🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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

Waiver Wire Points Leagues - Week 16

Week 16 is a doozy, spanning 10 days, making many pitchers "two-start" guys and keeping us on our feet right after the All-Star break. If you're like me, the All-Star break was long and the desire to check my lineups hit every day. While I may not have had players playing games, I was still making moves because of other owners dropping players who were "not active" or slumping going into the break. I was able to snag New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery because of the former reason, and now it looks like he could be the ace (due to lack of better options) of the team.

This week we're back to our shallow and deep points leagues waiver targets, looking at anyone and everyone between 1% and 55%. So here are a few guys who can contribute in points leagues, one at each position to consider for the next week, and possibly beyond. These are your points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 16. Let's get to it.

Note: All ownership percentages are courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.

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

 

Points League Waiver Wire Adds - Week 16

C - Wilson Ramos, Tampa Bay Rays - 42% owned 

I vouched for Ramos earlier this year, before he was ready to come back from his injury, and although he's experiencing some soreness of late, he should be back and ready to contribute in a few days. The batting average won't do much, but his ability to crush the ball will help in points leagues. The 29-year-old already has three home runs in 10 games (42 plate appearances) and while I don't think the batting average will be at .307 like last year, he's an easy bet for .260ish, with 12 home runs, and maybe more. Grab Ramos if you're in need of a catcher, because most owners probably do too.

1B - Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates - 37% owned

When drafting this year, I was big on Bell. I only got to grab him in one of my three leagues, but I'm sure glad I did, because he contributes everywhere. I'd love to see a little bit more speed on the base paths, but I'll take what I can get from him. He's already hit 17 home runs, as well as 17 doubles, making him a virtual lock for 25/25. Those are huge points that I'd love in points leagues. The fact that he has a bit of speed and can potentially mix in a triple and a stolen base here and there is exciting too. His walk rate is down and his strikeout percentage is up, but the average hasn't dipped down too far to make the power not worth it like Joey Gallo. Grab Bell and hold him, or trade him to me, because I'd love some more shares.

2B - Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals - 47% owned

Here's a guy that I'd recommend to hold in category leagues, but in points leagues, I'm just going to mention for the short term. Going into the All-Star break, DeJong clubbed three homers in his last three games, also adding four doubles. Those are some sweet points, but since coming out of the break, he's contributed a double and a homer in his last four games. He was clearly riding momentum, and here's hoping in points leagues that he can continue to show some power for points. Besides that DeJong will definitely be one of those consistent contributors, as he's hitting .299 with an .899 OPS. Not bad for categories, but in points leagues, we're chasing power. Give him two weeks to prove he's got more in him, but cut bait if you only see the small contributions.

3B - Nicholas Castellanos, Detroit Tigers - 33% owned 

Castellanos is another guy who I was high on before the season, and while he's been up and down for most of the season, when he's up, it's very worthwhile. In most points leagues, he should be in the top 120, depending on your scoring settings. Since coming out of the break, he's hit two home runs, and while the lack of extra base hits in his last 10 games or so is concerning, don't forget that he's already ripped six triples this year, and is coming in close on 20 doubles. He's also closing in on passing his runs total from 2016, because of his movement throughout the Tigers lineup, hitting anywhere from second to seventh. Castellanos is a nice add because of the amount he can contribute to virtually any lineup.

SS - Jose Peraza, Cincinnati Reds - 51% owned

I'm still a little weary on a guy like Peraza; I actually drafted him, but got fed up with the cold start, before he kind of got going in May. It's obvious there's not a whole lot of power, and despite points leagues usually chasing power, Peraza is still an interesting play in points leagues. The 23-year-old is obviously still young, and definitely capable of putting together a stronger season. There's lots of promise in him getting opportunities to hit at the top and second in the order, as well as being a threat to steal a base every time he gets on (although, it's been a while). Recently, he's been doing a better job of getting on as his K% from June to July is dropping and his batting average is slowly rising. I'd say give him a few weeks to see if he can maintain some consistency.

OF - Carlos Beltran, Houston Astros - 31% owned

I'm putting the 40-year-old veteran on the list for one reason: the Houston Astros. Beltran continues to DH for the Astros even though his strikeout rate is at one of the highest of his career, and his batting average is on the other side of the spectrum. However, it is hard to deny the opportunities that Beltran has with the likes of George Springer, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Marwin Gonzalez and Josh Reddick hitting around him. Most of his opportunities have come hitting in the fifth slot, where he's posted half of his home run total. I don't want to tell you to hang onto Beltran forever, but the upside is there. This is a guy who hit 29 homers last year, so stick with him, and you should see some RBIs and runs at least.

