Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball for Week 18 (2024)

July 21, 2024

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver-wire hitters to pick up for Week 18 (2024) from July 22 - July 28. Free-agent hitters to add in points leagues.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to the Week 18 edition of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of July 22 - July 28, 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 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, July 20.

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Waiver Wire Caveats and APR Explanation

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 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.

*Week 17 APR Caveats!*

Week 17 should actually be looked at as "Week" 17, as it's only a week on technical grounds. With only three games played in the period (and only two before this article was written), all references should be taken with a giant hunk o' salt.

Fantasy Baseball First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Michael Toglia, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 7%) - Toglia was one of our best plays last week and he'll remain so this week, with Colorado getting three more games at home for his resurgence to continue. Since being recalled June 6, Toglia is slashing .235/.307/.553, with a .360 wOBA and 12 HR, and 3 SB in 150 PA. For those not keen on math, that's nearly a 50 HR pace over 600 PA. Pretty, pretty good. Granted, his high-strikeout ways make him much less valuable in leagues with a K-penalty, and trusting Colorado hitters on the road is always dicey. However, Toglia has officially done enough to be at least rostered as highly as James Outman, right?

Spencer Horwitz, TOR, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 8%) - It's time to play, "Guess! That! Player!" *applause* -- Which rookie starts nearly every game near the top of the order and is now slashing .312/.415/.468 over 130 PA, with a .387 wOBA and 155 wRC+, all while carrying a 12% BB% with just a 14% K%? Ding-ding-ding...You all got it - it's Spencer Horwitz! If the aforementioned clues don't paint a picture of a points-friendly profile, I'm not sure what does. To be fair, Horowitz still isn't a lock to start vs. LHP (sitting three out of the four opportunities since he became a regular) but it shouldn't be an issue this week, with Toronto only scheduled to face one LHP in their six games.

Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) - Schanuel's Roster% remains a crime against humanity on par with any of the worst things from our history books...Okay, okay; probably not. What else do we say about someone who has five top-100 performances in the last six periods and is still sub-10% rostered? Since the start of May, Schanuel is slashing .250/.335/.386 over 275 PA, with 7 HR, 25 R, 23 RBI, and 4 SB -- sure that's nothing spectacular in Roto-terms but when you mix in the 15% K% and 10% BB% over that pile of PAs, you end up with a super points-friendly, compiler-type profile that continues to be underrated. Averaging a 77 APR over the past four periods, Schanuel and the Angels get seven games in Week 18 (@SEA, vs OAK) with only one coming against the left-handers that Schanuel has really struggled with this season (.190/.284/.333, .275 wOBA).

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 38%) - I'm not sure why O'Hearn keeps dropping below our Roster% threshold but it can't be because of his production, as he now has 100 APR for the season and will rarely hurt you in a given week (as long as the Orioles aren't scheduled to face a bunch of LHP).  Since the start of June, O'Hearn is slashing .289/.360/.488, with a 12% K% and 9% BB%...Is that good? The Orioles get six games in Week 18 (@MIA, vs. SD), with none scheduled vs the left-handers that O'Hearn usually sits against.

Next Choices

Carlos Santana, MIN, 1B (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 15%) - Santana was an abject disaster in April but has been back to his points-god self pretty much ever since -- Santana averaged a 301 APR in the first four weeks of the season but has averaged a 120 APR in the 13 periods since, finishing in the top-75 five times. He'll get six games in Week 18, with two coming vs. LHP. Facing lefties this season, Santana is slashing .305/.352/.585 over 88 PA, with a .937 OPS and .400 wOBA.

Desperate Choices

Juan Yepez, WSH, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - What's that you say? A Juan Yepez renaissance??? Okay, let's not get carried away but Yepez showed a fairly points-friendly profile in the one year he played a significant amount (2022 in St. Louis), combining good discipline with a fair amount of pop. Yepez has started every game for Washington since being recalled on July 5, slashing .378/.451/.578 over 51 PA, with an 18% K% and 12% BB%. Obviously, his numbers won't remain so eye-popping but this is a good compiler profile if he continues to play every day.

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 15%) - Burger has slowly been turning things around but remains incredibly inconsistent -- in the 11 periods since he returned from the IL, Burger has five weeks in the top-100(ish) and four outside of the top-250. He'll only see one of the LHP he struggles against in Week 18 (vs. NYM, vs. BAL, @MIL) but matchups with right-handers Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta aren't exactly ideal.

