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Points Leagues Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12

Players to target or add from the waiver wire in Week 12 for fantasy baseball points leagues. Andrew Le identifies the top pickups of the week based on fantasy value.

Welcome to the RotoBaller waiver wire column that skews towards points league. Yes, there is positive correlation to standard 5x5 scoring but in our format, specific categories matter less and the accumulation of total stats is the ultimate objective.

For Week 12, we’ll key in on strong performers over the past two weeks that are disproportionately underowned. There’s no guarantee these players are long-term fixes for an ailing fantasy squad but at this point in the year, temporary solutions could be the best tonic to get your team on track. Conversely, if these players stick for good, there’s no marginal risk for capitalizing early.

Our points league waiver wire column will default to standard scoring and try to unearth three players under at least 50% ownership and three players under 25% ownership. For each group, we’ll identify an infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Let’s get hunting!

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

 

Points League Pickups to Consider

Colin Moran (3B, PIT)

10% Owned

Former prospect Colin Moran has batted .278 since the calendar flipped to June, including three homers and 13 runs-plus-RBI. For the season, the 26-year-old is hovering around a .800 OPS and has been a solid contributor to the Pirates with a 109 wRC+.

Previously knocked for his ground ball tendencies, Moran has upped his fly ball rate to 34% this season, resulting in a spike in hard-hit rate (39%) and barrels (9%). In 209 fewer batted balls, Moran’s 12 barrels is already approaching the 18 he registered in 2018. With limited resistance to playing time, Moran has a firm hold in the heart of the Bucco’s lineup. If the improvement in swing plane proves structural, he could finally make the leap from prospect to MLB regular.

 

Todd Frazier (3B, NYM)

4% Owned

Crusty Todd Frazier is back in our lives so look away if you’ve been burned before. Frazier vanished from fantasy relevance in 2019, starting the year injured then hitting rock bottom on May 15 with a .423 OPS. Since then, he’s raised that profile to .770.

Over that span, Frazier is hitting a crisp .321 with 10 of 27 knocks going for extra bases. His 0.76 BB/K further bolsters his points league relevance. Those reliant on Statcast and advanced metrics will notice that Frazier’s Baseball Savant reeks of shady outcomes. But this could be attributable to his terribly foul start. Recently promoted to cleanup, Frazier’s current tear is undeniable and any scorching player deserves roster consideration, geezer or not.

 

Jorge Soler (OF, KC)

39% Owned

Summer’s warmth provides respite for believers of Jorge Soler. His 30% whiff rate should provide a cool breeze as we watch in close anticipation of his breakthrough. (Father’s Day deserved an awful dad joke). In his last 46 at-bats, Soler has cranked four homers, four doubles and collected 17 R+RBI. In true form, he’s also struck out 12 times.

Even in a points format, if fantasy owners can overcome the human fan, Soler checks the boxes. Soler possesses the exit velocity (94.8 MPH FB/LD), hard-hit rate (43%) and expected slugging (.514) to mash over 40 bombs and 40 doubles (he currently has 17 of each). Although his plate discipline is underwhelming, Soler’s swing tendencies don’t justify just a 6% walk rate. Still just 27 years old, Soler is an instance where the strikeouts are palatable for the power potential.

 

JaCoby Jones (OF, DET)

10% Owned

Since the end of May, JaCoby Jones has seemingly found his groove. Hovering below the Mendoza Line around Memorial Day, Jones has been on fire with a .407 average, raising his season OPS from .606 to .790. Included in the 17-game tear was a 12-game hitting streak that recently concluded.

Like Soler, JaCoby Jones has an equally awful strikeout habit (30%). But they also share more positive traits including an identical FB/LD exit velocity (94.8 MPH) and stellar 50% hard-hit rate. As a kicker, Jones has above average sprint speed and is a perfect 6-for-6 in steals. Jones has exactly zero full seasons under his belt, but after 22 doubles, six triples, 11 homers and 13 steals in just 467 plate appearances in 2018, Jones is emerging as the most attractive offensive fantasy asset in Detroit.

 

Adrian Sampson (SP, TEX)

29% Owned

Adrian Sampson started the season as a dedicated opener with an uninspiring K/9, so was therefore a fantasy non-factor. Since fully joining the rotation and building his endurance, Sampson has registered a 3.19 ERA with a passible 8.6 K/9 over his last six starts. Skewing these numbers positively was a stellar one-run complete game on June 8 against the Athletics.

Sampson, 27, was a seven-year minor leaguer prior to a brief audition in 2018 (four starts). After successfully breaking spring training on the roster, he’s made notable strides year-over-year. The strikeouts have spiked from 16% to 19%, supporting an already-low walk rate to a 3.9 K/BB. Velocity and swinging strikes are up which are encouraging trends. Despite his June 13th struggles against Boston, stay vigilant.

 

Merrill Kelly (SP, ARZ)

18% Owned

As rookies are concerned, Merrill Kelly’s emergence is shocking. After unsuccessfully wallowing in the minors until 2014, Kelly spent four seasons in Korea before debuting as a 30-year-old this season. Like Sampson, his strikeout numbers aren’t stellar, but fantasy-relevant trends are promising.

Highs and lows abound, in 14 starts, Kelly has permitted four or more earned runs four times. He’s also kept opponents to two or less in seven starts. Kelly brings a four-pitch arsenal to the mound and while no single pitch appears overpowering, he mixes them well enough to grade above average. Kelly’s age and lack of experience are automatic non-starters for some fantasy players, and the subpar strikeouts also detracts his appeal. For contrarians willing to overlook these shortcomings, Kelly could provide considerable value as a streaming option.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Braden Schneider

Limited in Training Camp
Lars Eller

Recovering From Abdomen Procedure
Nick Jensen

in Danger of Missing Start of Season
Brandon Montour

to Miss Two Weeks After Ankle Surgery
Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
NBA

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP