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Welcome, RotoBallers, to my catchers fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 17 of the 2024 MLB season. This week, we'll take a look at catchers such as Keibert Ruiz, Patrick Bailey, and Tyler Stephenson.
Some catchers who have appeared on this list in the past have become consistent fantasy options, while others were more short-term pickups. Heading into Week 16, Ben Rice was on this list, and then he launched three home runs in one game last weekend. Now, his rostership sits at 67% in Yahoo! leagues. If he is still somehow available on waivers, he is my top catcher target.
But if he isn't, fantasy managers should target Ruiz, Bailey, and Stephenson on waivers. All three of these catchers are rostered in less than 30% of Yahoo! leagues and have been tearing it up at the plate recently. All stats in this article are through Thursday's contests.
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Catcher Waiver Wire Adds
Keibert Ruiz, Washington Nationals (28% Rostered)
After a career year at the plate for Ruiz in 2023, the switch-hitting catcher has struggled for most of this season. In 2023, the 25-year-old hit .260 with 18 HRs, 24 doubles, and 67 RBI across 136 games. However, through June 28, the Nationals catcher hit just .197 with four HRs, seven doubles, and 19 RBI. As a result, he was dropped in most leagues due to his slow start on offense.
But since June 28, Ruiz has shown signs of life at the plate. He is batting .368 (14-for-38) with two HRs, two doubles, and eight RBI over his last nine contests. The young catcher has also tallied a hit in eight of those nine games while having four multi-hit games during that span.
#STLCards RHP Lance Lynn just dropped his head after hearing #Nats catcher Keibert Ruiz hit the ball. It left the bat at 103.1 mph and it traveled 403 feet. The 3-run HR has the Cards in a 4-0 home after one inning. pic.twitter.com/Rzv35HIt5q
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) July 6, 2024
It's finally nice to see Ruiz post some consistent numbers at the plate following his rough start to the season. While most of his metrics rank in the bottom half of the league, including expected slugging (.379), average exit velocity (85.3 mph), and hard-hit rate (25.1%), there are things to like about him in fantasy moving forward. He doesn't strike out a ton -- as he currently ranks in the 98th percentile in strikeout rate (11.3%) -- and his expected batting average (.272) is 48 points higher than his current batting average (.224).
So, we could see better success from Ruiz in the second half of the season. Even if he doesn't turn out to be a long-term option for your catcher position in fantasy, ride the hot streak and add him now.
Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants (23% Rostered)
Bailey has been one of the most underrated catcher options in fantasy this season and deserves to be rostered in more leagues moving forward. He is batting an impressive .284 with seven HRs, 11 doubles, and 30 RBI in 2024. Of course, fantasy managers would like to see a little more power from him at the plate, but it's hard to ignore how consistent he has been in fantasy this year.
Bailey has tallied a hit in 21 of his last 29 games dating back to June 4. During that span, the 25-year-old is batting .290 (29-for-100) with three HRs, four doubles, and 11 RBI. Most importantly, he sees most of the starts for the Giants behind the plate, which can't be said for most catchers. That means he will almost always be in the lineup for your fantasy team.
Patrick Bailey - San Francisco Giants (7) pic.twitter.com/UeTtaXca30
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 11, 2024
On top of that, Bailey's metrics suggest that he will keep up his solid numbers at the plate in 2024. His expected batting average (.286), average exit velocity (91.7 mph), and launch angle sweet-spot rate (44.5%) all rank extremely high. The young catcher is also drawing walks at an insane 11.1% clip.
So, fantasy managers should pick up Bailey with confidence heading into the All-Star break. He has been an underrated option at the catcher position all year and is still available in over 75% of Yahoo! leagues.
Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds (19% Rostered)
Stephenson has been the most added catcher off waivers in Week 16, so that makes him a strong add in most formats. The Reds catcher is on an absolute tear at the plate right now, totaling three multi-hit games over his last three contests. In those three games, the 27-year-old is 7-for-14 with three doubles, four HRs, and eight RBI. As a result, his rostership should continue to climb into Week 17.
Tyler Stephenson is the first Reds catcher with six extra-base hits in a three-game span since Johnny Bench in 1976. @Tyler_Step22 | @JohnnyBench_5 | @johnsadak pic.twitter.com/cTSdtx0bkx
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 11, 2024
Stephenson is also on pace to post his best power numbers at the plate since he entered the league in 2020. The young catcher currently has 10 HRs, 16 doubles, and 34 RBI behind a .248 average through 76 games this season. That puts him on pace for 17 HRs and 59 RBI -- both of which would be career highs.
That's why Stephenson should be a strong add heading into the All-Star break. He has posted solid numbers in 2024, and this recent stretch at the plate could be a sign of what's to come in the second half. His average exit velocity (90.3 mph), barrel rate (10.3%), hard-hit rate (45.4%), and strikeout rate (17.3%) all also rank in the top half of the league. So, add him now amid this hot streak before your league mates do.
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