Hitters: Fantasy Baseball Points League Waiver Wire Pickups (April 22 - April 28)

Welcome RotoBallers to the next edition of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of April 22 - April 28, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN or Yahoo.

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, April 20.

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Early Season Waiver Wire Caveats

Roster% Thresholds

We use a combination of Roster% to assess who is in our target pool, relying mostly on Yahoo and ESPN. For some players, you'll notice a wide discrepancy between the two. This is because ESPN's Roster% is heavily weighted by points players, with guys who don't do well in their system (often because of an inflated K% but also sometimes, who really knows?) lagging behind the Yahoo Roster%.

For this reason, you'll sometimes see players (especially early) who might make you question my sanity in including them in a waiver wire article. For example, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has a 98% Roster% on NFBC and is at 82% on Yahoo, but on ESPN, he's only at 21% -- hence, we'll include him (and others like him).

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Nathaniel Lowe, TEX, 1B (Yahoo: 66%, ESPN: 18%) - Much like a better version of Andrew Vaughn, there is nothing too exciting about Lowe in Roto but under most point scoring systems he can be a well above-average scorer giving his skill-set. Only recently returned from his preseason oblique injury, Lowe should quickly rise up the APR ladder.

Gavin Sheets, CHW, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Gavin Sheets SZN, anyone? The White Sox are terrible but Sheets is playing nearly every game and batting in the middle of the order. And with all right-handers on the schedule in Week 5, you could certainly do worse...Like his higher-rostered teammate, Andrew Vaughn, for example. I swear one of these days I'll stop piling on ; )

Next Choices

Josh Bell, MIA, 1B (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 34%) - Bell keeps doing Josh Bell things - IE being far too undervalued under most scoring systems, as people see tend to run away as soon as they see a .198 AVG and .301 OBP. But as long as Bell keeps collecting a pile of PAs and filling up the score sheet (72 PA, 3 HR, 13 R, 8 RBI, he'll continue to be a solid value, currently running around a top-100 APR.

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 36%) - Joe's .288 AVG and.386 wOBA aren't supported by his peripherals (.236 xBA, .325 xwOBA) but he'll get seven games in Week 5, with three coming vs LHP, against whom he's started every game against in 2024.

Ty France, SEA, 1B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 10%) - France had a rough start to the season but has been trending up and currently has a 138 APR so far in Week 4 but with a tough slate of pitching against Texas and Arizona, this might not be the week to jump on-board.

Anthony Rizzo, NYY, 1B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 18%) - Rizzo has shown signs of life in 2024 and gets seven games in Week 5, with a series against shaky Oakland pitching. But three of those seven will come vs LHP - facing lefties this season, Rizzo is slashing .161/.235/.161, with a 25 wRC+.

Desperate Choices

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, CIN, 1B (Yahoo: 82%, ESPN: 21%) - CES will continue to pile up PAs and fill in the counting numbers but it's easy to see why his scoring numbers are far away from the lesser-rostered Josh Bell - it rhymes with "30% K%, 1% BB%". That's right... A .04 K/BB. Woof.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 11%) - Six games in Week 5 with four coming vs LHP means it's Wilmer SZN, if you're so inclined. Don't expect too much, though, that way you won't be disappointed.

Miguel Sano, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Imagine still being tricked in 2024 by a short outburst from Miguel Sano. Please don't pick him up.

On the IL

• DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/3B (foot fracture - no timetable)
• Gio Urshela, DET, 1B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Brendan Donovan, STL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 56%, ESPN: 25%) - Donovan has been compiler supreme in 2024, racking up 92 PA so far in 2024 on his way to a 101 APR. And don't be scared that the leftie is scheduled to face LHP in three of St. Louis's six games, as Donovan's numbers aren't substantially worse vs the same-handers. In Week 5, he'll face the lesser portion of Arizona's rotation and the dregs at the back of the Yankees.