SP - Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals - 42% owned

Yes, some of the underlying numbers suggest Ian Kennedy is not the best recommendation here, but in points leagues, some of those stats matter a little bit less. Diving into some of the numbers though, his line drive percentage is down from last year and his ground ball percentage is up. The only ugly one is his fly ball percentage which increased drastically from his move from San Diego to Kansas City. The fact is though, is that Kennedy has struck out at least five in his last four starts, not allowing more than three runs in any of those games. He's also kept the walks down, which definitely help, it's just the home runs that keep getting hit. In points leagues though, take the strikeouts, and the wins, since Kansas City seems to being doing that, and hope for another quality start from Kennedy when he takes on the White Sox later this week.

RP - Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals - 51% owned and 27% owned respectively

The Washington Nationals have exhausted many options with their bullpens in years past, and 2017 is no exception. Dusty Baker has already hinted that either one of, or both, Madson and Doolittle could see time closing in Washington, seeing as they've both been pretty good this year in Oakland. The lack of save opportunities in Oakland is what have kept their save and hold numbers down, but both are pitching to ERAs under 3.50, with Madson's just above 2! The fact that Madson is a righty, and Doolittle is a lefty means they could both see time, depending on the matchups, but if you only have space for one, I'd bargain that Madson is the safer bet.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




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

Baker Mayfield

Expected to Play in Week 13
Jake Walman

Sidelined for Third Consecutive Game
Jack Roslovic

to Miss Two Weeks
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

to Return Saturday
Mattias Samuelsson

in Concussion Protocol
Kyle Palmieri

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Lukas Dostal

Ruled Out for 2-3 Weeks
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Test Confirm Low-Ankle Sprain for Amon-Ra St. Brown
Anthony Davis

Available, Will be on a Minutes Restriction
Kyle Monangai

Leads Bears Backfield in Impressive Week 13 Performance
D'Andre Swift

Goes Over 100 Rushing Yards, Finds End Zone in Win Over Eagles
A.J. Brown

Goes Over 100 Yards Again, Scores Twice on Friday
Kyshawn George

Returns to Lineup After One-Game Absence
Paul George

Set To Start Friday Against Nets
Kevin Huerter

Set to Return Against Charlotte
Jarrett Allen

Back in Action on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action on Friday
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Suiting Up Against Charlotte
Trey Murphy III

Uncertain For Saturday's Matchup
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Returning Versus Knicks
Jaden Ivey

Set To Play Against Orlando
Adem Bona

Back on Friday Night
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play Versus Washington
De'Anthony Melton

Eyeing Road-Trip Return
Kristaps Porzingis

Sidelined on Friday Night
Kenneth Walker III

Good to Go for Week 13
Jonathan Kuminga

Questionable Ahead Of Pelicans Matchup
Andrew Wiggins

On Track To Suit Up Saturday
Norman Powell

Likely Available Against Detroit
Brian Thomas Jr.

Good to Go Sunday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Won't Play on Friday Night
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Questionable for Week 13
Bucky Irving

Fully Practices Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Omarion Hampton

Ruled Out for Week 13
Baker Mayfield

Practices in Full Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Kirill Marchenko

Misses Third Straight Game
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Jaden Schwartz

to Miss Six Weeks
Chris Olave

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 13 Due to Back Injury
Andre Burakovsky

Set to End Three-Game Absence
Alvin Kamara

Will Not Play in Week 13
William Nylander

Out Friday With Illness
J.J. McCarthy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Ryan Hartman

Returns to Action Friday
Brady Tkachuk

Officially Available Friday
Ja'Marr Chase

Helps Bengals Snap Four-Game Skid on Thanksgiving
Mike Matheson

Signs Five-Year Extension
C.J. Stroud

Will Play on Sunday
Anthony Davis

Reportedly Set to Return on Friday Night
DK Metcalf

Good to Go for Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Will Play in Week 13
Daniel Jones

Will be Ready to Go on Sunday
Terry McLaurin

Will be Active Against Broncos
Jarrett Allen

Nearing Return From Finger Injury
Andrew Nembhard

Questionable Entering Friday's Contest
Brady Tkachuk

Aims to Return Friday
Matthew Tkachuk

Resumes Skating
Jakob Chychrun

Stretches Point Streak to Nine Games
Matej Blumel

Expected to Miss Some Time
Marcus Foligno

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Jaden Schwartz

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Lukas Dostal

Out Wednesday Night
Sean Durzi

Available Against Canadiens
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return

RANKINGS

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