Gavin Sheets, CHW, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 2%) - Sheets has basically been wood pulp all year outside of a three-week hot streak in May but if you're trying to catch some of that SZN-magic, might as well try in a week where the White Sox aren't scheduled to face any LHP in any of their seven games (@TEX, vs. SEA).

On the IL

• Anthony Rizzo, NYY, 1B (fractured forearm - no timetable)
• Brandon Drury, LAA, 1B/2B (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Tyler Soderstrom, OAK, 1B (wrist bruise - no timetable)
• Kris Bryant, COL, 1B/OF (rib contusion - rehab assignment)
• Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (back discomfort - no timetable)
• Joey Gallo, WSH, 1B/OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Spencer Horwitz, TOR, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 8%) - It's time to play, "Guess! That! Player!" *applause* - Which rookie starts nearly every game near the top of the order and is now slashing .312/.415/.468 over 130 PA, with a .387 wOBA and 155 wRC+, all while carrying a 12% BB% with just a 14% K%? Ding-ding-ding...You all got it - it's Spencer Horowitz! If the aforementioned clues don't paint a picture of a points-friendly profile, I'm not sure what does. To be fair, Horowitz still isn't a lock to start vs LHP (sitting three out of the four opportunities since he became a regular) but it shouldn't be an issue this week, with Toronto only scheduled to face one LHP in their six games.

Luis Garcia Jr., WSH, 2B (Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 19%) - Putting aside the two-game sample we have for the short Week 17, Garcia has been a points star lately, posting four-straight top-75(ish) periods, giving him seven such for the season. People are starting to get wise, though, as 48% on Yahoo say he might not be around here next week, especially since he won't have to face any of the left-handers he struggles against in Week 18 (vs. SD, @STL).

Zack Gelof, OAK, 2B (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 13%) - Omg, you guys -- we're so close! Gelof is rapidly approaching our Roster% threshold, with the points world catching up to him being a top-100 hitter over the past month. Just keep in mind that he and his 35% K% are only a play if your league doesn't have a strikeout penalty.

Xavier Edwards, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 12%) - Edwards has held his own since getting recalled and has the plate discipline and well-rounded profile to succeed in points if playing every day. Which he has done so far, starting every game since coming back up. The matchups aren't super favorable in Week 18 (vs. NYM, vs. BAL, @MIL) but Edwards is a good snag for the rest of the season.

Next Choices

Nick Gonzales, PIT, 2B (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 9%) - Fellow Nick, welcome back! After hiccups in Weeks 13 (336) and 15 (228), Gonzales and his points-friendliness have gotten back on track, coming in at 106 last week and 121 in this current short one. Gonzales doesn't come with a massive ceiling but the profile is a safe and compiling one. Temper your expectations this week, though, as the Pirates only get one of the LHP that Gonzales has far better numbers against.

Desperate Choices

Brendan Rodgers, COL, 2B (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) - Colorado gets one series at home in Week 18, making Rodgers a viable option -- but probably only if you're in a daily-moves league and can bench him once they leave Coors for San Francisco. Rodgers is slashing .322/.368/.455 at home but just .208/.247/.312 on the road.

Michael Massey, KC, 2B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - The talent is there but Massey's biggest problem is playing time, as he doesn't start vs LHP and sits more than occasionally vs RHP in favor of the likes of Adam Frazier (.202/.281/.295) and Garrett Hampson (yes, that one). The Royals have five games vs RHP this week but it's hard to bank on Massey for more than three of them.

David Hamilton, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 7%) - Do I mostly want Hamilton to go back to being a thing just so I have more excuses to slip in Hamilton! references? Maybe. But also, Hamilton gets a series in Colorado to start the week and none of the Rockies starters are of the left-handed variety that he usually sits against. Don't throw away your shot (shot!).

Jose Iglesias, NYM, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 5%) - I'm not quite sure what has gotten into Iglesias (66 APR over the last three weeks) but I'm fairly confident it won't last. Facing a tough slate of pitchers in matchups against the Yankees and Braves (plus one vs. the Marlins), this probably isn't the week to count on his hot hand staying warm.

On the IL

• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR, 2B/3B/SS/OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
• Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF (wrist/ankle - rehab assignment)
• Brandon Drury, LAA, 1B/2B (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Abraham Toro, OAK, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Vaughn Grissom, BOS, 2B/SS (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)

Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Eugenio Suarez, ARI, 3B (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 11%) - Suarez was showing signs of life headed into the ASB and gets favorable matchups against the Royals and Pirates in Week 18 to try and keep that heartbeat going, with two of the six matchups scheduled vs LHP.

