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Welcome to Week 27 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of September 25- October 1, 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 Yahoo 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, September 23.
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Know Your Scoring System
| Platform | AB | Hits | TB | 1B | 2B | 3B | HR | R | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | HBP |
| ESPN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Yahoo! | 0 | 0 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 7.8 | 10.4 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0 | 4.2 | 0 | 2.6 |
| CBS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.5 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Fantrax | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| NFBC | -1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
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. I.E., you're probably fine if everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar).
Week 27 Leaderboards
Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 26, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:
And here are the stats driving the above ranks:
First Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 11%) - The O'Hearn Experience is back, baby! O'Hearn has started every game since Ryan Mountcastle was injured, slashing .341/.372/.561/ over 44 PA, with 2 HR and a .390 wOBA. With only one LHP on the docket that he'll likely sit against, O'Hearn is a must-add if you're in need.
Carlos Santana, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 23%) - Yawn...Another week of Santana being a top-75ish hitter. But hey, at least he's over 23% rostered on ESPN, so I guess that's something? Expect more the same for Santana in Week 27, with three of Milwaukee's six games scheduled against the left-handed starters that Santana tends to slap around.
Next Choices
Elehuris Montero, COL, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 2%) - Yeah, it's a Coors play but Montero is more than just a lotto ticket, as he's slashed a more than impressive .311/.364/.487 at home, with an .851 OPS and .364 wOBA
Desperate Choices
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Biggio is still playing every game vs RHP and the Blue Jays aren't scheduled to face any LHP in Week 27.
Miguel Rojas, LAD, 1B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Coors ticket.
On the IL
- Jeimer Candelario, CHC, 1B/3B (lower back - no timetable)
- Luke Raley, TB, 1B (strained neck - no timetable)
- Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (foot contusion - rehab asssignment)
- Brandon Belt, TOR, 1B (lower back - no timetable)
- Mike Moustakas, LAA, 1B/3B (strained forearm - no timetable)
- Kevin Newman, CIN, 1B/2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 7%) - Castro is slashing .302/.348/.603 over 70 PA since returning from the IL on September 3 and gets a three-game Coors ticket. Yeah, that'll do.
Next Choices
Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Our cover boy has been a dud in Week 26 so far but has a coveted four-game Coors ticket to get himself back on track. Given his streakiness, Taylor might have the most upside on the board.
Kyle Farmer, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Like the rest of is teammates, Farmer is boosted by his three-game Coors ticket but he's also been running hot lately, collecting seven hits on his current five-game hit streak.
Edouard Julien, MIN, 2B (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 4%) - Julien has a 78 APR over the past two weeks and the Twins are only scheduled to face one LHP in their six games. Oh, and the three-game Coors ticket.
Desperate Choices
Brendan Rodgers, COL, 2B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 11%) - In his short time back from the IL (157 PA) Rodgers is slashing .302/.362/.429 at home, compared to .198/.261/.235 on the road. A seven-game Coors ticket is his stinky cologne.
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Biggio is still playing every game vs RHP and the Blue Jays aren't scheduled to face any LHP in Week 27.
Jared Triola, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Triola's cup of coffee has been red-hot lately, posting a 59 APR over the past two weeks, along with a 9 APR so far in Week 26, driven by nine hits in his last three games.
On the IL
- Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - rehab assignment)
- Nick Madrigal, CHC, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
- Kevin Newman, CIN, 1B/2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 7%) - Castro is slashing .302/.348/.603 over 70 PA since returning from the IL on September 3 and gets a three-game Coors ticket. Yeah, that'll do.
Next Choices
Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Our cover boy has been a dud in Week 26 so far but has a coveted four-game Coors ticket to get himself back on track. Given his streakiness, Taylor might have the most upside on the board.
Elehuris Montero, COL, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 2%) - Yeah, it's a Coors play but Montero is more than just a lotto ticket, as he's slashed a more than impressive .311/.364/.487 at home, with an .851 OPS and .364 wOBA
Kyle Farmer, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Like the rest of is teammates, Farmer is boosted by his three-game Coors ticket but he's also been running hot lately, collecting seven hits on his current five-game hit streak.
Desperate Choices
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Biggio is still playing every game vs RHP and the Blue Jays aren't scheduled to face any LHP in Week 27.
Jared Triola, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Triola's cup of coffee has been red-hot lately, posting a 59 APR over the past two weeks, along with a 9 APR so far in Week 26, driven by nine hits in his last three games.
