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Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds: Week 23

While most fantasy owners are seeking out fantasy football advice take heed to your playoff bound fantasy baseball team to look for answers to bolster your team for the stretch run. It doesn't hurt to look around for players that are now performing at levels more accustomed to their normal levels or just an extra bat off the bench to plug and play when need be.

Owners should really take advantage of utilizing these players for their benefit now more than ever and missing out on a golden opportunity to acquire or start playing these players on a regular basis could mean the success and failure in a playoff run. Do yourself a favor and check this list out.

Editors Note:to read about even more waiver wire options for first base and third base, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list that is updated daily.

 

Waiver Wire Analysis For Catchers

Carlos Santana (C,CLE)

89% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues

Now I know what the first thought is when this name comes up. He isn't available and I can't trade for him or pick him up. That is a fair assessment in most cases. Shallow leagues Santana could have been dropped and if he is still on your roster and you simply are not using him perhaps now is the time that that should change.

Cleveland is on a surge right now and right in the thick of the AL Wild Card. They have not given uo and neither should you. Santana is hitting .260 in the last two weeks with 2 HR and 11 RBI with all of his power categories slowly trending upward after a disastrous start to the year. His K% is down from a year ago and even if he continues to improve the rest of the way his OBP, SLG%, ISO and wOBA will all take season dips. However Santana's BA is higher and his wRC+ should eclipse last years totals of .231 and 129 respectively.

The issue for most owners with this player is simply using him. The Indians are healthy and they are playing considerably better these days. Use Santana to your advantage while the team stays hot and it should benefit your team immensely.

Baller Move: Start in 10+ Leagues

 

Jonathan Lucroy (C,MIL)

Owned in 74% of Fleaflicker Leagues

This is another prime example of a high profile player who really has not cut the mustard this year for his stats or his ADP for 2015. Lucroy's numbers for the season are not very good at .258 with only 7 HR and 37 RBI.

Much like the aforementioned Santana though Lucroy has been on an absolute tear as of late. In the past two weeks owners have been pleasantly relieved to know that Lucroy still does have a pulse. He is hitting .444 with 3 HR, 11 RBI and 8 XBH while keeping his K/BB rate in check with a 7:2 ratio during that span.

Those numbers are not to be taken lightly or to be taken as a small sample size crush fest from an elite hitting catcher. Lucroy has figured something out and he is going to use the last month of this season to prove it to Milwaukee and your fantasy lineup. Being owned in 74% of leagues means that a lot of owners have held out hope that Lucroy would turn it around and their patience has paid off. Owners should not fret about the down numbers as compared to 2014 and look to his sprucing up numbers across the board on a Brewers team with nothing to lose.

Baller Move: Start in All Leagues.

 

Kurt Suzuki (C,MIN)

Owned in 8% of Fleaflicker Leagues

The Twins comfortably moved Joe Mauer to DH and 1B duties due to the veteran presence of Kurt Suzuki behind the plate. Now the numbers do not show that Suzuki is an elite offensive catcher like Santana and Lucroy are capable of. But Suzuki can deliver in a big way in deeper leagues where more in-depth stats play a big role in a fantasy team's success.

Suzuki's 43 RBI ranks near the top ten eligible at the position and his 44:25 K/BB ranks among the top as well. The Twins have a lot of faith in him providing balance at the back end of the lineup and although his numbers have not been great this year he tends to hit his stride in spurts. He will normally provide a solid BA with doubles power and the ability to drive in runs. The near .250 BA is closer to his real hitting prowess but Suzuki can be a difference maker in deep leagues looking for stable basic numbers.

Baller Move: Add in 12+ and 2-Catcher Leagues

 

Tucker Barnhart (C,CIN)

Owned in 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues

This is another example of a guy that all fantasy owners did not expect to be the starting catcher for the Cincinnati Reds and yet here he is getting semi regular playing time. When he plays he gets on base. His OBP of .346 is at his career highest and his .272 also fits that mold. The BABIP of .311 while not great is still a welcome sight to those in deep leagues looking for productive stats to fill out a daily roster or as a UTIL.

When beggars can't be choosers taking someone who provides a .712 OPS can also be someone valuable when speaking of roto leagues and even certain h2h matchups. Barnhart is going to be available and when he plays he is effective. Play accordingly and use him to your benefit.