Next Choices

Matt Vierling, DET, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 9%) - Vierling is hitting like he really wants to be traded out of Detroit, now having racked up 12 HR, 46 R, and 41 RBI in 344 PA. He can't take a walk (5% BB%) but he's a solid fill-in if you're in need, as long as he's playing every day and batting third, that is. As soon as that ends (say, in about a week?), Vierling value will likely crater out.

Desperate Choices

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 15%) - Burger has slowly been turning things around but remains incredibly inconsistent - in the 11 periods since he returned from the IL, Burger has five weeks in the top-100(ish) and four outside of the top-250. He'll only see one of the LHP he struggles against in Week 18 (vs. NYM, vs. BAL, @MIL) but matchups with right-handers Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta aren't exactly ideal.

Curtis Mead, TB, 3B (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Easily my favorite Australian-born hitter, Mead has finally gotten recalled after starting in the majors this year with a giant thud (94 PA: .218/.269/.276, .246 wOBA, 61 wRC+. Mead raised his season average by 20 points after collecting three hits in his return but his long-term value will depend not just on the stick but also on the playing time, with the notoriously crafty Rays rarely keen to just hand over a starting job to a young hitter. Mead did all that was expected of him while back in the minors, slashing .278/.347/.500 over 259 PA, with 10 HR, 39 R, 32 RBI, and 5 SB. Certainly not a priority add now but Mead (and his playing time) is something to keep an eye on.

Jose Iglesias, NYM, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 5%) - I'm not quite sure what has gotten into Iglesias (66 APR over the last three weeks) but I'm fairly confident it won't last. Facing a tough slate of pitchers in matchups against the Yankees and Braves (plus one vs the Marlins), this probably isn't the week to count on his hot hand staying warm.

On the IL

• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR, 2B/3B/SS/OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
• Abraham Toro, OAK, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (strained groin - rehab assignment)
• Jon Berti, NYY, 3B/SS (strained calf - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Masyn Winn, STL, SS (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 14%) - In the two games following the break, Winn has gotten right back up to the excellence he was showing before the ASB, collecting four hits (with two triples) in two games in Atlanta. In his past 10 periods, Winn has finished in the top 50 six times.

Zach Neto, LAA, SS (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 9%) - C'mon, fam -- we can do it! Neto keeps getting closer to a Roster% that would jet him over our threshold -- but not yet! Why he's still under it, I cannot tell you. Neto has averaged an 86 APR in the 13 periods since Week 5 but the consistency is actually more impressive -- there are only two "bad" weeks included in that sample (207, 183), with the next two worst ones (131 two times) still well above an average output. In the other nine periods, Neto was in the top 75 six times and the top-50 four times.

Xavier Edwards, MIA, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 12%) - Edwards has held his own since getting recalled and has the plate discipline and well-rounded profile to succeed in points if playing every day. Which he has done so far, starting every game since coming back up. The matchups aren't super favorable in Week 18 (vs. NYM, vs. BAL, @MIL) but Edwards is a good snag for the rest of the season.

Next Choices

Wenceel Perez, DET, SS/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3%) - Perez's production has mostly been inconsistent but he's had a top-100 APR for three weeks straight and gets seven games (@CLE, vs. MIN) in Week 18, with none scheduled vs the left-handers that he mostly struggles/sits against.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 46%) - Rinse-and-repeat analysis -- as long as Crawford is batting leadoff every game (and he still is), he'll remain a strong high-floor/low-ceiling play.

Angel Martinez, CLE, SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 7%) - Martinez is an on-base machine who has now batted second in every game since being recalled on July 4. That's a pretty good recipe for success when you have Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor batting behind you.

Desperate Choices

Max Schuemann, OAK, SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 3%) - Schuemann has come out firing in the second half (4-for-8, 1 HR, 5 R, 5 RBI) but was also hot coming into the break, with a 95 APR in Week 16 and a 22 APR in Week 15. You should always be wary of an Athletics player who has a .257 AVG that's backed by a .219 xBA and .336 BABIP.

David Hamilton, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 7%) - Do I mostly want Hamilton to go back to being a thing just so I have more excuses to slip in Hamilton! references? Maybe. But also, Hamilton gets a series in Colorado to start the week and none of the Rockies starters are of the left-handed variety that he usually sits against. Don't throw away your shot (shot!).

