Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 18

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver wire hitters to pick up for Week 18 of the 2023 MLB season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

Welcome to Week 18 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of July 24 - July 30, 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 22.

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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 18 Leaderboards

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 18, 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: 31%, ESPN: 14%) - Nevermind ziggy piggy, say it with me now - "Tor-kel-Time, Tor-kel-Time, Tor-kel-Time, Tor-kel-time- Torkel-TIME!" Torkelson is now up to an 85 APR for the season and has a top-50 APR heading into Sunday's action. With seven games and three vs LHP (.364 xwOBA, 17% K%, 11% BB%) in Week 18, Torkelson's performance could quickly dictate his leaving of the wire for good.

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 7%) - Kirilloff is burning red-hot, posting an 18 APR over the past two (shortened) weeks, with a 6 APR so far in Week 17. In the eight games since the ASB, Kirilloff has 4 HR, 6 R, and 13 RBI, with a .313 AVG and .361 OBP. With the massively dinged-up Twins virtually guaranteeing him everyday playing time, Kirilloff is a great add (and possible keep) for Week 18.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 19%) - Flores has always had a super points-friendly profile and is making the most of his current everyday role, posting a 25 APR over the past two weeks, and a 4 APR so far in Week 17. But he particularly smashes LHP (.327/.368/.551) and the Giants will face five of them in Week 18.

Next Choices

Triston Casas, BOS, 1B (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 29%) - The rookie continues to hit his way up the leaderboard, with a 27 APR over the past two weeks (26 APR in Week 17) moving him up to a 142 APR for the season. And while he doesn't play vs LHP, the Red Sox aren't scheduled to face one in their five games this week.

Jake Burger, CHW, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 7%) - Burger had been on a bloody slide for a while but has started hitting bombs again in July (4 HR). His batting average stinkiness and 33% K% will keep him as a better roto asset than points but only facing one LHP in Week 18 could bode well for a stream while he's running hot.

Desperate Choices

Carlos Santana, PIT, 1B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 18%) - We know by now the seemingly eternal points magic that Santana can bring but you want to stack your streaming deck with LHP if wanting to give yourself the best chance of capturing some. The Pirates only face two LHP in Week 18 (one of whom is Blake Snell, one of the hottest pitchers in baseball) with matchups against Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola also on the board.

Dominic Smith, WSH, 1B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Smith has been streaking (47 APR over the past two weeks) but does a lot of his damage vs LHP and the Nationals are only scheduled to face one in Week 18.

Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 4%) - Brown gets three games in Colorado but two of them will come against LHP, against whom Brown is slashing just .029/.154/.029, with a 39% K%.

On the IL

• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - 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

Edouard Julien, MIN, 2B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 9%) - Julien has been an absolute monster lately, posting a 13 APR over the past two weeks, and a 12 APR so far in Week 17 - something made even more impressive by the fact of a 32% K%. He still isn't starting vs LHP but with only one scheduled in their six games this week, Julien remains a must-add.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 19%) - Flores has always had a super points-friendly profile and is making the most of his current everyday role, posting a 25 APR over the past two weeks, and a 4 APR so far in Week 17. But he particularly smashes LHP (.327/.368/.551) and the Giants will face five of them in Week 18.

Next Choices

Tony Kemp, OAK, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - As any longtime reader knows, Tony Kemps loves nothing more than going on three-week stretches where he's a top-75 (or higher) hitter and is worth taking a flyer on if in need. Kemp has a 49 APR over the past two weeks and will face three LHP in Week 18, against whom he's slashing .316/.458/.553, with a .434 wOBA and 10% BB%.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 15%) - Perdomo has a 91 APR for the season and can put together some nice streaks of production but has sat against the last four LHP, with Arizona facing two out of six games in Week 18.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 13%) - Garcia is ultra boring but is still a top-100 hitter with a low ceiling but one that can always fill in a hole in a pinch without worrying about a big negative for the week.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 19%) - Great points profile but he needs a pile of PAs to truly activate it and Jose Altuve is close to returning from the IL to steal them.

