Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 17

July 17, 2023

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver wire hitters to pick up for Week 17 of the 2023 MLB season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

Welcome to Week 17 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of July 17 - July 23, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax.

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 Fantrax 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, July 15.

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Know Your Scoring System

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

Week 17 Leaderboards

Okay, everyone - things are getting really, really thin out there, as we're deep enough into the season that most wires get clipped down to the bone. But with the trade deadline quickly approaching, things can still get quickly shaken up.

Let's get started; here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 17, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Spencer Torkelson, DET, 1B (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 13%) - Torkelson is in the midst of a little seven-game hit streak (and in 12 of his last 13) and has 8 HR, 23 R, and 22 RBI in his 158 PA since the start of June. Ya know, I'm starting to think that prospect growth isn't always linear, even with a former number-one overall pick. Huh.

Garrett Cooper, MIA, 1B (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 5%) - He might be made of ~40% glass but the perennially underrated Cooper has really started to turn it up as of late, running a 58 APR over the past two weeks. But to be fair, I am pretty disappointed he didn't use the Mario movie mania as momentum for a pivot to rebranding as the "Super Kooper Troopa".

Next Choices

Joey Votto, CIN, 1B (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 16%) - Votto may only have a .226 AVG since (finally) returning from the IL on June 19 but seven home runs, 18 RBI, and a .395 wOBA has got him right back to being underrated point league gold. Maybe not that prime Votto points goodness but is still a better option than a lot of the suspect first baseman that are apparently still littering rosters.

Carlos Santana, PIT, 1B (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 20%) - Like a warm points blanket, our sweet Carlos will always be there for you if you're in a pinch. But with the Pirates facing three left-handers in Week 17, it might be a week to make the first move and cuddle on in with him.

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 19%) - Wade Jr. entered the All-Star break cold but more concerningly for his long-term value is him having sat the past two starts (one pre-ASB, one post-ASB) vs LHP. He's still batting leadoff vs RHP but will move firmly back into a week-to-week streamer (depending on matchups) if he goes back to being a strict platooner.

Mike Ford, NYY, 1B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 1%) - He may not play vs LHP but Mike Ford SZN has not yet been canceled in the Pacific Northwest, starting every game vs RHP since late June 24. With a 20 APR over the past two weeks and Seattle only facing one LHP in Week 17, feel free to ride with Ford again.

Donovan Solano, MIN, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Solano has started 10 straight games for the Twins, with Alex Kirilloff being pushed out of the infield rotation more and more. He has a 53 APR over the past two weeks and is slashing .355/.444/.677 in July, with a .469 wOBA and 209 wRC+. He'll eventually turn back into Donovan Solano a hot streak plus playing time can equal a short-term boost to your points offense.

Desperate Choices

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 11%) -Flores might be a shadow of his former points-god self but still has a very friendly points profile (.276/.335/.458, 17% K%, 8% BB%) and will continue to play as long as Thairo Estrada in on the IL.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Miller has started every game but one in July, batting cleanup in all but three. But unfortunately, he hasn't done much with it, slashing just .231/.295/.333 over 44 PA.

Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - Joey Gallo has 15 HR and a 14% BB%. That's good! Oh, also a .189 AVG and 41% K% - less good. Actually, rather terrible. Friends don't let friends roster Joey Gallo in point leagues.

On the IL

• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Jake Bauers, NYY, 1B/OF (shoulder contusion - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Darin Ruf, MIL, 1B/OF (knee laceration - no timetable)

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 19%) - Dubon has been, and will continue to be a great points asset - but only until Jose Altuve returns from the IL. Once Altuve is back in a couple of weeks, Dubon will turn back into a pumpkin but feel free to wear that glass slipper (again) right up until midnight.

Edouard Julien, MIN, 2B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Julien doesn't start vs LHP but luckily Minnesota isn't scheduled to face any in their seven games this week. And he may have struggled early but since returning to the majors on June 10, Julien has started to show why so many people blew out their FAAB wallets trying to get him initially. Since the start of May, he's now slashing .324/.393/.568 over 84 PA, with 3 HR and a .407 wOBA.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 14%) - Garcia only has a .306 OBP but has rolled himself into a top-100 APR via excellent plate discipline (12% K%), and a pile of PAs that have helped him accumulate his ways to 41 R and 37 RBI over 347 PA. Facing some suspect starters from the Cubs and Giants in Week 17, Garcia (and other Nats) is a solid option.

Next Choices

CJ Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 10%) - Like Luis Garcia with a high K%, Abrams is a solid points option whose accumulating ways have now carried him to a top-100 APR.

