Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers - Catcher (C)

Endy Rodriguez - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Endy Rodriguez, C, Pittsburgh Pirates ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates catcher prospect Endy Rodriguez will be promoted to the major league roster for his debut. The 23-year-old slashed .268/.356/.415 across 67 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. He is the No. 35 prospect in baseball and the third-ranked prospect in the Pirates system, per MLB Pipeline.... Read More

Tyler Soderstrom (C/1B, OAK)- Fantasy Baseball Hitter Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 29% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Athletics recently promoted their No. 1 prospect, Tyler Soderstrom, to the big leagues following an appearance in the Futures Game. He made his debut on July 14 and collected his first major league hit against the Twins on July 15. Top @Athletics... Read More

Henry Davis - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Henry Davis, C, Pittsburgh Pirates ANALYSIS: The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted catching prospect Henry Davis to the MLB. He started the season with Double-A Altoona and slashed .284/.433/.547 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 25 runs, and seven stolen bases through 41 games. The 2021 first-overall pick was recently promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis and... Read More

Bo Naylor - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis

PROSPECT: Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians ANALYSIS: The Cleveland Guardians plan to call up catching prospect Bo Naylor from Triple-A Columbus in order to join the team on Saturday. Naylor is the team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he's also the younger brother of Cleveland first baseman Josh Naylor. The 23-year-old backstop will... Read More

Francisco Alvarez (C, NYM) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 47% of Leagues ANALYSIS: New York Mets catcher/designated hitter Francisco Alvarez has drawn a lot of attention during the infant stages of his major-league career. Baseball's 2022 top prospect came up in Queens a bit earlier than expected back on April 7 when Omar Narvaez had... Read More

Matt McLain - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 42% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Minor League OPS leader and No. 5 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, Matt McLain was called up on Sunday and debuted in Monday's series opener in Colorado. Before being promoted to the pros, McLain was the sole leader in... Read More

Eric Haase (C/OF, DET) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Eric Haase has made quite some noise at the plate in recent affairs and it's beginning to become the norm for Haase to create loud contact. On the season, he's slashing .277/.341/.398 with a 110 OPS+, but his most recent seven-game stint... Read More

Logan O'Hoppe (C, LAA) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 53% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With starting catcher Max Stassi out for the first month of the season because of a hip injury, the Angels came into the season with Logan O’Hoppe as their primary catcher. O’Hoppe came over to the Angels in the trade that sent Brandon... Read More

Francisco Alvarez (C, NYM) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 34% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With catcher, Omar Narvaez sidelined for the next eight weeks, the Mets promoted No. 1 prospect, Francisco Alvarez. The 21-year-old will share catching reps with Tomas Nido but is poised to become New York's full-time catcher in the near future. Although the Mets... Read More

Logan O'Hoppe (C, LAA) - 2023 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 215 CURRENT ADP: ~235 overall ANALYSIS: Valuing Logan O'Hoppe and determining if you want to target him in drafts comes down to your general strategy with catchers and if you play in one or two-catcher formats. But regardless, I'm expecting O'Hoppe to hop into fantasy managers' hearts in every format... Read More

Brian Serven: Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 19

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 0% of leagues ANALYSIS: After going in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, it took several years of up and down play in the minors for catcher Brian Serven to make his way up to the Colorado Rockies. Now that the 27-year-old former ASU... Read More

William Contreras (C, ATL): Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS: William Contreras, 24-year-old brother to Cubs star Willson Contreras, is off to an excellent start for the Braves in 2022, and has yet to have a bad sample of play at the major league level. He hit eight dingers with a .701... Read More

Travis d'Arnaud (C, ATL) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 45% of leagues ANALYSIS: Atlanta is one of three teams to play eight games next week so d'Arnaud checks the volume box for us. He's scuffled a bit lately, so his numbers don't look that impressive, but he's somewhat salvaged what would have been a... Read More

Alejandro Kirk (C, TOR) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Blue Jays have roared back from the edge of oblivion in recent weeks, putting themselves in the driver's seat for a wild card spot thanks in large part due to a collective surge from their bats. You obviously won't be able to... Read More

Alejandro Kirk (C, TOR) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kirk has been raking at the plate since getting recalled on July 23. He's slashing a rock-solid .303/.360/.517 with four home runs and 14 RBI over 100 plate appearances since then and has a .273/.347/.492 batting line with seven home runs... Read More

Jacob Stallings (C, PIT) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: Our catcher options are pretty limited for next week. It's already the shallowest position in fantasy baseball and there just aren't many attractive options on the waiver wire this deep into the season. We've had to dig a little deeper than normal... Read More

Austin Nola (C, SDP) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 41% of leagues ANALYSIS: Volume is key when it comes to streaming, especially with catchers given how many days off they typically get. Well, our options are pretty limited at backstop this week so we're going against the grain with Austin Nola. The Padres are... Read More

Tyler Stephenson (C/1B, CIN) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: Early in the campaign the Reds boasted a pair of bona fide potential MVP contenders in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, but as the seasoned pushed deeper into summer, it became clear that a pair of NL ROY contenders had also emerged... Read More

