Deep League Catcher (C) Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

July 17, 2014

RotoBaller analyzes MLB catcher sleepers for you to pickup off the waiver wire in deep fantasy baseball leagues, including 2-catcher formats and AL/NL only leagues.

Catcher Sleepers for the Second Half

With all of the home run excitement following the clinic put on Monday night, and the atypically exciting all-star game on Tuesday night featuring MLB's best players, I wanted to focus on some deeper league catcher sleepers that are at the opposite end of the spectrum from those all-star performers.  These potential waiver wire pickups have some power upside and are recently getting consistent playing time. They're no Céspedes or Trout, but can help fantasy managers in 14+ team leagues and all 2 catcher leagues.

Travis d'Arnaud, New York Mets

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Formats, NL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: Even hitting in the New York Met's lineup, Travis d'Arnaurd has been on a bit of a tear as of late, helping the Amazins win six of their last eight games. He's brought his bleak .180 AVG from June 6th up to .217 with 18 hits in 14 out of the last 16 games for the Mets since.

d'Arnaud has shown hints of the power upside he was once so highly regarded for (as the seventh overall pick for the Phillie's in '07) with three homers in his current streak. He's now at 6 HR, 18 R, 19 RBI, 20 BB, and 1 SB on the year in 210 plate appearances. Granted that's nothing to write home about, but owner's should ride the wave if they're looking for a fill in in a very deep league or a league with 2 catcher slots.

Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Formats

ANALYSIS: A bit of a utility knife, Stephen Vogt has earned himself consistent playing time, boasting a .358 AVG to go with his 4 HR, 11 R, and 17 RBI in his first 116 plate appearances. Two of those home runs came in his twelve game hitting streak that was broken in his final game before the ASB.

Hitting in the insanely potent A's lineup clearly has it's benefits, and Vogt's position eligibility (C, 1B, OF) are just a bonus.

Even though he doesn't play much at catcher for Oakland, he's remains a viable option as long as he continues to get the playing time for managers in 12+ team leagues.

Robinson Chirinos, Texas Rangers

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Formats, AL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: Another guy who quietly put together a decent first half despite hitting in a decimated Rangers lineup is Robinson Chirinos. He's not a guy to help your average or OBP (.238 AVG and six BB) but he does have nine HR, 19 R, and 29 RBI in just 211 PA.

Chirinos will continue to get the lion's share of the playing time while Geovany Soto is out, and he is making his case for that to continue when Soto comes back. With five of his nine bombs coming in the past month, Chirinos may be worth a flier as someone to carry some momentum into the second half of the season in very deep leagues