On the IL
- Jeimer Candelario, CHC, 1B/3B (lower back - no timetable)
- Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
- Mike Moustakas, LAA, 1B/3B (strained forearm - no timetable)
- Kevin Newman, CIN, 1B/2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 12%) - Ahh, Ezequiel - my old friend. It looks like we get one more chance to extol the virtues that should've had you cross our Roster% threshold long ago. Tovar has a 113 APR so far on the road in Week 26, has a 50 APR over the past two weeks, and is up to a 82 APR for the season. Oh, and he's got a seven-game Coors ticket to try and go out with a bang. Boom - pick him up.
J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 24%) - Ahh, J.P. - my old friend. It looks like we get one more chance to extol the virtues that should've had you cross our Roster% threshold long ago.
Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 7%) - Castro is slashing .302/.348/.603 over 70 PA since returning from the IL on September 3 and gets a three-game Coors ticket. Yeah, that'll do.
Next Choices
Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Our cover boy has been a dud in Week 26 so far but has a coveted four-game Coors ticket to get himself back on track. Given his streakiness, Taylor might have the most upside on the board.
Kyle Farmer, MIN, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - Like the rest of is teammates, Farmer is boosted by his three-game Coors ticket but he's also been running hot lately, collecting seven hits on his current five-game hit streak.
Desperate Choices
Miguel Rojas, LAD, 1B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Coors ticket.
Jared Triola, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Triola's cup of coffee has been red-hot lately, posting a 59 APR over the past two weeks, along with a 9 APR so far in Week 26, driven by nine hits in his last three games.
On the IL
-
- Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - rehab assignment)
- Brandon Crawford, SF, SS (strained hamstring - no timetable)
- Kevin Newman, CIN, 1B/2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 11%) - The O'Hearn Experience is back, baby! O'Hearn has started every game since Ryan Mountcastle was injured, slashing .341/.372/.561/ over 44 PA, with 2 HR and a .390 wOBA. With only one LHP on the docket that he'll likely sit against, O'Hearn is a must-add if you're in need.
Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 19%) - Blackmon has been phenomenal at home this season, slashing .309/.392/.519, with a .389 wOBA and .912 OPS.
Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 7%) - Castro is slashing .302/.348/.603 over 70 PA since returning from the IL on September 3 and gets a three-game Coors ticket. Yeah, that'll do.
Next Choices
Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Our cover boy has been a dud in Week 26 so far but has a coveted four-game Coors ticket to get himself back on track. Given his streakiness, Taylor might have the most upside on the board.
David Peralta, LAD, OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - The Dodgers have seven games, with all scheduled vs RHP, meaning Peralta should see most of the starts, including in his four-game Coors ticket.
Desperate Choices
Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 7%) - Herr Kepler will see two left-handed starters in Week 27 but finishes out the week with a three-game Coors ticket.
Jack Suwinski, PIT, OF (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 8%) - Suwinski has been hitting enough vs RHP to outweigh his lackluster performance/playing time vs LHP. He'll have to try and ride the lightning again in Week 27, with three of six games scheduled against lefties.
Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 15%) - You'll either get a top-75 performance or outside of the top 200. Not much in between.
Cavan Biggio, TOR, 1B/2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Biggio is still playing every game vs RHP and the Blue Jays aren't scheduled to face any LHP in Week 27.
Brenton Doyle, COL, OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - The Coors-iest of the Coors tickets.
On the IL
- Tyler O'Neill, STL, OF (sprained foot - no timetable)
- Harrison Bader, CIN, OF (strained groin - no timetable)
- Mickey Moniak, LAA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)
- Jesse Winker, MIL, OF (back spasms - rehab assignment)
- Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (foot contusion - rehab assignment)
- Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - rehab assignment)
- Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
- JJ Bleday, OAK, OF (sprained knee - no timetable)
- Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Bo Naylor, CLE, C (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 3%) - If you're in a position where you need to stream a catcher in the last week of the season, Naylor is clearly the safest play. Naylor has a 75 APR over the past two weeks, a 49 APR so far in Week 26, and now has 9 HR in 217 PA after going yard on earlier in the week. But do keep an eye out on his Sunday status, as he missed Saturday with a banged-up thumb.
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 9%) - O'Hoppe should get three starts against LHP, against whom he has slashed .294/.333/.588 for his short career, with a .387 wOBA and 147 wRC+.
Next Choices
Luis Campusano, SD, C (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 6%) - Campusano has quietly been a top-100ish hitter for the past few weeks and is looking at finishing up against some suspect White Sox pitching.
Desperate Choices
Hunter Goodman, COL, 1B/OF/C (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Coors lotto ticket #1. He'll probably only get three stars but they'll all be at home.
Christian Vazquez, COL, C (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 2%) - Coors lotto ticket #2 but he'll only be there for three games.
On the IL
- Danny Jansen, TOR, C (finger surgery - questionable for 2023 season)
- Tom Murphy, SEA, C (sprained thumb - no timetable)
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