X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters for HR, SB, RBI, AVG, Runs (Week 12)

Mark Vientos - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Mike's fantasy baseball category boosters, waiver wire hitters to add. He goes category by category and picks out hitters for HR, RBI, SB, AVG, and runs for Week 12 (2024).

Is your fantasy baseball team in need of a boost in a specific category? Maybe it's a shot in the arm in runs scored or an influx of RBI? Monitoring how well you are performing in each offensive category and addressing those categories in need throughout the season is a great way to keep your 5x5 roto team near the top of the standings!

There are dozens of waiver wire articles across the industry each week, but how many of them break down the available hitters by which categories they are most capable of contributing? I aim to give you the top options this week for each of the five offensive categories. All hitters will be under 50% rostered on Yahoo and listed in order of my preference.

You may bristle at some of the picks, but several entries on this list come from the worst team in baseball, my beloved Chicago White Sox. Take heed: even terrible teams have useful fantasy players on them, so dig deep and find those bargains.  Let's take a look.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals (47% rostered)

Burleson got some waiver-wire love earlier in the season, but a move to the second slot in the lineup made us notice that he could help us in the often-forgotten category of runs scored. Burleson has scored six runs in nine June tilts and has also hit four home runs this month. He's giving solid production, considering his modest start to the season in April.

Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds (31% rostered)

It might seem rare to see a catcher listed in the runs category, but here we are. Stephenson has scored eight runs in 10 June games while also hitting .278. With health, Stephenson is a great weapon to use in most fantasy leagues. See the Statcast below; he's on the verge of being elite with the bat. I also think it is fine to roster Stephenson in one catcher leagues, too.

Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins (7% rostered)

Many people thought his playing time would stay on the decline, but Santana' has been playing more again over the last two weeks. But, with Alex Kirilloff struggling and being demoted to AAA on Wednesday, an opportunity has presented itself to Santana, and the veteran has responded by scoring seven runs in his last 10 starts. He can also be a good source of cheap power when he is playing daily.

Also consider: Andrew McCutchen (PIT), Ivan Herrera (STL)

 

Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles (43% rostered)

O'Hearn is a great example of a player frequently not rostered due to playing time and platoon concerns. Yet when he plays, he is productive and is in the right part of the platoon, playing against right-handed pitching.

Gavin Sheets, Chicago White Sox (14% rostered)

Listen, being a White Sox fan, I know firsthand how bad this team has been in 2024. But Sheets has taken a step forward and is largely going unnoticed in many leagues. He has cut his K% down to 18% and has seen his BB% skyrocket to 12.9%. He's had some bad luck; look below at the top three bars of his batting statistics, and you will see he is a better than .241 hitter. Sheets has seven home runs, with three of those coming in his last 10 games. He is a cheap power source with assured playing time who should be putting up better stats. Roster him if you need power.

Paul DeJong, Chicago White Sox (10% rostered)

Another unnoticed player on a bad team, DeJong, has 13 home runs in 200 plate appearances. That is good. Five of those have come in his last 10 games. Do not expect batting average help here, as he is hitting .240, and the underlying stats show that he should be hitting less than that. DeJong is building value for a trade to a better team, and when that happens, he's probably no longer a starter. But we don't care about that eventuality; roster a cheap power source while he is still assured of daily at-bats.

Also consider: Tyler Soderstrom (OAK), Andrew Vaughn (CWS)

 

Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Mark Vientos, New York Mets (40% rostered)

I put Vientos in here last week, but he's still a free agent in a whopping 60% of Yahoo leagues. Vientos has cooled somewhat but is still worth rostering, especially at the kind-of-weak third base position this year. He is hitting .308 in 31 June plate appearances and has knocked in seven runs. The third base job is his, and his rostership should only increase from here.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Toronto Blue Jays (13% rostered)

IKF is a guy who always finds his way to at-bats. This year is no exception. He puts the ball in play, and good things can happen when you do that. Kiner-Falefa had nine RBI in June and granted, five of those were in one game. He's still hitting in the lower third of the order, but that could change soon. The multiple-position eligibility is just the cherry on top. Kiner-Falefa has eligibility at 2B, 3B, CI, MI, and OF. Use this Swiss Army knife if you can.

Austin Hays, Baltimore Orioles (13% rostered)

Hays flies under the radar on a stacked Baltimore team, but he is back and appears healthy. With the team sending down Connor Norby and the perplexing struggles of Cedric Mullins, Hays has a chance to claim daily at-bats here.  When he has been healthy, he has shown the ability to hit for some power. Hays hit two home runs last week and has hit 16 home runs in two consecutive seasons.  Take a look at him if you are looking for inexpensive power this week.

Also consider: Carlos Santana (MIN), Donovan Solano (SD)

 

Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

David Hamilton, Boston Red Sox (20% rostered)

Hamilton has made the most of his playing time with the Red Sox. Playing time might become an issue with the return of Mastaka Yoshida, but that remains an unanswered question.  What Hamilton does is run. The underlying metrics don't believe in the .288 batting average, but I believe in the 13 stolen bases, with four in the past five games. Cheap speed might be something you need; many fantasy players look for hitters that have pop and speed, but deep in drafts and on the waiver wire, that is hard to find. Hamilton can help in the short term with some speed.

Jake McCarthy, Arizona Diamondbacks (5% rostered)

Much has been written about what McCarthy is and is not, but what he does do is steal bases. McCarthy's sprint speed is in the 93rd percentile.  As long as he is playing and getting on base sometimes, we can expect him to run.  He's hitting .320 in 31 plate appearances and has six runs scored and four stolen bases in June. He's free at this point at only 5% rostership.  Alek Thomas may be back in a week or two, and that could cut into McCarthy's playing time.  Until then, roster and use for the runs scored and stolen bases.

Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins (12% rostered)

This is a pure speed play as Lopez will not help much in the home runs or RBI category, but he's playing almost every day now and can run, with four stolen bases over his 20 games.  The batting average is at .288, which helps you as well.  He's way under the radar but might be a sneaky add, and he has eligibility at three infiled spots (2B, 3B, and SS) as well as outfield.

Also consider: Jorge Mateo (BAL), Blake Perkins (MIL), Ryan Bliss (SEA)

 

Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres (50% rostered)

Merrill seems to be a star in the making. He forced himself onto the roster with a good spring and is making his mark in MLB this spring. He's hitting .276 on the year, but the xBA is actually .301. Merrill struggled at the beginning of June but seems to have found his swing again, getting nine hits in his last seven games. Add in that he has SS, MI, UT, and OF designations, and you have fantasy gold. He can hit and will continue to get daily playing time in San Diego.

Connor Wong, Boston Red Sox (37% rostered)

Wong is an interesting case.  He brings a unique skill to the catching position: he can hit and run. Check out his June stats below. He's been over .300 all season and is at .333 for the month thus far. Wong is also chipping in when we consider the counting categories, with five home runs and three stolen bases. He could easily finish with double-digits in both categories.  Wong makes for a great C2 in leagues where you have to start two catchers, but if he keeps hitting, he could be your guy in single-catcher leagues as well.

Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox (24% rostered)

Much has been written about Vaughn's struggles to start the year, but smart fantasy players have noticed the turnaround. He has an 11-game hitting streak with multiple hits in five of those games.  Vaughn is hitting .394 in June with three home runs and is assured of daily playing time with the moribund White Sox. Savvy players will start picking him up; why don't you help start the trend?

Also consider: Blake Perkins (MIL), Geraldo Perdomo (ARI)

I hope this helps you out! Good luck and happy hunting, RotoBallers! You can always message me @mdrc0508 on X to complain about picks or make other suggestions!



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF