Points League Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7 (May 12 - May 18)

May 12, 2025

Nicklaus' H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters in Week 7 (2025) - May 12 - May 18. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters for Week 7 of the 2025 season. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of May 12 - May 18, looking at players below ~50 percent rostered on ESPN or Yahoo points leagues.

We'll be doing this points league roundup every week here at RotoBaller because we know points players get neglected, and we're here to help. Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll highlight where players are the best and worst fits, with waiver-wire targets being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems on ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, Fantrax, and NFBC.

Position eligibility is taken from Fantrax, and players are grouped by their most valuable fantasy position, using a hierarchy of C > 2B > OF > 3B > 1B > SS. Stats and rankings are calculated using games through Saturday, May 10.

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Waiver Wire Caveats and APR Explanation

Roster% Thresholds

We use a combination of roster percentages to assess who is in our target pool, relying mostly on Yahoo and ESPN. For some players, you'll notice a wide discrepancy between the two. This is because ESPN's roster percentage is heavily weighted by points players, with guys who don't do well in their system (often because of an inflated strikeout rate) lagging behind the Yahoo! roster percentage.

For this reason, you'll sometimes see players (especially early) who might make you question my sanity in including them in a waiver-wire article, but don't worry, it's just a necessary glitch for coverage purposes.

APR stands for "Average Platform Rank" and is the average hitter rank between the four major point platforms: ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and Fantrax. All player data is from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant, with injury information pulled from the Roster Resource section on the former.

Fantasy Baseball First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ty France, MIN, 1B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 7%) - Rejoice, fellow francophiles; the Ty France renaissance is in full bloom. France won't stop hitting (or starting), with his super-compiler powers being activated by the piles of PAs he's getting in the great white north. He's finishing up his fourth top-100 period in the last five, and gets six games and one LHP in Week 7 (@BAL, @MIN).

Gavin Sheets, SD, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 8%) - Gavin Sheets SZN remains in full effect, with Sheets currently the #21 hitter headed into Sunday. He's also been relatively solid all season, though, finishing outside of the top-150 once, and sitting with a 114 APR for the year. Only one LHP on the schedule (vs. LAA, vs. SEA) means you can feel free to again slip between those sweet, fantasy sheets.

Next Choices

Carlos Santana, CLE, 1B (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 11%) - I'd be careful, heretics -- you're making a points god very annoyed with his disrespectful Roster%. Available basically everywhere, Santana is up to a 114 APR for the year and is currently the #26 hitter in Week 6, headed into Sunday. He'll get a chance to earn more of your reverence in Week 7, with six games (vs. MIL, @CIN) and two left-handers on the board.

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - O'Hearn has been mediocre in Week 6 but is usually a good bet to stream when Baltimore doesn't have many LHPs on the schedule, finishing in the top-100 thrice this season, with two of those in the top-50. Baltimore has one LHP this week in six games at home versus the Twins and Nationals.

Desperate Choices

Rhys Hoskins, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 10%) -  Still widely available, Hoskins is up to a 127 APR for the season after posting his third top-125 APR in the last four periods. He's only scheduled to face one LHP in his six games (@CLE, vs. MIN), but Hoskins should remain a high-floor option going forward.

On the IL

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand, CIN, 1B (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
• Luke Raley, SEA, 1B/OF (strained oblique - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (strained back - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Colt Keith, DET, 2B (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 7%) - Keith has finally remembered how points-friendly his profile can be, currently sitting as the #78 hitter headed into Sunday, after finishing at #25 last week. He's running a 20% K% and 16% BB%, and while a .345 OPB is already well above-average, a .390 xOBP paints an even rosier picture of his on-base abilities.

The left-hander will see nothing but right-handed starters in Week 7, with three games at home against Boston, before going on the road to Toronto.

