This is when some of the most important moves happen in the fantasy baseball season. Now is not the time to get complacent, and stay active off the waiver wire to keep your team producing.
It's time to do your homework and give these catchers a look. Don't be satisfied with your spot in the standings (unless you are in first) and check these names out because they just might help you!
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for catchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Waiver Wire Analysis for Catchers
A.J. Pierzynski (C, ATL)
Owned in 21% of Fleaflicker Leagues
This crafty veteran has once again found his way into regular catching duties at the ripe age of 38. Even though this is his fifth team in the past four seasons, Pierzynski simply does what is asked of him. He shows up, manages a pitching staff and contributes whatever he can offensively. Nowadays in Atlanta his bat is making people take notice. In the past two weeks he is hitting over .360 and is sporting an .868 OPS. Pierzynski is also turning some heads with his wOBA rating of .330 this season along with his wRC+ of 110. He has been a productive member of the Braves and his leadership is translating on the field in a big way.
Baller Move: Add in 12+, NL-Only and 2-Catcher Leagues
Welington Castillo (C, ARI)
Owned in 12% of Fleaflicker Leagues
This guy is STILL available in 88% of leagues after the last time he made this list!? The guy is absolutely crushing when he plays in a top rated offense in all of MLB. He has had five HR in 38 AB over the past few weeks and his OBP for the year is approaching the .400 mark. His SLG% is north of .510 and his .267 ISO rating is approaching high tiered level hitters such as Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista. Castillo should be a starting catcher in a ton of fantasy leagues and he is still sitting there ripe for the taking. Why have you not picked him up yet?
Baller Move: Add in All Leagues
John Jaso (C, TB)
Owned in 4% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Jaso has always shown a little bit of pop from the catcher position but now he is flashing off his versatility this year by also playing some OF in Tampa Bay. Who is he trying to be, Evan Gattis? Well his numbers aren't Gattis good but since his return from injury he is hitting a cool .360 with five RBI and a BABIP rating of .364 at the top of the Tampa Bay Rays order. He is clearly not your typical leadoff hitter but his .385 OBP has helped move things along quite nicely and he has parlayed himself regular playing time. It shouldn't surprise a ton of fantasy owners that he can hit because that has never been his issue. His issue has always been staying healthy and consistently producing when given the time to prove it. Jaso and fellow catcher Curt Casali are both going to play a ton down the stretch for Tampa and with added positional eligibility Jaso's value continues to trend upward.
Baller Move: Add in 12+, AL-Only and 2-Catcher Leagues
Cameron Rupp (C, PHI)
Owned in 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Philadelphia Phillies have the best record since the All-Star Break!? The Phillies have been reinvigorated and its due to some minor changes in and out of the clubhouse. Cameron Rupp might not be the sexiest name in that clubhouse but he is getting close to everyday at-bats with Carlos Ruiz's career fading off into the distance. Yes, Rupp has a 4:1 K/BB ratio and is only hitting .228 for the season on a bad offensive team with no real pitching to help them out on a nightly basis. However over the past few weeks he has hit .280 with three HR and as mentioned received regular playing time. The truth is that at this point in the fantasy season healthy bodies are a necessity and anyone with a pulse and shows the ability to produce is going to be usable for some fantasy owners out there. The OPS above .950 is also a welcome sight for the Phillies and fantasy owners and should not sleep on Rupp going forward.
Baller Move: Add in NL-Only and 2-Catcher Leagues
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