter in Week 24 and has averaged a 35 APR in his last three periods. Batting leadoff in his last five games, he'll get six games in Week 25 (@LAD, @ARI), with only one LHP scheduled.
In 36 games with the Phillies, Harrison Bader is now slashing .342/.403/.542/.945
He has 12 hits in his last 5 games.
I know he's not a Cardinal, but it's just crazy how good he's doing right now. One of the best players in baseball since the deadline pic.twitter.com/JomKUGEUx8
— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) September 13, 2025
Desperate Choices
Austin Hays, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 10%) - Don't be fooled by Hays' lackluster Roster%; our guy deserves much more. Hays has been a near top-100 hitter over the last month-plus and gets seven games against mostly mediocre pitching (@STL, vs CHC), with two left-handed starters scheduled.
Brandon Marsh, PHI, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - Wait, another Philly outfielder? I guess so, because Marsh has just been mashing, averaging a 23 APR in his last two periods. More importantly, he'll only have to deal with one left-handed starter in his six games this week (@LAD, @ARI) - for the year, Marsh is slashing .191/.282/.250 vs LHPs.
On the IL
- Wilyer Abreu, BOS, OF (strained calf - no timetable)
- Lane Thomas, CLE, OF (plantar fasciitis - rehab assignment)
- Jorge Soler, LAA, OF (lower back - no timetable)
- Matt Vierling, DET, 3B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Drake Baldwin, ATL, C (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 16%) - Baldwin is in the middle of a brutal stretch, finishing with a > 220 APR in four of the last five periods, but is still one of the best options after Sean Murphy had his season officially ended. Baldwin and the Braves have six games in Week 25 (@WSH, @DET), with only one of Baldwin's fellow lefties on the mound.
Dillon Dingler, DET, C (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 6%) - Dingler has been surprisingly decent lately, with four finishes in the top-125 in the last five periods, currently sitting in the top-50 in Week 24. Week 25 is set up to be another solid week, with upside, for Dingler, with Detroit scheduled to see three left-handed starters in their six games (vs CLE, vs ATL). Facing LHPs this season, Dingler is slashing .333/.373/.604, with a 52% Hard Hit% and 15% Brl%.
Next Choices
Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 31%) - Moreno has been on a heater since returning from the IL in Week 21, but has blown up in Week 24, currently sitting as the #11 hitter headed into Sunday. He'll get six games at home in Week 25 (vs SF, vs PHI), with a fairly mediocre slate of starting pitchers on the schedule, but with no left-handers.
Gabriel Moreno with a HUGE home run that some would say may have just saved the D-backs postseason hopes
pic.twitter.com/kuZoROe5rz— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) September 13, 2025
Desperate Choices
Kyle Teel, CHW, C (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 8%) - He might be a rookie catcher on a bad team, but Teel just keeps producing, with two top-20 finishes in the last four periods. Teel has six games in Week 25 (vs BAL, vs SD), all at home, with one LHP scheduled.
On the IL
- Ryan Jeffers, MIN, C (concussion - no timetable)
- Keibert Ruiz, WSH, C (concussion - no timetable)
- Gary Sanchez, BAL, C (sprained knee - rehab assignment)
- Miguel Amaya, CHC, C (sprained ankle - no timetable)
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
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