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

Points Leagues Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 18

Jeimer Candelario - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Third Base Draft Sleepers

Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points league waiver wire pickups for Week 18 of the 2021 fantasy baseball season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

We'll be doing this roundup of points leagues every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver wire targets and streaming pitchers being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, and Fantrax.

Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits. We know points league players get neglected and we're here to help.

These waiver-wire adds are for the week of July 26 - August 1, looking at players below 50% rostered for ESPN and Yahoo! Stats and rankings are calculated using games through Friday, July 23.

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

 

Know Your System

If you've read me even a little, you likely know what I'm going to say...You must account for, as precisely as possible, how a player performs under your particular scoring system. Don't be fooled into believing you can just make rough adjustments in your head, bumping up guys with high on-base percentages and low strikeout rates. Every point, in every category, counts.

For example, ESPN and Fantrax are virtually identical in their scoring for hitters and roster size. The only difference is that stolen bases are worth one more point on Fantrax and ESPN subtracts one point per strikeout. That's the difference between Ronald Acuna Jr. being a top-five hitter versus top-20.

If your league uses standard settings, then great! Turn to page 94 and you can skip ahead to the leaderboards. If you play with custom settings, it'll still be fine. Go back to page 43 and look below at the scoring systems of the four major platforms. I bet there's a chance that you'll find that your league's scoring is very similar to one of the four (well, not Yahoo!'s), even if it's not the platform you actually play on.

For example, my home league started on a now-defunct platform before moving first to ESPN and is now at Fantrax. But our scoring is basically ESPN standard only with two points for stolen bases and a handful of other minor adjustments.

If you look above, you'll likely find a suitable mirror to your own system. While every point counts, as long as they aren't seismic changes you can get away with some "close enough" calls. IE. If everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar), you're probably fine.

 

Waiver Wire Leaderboards

In addition to our overall waiver wire leaderboards, we're deep enough into the season that we'll also start doing a 14-day leaderboard (21 days for pitchers), as well, giving us a window into recent production. The charts are updated prior to Saturday's games, on stats and ownerships. All leaderboards, overall and 14-day, are sorted according to the player's APR*, and clicking on a chart will open a new page with a magnified version.

*APR = Average Platform Ranking - the average platform ranking between ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and Fantrax (standard point settings)

 

The Hansels

Let the recency bias wash over you because these players are just so hot, right now. So, just for fun, let's start making a chart of the players in the top-100 of APR over the last two weeks before diving into the position-by-position analysis.

 

First Base

Must Add

  • Joey Votto, CIN - Week by week, Votto's ownership moves slowly up. That's probably because he has a 126 APR even after missing over a month to injury. He has a 75 APR over the last two weeks and is sporting a .360 wOBA for 2021, backed by an even more impressive .382 xwOBA.
  • C.J. Cron, COL - Even with a week's worth of road games, it looks like we've finally inched into full-on Cron-time. Cron has a 38 APR over the last two weeks but is particularly useful in leagues with a strikeout penalty (like ESPN and CBS) due to his elite 20.9% K%.

Can Add

Desperate Adds

Notable IL

 

Second Base

Must Adds

  • Kike Hernandez, BOS - Hernandez just refuses to stop hitting, with .375 wOBA since the start of June and posting a 14 APR over the last two weeks. Hernandez has now batted leadoff in his last 21 games and this train doesn't look like it's slowing down, as he's slashing .333/.406/.815 with a .488 wOBA since returning from the All-Star Break.

 

  • Cesar Hernandez, CLE - Hernandez keeps quietly doing his thing, with a 66 APR on the year, and a 56 APR over the last two weeks. It's nothing flashy, he just compiles from the top of Cleveland's order.

Can Adds

  • Kolten Wong, MIL
  • Jed Lowrie, OAK
  • Josh Harrison, WSH - Harrison is in the middle of an 8-game hit streak, slashing an impressive .394/.429/.636 over that time. Over 79 PA since July 1, he's slashing .310/.372/.479 with a .368 wOBA. Yes, Josh Harrison.
  • Wilmer Flores, SF

Desperate Adds

Notable IL

 

Third Base

Must Adds

  • Jeimer Candelario, DET - Whoa! A must-add player at the hot corner? It's been a while but it's time to give Candelario some must-add love for the first time in a few months, who has a modest six-game hit streak, over which he's slashing .381/.458/.714, with a .490 wOBA. But to be fair, his recent hotness started before last week. Since the start of July, Candelario is slashing .302/.405/.524 over 74 PA, with a .397 wOBA and 153 wRC+. And while the overall production is excellent, so is his quicky falling strikeout rate; his 25.2% K% in April/May has dropped to a 19.2% K% since June 1:

Can Adds

  • Yandy Diaz, TB - Diaz has actually been really good lately, posting a 74 APR over the last two weeks, with his 15.1% K% and 15.4% BB% providing even more value in leagues with a strikeout penalty. The problem is that his playing time is in for a big squeeze following Tampa's acquisition of Nelson Cruz. Sharing time at first and third base with left-handers Ji-Man Choi and Joey Wendle - and with the DH now locked down by Cruz - Diaz will likely be getting the short-end of the platoon stick.
  • Maikel Franco, BAL
  • Hunter Dozier, KC

Desperate Adds

Notable IL 

 

Shortstop

Must Adds

  • Miguel Rojas, MIA - Finally! After living in this space for weeks prior to the broken finger injury that caused him to miss three weeks, Miguel Rojas is back, baby. Granted, he's gone 0-for-13 in his past three games but after staying on the skids following his return from injury on July 18, it seems that Rojas has found his hit stick again. Rojas is slashing .316/.361/.421 since July 1 and has a 51 APR over the last two weeks.

