X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 23

Nicklaus Gaut's H2H points league waiver wire pickups for Week 23 of the 2021 fantasy baseball season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

We'll be doing this roundup of points leagues every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver wire targets and streaming pitchers being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, and Fantrax.

Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits. We know points league players get neglected and we're here to help.

These waiver-wire adds are for the week of August 30 - September 5, looking at players below 50% rostered for ESPN and Yahoo! Stats and rankings are calculated using games through Friday, August 27.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Know Your System

If you've read me even a little, you likely know what I'm going to say...You must account for, as precisely as possible, how a player performs under your particular scoring system. Don't be fooled into believing you can just make rough adjustments in your head, bumping up guys with high on-base percentages and low strikeout rates. Every point, in every category, counts.

For example, ESPN and Fantrax are virtually identical in their scoring for hitters and roster size. The only difference is that stolen bases are worth one more point on Fantrax and ESPN subtracts one point per strikeout. That's the difference between Ronald Acuna Jr. being a top-five hitter versus top-20.

If your league uses standard settings, then great! Turn to page 94 and you can skip ahead to the leaderboards. If you play with custom settings, it'll still be fine. Go back to page 43 and look below at the scoring systems of the four major platforms. I bet there's a chance that you'll find that your league's scoring is very similar to one of the four (well, not Yahoo!'s), even if it's not the platform you actually play on.

For example, my home league started on a now-defunct platform before moving first to ESPN and is now at Fantrax. But our scoring is basically ESPN standard only with two points for stolen bases and a handful of other minor adjustments.

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

 

Waiver Wire Leaderboards

In addition to our overall waiver wire leaderboards, we're deep enough into the season that we'll also start doing a 14-day leaderboard, as well, giving us a window into recent production. The charts are updated prior to Saturday's games, on stats and ownerships. All leaderboards, overall and 14-day, are sorted according to the player's roster%, and clicking on a chart will open a new page with a magnified version.

*APR = Average Platform Ranking - the average platform ranking between ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and Fantrax (standard point settings)

 

The Hansels

Let the recency bias wash over you because these players are just so hot, right now. So, just for fun, let's start making a chart of the players in the top-100 of APR over the last two weeks before diving into the position-by-position analysis.

 

First Base

Must Add

  • Frank Schwindel, CHC - Pay no mind to his overall 335 APR, as Schwindel only has 112 PA for the season but has thrived since moving into a full-time role. Over 91 PA in the month of August, Schwindel is slashing .373/.429/.639, with a .447 wOBA and 183 wRC+. A small sample but he hasn't shown any signs of letting up yet, posting a 55 APR over the last two weeks and collecting multiple hits in six of his last 10 games.
  • Miguel Sano, MIN - After a tough two months of the season, slashing .163/.280/.395, with a .296 wOBA, Sano has continued to heat up as the summer does. Since June 1, he's slashing .246/.323/.487, with a .342 wOBA and 117 wRC+ but also slashed his strikeout rate, dropping from an atrocious 38.7% K% to a much more manageable 31.5%.

  • Bobby Dalbec, BOS - Dalbec's fantasy profile will get a whole lot more interesting if he continues to suppress his strikeouts while keeping the power. In the month of August, Dalbec has a .484 wOBA and 25.0% K%, compared to a .282 wOBA and 37.5% K% prior to.

Can Add

  • Brandon Belt, SF - After another two-dong night this past week (his second such night of the month), Belt now has 8 HR since returning from the IL on August 5, posting a .389 wOBA - though just a .211 AVG. He is currently on the Bereavement list, however, so keep an eye on his return.
  • Christian Walker, ARI - Walker was in the middle of an injury-riddled, mostly lost season but keeps hitting, posting a .438 wOBA (.415 xwOBA) over the last two weeks, with a 59 APR. He's not the most exciting but Walker has always had a points-friendly profile but needs to collect a lot of plate appearances. Walker has averaged .80 pts/PA on ESPN, .89 pts/PA on CBS, 3.12 pts/PA on Yahoo, and .98 pts/PA on Fantrax. For context purposes, for the season Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has averaged .82 pts/PA on ESPN, .92 pts/PA on CBS, 2.36 pts/PA on Yahoo, and .99 pts/PA on Fantrax.

Desperate Adds

  • Nate Lowe, TEX - Lowe has had a better stretch, as of last, posting a 106 APR over the last two weeks but his per-PA scoring rates remain unviable in most scoring formats unless you're desperate. Even with a better APR, Lowe still only had a ho-hum .327 wOBA over the last two weeks and it was backed by just a .262 wOBA.
  • Miguel Cabrera, DET - Finally getting career home run number 500 out of the way (and 501 the next day) Cabrera continues to be a fine hole-plugger, if necessary, posting a .351 wOBA and .365 xwOBA over the last two weeks.

