RADIO
Riley Mrack lists catchers who are potential fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups or add targets for Week 25. Consider adding or streaming these free agent options at the C position in mixed leagues and two-catcher formats.
As we enter the final two weeks of the regular season, the amount of September call-ups muddy up the waters even more for fantasy baseball's already most volatile position. As more foul tips off the mask and bruises from blocking balls in the dirt add up, the more likely we see big-name catchers get more rest with team's preparing for playoffs or the offseason. With time running out to lock down a championship, managers need to take into account favorable hitting schedules as well as looking at riding the hot hand down the final stretch run.
If you are not one of those fortunate souls who are privileged with a high-caliber catcher, we'll go through a few tiers of backstops who will fit your specific league format. Every season the waiver wire is full of potential league-winning gems and to be a successful fantasy player you need to be an active fantasy player. Some people may believe that catchers are next to worthless for your team, but if you find an unowned superior performer in your league, you'll wind up with a massive advantage over your opponents.
The catching position has the least amount of volume of any other spot on the diamond with the number of platoons utilized by teams, so understand that a part-time backstop can still be productive at the position. Whether you plan to stream this spot on your roster weekly or if you're looking to find an option to ride out the duration, we'll go through a vast range of backstops who'll hopefully take you to the fantasy promise land.
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Top-Priority Adds
This tier is targeted towards single-catcher mixed leagues as they are likely to only be available in these formats. These backstops are also particularly serviceable and could return top-10 value in their respective lineups, making it a mystery why they are unowned in the first place.
Travis d’Arnaud - (C, TB) - 38% Owned
Travis d’Arnaud has been the comeback catcher of the year in 2019 as he currently sits as a top-10 fantasy option at the position. In 83 games with the Rays this season, the 30-year-old has belted 16 long balls with 46 runs and 63 RBI while slashing a respectable .266/.334/.481. D’Arnaud continues to bat in the meat and potatoes of the Tampa Bay lineup hitting anywhere between third and sixth in the order enabling him to keep his counting stats climbing. The former top-catching prospect has a favorable hitting schedule the rest of the way as he’ll face the back-end Dodgers starters this week, followed by divisional matchups against Boston, Toronto, and New York.
Sean Murphy (C, OAK) - 26% Owned
One of the hottest bats at the position over the last week has come at the hands of Athletics September call-up, Sean Murphy. After slugging 10 dingers in 31 Triple-A contests, the 24-year-old has hit three homers over his last four games during a 9-for-17 tear at the plate. The only caveat regarding Murphy is he hasn’t forced the A’s into inserting him into the lineup every day with Josh Phegley still producing. More playing time has began to swing his way, but with the team in a tight playoff push, you can’t fault them for relying on a veteran to handle the pitching staff. Murphy makes a riskier play with two weeks left, but if he continues to produce, you’ll want to cash in on his hot bat.
Streamers/Players to Watch
The catchers in this group are either in waiver wire limbo as they are likely scooped up in two-catcher and league-specific formats or they are worth streaming for this week depending on your league size. They are not ideal single mixed league targets unless you have a deep bench to stash one of these backstops. These bats, however, have a shot at returning significant value if everything breaks right.
Pedro Severino (C, BAL) - 3% Owned
Owners looking to stream in a head to head matchup this week should look no further than Pedro Severino. The Orioles have a full slate of games this week at the hitter-friendly confines of Camden Yards against the underwhelming Blue Jays and Mariners pitching staffs. Three lefties are also slated to toe the rubber who Severino has dominated to a .283/.329/.507 slash line with eight of his 13 homers coming off these hurlers. The former Nationals prospect just snapped a six-game hitting streak Monday, going 6-for-14 in this span with three walks, two homers, and five RBI. The stars are aligning for another big week for the right-handed bopper.
Two-Catcher League Options
This tier meshes catchers that may still be available in two-catcher leagues, as well as league specific setups. They may carry some single-catcher mixed-league value at some point, but for now, they can stay on your watchlist. They aren’t necessarily going to win you a category, but they won’t hurt your overall production either.
Austin Romine (C, NYY) - 6% Owned
With Gary Sanchez likely out for the remainder of the regular season, the door has opened for Austin Romine to make a late-season offensive surge. The 30-year-old veteran has held his own with the bat in 65 games this season clubbing seven round-trippers with 34 RBI and a sparkling .286 batting average. Romine is hitting a remarkable .526 in five starts this month, and the table is set in this year’s pentultimate week for the trend to continue. With six games upcoming this week at Yankee Stadium against the Angels and Blue Jays, these salivating matchups will be a gold mine of counting stats with the team averaging over eight runs per game over the last week.
Martin Maldonado (C, HOU) - 3% Owned
Martin Maldonado has resurfaced to fantasy relevance since returning to the Astros at the trade deadline. With an inferior supporting cast on the Royals, the shift to the Astros potent lineup has helped boost his stock despite getting fewer starts behind the dish. Maldonado is on the short side of a 60/40 platoon with Robinson Chirinos, but he’s impressed in the games he has started. He’s slashed an outstanding .381/.458/.905 in his last six games including three homers and eight runs scored while effectively turning the lineup over. Maldonado is a terrific two-catcher option with the Astros looking to keep the pedal on the gas to attain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers
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