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At RotoBaller, we have you covered with points league pickups for the upcoming week on the weekends, but the world of fantasy baseball changes fast! What if you have a guy that suffered an injury and most of the suggestions are gone? What if the players on your roster are struggling and you need a guy who can get on base just to score a point? These pickups are catered to those of you looking for a boost before the end of your weekly matchups.
It's important to know your league's scoring. Points league scoring is vastly different on ESPN, CBS, Yahoo!, and Fantrax. Most leagues also have start limits. Remember those, too, when deciding whether to pounce on a streamer this week. For example, pitchers gain two points for a win on ESPN but also lose two points for a loss. Yahoo gives eight points for a win and losses don't count against you at all!
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So come along on the journey and we'll see what we can find in the dumpsters along the way. Unlike our weekend pieces, you will find some pitchers along with the hitters in this piece. Roster percentages and positions are taken from ESPN.
Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Jon Gray, SP, TEX (50.3% Rostered)
We'll round down to get Gray on this list. He left his start last night with groin tightness after five innings, but it looks like that won't affect his start on Sunday against the Twins. If you find yourself in a position where you need a start, Gray has at least a puncher's chance at a win. That's a big deal on Fantrax, who gives 10 points for a win and three more for a quality start. Best of all, they don't dock you for baserunners or runs allowed.
Jack Flaherty, SP, DET (44.2% Rostered)
Toronto's metrics are improving, suggesting a breakout could be on the way. That said, it has looked this way for a couple of weeks or more and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the only one that can really say his slump is behind him. Flaherty faces the Jays on Thursday in cavernous Comerica Park. The former top prospect has four consecutive quality starts with 36 strikeouts in those four games. He's a great find on Yahoo where strikeouts count more and you aren't penalized for losses.
Jack Flaherty had a change of scenery and is looking like a true number 2 starter in the MLB.
6 IP 5 H 2 R 2 BB 9 K
17 whiffs and 36 CSW%Quite possibly the best we have ever seen him👀
pic.twitter.com/xcxs0KdMqP— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) May 19, 2024
12-Team Leagues
Triston McKenzie, SP, CLE (24.4% Rostered)
Walks are still an issue for McKenzie, so tread lightly on ESPN. Walks can take away that win in a hurry! McKenzie has a great matchup today against the free-swinging Mets. The youngster has only allowed eight runs in his last six starts combined. That hot streak continues today.
Cole Irvin, SP, BAL (18.5% Rostered)
Irvin is back in the rotation after a brief bullpen trip. He has only allowed two runs over his last four starts combined, spanning 25 2/3 innings. The best part about Irvin is that he limits baserunners. That's especially important on Yahoo. He has a nice matchup against the White Sox on Thursday for those of you hunting for a streamer.
Deep Leagues
Cal Quantrill, SP, COL (7.9% Rostered)
Yes, I'm recommending you use a pitcher at Coors Field. The Phillies are a tougher matchup, but Quantrill has rattled off four consecutive quality starts since the Astros beat him up at home (his only poor game of the season). On top of that, Quantrill has notched 27 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings during this streak.
Ben Lively, SP, CLE (6.6% Rostered)
Lively's next start will come on Sunday against the Angels. The Angels are roughing up lefties of late, but they still have some problems with right-handed pitching. He notched a quality start against the Angels on May 4, putting up 25 points in ESPN scoring. He's an interesting option if you can take another start on Sunday.
Jose Soriano, SP, LAA (3.7% Rostered)
Soriano is a bit volatile, but he has a great upcoming matchup against Cleveland on Saturday. He has only allowed one run in 13 innings over his last two starts with 11 strikeouts. Walks are still a bit of an issue, but maybe he's figuring things out.
Also consider:
- Kyle Harrison, SF (42.2% Rostered) at NYM
- Erick Fedde, CWS (39.4% Rostered) vs. BAL
- Dean Kremer, BAL (32.1% Rostered) at CWS
- Reese Olson, DET (20.9% Rostered) vs. TOR
- Chris Paddack, MIN (7.1% Rostered) vs. TEX
- Austin Gomber, COL (2.5% Rostered) at OAK
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Keibert Ruiz, WAS (44.4% Rostered)
Ruiz has struggled this season, but he does have three hits in his last three games and has cut down on the strikeouts. He was a top prospect with the Dodgers, so it makes sense that he can't be bad for the entire season. Your chance to snag him for free is dwindling.
12-Team Leagues
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA (25.0% Rostered)
O'Hoppe has slowed down a little, but his percentage shouldn't be dropping. He still has two homers and six RBI in the last week. You have to love that, especially on Yahoo where you aren't docked for strikeouts. He does have 10 of those in the last week.
Shea Langeliers, OAK (21.3% Rostered)
Langeliers is still hitting for average, but a suspect offense around him is depressing his counting stats. However, he did steal a base last night. How many catchers will do that for you?
Deep Leagues
Tyler Stephenson, CIN (7.1% Rostered)
Stephenson has been running hot lately. He has four multi-hit games in his last six starts with a homer and three RBI.
David Fry, C/OF, CLE (6.5% Rostered)
Fry has three homers in his last seven games and has only struck out once. That's HUGE on ESPN, who docks a full point per strikeout.
