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Welcome RotoBallers to the second edition of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of April 8 - April 14, 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 Waiver Wire Caveats
Leaderboards
No leaderboards yet. With (still) only a handful of games having been played, making leaderboards now is mostly an exercise in silliness.
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 91% on Yahoo, but on ESPN, he's only at 29% -- hence we'll include him.
First Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ryan Mountcastle, BAL, 1B (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 10%) - Mountcastle is only slashing .233/.306/.433 but has an 87 APR so far due to a pile of PAs and RBI. As long as he's healthy, I'd expect his R+RBI totals to stay just as healthy while batting in the middle of a fierce Baltimore lineup.
Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Shhsssh...Saying his name too loudly will likely trigger a catastrophic injury. So don't do it! But for now, Kirilloff is healthy and hitting, slashing .385/.433/.692 over his first 30 PA. Now, let's please sit in silence with quiet reflection. And definitely, definitely, don't think about that wrist.
Next Choices
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, CIN, 1B (Yahoo: 91%, ESPN: 29%) - You won't find CES on many waivers outside of ESPN, as a K% north of 30% won't endear anyone in a system that gives -1 point per strikeout. But take heart, those on other platforms, Encarnacion-Strand could see better times soon with a .332 xwOBA that is closer to his talent truth than his current .179 wOBA.
Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 63%, ESPN: 23%) - Like many of his Reds counterparts, Candelario has done little so far but with seven games against some mostly suspect pitching and three coming vs LHP, the Candyman could strike hard.
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, CHW (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 15%) - One of these years, the world is finally going to listen to ol' Nick - Andrew Vaughn is the middest of the mid. But, granted, his low-K ways will eventually make him usable in leagues with a strikeout penalty. Also, counterpoint - you don't want anything to do with a Southside dumpster fire that is only getting worse.
Desperate Choices
Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 21%) - Connor Joe SZN has come early this year, with Joe being anything but average, racking a 12 APR over the short season, so far. The pitching matchups in Week 3 might lead to some dry times, though, with a mess of tough matchups awaiting him in a four-game series in Philadelphia.
Jared Walsh, TEX, 1B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Walsh may have an early 77 APR but four LHP on the board for Week 3 spells trouble.
On the IL
- Nathaniel Lowe, TEX, 1B (strained oblique -- no timetable)
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Jonathan India, CIN, 2B (Yahoo: 76%, ESPN: 23%) - Welp, a 50-point jump in his Yahoo Roster% says the secret is out - India has been terrific to start the season, slashing .267/.421/.367 over 38 PA, leading to a 75 APR, so far. No power yet but a .369 wOBA backed by a .449 xwOBA, with a 13% K% and 18% BB% is a recipe for continued points success.
Brendan Donovan, STL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 9%) - Donovan is quietly off to a terrific start in 2024, slashing .345/.472/.586 over his first 36 PA. It's a compiler profile but should continue in Week 3, with the left-handed Donovan facing nothing but righty starters in St. Louis's six games.
Next Choices
Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 63%, ESPN: 23%) - Like many of his Reds counterparts, Candelario has done little so far but with seven games against some mostly suspect pitching and three coming vs LHP, the Candyman could strike hard.
Ryan McMahon, COL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 56%, ESPN: 20%) - Ahh, Coors is a helluva drug - McMahon has a 25 APR after hitting back-to-back jacks in Colorado on Friday and Saturday. The Rockies will get one more series at home but against some tough pitching in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly before heading to Toronto to face Kevin Gausman and 'dem boys.
Jordan Westburg, BAL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 53%, ESPN: 11%) - Westburg is the lesser heralded of the young birds and has some uninspiring peripherals but continued bulk PAs in an offense as good as Baltimore should allow for plenty of compiling.
Desperate Choices
Brice Turang, MIL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 19%) - Ya know, I'm starting to think this Turang kid may just know something about stealing bases. Turang has 6 SB in seven games but only getting one-point per on ESPN will hurt his value and a .361 wOBA that's only backed by a .252 xwOBA points to leaner times ahead.
Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 0%) - There's some fool's gold in Caballero's current 98 APR, as he might be currently playing regularly but a .297 xwOBA and 0% BB% might not keep it that way for long.
On the IL
- Matt McLain, CIN, 2B/SS (shoulder surgery - no timetable)
- Michael Massey, KC, 2B (lower back - rehab assignment)
- Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF (wrist surgery - no timetable)
Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B (Yahoo: 78%, ESPN: 23%) - Okay, ESPNers, hardy-har-har - we get your hilarious 23% joke but enough's enough. However, to be fair, his Roster% has over doubled since last week, so I guess some people woke up. Garcia has filled up the stat sheet on his way to an early 44 APR, with 3 HR, 4 R, 9 RBI, and 1 SB over his first 40 PA. When a popular preseason pick to breakout immediately pops, it's probably a good idea to grab while he's (apparently) still around in places.
Eugenio Suarez, SEA, 3B (Yahoo: 57%, ESPN: 23%) -Suarez's Roster% was already too low but if there's a week to grab him, it's this one. Three games vs LHP, three games (and two LHP) in Colorado, not to mention some suspect pinching at home vs STL. Seriously, y'all - this is a must-pickup recipe if I've ever seen one.
Next Choices
Jeimer Candelario, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 63%, ESPN: 23%) - Like many of his Reds counterparts, Candelario has done little so far but with seven games against some mostly suspect pitching and three coming vs LHP, the Candyman could strike hard.
Ryan McMahon, COL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 56%, ESPN: 20%) - Ahh, Coors is a helluva drug - McMahon has a 25 APR after hitting back-to-back jacks in Colorado on Friday and Saturday. The Rockies will get one more series at home but against some tough pitching in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly before heading to Toronto to face Kevin Gausman and 'dem boys.
Michael Busch, CHC, 3B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 3%) - Remember when some were worried that the re-signing of Cody Bellinger would eat into Busch's playing time? Ahh, quaint times. Busch has started at first base in every game but isn't just playing - he's hitting too. Over his first 28 PA, Busch is slashing .304/.393/.478, with a .382 wOBA that's backed by a .453 xwOBA, with a 21% K% and 14% BB%. This might be the start to the breakout that Dodgers fans always believed in, so get some Busch while you can.
Jordan Westburg, BAL, 2B/3B (Yahoo: 53%, ESPN: 11%) - Westburg is the lesser heralded of the young birds and has some uninspiring peripherals but continued bulk PAs in an offense as good as Baltimore should allow for plenty of compiling.
Desperate Choices
J.D. Davis, OAK, 3B (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - The power was absent last week but Davis keeps hitting, having collected at least one hit in every game but one in 2024. He'll get two left-handers this week, plus a matchup with current human gas-can, Josiah Gray
On the IL
- DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/3B (fractured foot - no timetable)
- Patrick Wisdom, CHC, 3B (strained back - no timetable)
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Blaze Alexander, ARI, SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Alexander should keep playing as long as Geraldo Perdom0 is on the IL and it's a good time to do so given the Diamondbacks upcoming schedule. Just like our friend Eugenio from before, Alexander gets three games in Coors, three games vs LHP, and three games against shaky Cardinals pitching. That's a-nice.
Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 77%, ESPN: 16%) - Tovar hasn't disappointed in his return to home cooking, going 4-for-8 in two games at Coors, with 1 HR, 3 R, and 2 RBI. He'll get one more game today and another series against ARI before going on the road to Toronto. That'll do, kid.
Next Choices
Orlando Arcia, ATL, SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 16%) - Arcia is hitting but has few counting stats to show for it so far, slashing .393/.433/.571 over 30 PA but with just 3 R and 2 RBI to show for it. However, if one continues to hit in such a lineup as Atlanta's, a reasonable person might conclude that good things will follow. And with the SS wire looking particularly thin early on, that's a conclusion I'd be happy to jump to if in need. Ba-ha-ha...Jump to conclusions, do ya get it?
Brayan Rocchio, CLE, SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%) - Hard to knock what the rookie has going on early, as Rocchio is locked into an everyday role and is getting on base. But batting at the bottom of the lineup will limit his ceiling, as will the .268 xwOBA that's behind his .379 wOBA.
Desperate Choices
Brice Turang, MIL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 19%) - Ya know, I'm starting to think this Turang kid may just know something about stealing bases. Turang has 6 SB in seven games but only getting one-point per on ESPN will hurt his value and a .361 wOBA that's only backed by a .252 xwOBA points to leaner times ahead.
Jose Cabellero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 0%) - There's some fool's gold in Caballero's current 98 APR, as he might be currently playing regularly but a .297 xwOBA and 0% BB% might not keep it that way for long.
Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 6%) - Duran has only started three games for the year but might get four starts in Week 3 with the Rangers scheduled to face LHP in four of their seven games. But an early .178 xwOBA and 38% K% don't inspire a lot of confidence.
