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

Week 4 Waiver Wire: Catchers

Michael Griffin recommends catchers (C) who can be valuable waiver wire targets or adds to help fantasy owners for Week 4 of the 2017 fantasy baseball season.

Although the temperatures and the rain haven't been indicative, the calendar is, indeed, flipping to May. The grace period for players and teams off to a slow start is beginning to wind down. "It's early" will soon not be a valid excuse anymore. It's still tough out there in catcher-land. Trying to sift through these backstops to determine which ones to recommend has us like:

It's like staring into a void. Gary Sanchez can't come back fast enough, though it's anyone's guess as to whether he'll regain the form that made the Yankees ship Brian McCann away during the offseason.  The line between who people want on their fantasy team and who they don't want is growing wider by the day. No one is hovering around the 50% mark. After the last person who's not on the list at 58% ownership, there's a 20% drop to the first person here, who you've seen on this list multiple times. April is almost May and it's time for some of these players to start heating up with the temperatures. I hope. There are a lot of fantasy owners hoping that happens. Don't worry, though. We're going to help you, promise.

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

 

10-12 Team League Catcher Pickups

Here are some catcher waiver wire pickups for Week 4, to consider adding to your teams. We'll show you three players to snag in 10-12 player leagues and also three to look out for in two-catcher leagues. All of these players are just at or below 50% ownership in Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

 

Stephen Vogt (OAK) - 38% owned 

OK, Stephen Vogt is still struggling, having had an 8% drop in ownership over the course of a week. He didn't do well in either Texas or Seattle, garnering only one hit in each series. One of those hits did drive in a run so it wasn't a complete loss, but it was close. We're still waiting for him to round into form, but it's starting to get late early. He's just lucky that the position is a trash fire as it is.

Jason Castro (MIN) - 12% owned

This is how stagnant the catching position has been. Even with Hedges' incredible week to grab the lead at homers and RBI, Jason Castro, with nine RBI, is STILL in a five-way tie for third among all backstops. Glaciers move faster than this. In fact, a glacier just told these guys to hurry up, since it might run them over.

Travis d'Arnaud (NYM) - 19% owned

Travis d'Arnaud saw his ownership numbers drop by half - part of it may have been from concerns that he might have gotten badly hurt AGAIN, but he was back in the lineup on Wednesday. He's still up there in RBI as part of that five-way tie for third in that category. Right now catcher is a toss-up and d'Arnaud does offer power potential that someone like Francisco Cervelli does not. As mentioned before, there's no clear crystal ball for this position once you get to a certain point.

 

Two-Catcher League Pickups

Austin Hedges (SDP) - 33% owned

There's been a bit of a stampede to get Austin Hedges on people's teams. Hitting six homers in such a short span of time is bound to get some owners' attention. So why is he in the two-catcher slot and not in the one-catcher league? He still hasn't proven himself in the long run  - anyone can have a hot week and a half. If he keeps it up for another couple of weeks, then he might merit some consideration for the other list. Until then, watch VERY carefully.

Jett Bandy  (MIL) - 12% owned

Here's a new name that we haven't seen yet: Jett Bandy. He's not on here because of his cool first name. He's shown some pop this year, with four homers and he's shown that he tends to hit when he does play. He's only had one start where he didn't get a hit. He appears to have grabbed the starting catching job, so he could be a great stealth pickup if he continues to keep hitting as he does.

James McCann (DET) - 8% owned 

Things that we like about what James McCann is doing so far: five homers and 11 RBI. Not far off the pace of other catchers. Things we don't like about what James McCann is doing: Hitting well below his weight. If he keeps this up, he could have a Rob Deer-like season, hitting about 20 homers or so and having a horrendous batting average. He doesn't even have a cool mustache like Deer did, but he's worth a chance in these desperate times.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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

Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Joel Embiid

Likely to Play Thursday
Anthony Davis

Available Thursday
Coby White

to Miss at Least One Week
Josh Giddey

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas in Walking Boot After Suffering Calf Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Expects to Play Next Game After Suffering Minor Knee Injury
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Tari Eason

Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Tobias Harris

Not Expected to Suit Up on Thursday
Ariel Hukporti

Available For Wednesday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Mason Plumlee

Undergoes Groin Surgery
Zach Collins

Out at Least 10 More Days
Jerami Grant

Unavailable Again on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Kon Knueppel

To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

RANKINGS

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