Notable IL

 

Second Base

Must Adds

  • Andy Ibanez, TEX - The 28-year-old rookie could cool off at any time but someone this hot needs to be paid attention to. Ibanez has now collected at least two hits in his past seven games and has a .529 wOBA over the last two weeks. Granted, that is backed by only a .396 xwOBA but that isn't exactly a number to be ashamed of. And after batting towards the bottom of the lineup, Ibanez has now batted second in his last two games.

Can Adds

  • Cesar Hernandez, CHW - Hernandez has continued to struggle since starting his tenure with the White Sox, slashing .210/.298/.300 over his 114 PA with the Southsiders and has been dropped from the top of the lineup for the past three games.
  • Luis Arraez, MIN - Arraez provides plenty of hits, they just tend to be empty ones, as Minnesota's offensive decline persists. Arraez's biggest value is in leagues with a strikeout penalty, where his 9.4% K% gives him a large value bump.
  • Josh Harrison, OAK - Currently entrenched as Oakland's left fielder, Harrison only has a 152 APR over the last two weeks but his .315 wOBA over that period is backed by a much better .359 xwOBA.
  • Nick Solak, TEX - In five games since returning from the IL, Solak has gone 8-for-22, with one home run and a .421 wOBA - but just a .260 xwOBA.

Desperate Adds

  • Garrett Hampson, COL - Hampson has a .383 wOBA and .367 xwOBA over the last two weeks (112 APR) but only got 32 PA from his platooning role. Fine as a streamer if he's starting but probably only for Colorado's four games at home later in the week.

Notable IL

 

Third Base

Must Adds

  • Jeimer Candelario, DET -Candelario has slowed down slightly, running a 108 APR over the last weeks, with a .307 wOBA. But that was backed by a .363 xwOBA and our new candy man still has a .342 wOBA and .342 xwOBA for the season.
  • Patrick Wisdom, CHC - Wisdom has spent the last week on fire, hitting two home runs on Friday night, now hitting five home runs in his past seven games.

Can Adds

  • Carter Kieboom, WSH - Playing every day, Kieboom is finally starting to show the hitting chops that made him one of Washington's top prospects. He only has a 113 APR over the last two weeks but his .319 wOBA over that period is backed by an impressive .440 xwOBA.
  • Abraham Toro, SEA - Toro is currently on a nine-game hitting streak, slashing .342/.390/.368 over that period, with a .339 wOBA and 120 wRC+.
  • Brian Anderson, MIA - It looks like Anderson is finally starting to come around, running a 100 APR over the last two weeks. And like Kieboom above, his expected results are more impressive than the actual ones. Anderson's .300 wOBA over that period is backed by a .371 xwOBA.

Desperate Adds

Notable IL 

 

Shortstop

Must Adds

  • Nicky Lopez, KC - Lopez just keeps hitting and running; in his last 12 games, he's slashing .362/.434/.447 over 56 PA, with eight stolen bases. And while Kansas City is bad, his particular spot in the lineup isn't, as he's locked into batting second, sandwiched between Whit Merrifield and Salvador Perez.

Can Adds

  • Miguel Rojas, MIA - Rojas has had a junky week so far, going just 1-for-14 but continues to bat leadoff with an excellent hit tool and minuscule strikeout rate.
  • Ramon Urias, BAL - Urias has been on a nice run, collecting multiple hits in five of his past six games. He's posted a 60 APR over the last two weeks, with a .420 wOBA and .391 xwOBA.
  • Josh Rojas, ARI - Rojas has an 85 APR over the last two weeks but his .344 wOBA over that period is backed by just a .268 xwOBA.

Desperate Adds

  • Didi Gregorius, PHI
  • Kevin Newman, PIT - Newman has been on a heater, at least by his standards, with a 78 APR over the last two weeks, posting a .360 wOBA and .357 xwOBA.

Notable IL

 

Outfielders

Must Adds

  • Anthony Santander, BAL - OVer 87 PA in August, Santander is slashing .337/.368/.687, with a .441 wOBA and 185 wRC+. He has hits in five of his last six games, hitting four home runs, with a .617 wOBA. He'll be away from his home bandbox this coming week but gets two friendly parks in Toronto and New York. No reason he should be available.
  • Connor Joe, COL - No average Joe, Connor has absolutely crushed in the second half, slashing .320/.400/.612, with a .423 wOBA. He's settled into the Rockies left field job and has batted leadoff in his past 16 games. With a 33 APR over the last two weeks and getting four games at home this week, Joe will only stay on the wire for so long.