Also consider:
- Connor Wong, BOS (11.0% Rostered)
- Danny Jansen, TOR (9.0% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Infield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Maikel Garcia, 3B, KC (46.7% Rostered)
It's only the third inning. Maikel García is already 3-for-3 with two triples. 👏 👏👏 #Royals
📺: Bally Sports | 📱: Bally Sports app pic.twitter.com/Xad5ROiFxJ
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) May 22, 2024
Garcia is leading off for the Royals and is hitting literally everything in sight. He has a nine-game hitting streak with a homer, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases for good measure. He has only struck out five times in those nine games, so he works on all sites!
Thairo Estrada, 2B/SS, SF (35.4% Rostered)
Estrada was in the "also consider" group last week, but he was promoted with three homers and eight RBI in his last four games.
12-Team Leagues
Josh Bell, 1B, MIA (30.2% Rostered)
Bell has a hit in 13 of the last 16 games with two homers and 15 RBI in that span. He has also only struck out 12 times. That's unusual for Bell. He doesn't have the power that he used to, but he's getting on base a lot and driving in runs. We can work with that.
Willi Castro, MIN, SS/3B/OF (21.6% Rostered)
Castro has a modest four-game hitting streak going with a homer, three runs scored, and two RBI. He hasn't shown much speed lately, but at least he is getting on base.
Deep Leagues
Zach Neto, SS, LAA (5.9% Rostered)
Half of Neto's six homers on the season have come in the last week alone. He also has five RBI and six runs scored in that span.
Dylan Moore, 2B/SS/OF, SEA (1.8% Rostered)
Moore's ownership has doubled since last week. Expect it to triple overnight. The guy hit two homers against the Yankees last night! I don't know what you're waiting for with Moore. He is eligible at three positions and is hitting .412 with three homers, six RBI, and six runs scored in the last week alone!
Dylan Moore, aka Dylan DiMaggio.
His second of the night and sixth of the season. pic.twitter.com/Ia50x7SqPl
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 22, 2024
Also consider:
- Luis Rengifo, 2B/SS/3B, LAA (48.4% Rostered)
- Matt Chapman, 3B, SF (34.0% Rostered)
- Ezequiel Tovar, SS, COL (18.3% Rostered)
- Joey Ortiz, 2B/3B, MIL (14.2% Rostered)
- Tyler Freeman, 2B/3B/OF, CLE (8.5% Rostered)
- Wenceel Perez, 2B/OF, DET (5.4% Rostered)
- Michael Massey, 2B, KC (2.9% Rostered)
- Javier Baez, SS, DET (2.1% Rostered)
- Jose Miranda, 3B, MIN (0.8% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY (35.4% Rostered)
It's wild to me that Stanton is still available in nearly 65% of leagues. He is hitting .350 with two homers and five RBI in the last week. The best part? Stanton has only struck out three times. His power isn't what it used to be, but he still has 11 homers in 160 at-bats. He should be rostered in many more leagues.
Colton Cowser OF, BAL (30.6% Rostered)
Cowser's initial hot streak is over and many have moved on. For those who stuck around, Cowser is hitting .429 this week with two doubles and three RBI. We may see him in more of a platoon role going forward, but he's putting up good numbers again, just not at a feverish pace.
12-Team Leagues
Lars Nootbaar, STL (19.2% Rostered)
Dylan Carlson has been struggling mightily since his return, so Nootbaar is back in the starting lineup for now. Four of his five homers on the season have come in the last two weeks. Carlson is going to have a hard time getting back into this lineup.
Luis Matos, OF, SF (17.1% Rostered)
The guy has 11 RBI in the last four games. FOUR GAMES! So what if he only has one homer? He only has one strikeout as well. The rookie is tearing it up right now.
Jo Adell, OF, LAA (17.1% Rostered)
Adell is considered by many (especially Angels fans) to be a bust, but the guy just turned 25. That's an unfair assessment. Adell has five homers and 10 RBI in the last 13 games with 11 runs scored. Adell is showing no signs of slowing down since he is finally holding his own against right-handed pitching as well.
Deep Leagues
Kevin Pillar, OF, LAA (8.9% Rostered)
Injuries have opened up some playing time for others on the Angels roster. Pillar has taken advantage. He was just a platoon for starting Mickey Moniak, but Pillar's hot hitting (.500, two homers, 11 RBI in his eight-game hitting streak) even earned him a couple of starts against righties this week.
Jesse Winker, OF, WAS (8.8% Rostered)
Another week, another Washington outfielder. This week, it's Winker's turn to get hot. He has two homers and three RBI in the last three games. He was once a top prospect with the Reds, so this might be sustainable.
Jordan Beck, OF, COL (1.4% Rostered)
Beck might be finding his power stroke. He has two homers and six RBI in the last week. Colorado hasn't been home since May 12. That's right...he's showcasing his power on the road. The homestand starts this weekend, so make sure you have Beck at Coors.
Also consider:
- Alex Verdugo, NYY (45.5% Rostered)
- Starling Marte, NYM (25.0% Rostered)
- Wilyer Abreu, BOS (11.5% Rostered)
- Kerry Carpenter, DET (10.2% Rostered)
- Sal Frelick, MIL (6.6% Rostered)
- Luke Raley, SEA (6.1% Rostered)
- Joc Pederson, ARI (5.0% Rostered)
- Jake Meyers, HOU (3.3% Rostered)
- Willie Calhoun, LAA (1.4% Rostered)
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