Baller Move: Add in 14+ and 2-Catcher Leagues

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Brock Bowers

Could Sit for the "Long Haul"
CeeDee Lamb

has a Chance to Play in Week 7
Dalton Knecht

Impresses Offensively, Must Improve Defense to Earn Key Role
Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks Sign Alex Antetokounmpo to Two-Way Deal
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
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Titans Fire Head Coach Brian Callahan
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Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
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Gets Back In The Win Column
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Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
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Outclassed
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Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
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Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
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Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
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Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Chris Godwin

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
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Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Puka Nacua

Rams Think Puka Nacua has Avoided a Long-Term Injury
Kaan Ofli

Scores Comeback Win
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Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Moses Moody

Shut Down for Rest of Preseason
Kel'el Ware

Responding Well to Erik Spoelstra's Challenge
Derrick White

Stuffs the Stat Sheet Against Cavaliers
Austin Reaves

Displays Smooth Scoring Abilities Against Warriors
Brandin Podziemski

Drops 23 Points Against Lakers
Puka Nacua

Likely to Miss Time Due to Sprained Ankle
Rashee Rice

Eligible to Play Sunday Against the Raiders
Emeka Egbuka

Expected to Miss "Some Time"
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
James van Riemsdyk

Available for Red Wings Debut Monday
Kris Letang

Considered Day-to-Day
Carson Soucy

Lands on Injured Reserve
Tyler Kleven

Ready for Season Debut Monday
Evgenii Dadonov

Moves to Long-Term Injured Reserve
Drake Batherson

Aims to Return Wednesday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Exits Win Early
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UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
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Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
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Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Marquise Brown

Scores Twice in SNF Victory
Patrick Mahomes

Explodes for Four Touchdowns on SNF
Tetairoa McMillan

Scores his First Two Touchdowns in Win Over Dallas
Ja'Marr Chase

Posts Double-Digit Catches in First Game With New Quarterback
Kendrick Bourne

Records 142 Receiving Yards for Second Straight Week
Kimani Vidal

Dominates Backfield Touches, has Huge Game in Week 6
Ladd McConkey

Explodes for 100 Yards and Touchdown in Win
Jonathan Taylor

Has Another Enormous Showing Against Arizona
Josh Jacobs

Scores Two Touchdowns in Victory Over Cincinnati
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster
Jauan Jennings

Playing Through Five Broken Ribs, Multiple Ankle Sprains
Fred Warner

Likely Done for the Season
Keegan Murray

to Undergo Surgery
Max Scherzer

Added to ALCS Roster
Bryan Woo

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Won't Make ALCS Roster
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Russell Westbrook, Kings Have "Strong Mutual Interest"
Christopher Bell

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Denny Hamlin

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Sustains Upper-Body Injury Saturday
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Suffers Injury Saturday
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Will Miss "a Significant Amount of Time"
Chase Elliott

Should Run Well at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

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After Josh Berry's Las Vegas Win, Ryan Blaney Should be a Top Contender
Chase Briscoe

has Definitely Improved on Intermediate Tracks
Tyler Reddick

An Excellent DFS Option on Paper
Alex Bowman

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Brad Keselowski

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Josh Berry

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Ryan Preece

Probably Won't Finish Third Again at Las Vegas
Michael McDowell

Las Vegas is One of Michael McDowell's Worst Tracks
Haydn Fleury

Injures Kneecap Saturday
Pyotr Kochetkov

Out for at Least One Week
Samuel Girard

Labeled as Week-to-Week
Jonas Brodin

Available Saturday
Evgenii Dadonov

to Miss at Least Two Games
Hampus Lindholm

Misses Saturday's Game
Vincent Trocheck

Out Week-to-Week
Gleyber Torres

Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
Bryan Woo

Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
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CJ Baxter to Miss Saturday's Game Against No. 6 Oklahoma
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Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
Cody Bellinger

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Munetaka Murakami Will be Posted This Winter
Nathan Eovaldi

has Hernia Surgery, Should be Ready for Spring Training
Mateusz Gamrot

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Charles Oliveira

Returns At UFC Rio
Montel Jackson

Set For UFC Rio Co-Main Event
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Returns At UFC Rio
Joel Álvarez

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Vicente Luque

A Huge Underdog
Deandre Ayton

Still Waiting to Build Chemistry With Lakers Stars
Mario Pinto

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Jhonata Diniz

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Secure His First Octagon Win
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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VJ Edgecombe

Will Not Play on Friday
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Expected to Miss at Least a Month
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Dylan Harper

in Line to Play in First Preseason Game
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North Carolina's Caleb Hood Retiring from College Football
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Jeff Sims Likely to Start Against Utah
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Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Remainder of 2025 Season With Torn Achilles
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Sam Leavitt Not Expected to Play for Arizona State on Saturday
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John Mateer Upgraded to Probable Ahead of Saturday's Red-River Shootout
VJ Edgecombe

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Jaylen Wells

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Drake Powell

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Egor Demin

Will Miss Friday's Exhibition Game
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Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
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Ryan Williams Will Be Available Against No. 14 Missouri On Saturday
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John Mateer Officially Questionable Ahead of Saturday's Game vs. Texas
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North Carolina Discussing Buyout Option Of Coach Bill Belichick
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Returns To Action After Ryder Cup
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Day-to-Day Heading into Game 3 of NLDS

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