Jeff McNeil, NYM, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 61%) -  McNeil has been playing like his old points-god self recently - okay, maybe that's relative to the lesser version we've seen more recently but McNeil's 11% K% and 11% BB% will still play in most scoring systems, and in Week 5 he's only scheduled to face one LHP.

Next Choices

Jonathan India, CIN, 2B (Yahoo: 62%, ESPN: 16%) - India has been a dumpster so far in Week 4 but while I still love his long-term points value, it could again be tough sledding in Week 5, with tough matchups against the Phillies and Rangers.

Amed Rosario, TB, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 12%) - Don't look now but Rosario has now started 7 games in a row, slashing .433/.433/.700, with a .494 wOBA and .235 wRC+. Don't expect the power to continue but Rosario has a very points-friendly profile if he's playing every day.

Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 13%) - Caballero continues to play every day and is up to a 92 APR for the season but don't expect too many fireworks in Week 5, with only one LHP scheduled to face the Rays - Caballero has a .405 wOBA and 173 wRC+ vs LHP but just a .299 wOBA and 99 wRC+ vs RHP.

Desperate Choices

Jorge Polanco, SEA, 2B (Yahoo: 54%, ESPN: 9%) - Polanco remains incredibly frustrating to use from week to week, posting top-100 APRs in Week(s) 2 and 4 but finishing >250 APR in Weeks 1 and 3. I'm not sure matchups vs Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will help matters in Week 5.

On the IL

• Brandon Lowe, TB, 2B (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Tommy Edman, STL, 2B/SS/OF (wrist surgery - no timetable)
• Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (torn meniscus - 4-6 weeks)
• Justin Foscue, TEX, 2B (strained oblique - no timetable)

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Josh H. Smith, TEX, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Since taking over for the injured Josh Jung, Smith is slashing .304/.409/.375, with 9 R and 10 RBI. The power has never been there for Smith, so don't expect it to show up but the elite plate discipline (21% K%, 11% BB% for his career) he's shown every time he's subbed in will make him more than usable under most point systems as long as he's playing every day.

Next Choices

Eugenio Suarez, ARI, 3B (Yahoo: 55%, ESPN: 20%) -The trademark power has been lacking thus far (90 PA, 2 HR, .346 SLG) but Suarez has been been compiling his way to above-average numbers with remarkably consistent mediocrity. Since posting a 36 APR in Week 1, Suarez has gone 128, 124, and 129 over the last three periods.

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B (Yahoo: 70%, ESPN: 19%) - Garcia has been mid, at best, for the past two weeks, but continues to compile his way to usable numbers. But .197 BABIP be damned, a .181 AVG and .222 OBP from your leadoff hitter is only sustainable for so long.

Desperate Choices

Oswaldo Cabrera, NYY, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 70%, ESPN: 29%) - Jon Berti going back to the IL means Cabrera is back to playing every day, even vs LHP, having started every game since Berti went down. Over those eight games (including three vs LHP), Cabrera has slashed .241/.258/.448, with 1 HR. So, you're basic O-Cab numbers. But at a position with not a lot currently on the wire, just the everyday job might be enough for you to fill in with.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 11%) - Six games in Week 5 with four coming vs LHP means it's Wilmer SZN, if you're so inclined. Don't expect too much, though, that way you won't be disappointed.

On the IL

• DJ LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/3B (fractured foot - no timetable)
• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (strained groin - likely out until All-Star break)
• Jon Berti, NYY, 3B/SS (strained groin - no timetable)
• Gio Urshela, DET, 1B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• J.D. Davis, OAK, 3B (strained groin - no timetable)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 80%, ESPN: 21%) - Only available on ESPN but he certainly shouldn't be with six games at home in Week 5. Correct it!

Jackson Merrill, SD, SS/OF (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 36%) - Like Tovar, you'll probably only find Merrill on ESPN but the rookie's elite plate discipline (19% K%, 9% BB%) is showing us exactly why his skill-set could make him a points-star in the making.