Can Adds

  • J.P. Crawford, SEA - Crawford has slowed down lately, slashing .114/.162/.114 since the All-Star break but should continue to be a decent compiler as long as he's holding down the leadoff spot for the Mariners.
  • Paul DeJong, STL - Since the start of July, DeJong is slashing .315/.383/.519, with a .390 wOBA and 148 wRC+.

Desperate Adds

Notable IL

 

Outfielders

Must Adds

  • Akil Baddoo, DET - The chart above has him with a 34 APR over the last two weeks but that has jumped to a 6 APR after Saturday night's performance when Baddoo went 2-for-5, with a two-run home run and three runs scored. Baddoo has hit a couple of rough patches but continues to adjust back to the good side of things. This is looking less and less like a feel-good Rule-5 story and more like the arrival of a pretty good hitter.
  • Brandon Nimmo, NYM - Like Baddoo above, Nimmo's numbers from the chart above have jumped some after going 2-for-5 on Saturday night. He now has a 64 APR over the last two weeks and is slashing .305/.431/.427, with a .384 wOBA. Please do your part to not let him be a part of this article next week. I'm begging you. Nimmo is points gold, I (still) promise.
  • Justin Upton, LAA - Upton has only gone 1-for-12 since returning from the IL but was a must-start prior to his injury.
  • Andrew Vaughn, CHW - Over his last 20 games, Vaughn is slashing .343/.360/.643 over 75 PA, with five home runs and a .416 wOBA.
  • LaMonte Wade Jr., SF - Wade is going to sit against lefties some but otherwise has been dominating from the top of San Francisco's order and now has a 38 APR over the last two weeks after going deep on Saturday night.

Can Adds

  • Jarren Duran, BOS - The latest prospect hotness to hit the big leagues, Durran's performance over his first 21 PA doesn't exactly scream must-add, slashing .211/.286/.421. However, if you want him, now's the time, as any sort of hot streak will send his Roster% skyrocketing. Just be aware that the power+speed combo that makes Durran so appealing in roto formats might not translate to your points format with the same impact as it comes with a high strikeout rate and middling walks.
  • David Peralta, ARI - Peralta is the duke of "nothing exciting but doesn't hurt you".
  • Jorge Soler, KC - Sweet lord, is Soler starting to wake up from his coma after hitting two home runs since the All-Star break? What's that?... He's slashing .143/.308/.429 since the break? Oh.
  • Myles Straw, HOU
  • Austin Hays, BAL
  • Harrison Bader, STL - Since returning from the IL on July 1, Bader is slashing .338/.394/.554  over 71 PA, with a .406 wOBA and 161 wRC+.
  • Adam Engel, CHW - Engel has been a low-budget compiler since returning from the IL on July 7, giving point players a little bit of everything, slashing .250/.342/.500, with 2 HR, 6 R, 9 RBI, and 2 SB.

Desperate Adds

Notable IL

 

Catchers

Must Adds

  • Daulton Varsho, ARI - When a catcher has four two-hit games in a row, with three home runs, he's a must-add. Just a little rule I try to hold by.
  • Austin Nola, SD - He only returned from the IL on July 22 but Nola has a high-OBP/low-K% profile that plays well in points. Particularly behind the plate.
  • Alejandro Kirk, TOR - Ditto from Nola.

Can Adds

Desperate Adds

  • All catcher adds are desperate adds.

Notable IL



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 Points Leagues 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

Puka Nacua

Targeted 15 Times, Goes Over Century Mark in Loss to Eagles
Kenneth Walker III

Finds End Zone Twice in Blowout of Saints
A.J. Brown

Breaks Out of Early-Season Slump With Monster Week 3
Corbin Carroll

Joins 30-30 Club on Sunday
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Ruled Out for Remainder of Week 3 Due to Shoulder Injury
Brandon Woodruff

has Moderate Lat Strain
Luther Burden III

Tops 100 Receiving Yards in Week 3, Scores First NFL Touchdown
James Conner

Ankle Injury Severe Enough to End His Season?
Courtland Sutton

Bounces Back With Monster Week 3 Performance
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Questionable to Return With Shoulder Injury
Mac Jones