Donovan Solano, MIN, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Solano has started 10 straight games for the Twins, with Alex Kirilloff being pushed out of the infield rotation more and more. He has a 53 APR over the past two weeks and is slashing .355/.444/.677 in July, with a .469 wOBA and 209 wRC+. He'll eventually turn back into Donovan Solano a hot streak plus playing time can equal a short-term boost to your points offense.

Desperate Choices

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 11%) -Flores might be a shadow of his former points-god self but still has a very friendly points profile (.276/.335/.458, 17% K%, 8% BB%) and will continue to play as long as Thairo Estrada in on the IL.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) -McKinstry has been a column fave all season but this might not be the week to try and jump on him, as the Tigers are scheduled to face three left-handers of their seven games - he's started against just one LHP all season.

Nick Gonzales, PIT, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) - Gonzales has afforded himself nicely since being called up on June 23, with 2 HR, 8, R, and 11 RBI over 66 PA. But a 29% K% (17% SwStr%) and 3% BB% is not the path to walk for points success.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Miller has started every game but one in July, batting cleanup in all but three. But unfortunately, he hasn't done much with it, slashing just .231/.295/.333 over 44 PA.

On the IL

• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Nick Madrigal, CHW, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jeimer Candelario, WSH, 3B (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 19%) - Candelario is an accumulation machine, rising all the way to a 59 APR for the season. Should you have already picked him up? Obs. But the real question is how much his value will change according to whom he is (inevitably) traded to before the deadline.

Next Choices

Donovan Solano, MIN, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Solano has started 10 straight games for the Twins, with Alex Kirilloff being pushed out of the infield rotation more and more. He has a 53 APR over the past two weeks and is slashing .355/.444/.677 in July, with a .469 wOBA and 209 wRC+. He'll eventually turn back into Donovan Solano a hot streak plus playing time can equal a short-term boost to your points offense.

Desperate Choices

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 11%) -Flores might be a shadow of his former points-god self but still has a very friendly points profile (.276/.335/.458, 17% K%, 8% BB%) and will continue to play as long as Thairo Estrada in on the IL.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) -McKinstry has been a column fave all season but this might not be the week to try and jump on him, as the Tigers are scheduled to face three left-handers of their seven games - he's started against just one LHP all season.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Miller has started every game but one in July, batting cleanup in all but three. But unfortunately, he hasn't done much with it, slashing just .231/.295/.333 over 44 PA.

On the IL

• Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (lower back - no timetable)
• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (lower back inflammation - Yoan Moncada)
• Nick Madrigal, CHW, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Kevin Smith, OAK, 3B/SS (strained back - no timetable)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 11%) - Does anyone else imagine Crawford just sitting beneath a lonely tree, softly singing "Noo-body knows the trouble I've seen, nooo-body knows my sorrr-rrroww. Crawford is up to an 89 APR for the season and has a 42 APR over the past two weeks, playing every day while batting leadoff in front of one of baseball's most exciting. But no - his ~10% Roster% makes TO-TAL sense. Totally total sense, like the totalist, ya dig? Seriously, someone needs to explain it to me like I'm a second grader (or a Cubs fan, wink ; )...How does this even make sense?!

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 19%) - Dubon has been, and will continue to be a great points asset - but only until Jose Altuve returns from the IL. Once Altuve is back in a couple of weeks, Dubon will turn back into a pumpkin but feel free to wear that glass slipper (again) right up until midnight.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 14%) - Garcia only has a .306 OBP but has rolled himself into a top-100 APR via excellent plate discipline (12% K%), and a pile of PAs that have helped him accumulate his ways to 41 R and 37 RBI over 347 PA. Facing some suspect starters from the Cubs and Giants in Week 17, Garcia (and other Nats) is a solid option.

Next Choices

CJ Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 10%) - Like Luis Garcia with a high K%, Abrams is a solid points option whose accumulating ways have now carried him to a top-100 APR.

Desperate Choices

Javier Baez, DET, SS (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 13%) - It's really, really hard to be a consistently good points asset while rocking a .257 OBP. In totally unrelated news, can anyone guess what Javier Baez's OBP is?

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) -McKinstry has been a column fave all season but this might not be the week to try and jump on him, as the Tigers are scheduled to face three left-handers of their seven games - he's started against just one LHP all season.

Nick Gonzales, PIT, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) - Gonzales has afforded himself nicely since being called up on June 23, with 2 HR, 8, R, and 11 RBI over 66 PA. But a 29% K% (17% SwStr%) and 3% BB% is not the path to walk for points success.