Jorge Alfaro (C/OF, MIA) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: When Jorge Alfaro became a Marlin back in 2019, he had to leave behind his first MLB club (for a division rival) after a three-year stint that established "El Oso" as one of the more unique, versatile backstops in the game. It's... Read More

Carson Kelly (C, ARI) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 12+ teams ROSTERED IN: 21% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kelly was a hot commodity at the start of the season as he got off to a blazing start. He hit .338/.491/.613 with six home runs and 19 RBI over the first 28 games of the year before fracturing his toe in... Read More

Reese McGuire (C, TOR) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams ROSTERED IN: 1% of leagues ANALYSIS: The 26-year-old catcher has quietly been producing at the plate over the last 15 games, going 12-for-38 (.316/.350/.447) with five doubles and four runs scored. Overall, he's slashing .284/.329/.392 with 13 doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and 19 runs scored... Read More

Daulton Varsho (C/OF, ARI) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams ROSTERED IN: 42% of leagues ANALYSIS: Varsho's roster shares have exploded over the last few weeks and for good reason. He was a non-factor over his first 34 games played this season, slashing a measly .138/.250/.175 with five RBI, one stolen base, eight runs scored, and a... Read More

Zack Collins (C, CHW) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams and in OBP formats ROSTERED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: The week sets up nicely for Zack Collins, who's taken over as the everyday catcher for Yasmani Grandal (knee), who underwent surgery to repair a tendon tear in his left knee back on July 7. Collins hasn't really flashed... Read More

Luis Torrens (C, SEA) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: Torrens started the season as the Mariners' primary catcher but got off to an ugly start at the dish. He hit a paltry .178 with a .519 OPS over his first 96 plate appearances before being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on May 20. He... Read More

Eric Haase (C/OF, DET) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 47% of leagues ANALYSIS: How far off the radar was Eric Haase to open the season? Well, let's just say that his first name is misspelled in the tag on the image in our library. Now he's one of the most popular adds on Yahoo and based on... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 13 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 12 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 11 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 10

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 10 of the MLB season (5/31 through 6/6). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 10 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 9 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 8 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Omar Narvaez (C, MIL) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 40% of leagues ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez was activated from the injured list on Thursday after missing about two weeks with a hamstring injury. Prior to the injury, he was off to a hot start to the year, slashing .352/.434/.507 with three home runs, two... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 7 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 6 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 6

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 6 of the MLB season (5/2 through 5/9). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 5 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 4 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 4

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 4 of the MLB season (4/19 through 4/25). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 3 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, with my weekly defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams.... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 3

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season - April 12th through April 18th. This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain... Read More

Catchers to Stream - Week 2 Waiver Wire

It's your resident catcher advocate here, preparing my defense for baseball's most maligned position. Instead of giving into easy narratives about the lack of talent at the catcher position and how they're the kickers of fantasy baseball, I'm here to create a place where catchers are celebrated for how they can help our teams. Each... Read More

Top Hitter Streamers and Starts for Week 2

Welcome to the top hitter streamers column for Week 2 of the MLB season (4/5 through 4/11). This weekly piece should be helpful for anyone looking to gain an edge in their league. If you need a fill-in for an injured player or want to exploit some plus matchups to gain an edge on your... Read More

Elias Diaz (C, COL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 360 CURRENT ADP: ~382 overall ANALYSIS: You want hitters in Coors. This is not a new strategy. After coming over from Pittsburgh last year, Diaz seems to be the starter in Colorado this year. In the small sample size of 2020, he had an 11.3% barrel rate, 41.5% Hard Hit%,... Read More

Yan Gomes (C, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 9

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues OWNED IN: 4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Throughout most of his career, Yan Gomes has never been much of a flashy fantasy pick. He's good for between 10 and 15 home runs, with an OK average, but not really much else. Since his All-Star 2018 season, Gomes has been in... Read More

Austin Barnes (C, LAD) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS: Picture this scenario: the 2020 MLB season is winding down, you need stolen bases wherever you can get them, and you aren't fortunate enough to roster the likes of J.T. Realmuto, Christian Vazquez, or Isiah Kiner-Falefa at backstop. In two-catcher leagues where the pickens get... Read More

Jacob Stallings (C, PIT) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: On a very stitched-together 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates squad, even Jacob Stallings name doesn't tend to stick out, and it certainly didn't jump off the page before the season started when compared to fellow Buccos backstops John Ryan Murphy and Luke Maile. While Maile hit the... Read More

Sean Murphy (C, OAK) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: If you took a look at any preseason odds for who would win the AL Rookie of the Year distinction for this season, you certainly saw Sean Murphy on the majority of shortlists, and that projection was well earned after Murphy earned five doubles,... Read More

Austin Nola (C/1B/2B, SEA) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 32% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Seattle Mariners have been one of the sneaky-good offenses in the league and catcher Austin Nola has been a big part of it. Nola has been particularly good this past week with seven RBI and six runs scored in his last six games.... Read More

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C, 3B, TEX) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa has catcher eligibility despite having not caught a game for the Texas Rangers in 2020. All ten of his appearances this year have come at third base but being able to start him in the catcher position of your fantasy lineups as an... Read More