Desperate Choices

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Monasterio has a 93 APR so far in Week 17, and has started every game since the ASB, going 9-for-29 while slashing .310/.355/.379.

Michael Massey, KC, 2B (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 1%) - Massey might have a 124 APR over the past two weeks but most of it is driven by a double-dong game earlier this week. Since returning from the IL on July 4, Massey is slashing just .167/.186/.381 over 43 PA, with a .237 wOBA and 43 wRC+.

On the IL

• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Nick Madrigal, CHW, 2B/3B (strained hamstring -rehab assignment)
• 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: 41%, ESPN: 11%) - How is it possible that Candelario still hasn't crossed our eligibility threshold, now up to a 58 APR for the season, as well as so far in Week 17. If he's somehow still available, snatch him up immediately unless your corners are absolutely stacked.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 19%) - Flores has always had a super points-friendly profile and is making the most of his current everyday role, posting a 25 APR over the past two weeks, and a 4 APR so far in Week 17. But he particularly smashes LHP (.327/.368/.551) and the Giants will face five of them in Week 18.

Next Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Garcia has added to his value by adding third-base eligibility and has now led off for six games in a row.

Jake Burger, CHW, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 7%) - Burger had been on a bloody slide for a while but has started hitting bombs again in July (4 HR). His batting average stinkiness and 33% K% will keep him as a better roto asset than points but only facing one LHP in Week 18 could bode well for a stream while he's running hot.

Desperate Choices

Brett Baty, NYM, 3B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Baty has a 46 APR so far in Week 17 and has two home runs in his past five games but the Mets will see left-handers in 3-of-6 games this week, against whom he slashing .192/.222/.327, with a .237 wOBA and .267 xwOBA.

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Monasterio has a 93 APR so far in Week 17, and has started every game since the ASB, going 9-for-29 while slashing .310/.355/.379.

Patrick Wisdom, CHC, 3B (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 10%) - Wisdom might have a top-100 APR over the last two weeks but won't see a ton of action with the Cubs scheduled to face LHP in three of their six games.

On the IL

• Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (lower back - no timetable)
• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - expected to miss 6 weeks)
• Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
• Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (lower back inflammation - rehab assignment)
• Brian Anderson, MIL, 3B/OF (strained lower back - no timetable)
• Nick Madrigal, CHW, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Josh Donaldson, NYY, 3B (strained calf - questionable for season)
• 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

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 11%) - Tovar has been cold since the ASB but gets three games at Coors against suspect Oakland pitching. The rookie is slashing .289/.324/.474, .342 wOBA at home, compared to just .222/.253/.361, .265 wOBA on the road.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 11%) - I give up and have just accepted that Crawford will just be on most wires all season, even though he bats leadoff, piles up PAs, and has a 79 APR for the year, and an 85 APR over the past two weeks.

Next Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 6%) - Garcia has added to his value by adding third-base eligibility and has now led off for six games in a row.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 15%) - Perdomo has a 91 APR for the season and can put together some nice streaks of production but has sat against the last four LHP, with Arizona facing two out of six games in Week 18.

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 13%) - Garcia is ultra boring but is still a top-100 hitter with a low ceiling but one that can always fill in a hole in a pinch without worrying about a big negative for the week.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 19%) - Great points profile but he needs a pile of PAs to truly activate it and Jose Altuve is close to returning from the IL to steal them.

Desperate Choices

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Monasterio has a 93 APR so far in Week 17, and has started every game since the ASB, going 9-for-29 while slashing .310/.355/.379.

Zack Neto, LAA, SS (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%) - Like a slightly worse Luis Garcia without 2B eligibility, Neto won't hurt you if you're in need.

On the IL

• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - expected to miss 6 weeks)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Brandon Crawford, SF, SS (knee inflammation - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 18%) - Benintendi still being available in some point leagues might be the most egregious snub of anyone. The White Sox might be terrible but that hasn't stopped Benintendi from continuing to march towards being a top-50 hitter.