Can Adds

  • Brandon Nimmo, NYM - Nimmo is starting to heat up, getting his modest eight-game hitting streak ended on Friday. But over that streak, he had four multi-hit games and slashed .368/.429/.474, with a .395 wOBA and 153 wRC+. And with Francisco Lindor returning from the IL, Nimmo's spot atop the order should get that much juicier.
  • Andrew Vaughn, CHW
  • Jake Meyers, HOU - With Chas McCormick on the IL, the centerfield job looks to be Meyers, for the moment. In his 14 games as a starter, Meyers is slashing .327/.345/.545, with a .375 wOBA and 144 wRC+. He also has a 30.8% K% for the year so be aware if your league penalizes strikeouts.
  • Brandon Marsh, LAA - Marsh has a 56 APR over the last two weeks, posting a .446 wOBA and .401 xwOBA. Just be aware that a 39.6% K% will keep him from being viable if you have a strikeout penalty.
  • Ian Happ, CHC - You have to keep an eye on the schedule, as Happ is going to sit often against LHP but he's been crushing lately, posting an 18 APR over the last two weeks, with four home runs and a .515 wOBA over 42 PA.

Desperate Adds

  • Yadiel Hernandez, WSH
  • Odubel Herrera, PHI
  • DJ Peters, TEX - Peters has five home runs since returning to major league action on August 3 but also has a .167 AVG and 36.0% K% over that time.
  • Rafael Ortega, CHC - The Ortega experience looks like its ending, as he's slashed just .150/.227/.275 over the last two weeks, posting a. 225 wOBA and 39 wRC+.

Notable IL

 

Catchers

Must Adds

  • Travis d'Arnaud, ATL - d'Arnaud came off of the IL just to go on paternity leave but is back with Atlanta now. Since returning from injury on August 11, d'Arnaud is slashing .250/.351/.500, with a .365 wOBA and 127 wRC+. Oh, and Atlanta gets four games in Colorado this week.
  • Daulton Varsho, ARI - Varsho is producing but part of his value lies in just how much he's playing, splitting time behind the plate and in the outfield. He has a 79 APR and .405 wOBA over the last two weeks, putting up top-five per-PA scoring rates.
  • Elias Diaz, COL - Diaz has a .419 wOBA and 84 APR over the last two weeks and gets four games at home.

Can Adds

  • Carson Kelly, ARI - Kelly has had a 147 APR over the last two weeks, with a .372 wOBA and .340 xwOBA.
  • Tyler Stephenson, CIN - Ahh, the perils of platooning. Stephenson has .471 wOBA (.369 xwOBA) over the last two weeks but has only gotten 22 PAs over that time.
  • Ryan Jeffers, MIN - With Mitch Garver heading back to the IL, Jeffers gets a full-time role back for the time being.

Desperate Adds

  • All catcher adds are desperate adds.

Notable IL



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Points Leagues Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brock Stewart

Gets Traded to the Dodgers
Luis Gil

Set to Make 2025 Debut on Sunday
CeeDee Lamb

Standing Out at Training Camp
Latavius Murray

Retires
Harrison Bader

Gets Dealt to the Phillies
Rhamondre Stevenson

Drops 10 Pounds
Kyle Finnegan

Traded to the Tigers
Tetairoa McMillan

has Been "Better Than Advertised"
Leodalis De Vries

Heads to A's in Blockbuster Deal
Jalon Walker

Misses Practice Again on Thursday
Luther Burden III

Impressing in Bears Camp
Diontae Johnson

Competing for a Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Mack Hollins

Activated Off PUP List, Practicing on Thursday
Braelon Allen

"One of the Stars" of Jets Training Camp
Bhayshul Tuten

Returns to Practice in Limited Capacity
Mason Miller

Traded to San Diego
Jordan Mason

Looking Explosive in Training Camp
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malik Nabers

Expected to Practice on Thursday
Jaylin Lane

Getting Work with the First Team
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Jaylen Waddle

Stepping Up for the Dolphins
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
Jayden Higgins

Earning Praise
Shane Bieber

Blue Jays to Acquire Shane Bieber
Bryce McGowens

Signs Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
Kolton Miller

Agrees to a Contract Extension with the Raiders
Noah Fant

Signs One-Year Deal with the Bengals
Kaleb Johnson

Struggling in Pass Protection
Carlos Correa

to Return on Friday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Reuniting With Mariners
Steven Matz