*Stash Alert*

Jacob Wilson, OAK, SS (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 12%) - This prospect heat has been canceled -- Wilson just hit the IL after pulling his hamstring after getting a single in his first big league at-bat. The severity of his injury hasn't been disclosed as of yet but be prepared to stash if it's of the minimal-stay variety. As a reminder, this is what Wilson did in 200 PA at Double- and Triple-A: 7 HR, 44 R, 34 RBI, 2 SB, .438/.475/.686, 1.161 OPS, .512 wOBA, 203 wRC+...No, seriously; he did. Wilson was added a lot recently but take advantage of the wave of drops that are likely coming.

On the IL

• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR, 2B/3B/SS/OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
• Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF (wrist/ankle - rehab assignment)
• Vaughn Grissom, BOS, 2B/SS (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Jon Berti, NYY, 3B/SS (strained calf - no timetable)

Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Michael Toglia, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 7%) - Toglia was one of our best plays last week and he'll remain so this week, with Colorado getting three more games at home for his resurgence to continue. Since being recalled June 6, Toglia is slashing .235/.307/.553, with a .360 wOBA and 12 HR, and 3 SB in 150 PA. For those not keen on math, that's nearly a 50 HR pace over 600 PA. Pretty, pretty good. Granted, his high-strikeout ways make him much less valuable in leagues with a K-penalty, and trusting Colorado hitters on the road is always dicey. But Toglia has officially done enough to at least be rostered as highly as James Outman, right?

Andy Pages, LAD, OF (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 8%) - Pages put in some below-average work for the three weeks heading into the ASB but is primed for a big bounceback in Week 18, with the Dodgers scheduled to face left-handers in three of their seven games. Facing LHP this season, Pages is slashing .347/.378/.507, with a .381 wOBA and .885 OPS.

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 38%) - I'm not sure why O'Hearn keeps dropping below our Roster% threshold but it can't be because of his production, as he now has 100 APR for the season and will rarely hurt you in a given week (as long as the Orioles aren't scheduled to face a bunch of LHP).  Since the start of June, O'Hearn is slashing .289/.360/.488, with a 12% K% and 9% BB%...Is that good? The Orioles get six games in Week 18 (@MIA, vs. SD), with none scheduled vs the left-handers that O'Hearn usually sits against.

Jesus Sanchez, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Sanchez posted top-50 weeks in three of the last four periods headed into the All-Star break as he continues to audition for a trip out of Miami by the deadline. Only scheduled to face one LHP in Week 18 should help his cause, as he's slashing just .135/.167/.212 against them this season, with a .379 OPS and .169 wOBA.

Next Choices

Wenceel Perez, DET, SS/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3%) - Perez's production has mostly been inconsistent but he's had a top-100 APR for three weeks straight and gets seven games (@CLE, vs MIN) in Week 18, with none scheduled vs the left-handers that he mostly struggles/sits against.

Angel Martinez, CLE, SS/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 7%) - Martinez is an on-base machine who has now batted second in every game since being recalled on July 4. That's a pretty good recipe for success when you have Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor batting behind you.

Miguel Andujar, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - I still think a lot of Andujar's renaissance is wrapped up in his .338 BABIP but we can't ignore that he's averaged a 105 APR over his last six periods, compiling his way to relevance. I don't recommend putting too many eggs in an Oakland-based basket.

Lawrence Butler, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 14%) - So. Many. Oakland...Jokers are on a hot streak. Butler has three multi-hit games in a row and five in his last eight but I still wouldn't get too carried about an Athletic with as much whiff in his game as he has.

Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 7%) - This old dog still hunts -- a lot better in Colorado but still; Blackmon loves churning out top-100 APRs and still has some top-50s in his bag too. He'll get one game at Coors before heading to San Francisco.

Matt Vierling, DET, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 9%) - Vierling is hitting like he really wants to be traded out of Detroit, now having racked up 12 HR, 46 R, and 41 RBI in 344 PA. He can't take a walk (5% BB%) but he's a solid fill-in if you're in need, as long as he's playing every day and batting third, that is. As soon as that ends (say, in about a week?), Vierling value will likely crater out.

Desperate Choices

Juan Yepez, WSH, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - What's that you say? A Juan Yepez renaissance??? Okay, let's not get carried away but Yepez showed a fairly points-friendly profile in the one year he played a significant amount (2022 in St. Louis), combining good discipline with a fair amount of pop. Yepez has started every game for Washington since being recalled on July 5, slashing .378/.451/.578 over 51 PA, with an 18% K% and 12% BB%. Obviously, his numbers won't remain so eye-popping but this is a good compiler profile if he continues to play every day.

