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Welcome to the first edition of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of April 1 - April 7, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN or Yahoo.
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 make sure to 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 NFBC and players are grouped by their most valuable fantasy position, using a hierarchy of C > 2B > OF > 3B > 1B > SS. Stats and rankings for charts are calculated using games through Saturday, March 30.
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Early Season Caveats
Leaderboards
No leaderboards yet. With only a handful of games having been played, making leaderboards now is mostly an exercise in silliness. We'll get started with them next week.
Roster% Thresholds
We use a combination of Roster% 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% is heavily weighted by points players, with guys who don't do well in their system (often because of an inflated K% but also sometimes, who really knows?) lagging behind the Yahoo Roster%.
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. For example, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has a 98% Roster% on NFBC and is at 92% on Yahoo, but on ESPN, he's only at 35% -- hence we'll include him. Same for Jake Burger, etc.
First Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ryan Mountcastle, BAL, 1B (Yahoo: 68%, ESPN: 10%) - If Mountcastle proves his vertigo problems are behind him, expect that Roster% to quickly shoot up. The RHH gets six games against the Royals and Pirates, with half coming vs. LHP -- for his career, Mountcastle has a .851 OPS and .358 wOBA vs. LHP, compared to a .745 OPS and .321 wOBA vs. RHP.
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, CHW (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - I may be a known Vaughn hater, but that's mostly for roto, as his skill set tends to play really well under most scoring systems. The White Sox are a dumpster fire, but Vaughn will rack up PAs in the middle of their lineup while compiling a safe amount of points.
Next Choices
Anthony Rizzo, NYY, 1B (Yahoo: 53%, ESPN: 24%) - Rizzo's skill set has always been very points-friendly and I wouldn't expect that to change. At least, until he inevitably gets hurt and misses a third of the season. But it hasn't happened yet!
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, CIN, 1B (Yahoo: 92%, ESPN: 35%) - There's a reason Encarnacion-Strand is more lightly rostered on ESPN, and it rhymes with "near-30% K%". The Reds' bevy of injuries have solidified his playing time but he'll continue to punish you in strikeout-penalty leagues if he doesn't get a whiffs upgrade.
Elehuris Montero, COL, 1B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - Montero is coming off of an excellent spring and gets three games at Coors and three games vs. LHP -- for his career, Montero's OPS is 50 points higher vs. LHP and 340 points higher at home. Coors!
Desperate Choices
Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Noda might play for the A's and can't hit lefties, but he's led off in two of his three starts and Oakland is scheduled to face all RHP in its six games coming up this week.
Brandon Drury, LAA, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 55%, ESPN: 21%) - The Angels lineup just keeps getting worse, but hey, at least Mike Trout's still healthy! Drury plays every day in the middle of the lineup and may not have a high ceiling but will be a solid scorer under most point systems.
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 7%) - With all but one of Toronto's six games next week coming vs. RHP, expect Biggio to be in the lineup a lot. Unfortunately, he'll be facing some tough pitching from the Astros and Yankees.
On the IL
- Nathaniel Lowe, TEX, 1B (strained oblique -- no timetable)
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Jonathan India, CIN, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Injuries and suspensions have erased any playing time concerns, with India starting (and batting leadoff) in three of Cincinnati's games. I liked him before the playing time really opened up, so I certainly like him after.
Nolan Gorman, STL, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - It's time for some binary choices! Does your league have a strikeout penalty? Then don't pick up Nolan Gorman! Your league doesn't have a strikeout penalty? What are you waiting for -- go pick up Nolan Gorman!
Next Choices
Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - Caballero has started all four games for Tampa Bay and has started hot, going 4-for-10 with two runs and three RBI. No power but everyday at-bats and solid plate discipline is often a path to points relevancy.
Edouard Julien, MIN, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - No LHP on the schedule means Julien could start eating in our first full week. If he does, don't expect his Roster% to stay down for long.