Colt Keith with the only home run by the tigers in the series, and it was a no doubter,

called by Drew Goodman, Cory Sullivan, and Ryan Spilborghs for https://t.co/vxq7oyNNlo:#RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/z3K26BOklx

— will: Riley Greene Truther (@wrhiv_72) May 9, 2025

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 14%) - Arias has a 116 APR for the season and is trying to finish off his third top-100 finish in the last five periods. While a .337 BABIP might point to an impending dip, Arias continues to get great value by compiling a lot of PAs, currently with four HRs, 21 R, 16 RBI, and two SBs.

Cleveland has six games this week (vs. MIL, @CIN), with two left-handed starters scheduled.

Next Choices

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Schneemann has a top-100 APR over the last two weeks but but the leftie might hit the bench twice in Cleveland's six games, with two LHPs on the schedule (vs. MIL, @CIN). Regardless, his numbers have been fairly outstanding over his first 84 PA, with x-stats that look just as shiny.

He's slashing .284/.361/.554, with .397 wOBA, backed by an x-line of .266/.346/.589, with a .395 xwOBA.

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 48%) - He's not very available, but India has started to heat up, looking to finish off his second-straight (and only) top-100 week. Stacking PAs like few others, India will get a chance to keep compiling his way to relevance with six games and two LHPs (@HOU, vs. STL).

Luisangel Acuña, NYM, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Acuña has been getting fairly regular playing time, and while he still struggles vs. RHP, Ronald's little brother has been handling lefties pretty well. With three LHPs on the schedule in six games (vs. PIT, @NYY) and one of them being Bailey Falter, Acuña could shine.

Desperate Choices

Gavin Lux, CIN, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 20%) - Lux and his .391 BABIP will look to get things back on track after two lackluster weeks in a row (#188, #146), with six games (and zero LHP) at home against the White Sox and Guardians. I'm sure he totally will.

Santiago Espinal, CIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Espinal has now started 11 games in a row for the battered Reds, and that shouldn't let up with Noelvi Marte joining the IL party. With a 14% K% for his career, Espinal usually runs good points per-PA rates, but playing time generally relegates him to fantasy obscurity.

While he's starting every day, however, Espinal could be a useful stopgap.

On the IL

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Tyler Fitzgerald, SF, 2B/SS (fractured rib - no timetable)
• Luke Keaschall, MIN, 2B (fractured forearm - no timetable)
• Otto Lopez, MIA, 2B (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Nick Gonzales, 2B, PIT (fractured ankle - no timetable)
• Casey Schmitt, SF, 2B (strained oblique - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 15%) - Mr. Smith keeps doing his thing after being our Best Choice last week, currently with a top-75 APR for Week 6, after finishing #42 last period. A .369 BABIP might speak to likely regression, but Smith's .315 AVG is backed by a .287 xBA, while his .380 wOBA still comes with a respectable .349 xwOBA.

Smith gets seven games in Week 7 (vs. COL, vs. HOU), but two will come against LHPs.

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 14%) - Arias has a 116 APR for the season and is trying to finish off his third top-100 finish in the last five periods. While a .337 BABIP might point to an impending dip, Arias continues to get great value by compiling a lot of PAs, currently with four HRs, 21 R, 16 RBI, and two SBs.

Cleveland has six games this week (vs. MIL, @CIN), with two left-handed starters scheduled.

Next Choices

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 48%) - He's not very available, but India has started to heat up, looking to finish off his second-straight (and only) top-100 week. Stacking PAs like few others, India will get a chance to keep compiling his way to relevance with six games and two LHPs (@HOU, vs. STL).

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - After back-to-back top-75 weeks, Vargas turned back into a pumpkin this period, currently the #229 hitter in Week 6. But, hey! If you can't bet on a rebound from a middling White Sox, who can you bet on?

Vargas and his excellent discipline (and improved exit velocities) get six games in Week 7 (@CIN, @CHC), but with half of the games coming vs. left-handed starters.

Desperate Choices

Santiago Espinal, CIN, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Espinal has now started 11 games in a row for the battered Reds, and that shouldn't let up with Noelvi Marte joining the IL party. With a 14% K% for his career, Espinal usually runs good points per-PA rates, but playing time generally relegates him to fantasy obscurity.

While he's starting every day, however, Espinal could be a useful stopgap.

Yoan Moncada, LAA, 3B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Moncada has returned from the IL with a bang (#27 hitter), but if history has told us anything, it's that he'll soon be a fizzle again. The Angels get six tough games on the road (@LAD, @SD), with nothing but right-handed starters.

Ryan McMahon, COL, 3B (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 5%) - Yes, Ryan McMahon is the #14 hitter in Week 6 after finishing #70 last week, but also, yes, Colorado has been at home a lot recently. McMahon and the worst-in-baseball Rockies will have to get it done on the road this week, with six games at the Texans and Diamondbacks.

On the IL

• Noelvi Marte, CIN, 3B (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (strained back - no timetable)
• Ramon Urias, BAL, 3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Paul DeJong, 3B/SS, WSH (fractured nose - no timetable)
• Gage Workman, CHW, 3B/SS (strained hip - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Josh Smith, TEX, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 15%) - Mr. Smith keeps doing his thing after being our Best Choice last week, currently with a top-75 APR for Week 6, after finishing #42 last period. A .369 BABIP might speak to likely regression, but Smith's .315 AVG is backed by a .287 xBA, while his .380 wOBA still comes with a respectable .349 xwOBA.

Smith gets seven games in Week 7 (vs. COL, vs. HOU), but two will come against LHPs.

Josh Smith, leadoff home run ☄️#MLBnoBrasil | #AllForTX

pic.twitter.com/ff5kSkjfnC

— Rangers Brasil🇧🇷 (@TexasRangersBRA) May 10, 2025

Gabriel Arias, CLE, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 14%) - Arias has a 116 APR for the season and is trying to finish off his third top-100 finish in the last five periods. While a .337 BABIP might point to an impending dip, Arias continues to get great value by compiling a lot of PAs, currently with four HRs, 21 R, 16 RBI, and two SBs.

Cleveland has six games this week (vs. MIL, @CIN), with two left-handed starters scheduled.

Next Choices

Trey Sweeney, DET, SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - Another Detroit middle-infielder with a very pointsy profile but little Roster% love, the left-handed Sweeney gets six games (BOS, @TOR) but no fellow lefties. After three straight weeks with a sub-175 APR, Sweeney has a 67 APR over the last two periods.

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Schneeman has a top-100 APR over the last two weeks but but the leftie might hit the bench twice in Cleveland's six games, with two LHPs on the schedule (vs. MIL, @CIN). Regardless, his numbers have been fairly outstanding over his first 84 PA, with x-stats that look just as shiny.

He's slashing .284/.361/.554, with .397 wOBA, backed by an x-line of .266/.346/.589, with a .395 xwOBA.

Desperate Choices

Luisangel Acuña, NYM, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Acuña has been getting fairly regular playing time, and while he still struggles vs. RHP, Ronald's little brother has been handling lefties pretty well. With three LHPs on the schedule in six games (vs. PIT, @NYY) and one of them being Bailey Falter, Acuña could shine.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 13%) - Ahh, just when you give him some shine, he drops a dud. Ladies and gentlemen, the J.P. Crawford experience. But still, it's not like a 182 APR in Week 6 is rock-bottom bad, and Crawford is still sporting a 96 APR for the season.

Crawford and elite on-base skills have six tough games in Week 7, though, getting the Yankees at home before hitting San Diego on the road, with one LHP scheduled.

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Tyler Fitzgerald, SF, 2B/SS (fractured rib - no timetable)
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Paul DeJong, 3B/SS, WSH (fractured nose - no timetable)
• Gage Workman, CHW, 3B/SS (strained hip - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 18%) - Literally living in our Best Choices all season long, it looks like we're about to say goodbye to Friedl, who is currently the #6 hitter in Week 6. Snag him if he's still around, as he'll take his 40 APR into six home games against the White Sox and Guardians.

TJ Friedl’s second home run of the night as heard on all broadcasts.

Braves TV is interviewing NASCAR driver Ty Dillon.

Reds TV
Reds Radio
Braves TV
Braves Radio#Reds pic.twitter.com/GT63xsux6I

— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) May 8, 2025

Victor Scott II, STL, OF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 16%) - Still available -- really? To be fair, this might not be the week to start him, but I'm still recommending a stash, if you can. The Cardinals have six games on the road in Week 7 (@PHI, @KC), with three LHP on the schedule.

Trevor Larnach, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3%) - Now up to a 92 APR for the season, there really aren't any reasons Larnach should be this lightly rostered. The left-hander will only see one LHP on the road in Week 7 (@BAL, @MIL).

Next Choices

Dane Myers, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - A 133 APR in Week 6 isn't anything like his 11 APR last week, but I think we can cut Myers some slack. Myers has been fairly extraordinary all season, but particularly since the Marlins let him effectively take over center field, paving his way to fantasy relevance.

Not only is Myers slashing .341/.379/.488 over his first 88 PA, with a .382 wOBA and a .401 xwOBA, but he's apparently learned to hit righties, something that's always relegated him in the past to a short-side platooner. It's obviously a small sample, but the early results are more than encouraging, as is Miami's faith in him.

One of my most added players is the wise man who bets heavily on previously mediocre Marlins. Wink.

Gavin Sheets, SD, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 8%) - Gavin Sheets SZN remains in full effect, with Sheets currently the #21 hitter headed into Sunday. He's also been relatively solid all season, though, finishing outside of the top-150 once, and sitting with a 114 APR for the year.

Only one LHP on the schedule (vs. LAA, vs. SEA) means you can feel free to again slip between those sweet, fantasy sheets.

Trent Grisham, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 32%) - It's annoying that he still sits every couple of days, but Grisham's overall value can't be denied much longer. He's up to a 65 APR for the season after a top-25 performance this week and gets six games but only one LHP in Week 7, going to Seattle before flying all the way home to take on the Mets.

Daniel Schneemann, CLE, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - Schneemann has a top-100 APR over the last two weeks but but the leftie might hit the bench twice in Cleveland's six games, with two LHP on the schedule (vs. MIL, @CIN). Regardless, his numbers have been fairly outstanding over his first 84 PA, with x-stats that look just as shiny. He's slashing .284/.361/.554, with .397 wOBA, backed by an x-line of .266/.346/.589, with a .395 xwOBA.

Jonathan India, KC, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 48%) - He's not very available, but India has started to heat up, looking to finish off his second-straight (and only) top-100 week. Stacking PAs like few others, India will get a chance to keep compiling his way to relevance with six games and two LHPs (@HOU, vs. STL).

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 12%) - O'Hearn has been mediocre in Week 6 but is usually a good bet to stream when Baltimore doesn't have many LHPs on the schedule, finishing in the top-100 thrice this season, with two of those in the top-50. Baltimore has one LHP this week in six games at home versus the Twins and Nationals.

Desperate Choices

Miguel Vargas, CHW, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - After back-to-back top-75 weeks, Vargas turned back into a pumpkin this period, currently the #229 hitter in Week 6. But, hey! If you can't bet on a rebound from a middling White Sox, who can you bet on? Vargas and his excellent discipline (and improved exit velocities) get six games in Week 7 (@CIN, @CHC), but with half of the games coming against left-handed starters.

Jesus Sanchez, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - When in doubt, why not bet on another Marlin? Sanchez is the #85 hitter this week and isn't scheduled to face any of his fellow lefties in six games in Week 7 (@CHC, vs. TB).

Gavin Lux, CIN, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 20%) - Lux and his .391 BABIP will look to get things back on track after two lackluster weeks in a row (#188, #146), with six games (and zero LHP) at home against the White Sox and Guardians. I'm sure he totally will.