J.J. Bleday, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 12%) - Bleday was absolutely brutal in the three weeks before the ASB (307 APR) but had been fairly solid in the month before that dirt run. The left-handed Bleday gets seven games in Week 18, with only one scheduled against one of his fellow lefties.

Tommy Pham, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - You know Tommy wants out of Chicago's south-side dumpster, and racking hits is a good way to make that happen. To be fair, he'll probably lose most fantasy relevance the instant he's traded but feel free to grab another week or so of his decent production.

Gavin Sheets, CHW, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 2%) - Sheets has basically been wood pulp all year outside of a three-week hot streak in May but if you're trying to catch some of that SZN-magic, might as well try in a week where the White Sox aren't scheduled to face any LHP in any of their seven games (@TEX, vs. SEA).

Mike Yastrzemski, SF, OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Yastrzemski has been sullying his family name a little bit less lately, having himself a terrific little July, slashing ..364/.478/.842, with a .456 wOBA. But the Giants facing three LHP in Week 18 is a quick way for him to drop right back down.

On the IL:

• • • Starling Marte, NYM, OF (bone bruise - expected to miss 4 weeks)
    • Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (stress fracture - no timetable)
    • TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
    • Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR, 2B/3B/SS/OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
    • Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF (wrist/ankle - rehab assignment)
    • M.J. Melendez, KC, OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
    • Esteury Ruiz, OAK, OF (strained wrist - no timetable)
    • Mike Tauchman, CHC, OF (strained groin - no timetable)
    • Kris Bryant, COL, 1B/OF (rib contusion - rehab assignment
    • Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (back discomfort - no timetable)
    • Parker Meadows, DET, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
    • Joey Gallo, WSH, 1B/OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
    • Jason Heyward, LAD, OF (knee contusion - expected back shortly)

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 16%) - Langeliers has a 67 APR in the short Week 17 but that shortness shouldn't take away from how strong he's been virtually all season. After being unplayable in three of the first four weeks of the season, Langeliers has averaged a 126 APR in the 13 weeks since and hasn't been lower than 164 over the past six weeks. He'll have some good matchups in Week 18, getting the worst part of Houston's rotation at home before going on the road to face some super shaky pitching down in Anaheim.

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 10%) - Since returning from the IL on May 11, Bailey has quietly been one of the best catchers in points, slashing .277/.354/.406 over 178 PA, with 4 HR, 23 R, 22 RB, and 1 SB, with a very points-friendly 20% K% and 11% BB%. The Giants are fully stuffed with seven games this week (@ LAD, vs. COL) and will face three LHP.

Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 12%) - Stephenson was red-hot entering the break and has gotten right back to it in the return to action with another home run on Saturday. The Reds will face LHP in two of their six games, against whom Stephenson has a 49% HH% and 14% (45% HH% and 19% K% vs RHP).

Next Choices

Keibert Ruiz, WSH, C (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 44%) - Ruiz has spent the past few weeks looking more like the top prospect he used to be. Entering July, Ruiz was slashing just .201/.239/.299 over 142 PA, with a .238 wOBA and 50 wRC+ but since the month began is slashing .292/.306/.521 over 49 PA, with a .354 wOBA and 129 wRC+. With just a 12% K% on the year, Ruiz has always had the making of strong points assets -- if he keeps actually hitting (instead of merely failing to strikeout), Ruiz could be one again.

Elias Diaz, COL, C (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 9%) - Diaz has yet to look like what he did before hitting the IL but a series at home to start the week could be the elixir he needs to turn things back around.

Desperate Choices

Reese McGuire, BOS, C (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Unless you're super (duper) desperate, this is really only a streaming move for those in daily leagues, as the only reason to grab McGuire is for Boston's series in Colorado to start the week. Connor Wong has been Boston's primary catcher all season but has been struggling, with McGuire starting Boston's last three games vs RHP. With the Red Sox scheduled to face three right-handers in Colorado, two or three games on the moon could be on McGuire's early-week plate.

On the IL

• • • Jose Trevino, NYY, C (strained quad - no timetable)
    • Gary Sanchez, MIL, C (strained calf - rehab assignment)
    • Victor Caratini, HOU, C (strained hip - rehab assignment)
    • Tom Murphy, SF, C (sprained knee - no timetable)

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