Next Choices

Josh H. Smith, TEX, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Since taking over for the injured Josh Jung, Smith is slashing .304/.409/.375, with 9 R and 10 RBI. The power has never been there for Smith, so don't expect it to show up but the elite plate discipline (21% K%, 11% BB% for his career) he's shown every time he's subbed in will make him more than usable under most point systems as long as he's playing every day.

Amed Rosario, TB, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 12%) - Don't look now but Rosario has now started 7 games in a row, slashing .433/.433/.700, with a .494 wOBA and .235 wRC+. Don't expect the power to continue but Rosario has a very points-friendly profile if he's playing every day.

Jose Caballero, TB, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 13%) - Caballero continues to play every day and is up to a 92 APR for the season but don't expect too many fireworks in Week 5, with only one LHP scheduled to face the Rays - Caballero has a .405 wOBA and 173 wRC+ vs LHP but just a .299 wOBA and 99 wRC+ vs RHP.

Orlando Arcia, ATL, SS (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 20%) - Batting at the bottom of the order will limit his ceiling but could be in a for a solid week with Atlanta scheduled to face LHP in three of their six games. And we can't assume it will continue but the last time they faced a leftie, Arcia slid up to the two-hole, swapping slots with Michael Harris II - who promptly went 2-for-4 with a HR.

Desperate Choices

Tim Anderson, MIA, SS (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 3%) - Am I including him only because he'll get at least a few ABs against human gas-can, Patrick Corbin? May-yyyybe ; )

On the IL

• Jon Berti, NYY, 2B/3B (strained groin - no timetable)
• Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (torn meniscus - 4-6 weeks)
• Vaughn Grissom, BOS, SS (strained hamstring - rehab assignment)
• Trevor Story, BOS, SS (dislocated shoulder - no timetable)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Daulton Varsho, TOR, OF (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 35%) - Wait, I thought we already agreed that Varsho was back (baby!) and shouldn't still be available on most wires? Welp, considering his Roster%, a lot of y'all missed out on the 2 APR he has heading into Sunday's action for Week 4, going deep three times in the process. If he's still around, he won't be for long.

Jackson Merrill, SD, SS/OF (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 36%) - Like Tovar, you'll probably only find Merrill on ESPN but the rookie's elite plate discipline (19% K%, 9% BB%) is showing us exactly why his skill-set could make him a points-star in the making.

Starling Marte, NYM, OF (Yahoo: 66%, ESPN: 18%) - I'm not sure why Marte is so lightly rostered on ESPN but he really shouldn't be as long as he's healthy. Marte has a 6 APR so far in Week 4 and has posted a top-70 APR in every week but one (119 APR in Week 2).

Jurickson Profar, SD, OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 19%) - Profar has come back down to earth in Week 4, posting a 232 APR headed into Sunday that's a far cry from the top-75ish APRs he ran in each week prior. But with three games vs LHP and four in Colorado, Profar is an easy bet to make. Oh, and did I mention one of those games at Coors will involve left-handed gas-can, Austin Gomber? Hmm, interesting.

Brendan Donovan, STL, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 56%, ESPN: 25%) - Donovan has been compiler supreme in 2024, racking up 92 PA so far in 2024 on his way to a 101 APR. And don't be scared that the leftie is scheduled to face LHP in three of St. Louis's six games, as Donovan's numbers aren't substantially worse vs the same-handers. In Week 5, he'll face the lesser portion of Arizona's rotation and the dregs at the back of the Yankees.

Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 12%) - My guy BDLC has gone off in Week 4, currently posting a 9 APR after going deep in three straight games. He'll have a mess of positive matchups in Week 5, with four of the Marlins six games scheduled vs LHP.

Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (Yahoo: 59%, ESPN: 10%) - There's no good reason Carpenter should be so widely available on ESPN, as his 24% K% isn't some monster drag on his value. Carpenter has a 13 APR in Week 4 and is now slashing .323/.364/.597, with a .414 wOBA and .403 xwOBA. Seriously, people, we gotta correct those Roster%'s before I go crazy pants.

Next Choices

Charlie Blackmon, COL, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 11%) - Old Man Blackmon might be worth a pickup regardless of his upcoming schedule, as his scoring profile continues to be solid under most systems. But with six games at Coors in Week 5, he's easily worth a pull out of his rocker.

Brenton Doyle, COL, OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 4%) - Doyle has done a whole lot of nothing on his way to a +200 APR in Week 4 but posted a top-80 APR in each of the first three weeks. And hey, it ooks like he plays six games at (checking notes), somewhere called Coors Field? That place sure sounds fun!

Jeff McNeil, NYM, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 61%) - McNeil has been playing like his old points-god self recently - okay, maybe that's relative to the lesser version we've seen more recently but McNeil's 11% K% and 11% BB% will still play in most scoring systems, and in Week 5 he's only scheduled to face one LHP.

Josh H. Smith, TEX, 3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 10%) - Since taking over for the injured Josh Jung, Smith is slashing .304/.409/.375, with 9 R and 10 RBI. The power has never been there for Smith, so don't expect it to show up but the elite plate discipline (21% K%, 11% BB% for his career) he's shown every time he's subbed in will make him more than usable under most point systems as long as he's playing every day.

Desperate Choices

Jake Fraley, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 8%) - Fraley has been heating up and now has a 98 APR for the season but do be aware that he'll likely sit against at least one of the two LHP that the Reds are scheduled to face.

Amed Rosario, TB, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 12%) - Don't look now but Rosario has now started 7 games in a row, slashing .433/.433/.700, with a .494 wOBA and .235 wRC+. Don't expect the power to continue but Rosario has a very points-friendly profile if he's playing every day.

Oswaldo Cabrera, NYY, 3B/OF (Yahoo: 70%, ESPN: 29%) - Jon Berti going back to the IL means Cabrera is back to playing every day, even vs LHP, having started every game since Berti went down. Over those eight games (including three vs LHP), Cabrera has slashed .241/.258/.448, with 1 HR. So, your basic O-Cab numbers.

On the IL

• Max Kepler, MIN, OF (knee bruise - rehab assignment)
• Kris Bryant, COL, OF (lower back - no timetable)
• Garrett Mitchell, MIL, OF (fractured finger - 6-to-8 weeks)
• Alek Thomas, ARI, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable
• Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (shoulder strain -- no timetable)
• TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (wrist fracture - no timetable)
• Victor Robles, WSH (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Elias Diaz, COL, C (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 10%) - Diaz has a 162 APR for the year that is only playable if you're a catcher but gets the biggest elixir in fantasy in Week 5 - say it with me now...Coors homestand, baby.

Ryan Jeffers, MIN, C (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 16%) - Jeffers started slow but had a 41 APR in Week 3 and an 84 APR so far in Week 4, and is now running a career-best 20% K%. That's a far cry from the 30% K% of day's past. He'll get seven games in Week 5, with three scheduled vs LHP and four against the South Side dumpster fire.

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) - Bailey is now slashing .340/.397/.560 over 59 PA and has a 37 APR so far in Week 4. If you're looking for upside at a position where there rarely is any on the wire, Bailey rocks.

Next Choices

Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 4%) - Stephenson can be a league-average scorer at catcher in any given week but until a .213 AVG (.219 BABIP) and .296 OBP rise up, he's hard to rely on for any sustained run.

Desperate Choices

Travis d'Arnaud, NYM, C (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 6%) - d'Arnaud has big numbers overall but it's all wrapped up in his three-homer game from Friday against Texas. Prior to that outburst, d'Arnaud was slashing just .200/.250/.311 over 48 PA, with zero home runs.

On the IL

• Keibert Ruiz, WSH, C (Influenza - no timetable)

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