Jorge Polanco, SEA, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Polanco only has one hit for the year but this Roster% is still too low. The big question is whether or not his once-excellent K% continues to creep up, having now risen each of the past three seasons.
Brandon Lowe, TB, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Lowe's a good pickup as long as the back's healthy(ish), and three games at Coors certainly look tasty. Keep in mind that he likely won't start in Tampa Bay's two scheduled games against LHP, including one at the aforementioned Coors Field.
Desperate Choices
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 7%) - With all but one of Toronto's six games next week coming vs. RHP, expect Biggio to be in the lineup a lot. Unfortunately, he'll be facing some tough pitching from the Astros and Yankees.
Brendan Rodgers, COL, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Like the rest of his Colorado brethren, Rodgers gets three games at home and three versus LHP in Week 1. That's a recipe for a pickup...at least until he gets hurt.
Ryan McMahon, COL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - Three games at Coors is nice but three vs. LHP is not so much, with McMahon posting an OPS nearly 100 points lower vs. the wrong-handers.
On the IL
- Matt McLain, CIN, 2B/SS
- Michael Massey, KC, 2B
- Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF
Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B (Yahoo: 73%, ESPN: 11%) - Garcia has been one of my favorite bets for a big breakout in 2024 and batting leadoff in each of Kansas City's games certainly hasn't pushed me off that position. If he's available, grab him, even if you don't think you have the need.
Jake Burger, MIA, 3B (Yahoo: 85%, ESPN: 34%) - I love me some Burger, whether person or meal, but also understand the hesitancy in leagues like ESPN that have a full-point strikeout penalty. I'm a believer that he'll continue to cut down on some of his whiffery and hit enough bombs to help balance out the rest.
Matt Chapman, SF, 3B (Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 29%) - I didn't understand Chapman's too-low ADP in the preseason and don't understand his currently too-low Roster% now. The strikeout rate will be a hindrance in K-penalty leagues but he still smacks some bombs while collecting a ton of PAs batting in the middle of a good San Francisco lineup.
Next Choices
J.D. Davis, OAK, 3B (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 1%) - Davis has started on fire, with four hits and two HRs in his first three games, but temper some expectations this week as no LHP on the schedule will mean he's likely batting sixth (instead of third) for all of them.
Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - Old McBrittle might not love playing baseball but he's currently healthy and batting leadoff, which given his continued elite plate discipline, will make him an excellent compiler under most systems...particularly in ones with a strikeout penalty.
Desperate Choices
Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3%) - Like a lot of guys on our early lists, Moncada will provide a solid scoring profile under many systems, but only until he inevitably gets hurt.
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 7%) - With all but one of Toronto's six games next week coming vs. RHP, expect Biggio to be in the lineup a lot. Unfortunately, he'll be facing some tough pitching from the Astros and Yankees, so don't get carried away.
On the IL
- DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/3B
- Patrick Wisdom, CHC, 3B
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 80%, ESPN: 19%) - I know he's properly rostered in non-ESPN leagues but still; 19%? Let's raise that, shall we? Tovar is a stud on the verge of a proper breakout and gets three games at Coors in Week 1 -- go get him if you can.
Jeremy Pena, HOU, SS (Yahoo: 65%, ESPN: 25%) - The power may have dropped off last year but Pena still put together a really nice all-around year, cutting four points from his K% while adding nearly 40 points to his OBP. This is a points profile you should desire.
Next Choices
Orlando Arcia, ATL, SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 8%) - I don't understand the low Roster% here; Arcia is coming off of a great 2023, plays every day for one of baseball's best offenses, and carries near-elite plate-discipline. Pick him up.
Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - Caballero has started all four games for Tampa Bay and has started hot, going 4-for-10 with two runs and three RBI. No power but everyday at-bats and solid plate discipline is often a path to points relevancy.
Trevor Story, BOS, SS (Yahoo: 69%, ESPN: 26%) - Only one hit to start the season, but he's healthy (for now) and that's a good enough reason to make an add.
Desperate Choices
Tim Anderson, MIA, SS (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 5%) - Tim Anderson renaissance, anyone? Okay, maybe don't bet on a full return to prominence, but full-time PAs and good plate discipline can usually be a good seat-filler if you're in need.
On the IL
- Vaughn Grissom, BOS, SS
Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 23%) - Much like his teammate, Andrew Vaughn, I'm a proper Benintendi hater; but also like Vaughn, that only goes for roto, not points. Leading off with elite plate discipline gives him a really high floor, even on a garbage offense. And even with Spencer Strider on the upcoming docket, Week 1 could go well for the leftie, with all seven games coming against RHP.
Chas McCormick, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 85%, ESPN: 32%) - Even with a ~25% K%, there aren't many good reasons to keep McCormick on the wire, even on ESPN. C'mon y'all, let's fix it.
Taylor Ward, LAA, OF (Yahoo: 50%, ESPN: 17%) - Ward has that same Angels stank that seems to be keeping us away, but he has a scoring profile that should give him a really high floor under most systems. Hitting behind Mike Trout is never a bad thing.
Jarren Duran, BOS, OF (Yahoo: 79%, ESPN: 33%) - I've never been much of a fan, but an everyday leadoff hitter with high OBP skills cannot simply be left on the wire.
Next Choices
Christopher Morel, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 87%, ESPN: 26%) - We've known about the tools for a while but the sky-high K% will limit his viability in many leagues.
Alex Verdugo, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 19%) - Way, way too low. Verdugo might never hit his way out of the bottom third of New York's lineup but his profile is always relevant in points, even when he's running poorly. You don't need power when you spray hits and rarely strikeout and while the bottom of the order isn't ideal, expect him to be on base often with Aaron Judge coming to the plate. Not generally a bad thing.
Kris Bryant, COL, OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 19%) - You know the drill; three games at Coors, three games vs. LHP. Use him until the inevitable body breakdown.
Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 11%) - Like I could ignore my guy, BDLC -- surely, you jest! De La Cruz doesn't strike out much and should continue to bat every day in the middle of Miami's order. As long as he hits, that is. And so far, he is, collecting four hits over his first three games.
Desperate Choices
Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 5%) - Blackmon, when healthy, can be a usable asset under most scoring systems. That goes double with three games at Coors. There is only one LHP this week for him to feast on (career 162 wRC+ vs LHP, 101 wRC+ vs RHP).
Jose Siri, TB, OF (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 4%) - Even with three games at Coors, Siri's brutal K% makes him near impossible to roster in leagues with a K-penalty.
On the IL
- Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (shoulder strain -- no timetable)
- TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (wrist fracture -- no timetable)
- Lars Nootbaar, STL, OF (rib fracture -- no timetable)
Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Luis Campusano, SD, C (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 20%) - Campusano is already piling up PAs, having started all four games for San Diego so far. Expect it to continue vs. a soft STL staff at home and a series at San Francisco.
Next Choices
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (Yahoo: 66%, ESPN: 28%) - The biggest knock on O'Hoppe right now is batting in the bottom third of the Angels lineup, but being preceded by Miguel Sano and Nolan Schanuel should allow him to move up once the bat gets going.
Mitch Garver, SEA, C (Yahoo: 62%, ESPN: 27%) - Garver has missed the last two games (and is out on Sunday), but if the balky back lets him get back on Monday, he'll be a solid play batting in the middle of a Seattle offense that's better than you think.
Desperate Choices
Bo Naylor, CLE, C (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 13%) - With no LHP on the schedule this week, expect Naylor to get a bunch of PAs, but the righty lineup he's facing should give you pause. Cleveland has games against Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Louie Varland. That's tough.
Elias Diaz, COL, C (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 3%) - You know the deal, babe -- it's the three games at Coors. Do be aware that one of those will come against a lefty (whom Diaz traditionally struggles against), while the other two will come against solid Rays hurlers (Zack Littell, Ryan Pepiot). Counterpoint -- Coors!
On the IL
- Danny Jansen, TOR, C (wrist fracture - no timetable)
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