On the IL

• Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Lane Thomas, CLE, OF (bone bruise - no timetable)
• Victor Robles, SEA, OF (shoulder dislocation - expected to miss ~three months)
• Matt Wallner, MIN, OF (sprained hamstring - no timetable)
• Jake Mangum, TB, OF (strained groin - no timetable)
• Garrett Mitchell, MIL, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Luke Raley, SEA, 1B/OF (strained oblique - 6 to 8 weeks)
• Jonny DeLuca, TB, OF (strained shoulder - expected to miss two to four weeks)
• Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (strained calf - no timetable)
• Jesse Winker, NYM, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jose Siri, TB, OF (fractured shin - expected to miss eight to ten weeks)
• Jake Fraley, CIN, OF (calf discomfort - no timetable)
• Tyler Freeman, COL, OF (strained oblique - Tyler Freeman)
• Austin Slater, CHW, OF (knee surgery - expected to miss 4-6 weeks)
• Derek Hill, MIA, OF (sprained wrist - no timetable)
• Mike Tauchman, CHW, OF (sprained hamstring - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Agustin Ramirez, MIA, C/1B (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 15%) - His Roster% says you're running out of time to pick Ramirez up, as the rookie has turned things right back around after contributing very little last week, currently running a 69 APR headed into Sunday's action.

More importantly, his long-term value is that he's clearly the #1 option in Miami and is getting the playing time to prove it. Nick Fortes returned from the IL but has now joined Liam Hicks splitting time on the bench after starting the year as Miami's primary backstops.

Ramirez gets six games (@CHC, vs. TB) but with no left-handers scheduled.

Hunter Goodman, COL, OF (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 26%) - How good has this man been? Good enough to recommend even though he's a Colorado catcher with a week of games on the road and on a Rockies team that only recently collected its sixth win of the season. Goodman gets six games this week (@TEX, @ARI) with only one LHP on the schedule.

Next Choices

Jonah Heim, TEX, C (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 12%) - Heim is putting up a dud in Week 6 but has reasonable matchups in Week 7, first facing the Colorado gas cans before Houston comes into town for four games. While he has a points-friendly profile, Heim should continue to get a lot of value from the sheer amount of PAs he's been piling up with Kyle Higashioka hitting the IL, having started 14 of the last 15 games.

Do be aware that Higashioka is currently on a rehab assignment and should return before too long.

Carlos Narvaez, BOS, (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 42%) - Narvaez's playing time has naturally dropped since the return of Connor Wong, but has still started five games to Wong's four and has posted his best week of the year in Week 6, currently with a 61 APR.

Don't count on him starting more than four of Boston's six games (@DET, vs. ATL), but you're hoping he can make some hay against the two tough lefties on the schedule (Tarik Skubal, Chris Sale). In the early season vs. LHP, Narvaez has a .930 OPS and .405 wOBA, with a 15% BB%.

Ryan Jeffers, MIN, C (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 9%) - Jeffers has been mostly just terrible in Week 6, but has solid matchups in Week 7 (@BAL, @MIL). The power has yet to pop off in 2025, but the improved discipline (19% K%, 9% BB%) remains positive for his long-term points value.

Desperate Choices

Jose Trevino, CIN, C (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 4%) - Trevino has a respectable 172 APR for the season but has only put up a dud a couple of times, giving you a somewhat safe floor if you're in need of a band-aid. Unfortunately, there are no lefties on the schedule, but Cincinnati will also see a lot of subpar pitching in six games at home against the White Sox and Guardians.

Dillon Dingler, DET, C (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 4%) - Dingler has been quietly solid, finishing just three periods with a sub-150 APR. He's basically allergic to walks, but fortunately, loves smashing lasers -- Dingler is running a .469 wOBAcon that is backed by a .456 xwOBAcon. Detroit gets six games this week (vs. BOS, @TOR), with no left-handers scheduled.

On the IL

• Kyle Higashioka, TEX, C (strained intercostal - rehab assignment)
• Endy Rodriguez, PIT, C/1B (finger laceration - no timetable)
• Gary Sanchez, BAL, C (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
• Jake Rogers, DET, C (strained oblique - 4 to 6 weeks)
• Rob Brantly, MIA, C (strained lat - no timetable)
• Korey Lee, C, CHW (strained oblique - no timetable)

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