Aggravates PCL Sprain in Week 3 Win
CeeDee Lamb

Believes That He Can Play in Week 4
Najee Harris

Tests Indicate Najee Harris Tore Achilles
Caleb Williams

Throws for Four Touchdowns in Stellar Outing Sunday
CeeDee Lamb

Avoids Major Ankle Injury in Week 3 Loss
Najee Harris

Achilles Injury Confirmed for Najee Harris
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena to Get Imaging Done
Yordan Alvarez

Won't Make Final Road Trip
Nico Collins

Goes Over 100-Yard Mark
Jordan Mason

Rushes for Over 100 Yards, Two Touchdowns in Lead-Back Role
Hunter Henry

Scores Twice in Week 3
CeeDee Lamb

Won't Return Due to Ankle Injury
Anthony Davis

Participates in Five-on-Five Games
James Conner

Ruled Out with Ankle Injury
San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa Downgraded to Out in Week 3
Najee Harris

Ruled Out for Week 3 with Non-Contact Injury
Cedric Coward

"100% Cleared" for Basketball Activities
Trevor Megill

Unlikely to Return Until Playoffs
Brandon Woodruff

Goes on 15-Day Injured List With Lat Strain
CJ Abrams

Out With Jammed Shoulder on Sunday
Wyatt Langford

Back in Lineup on Sunday
Charlie Morton

Designated for Assignment
Ryan Blaney

the Favorite to Win at New Hampshire
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Is Confident Heading Into New Hampshire Race
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell The No-Brainer DFS Pick at New Hampshire?
Denny Hamlin

Always Strong at New Hampshire
Mike Trout

Hits 400th Career Home Run
William Byron

has Never Finished in the Top 10 at New Hampshire
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Could Contend at New Hampshire This Weekend
Austin Cindric

Has Potential at New Hampshire
Kyle Larson

a Strong DFS Option, Inconsistency Gives Reason to Doubt him
Chase Elliott

Recent Speed Downturn Could Continue at Loudon
Chase Briscoe

Looks Slower at Loudon Than in the Round of 16
Tyler Reddick

Possibly Distracted by Contract Costs
Ross Chastain

Qualifying Results Improving as his Race Results Decline
Chris Buescher

has Shown Mediocre Pace This Season and at Loudon
Brad Keselowski

Consistent Loudon Speed Makes Him an Excellent DFS Option
Carson Hocevar

Strong Qualifying Run May Be a Reason to Stay Away from Carson Hocevar
Shane Van Gisbergen

a Shaky DFS Option
Ty Gibbs

Will Probably Be an Afterthought With All Three Teammates Still in the Playoffs
Kyle Busch

Likely to Finish Better and Run Worse at Loudon
Ryan Preece

Modified Experience Could Help Ryan Preece at Loudon
AJ Allmendinger

Has a Bad Loudon Record but Was Fast in Practice
Michael McDowell

Earns Best Qualifying Run at Loudon, but Not a Strong DFS Option
CFB

Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
William Contreras

Exits With Hand Injury, X-Rays Negative
Cal Raleigh

Breaks Mariners Single-Season Home Run Record
Giancarlo Stanton

Belts 450th Career Home Run
CFB

Thomas Castellanos OK After Injury Scare
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
Will Smith

Dealing with Fractured Hand
Jaccob Slavin

Remains Sidelined Saturday
Max Domi

Expected to Practice Sunday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Sits Out Practice
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Goes to Injured List
Tylor Megill

Likely to Require Tommy John Surgery
CFB

Behren Morton Ruled Out vs. Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Exits with Possible Concussion
Stuart Skinner

Determined to Improve After Shedding Weight
Jeremy Lauzon

Dealing With an Injury
Jack Eichel

Returns to Practice
Wyatt Langford

Day-to-Day With Side Tightness
Bryan Woo

Exits With Pectoral Tightness on Friday
Alec Bohm

Phillies Reinstate Alec Bohm on Friday
Matt Coronato

Matthew Coronato Expected to Make a Big Impact This Season
Johnathan Kovacevic

Out Indefinitely
Kevin Hayes

to Be Re-Evaluated in About a Month
Evgeni Malkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
UTA

Alex Kerfoot Out Week-to-Week
Zeev Buium

Misses Practice With Upper-Body Injury
Artemi Panarin

Sustains Lower-Body Injury in Training Camp
Yordan Alvarez

Astros Put Yordan Alvarez on Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Kyle Finnegan

Set to Return on Friday
Yuri Collins

Headed to Brooklyn
Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Sign Keyontae Johnson
Dennis Smith Jr.

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Mavericks
Tyler Herro

Undergoing Foot/Ankle Surgery
William Eklund

Back at 100 Percent in Training Camp
Macklin Celebrini

Battling an Illness
Kevin Hayes

Evaluated for Upper-Body Injury
Zach Hyman

Out Until November
Stefan Noesen

Nursing a Groin Injury
Laurent Brossoit

Out Long-Term After Hip Surgery
Pierre Engvall

Out for 2-3 Weeks
Kirill Kaprizov

Focused on Having a Good Season
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP