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Welcome RotoBallers to our catcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 6 (April 29 - May 5). It's crazy to think that we are already one month into the MLB season, and so many injuries have already occurred, even at the catcher position.
Sean Murphy (oblique) has been out since the first game of the season with an oblique injury. Francisco Alvarez (thumb) will miss the next eight weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb, and Keibert Ruiz (illness) just returned from a 13-game absence due to an illness.
So, if you are struggling to get consistent production from the catcher position or looking to replace Murphy or Alvarez on your roster, you have come to the right place. In this article, I will look at three catchers whom fantasy managers should be looking to pick up for Week 6. All three catchers are also rostered in less than 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and weekly lineup resources:- Nick Mariano's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups (Premium)
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- Catcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
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Catcher Waiver Wire Adds
Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins (35% Rostered)
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is someone to consider grabbing on waivers right now. He is only rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues, but expect that to climb as he continues to hit well at the plate. The 26-year-old is currently batting .275 with four HRs, 13 RBI, and five doubles.
Jeffers has been a surprise bat atop Minnesota's lineup in the early going and should be worth a look in fantasy at the catcher position. He's been hitting in one of the top four spots in the order recently, most notably leading off in two of the past three games. The five-year veteran has also been getting designated hitter reps -- on days he isn't behind the plate -- which is a great sign for his long-term fantasy value.
#MNTwins lineup vs. LHP Patrick Sandoval:
DH Ryan Jeffers, R
CF Byron Buxton, R
RF Manuel Margot, R
3B Jose Miranda, R
1B Carlos Santana, S
LF Austin Martin, R
C Christian Vázquez, R
2B Kyle Farmer, R
SS Willi Castro, SStandard stacking all the righties vs. lefty starter look. pic.twitter.com/v3JGTVlby8
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 26, 2024
Jeffers hasn't always been a productive bat for the Twins, which included a .208 average and seven HRs two seasons ago in 2022. But, last year, he finished with a .276 average, 14 HRs, and 43 RBI across 96 games. With the way the 26-year-old is hitting right now, he should be able to put up career numbers in 2024. That's why he's a player to target on waivers, especially if you drafted Murphy or Alvarez.
Elias Diaz, Colorado Rockies (34% Rostered)
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz was on this exact list two weeks ago and was rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues. Now, his rostership sits at 34% -- a 15% increase from April 12. Still, that seems too low for a player who continues to rake at the plate and plays half of his games at the most hitter-friendly ballpark at Coors Field.
On the most recent homestand, Diaz went 7-for-23 at the plate with two doubles, one home run, and six RBI across six games. That stretch lifted his batting average to .309 on the season to go with two HRs, 14 RBI, and four doubles. Not only has the veteran been putting up consistent numbers on offense, but he also starts almost every game for the Rockies. He has started 12 of the past 13 games, and the only contest he sat out was a doubleheader on April 21 -- which was expected.
It makes very little sense why Diaz's rostership is this low. Maybe playing for Colorado has something to do with that. But that hasn't mattered much to the 33-year-old. He has tallied at least one hit in 18 of 23 contests this season while totaling seven multi-hit games so far in 2024.
Points Leaders - Catchers
1. William Conteras 283
2. Salvador Perez 245
3. Adley Rutschman 190
4. Willson Contreras 168
5. Cal Raleigh 165
6. Ryan Jeffers 163
7. Elias Diaz 157
7. Yainer Diaz 157
9. Jonah Heim 150
10. Logan O'Hoppe 144
11. J.T. Realmuto 142
12. Connor Wong 137…— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) April 26, 2024
The Rockies catcher will now play a two-game series against the Houston Astros in Mexico City this weekend. One season ago, 37 total runs were scored in two games between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres in Mexico City. Grab Diaz now before your league mates do.
Connor Wong, Boston Red Sox (12% Rostered)
When you're hot, you're hot, and that's exactly what Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong is at the plate right now. After finishing with a .235 average, nine HRs, and 36 RBI last season, Wong is off to an unbelievable start in 2024. He is batting .364 with five HRs, 11 RBI, and one double through 17 games.
Wong's hot start on offense has been a complete surprise and surely unexpected. However, after seeing him go 4-for-4 with two HRs and three RBI against the Cleveland Guardians on April 24, he is someone fantasy managers should consider picking up while he's hot. The Red Sox catcher also has five multi-hit games over his last nine contests.
Let Wong keep the HR medal. pic.twitter.com/nnOavLWDBu
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 24, 2024
Wong isn't necessarily someone that fantasy managers should be rushing to the waiver wire to pick up. But, in a deeper league, he could be a nice addition. His rostership has gone up 7% over the past six days, and the 27-year-old has started eight of the last 10 games for Boston. Just be careful, though, because his production at the plate will likely not be sustainable over the season.
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