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 7%) - Kirilloff is burning red-hot, posting an 18 APR over the past two (shortened) weeks, with a 6 APR so far in Week 17. In the eight games since the ASB, Kirilloff has 4 HR, 6 R, and 13 RBI, with a .313 AVG and .361 OBP. With the massively dinged-up Twins virtually guaranteeing him everyday playing time, Kirilloff is a great add (and possible keep) for Week 18.

Will Benson, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 4%) -Sweet lord, Benson continues to rake but also continues to be widely available...Don't make me switch to all-caps - I'LL DO IT! Just pick him up and we can all stay cool (and lowercase).

Next Choices

Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) -Kepler keeps hitting - he has a 24 APR in Week 17, with a 74 APR over the past two weeks. With only one LHP on the schedule, Herr Kepler remains a solid stream.

Matt Vierling, DET, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Vierling might be a sneaky stream in Week 18, as Detroit is playing seven games, with three coming vs LHP. Facing left-handers this season, Vierling has a .351 xwOBA and 11% K%

Jose Siri, TB, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 5%) - He's really streaky and comes with a 34% K% but Siri has a 68 APR so far in Week 17, with 2 HR in four games.

Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4%) - Carpenter has now started 13-of-14 games (OF/DH), with 3 HR, 5 R, and 10 RBI, posting a .342 wOBA and 120 wRC+.

Tony Kemp, OAK, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - As any longtime reader can attest, Tony Kemps loves nothing more than occasionally going on three-week stretches where he's a top-75 (or higher) hitter and is worth taking a flyer on if in need before he turns back into a pumpkin. Kemp has a 49 APR over the past two weeks and will face three LHP in Week 18, against whom he's slashing .316/.458/.553, with a .434 wOBA and 10% BB%.

Desperate Choices

Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 18%) - McCutchen has been a solid points asset all season but has yet to get it going since the ASB/missing a few games with injury, posting just a .255 wOBA and 56 wRC+

Mike Tauchman, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) - I'd love to officially declare Mike Tauchman SZN but the leftie will have to deal with/not start against three LHP in Week 18.

Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 4%) - Brown gets three games in Colorado but two of them will come against LHP, against whom Brown is slashing just .029/.154/.029, with a 39% K%.

On the IL

• Charlie Blackmon, COL (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - expected to miss 10 weeks)
• Ramon Lauerano, OAK, OF (fractured hand - rehab assignment)
• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• BrIan Anderson, MIL, 3B/OF (strained lower back - no timetable)
• Austin Meadows, DET, OF (anxiety - no timetable)
• Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - 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)
• A.J. Pollock, SEA, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Trayce Thompson, LAD, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - no timetable)
• Jake Bauers, NYY, 1B/OF (shoulder contusion - no timetable)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - Bailey has started against every left-handed starter since getting called up, slashing .313/.340/.542 over 51 PA, with just an 18% K%. With the Giants scheduled to face five 5 LHP in Week 18, Bailey is easily the best catcher available on the wire.

Next Choices

Danny Jansen, TOR, C (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 14%) - Toronto faces three LHP in Week 18, against whom he's slashing .145/.203/.436.

Tyler Soderstrom, OAK, C (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - We thought Soderstrom would get a lot more at-bats following his call-up/Ryan Noda's injury but why would Oakland do logical things? The A's have sat him against the past two left-handers and Oakland is set to face three LHP in their five games in Week 18.

Desperate Choices

Yanier Diaz, HOU, C (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 6%) - Remember when Diaz was playing every day? Well, not so much anymore. Diaz had a recent streak of starting 15-of-16 games but has started just one of Houston's last four heading into Sunday. With Yordan Alvarez nearing a return (further taking away any DH chances), Diaz's fantasy usefulness is fading into the background.

On the IL

• Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (shoulder surgery - out 4-6 months)
• Reese McGuire, BOS, C (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Luis Campusano, SD, C (thumb surgery - rehab assignment)

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