On the IL
- Vaughn Grissom, BOS, SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
- Trevor Story, BOS, SS (dislocated shoulder - no timetable)
Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Tyler O'Neill, BOS, OF (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 22%) - O'Neill's K% usually keeps his rostering lower on ESPN but Rennaissance Tyler currently only has a 12.5% K%, with a 5% SwStr% that is Arraez-esqe. After hitting two more bombs on Friday, there aren't many reasons for him to be on any waiver wires.
Taylor Ward, LAA, OF (Yahoo: 60%, ESPN: 23%) - Ward just won't stop crushing baseballs, now slashing .273/.294/.606, with a .386 wOBA that's backed by a silly .489 xwOBA, with 3 HR, 8 R, and 8 RBI. And if you're hitting the ball hard, batting behind Mike Trout will be your own little happy place.
Brendan Donovan, STL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 9%) - Donovan is quietly off to a terrific start in 2024, slashing .345/.472/.586 over his first 36 PA. It's a compiler profile but should continue in Week 3, with the left-handed Donovan facing nothing but righty starters in St. Louis's six games.
Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Shhsssh...Saying his name too loudly will likely trigger a catastrophic injury. So don't do it! But for now, Kirilloff is healthy and hitting, slashing .385/.433/.692 over his first 30 PA. Now, let's please sit in silence with quiet reflection. And definitely, definitely, don't think about that wrist.
Next Choices
MJ Melendez, KC, OF (Yahoo: 62%, ESPN: 10%) - Ho-hum, just your everyday post-hype breakout, no big deal. Melendez may have lost his coveted C-eligibility but he's playing nearly every day and smacking lasers in the middle of a lineup led off by the electric duo of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia. Not a bad place to be, Royals fans. I mean, they'll eventually sign elsewhere but they're yours for now!
Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Say it with me...When healthy, even the old-man version of Charlie Blackmon has a very points-friendly profile. Blackmon has a 49 APR for the season and you can't even point to any Coors-shenanigans, as he's had just a single so far in two games at home. With three more games at home in Week 3, pick him up and keep hoping for health.
Desperate Choices
Jose Siri, TB, OF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 6%) - Power and speed for days but a 33% K% quickly explains the 6% rostering on ESPN. But if your league doesn't penalize strikeouts, Siri could be in for a solid week with three LHP on the schedule.
Ezequiel Duran, TEX, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 6%) - Duran has only started three games for the year but might get four starts in Week 3 with the Rangers scheduled to face LHP in four of their seven games. But an early .178 xwOBA and 38% K% don't inspire a lot of confidence.
Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 21%) - Connor Joe SZN has come early this year, with Joe being anything but average, racking a 12 APR over the short season, so far. The pitching matchups in Week 3 might lead to some dry times, though, with a mess of tough matchups awaiting him in a four-game series in Philadelphia.
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 - rehab assignment)
Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (Yahoo: 67%, ESPN: 29%) - I don't know what we're doing here but the ESPN peeps need to catch up. O'Hopped has a 54 APR among all hitters so far over this first stretch of the season and is slashing .417/.500/.667 with a .506 wOBA and .462 xwoba. The video-game numbers will come down but unless you're completely locked in with your catcher, O'Hoppe could provide an upgradde for many.
Next Choices
Mitch Garver, SEA, C (Yahoo: 58%, ESPN: 21%) - Garver hasn't done much of anything early in the 2024 campaign but with three LHP on the schedule this could be a good week for him to get going. For his career, Garver has a 137 wRC+ and a .372 wOBA, with a K% that is eight-points lower than vs RHP.
Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - Few signs of life from Stephenson yet but a pitching slate full of tomato cans might be the defibrillator he needs. Joe Ross, Vladimir Guiterrez, and Chris Flexen, come on down.
Desperate Choices
Alejandro Kirk, TOR, C (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 9%) - Remember when all the Kirk truthers thought (another) Danny Jansen injury would thrust Kirk back into fantasy relevance? Welp, .185/.207/.185 over 29 PA ain't that.
David Fry, CLE, C (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - An 80 APR and slashing .455/.529/.818 - is it David Fry SZN??? Umm, no. Fry has played in three games so far (two vs LHP) and won't be supplanting Bo Naylor anytime soon. With two scheduled games against LHP, don't expect Fry to get more than three starts.
On the IL
- Danny Jansen, TOR, C (wrist fracture - no timetable)
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