On the IL

• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Kevin Smith, OAK, 3B/SS (strained back - no timetable)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 15%) - No need to again rehash how much better of a point profile Benitendi has than as a boring roto option - his 74 APR for the season should have already told you. But like Jeimer Candelario (and others) the real question is whether or not he and his still-fresh contract gets traded and to whom.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 19%) - Dubon has been, and will continue to be a great points asset - but only until Jose Altuve returns from the IL. Once Altuve is back in a couple of weeks, Dubon will turn back into a pumpkin but feel free to wear that glass slipper (again) right up until midnight.

Will Benson, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%) - Benson has been tearing it up as a mostly full-time player but do be aware he'll occasionally sit vs LHP. But only two of the Reds seven games are versus the wrong-handers this week so expect Benson (who has an 81 APR over the past two weeks) to still rack plenty of PAs in their homestand against the Giants and Diamondbacks.

James Outman, LAD, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 22%) - Outman? More like Back-in-man, amirite? After hitting rock bottom following a gangbusters start to the season, Outman has gotten back on track as of late, running a 56 APR over the past two weeks. And while the Dodgers will face three LHP in Week 17, the left-handed Outman has actually handled them quite well, so far, posting a .274 AVG and .352 OBP against them. That 37% K%, though? Nah, don't you worry about that lil' guy. Don't you worry at all.

Next Choices

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 19%) - Wade Jr. entered the All-Star break cold but more concerningly for his long-term value is him having sat the past two starts (one pre-ASB, one post-ASB) vs LHP. He's still batting leadoff vs RHP but will move firmly back into a week-to-week streamer (depending on matchups) if he goes back to being a strict platooner.

Corey Julks, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 5%) - See Diaz, Yanier. Also; see Colorado, three games in.

Jesus Sanchez, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Sanchez is slashing .324/.324/.649 over his last 10 games, with 3 HR, 5 R, and 10 RBI but his <5% Roster% tells me not many are noticing.

Harrison Bader, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 17%) - Seriously - we all know the deal right? Bader will be a pretty good points asset until he breaks some new (or old) body part and goes on the IL for three weeks. Good luck with all that; I'm good.

Desperate Choices

Tommy Pham, NYM, OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 10%) - Slappy von Phammy has been as hot as almost anyone lately but has now sat two games in a row after tweaking his groin. Until a further update on his health, he's a hard sell to try and stream.

Zach McKinstry, DET, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 3%) -McKinstry has been a column fave all season but this might not be the week to try and jump on him, as the Tigers are scheduled to face three left-handers of their seven games - he's started against just one LHP all season.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 6%) - Miller has started every game but one in July, batting cleanup in all but three. But unfortunately, he hasn't done much with it, slashing just .231/.295/.333 over 44 PA.

Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - Joey Gallo has 15 HR and a 14% BB%. That's good! Oh, also a .189 AVG and 41% K% - less good. Actually, rather terrible. Friends don't let friends roster Joey Gallo in point leagues.

On the IL

• Tyler O'Neill, STL, OF (strained lower back - rehab assignment)
• Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF (elbow inflammation - no timetable)
• Charlie Blackmon, COL (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - expected to miss 10 weeks)
• Ramon Lauerano, OAK, OF (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Austin Meadows, DET, OF (anxiety - no timetable)
• Jo Adell, LAA, OF (strained oblique - no timetable
• Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Trayce Thompson, LAD, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jake Bauers, NYY, 1B/OF (shoulder contusion - no timetable)
• Edward Olivares, KC, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Yainer Diaz, HOU, C (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 7%) - Yanier Diaz has remained in the banged-up Houston lineup, starting 22-of-24 games since the middle of June, and came back from the ASB firing, going 2-for-5 with 2 runs and an RBI. It remains to be seen what his playing time will look like when Houston is fully healthy but he's undoubtedly hitting enough to justify the lineup spot. With three games in Colorado and a series against the woeful A's, Diaz is an easy first choice if needing help behind the plate in Week 17.

Next Choices

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 6%) - Bailey is the rare catcher that plays nearly every game, giving his points-accumulator value a big boost. A 28% K% will hurt him in leagues with a strikeout penalty but Bailey's playing time share should continue to give him a high floor even when an inevitable slump comes.

Desperate Choices

Connor Wong, BOS, C (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Wong mostly has the Boston job to himself, with just Jorge Alfaro now hanging around to occasionally spell him. In the catcher desert, maybe that's enough if you're in dire straights for a fill in.

Blake Sabol, SF, OF/C (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 2%) - Sabol has a solid (for a catcher) 120 APR over the past two weeks but San Francisco is also scheduled to face three LHP in Week 17, making a stream with him likely dangerous, as he's slashing just .103/.188/.103 against them in limited exposure.

On the IL

• Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (shoulder surgery - out 4-6 months)
• Luis Campusano, SD, C (thumb surgery - rehab assignment)

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