Going to Boston
Zack Littell

Reds Finalizing Trade for Zack Littell
Ramón Urías

Ramon Urias Heading to Houston
Shohei Ohtani

Expects to Make Next Start
Ke'Bryan Hayes

Sammy Stafura Headed to Pittsburgh in Ke'Bryan Hayes Deal
Michael Soroka

Traded to Cubs
Kenneth Walker III

Likely to See Heavy Workload
Brenton Strange

Getting TE1 Reps
Keaton Mitchell

Looks Explosive in Practice
Shohei Ohtani

Exits Early as Pitcher, Stays in at DH
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Ryan Helsley

Mets Acquiring Ryan Helsley From Cardinals
Jhoan Duran

Acquired by Phillies
Brandon Lowe

Activated and Playing on Wednesday
Blake Snell

Scheduled to Make his Return on Saturday
Juan Soto

Mets Hopeful Juan Soto will Return on Friday
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Misses Cut at 3M Open
Max Greyserman

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Jordan Spieth

Looks to End Regular Season on a High Note at Wyndham Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Tied For Fourth at Open Championship
Eric Cole

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Keith Mitchell

Needs a Big Week at Wyndham Championship
Robert MacIntyre

is the Perfect Kind of Ball-Striker for Wyndham Championship
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
Michael Kim

Needs More Solid Finishes
NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Added to Greece Training Camp Roster for EuroBasket 2025
Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Baldwin Jr. Waived by Clippers
Josh Green

May Not be Ready for Start of Hornets Training Camp
NBA

Thomas Bryant Set to Move to Greece
Cam Thomas

Nets Far Apart in Contract Talks
Kristaps Porzingis

Feeling "Great" Ahead of New Season
Chris Paul

Hints He Could Extend His Career Beyond the 2025-26 Season
Brandon Miller

Close to 100 Percent
Jayden Struble

Canadiens Lock Up Jayden Struble for Two Years
Robert Whittaker

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Reinier de Ridder

Gets Split-Decision Win
Conor Timmins

Avoids Salary Arbitration with Two-Year Deal
Marcus McGhee

Drops Decision At UFC Abu Dhabi
Toronto Raptors

Colin Castleton Waived by Raptors on Monday
Petr Yan

Extends Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Suffers Decision Loss
Shara Magomedov

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Dominated At UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA

Asu Almbayev Dominates At UFC Abu Dhabi
Nikita Krylov

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Bogdan Guskov

Scores Knockout Win
Kyle Larson

Falls Short of Back-To-Back Victories at Indianapolis
Denny Hamlin

Rallies Into Third Place At Indianapolis
Chase Briscoe

Pit Strategies End up Failing Chase Briscoe at Indianapolis
Ty Gibbs

Wins NASCAR's Inaugural In-Season Challenge Tournament
Ryan Preece

Finishes Fourth but Loses Ground to Playoff Cutline
Brad Keselowski

Has Good Strategy, but Not Enough to Win
Ryan Blaney

Bails from Hail Mary Strategy Attempt but Recovers to Finish Seventh
Tyler Reddick

Eliminated from Brickyard 400 in Crash After Top Five Run
Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan Agrees to Contract Extension with Chicago
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering At Indianapolis This Week?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Indianapolis DFS Lineups?
NASCAR

Could A.J. Allmendinger be A Solid Tournament DFS Option?
Zane Smith

Is a Respectable Value Option for Indianapolis Despite Low Experience
Cole Custer

Is A Solid Value Option for Indianapolis DFS Lineups
Riley Herbst

Is an Unfavorable DFS Option for Indianapolis Lineups
Zeev Buium

Aims for Big Role Next Season
NHL

Conor Sheary Signs Tryout Deal with Rangers
Denny Hamlin

an Easy DFS Target After Wreck in Qualifying
Arvid Soderblom

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Blackhawks
Kyle Larson

Will Start 13th to Defend Brickyard 400 Crown
Chase Briscoe

on Pole for Brickyard as Momentum Continues to Build
Ryan Blaney

Learned a Lot in Practice at Indianapolis
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Very Strong at Indianapolis
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Challenge for a Brickyard 400 Win on Sunday?
Ryan Preece

Don't Forget About Ryan Preece at Indianapolis
Philadelphia 76ers

Ricky Council IV Waived by Philadelphia
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors "Haven't Gained Any Traction" on Sign-and-Trade Deal for Jonathan Kuminga
Brett Berard

Played Through Shoulder Injury Last Season
Maxim Tsyplakov

Islanders Re-Sign Maxim Tsyplakov on Two-Year Deal
Jackson Blake

Inks Eight-Year Extension with Hurricanes
Robert Whittaker

Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF