Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 16

July 9, 2023

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver wire hitters to pick up for Week 16 of the 2023 MLB season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

Welcome to Week 16 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of July 10 - July 16, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax.

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, July 8.

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Know Your Scoring System

You'll likely find a suitable mirror to your own system if you look above. While every point counts, as long as they aren't seismic changes, you can get away with some "close enough" calls. IE. You're probably fine if everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar).

Week 16 Leaderboards

Let's be frank - doing waiver wire lists for the week following the All-Star break are difficult, particularly for what we try to do in this space, looking not just for the obvious talents but also trying to leverage matchups and splits to find advantages in the margins from week to week. But that's mighty hard to do when dealing with just a three-game weekend where we can only guess what the starting pitchers will be due to not knowing which all-star pitchers will be available and how that availability will ripple across various rotations.

So the recommendations are a bit lighter this week, with little reliance on possible opposing pitchers. But we'll be back at it with our regular full-sized version come Week 17. Okay, end being Frank; everyone please go back to their regular names and enjoy the All-Star festivities!

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 16, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Joey Votto, CIN, 1B (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 10%) - It's been a couple of seasons but everything old is new again and it looks like I'm back to begging everyone to raise Votto's Roster%. Votto has posted a 4(!) APR in Week 15 after hitting 4 HR, with 4 R, and 10 RBI, and gets three games at home following the break. Pick him up, please?

Garrett Cooper, MIA, 1B (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - As any long-time Cooper apologist will tell you, the hotter he gets, the more likely a month-long IL stint becomes. If so, start getting worried because Cooper has a 33 APR over the past two weeks and a 17 APR in Week 15, slashing .391/.462/.696, with 2 HR in 26 PA.

D.J. LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 44%) - We might not be able to count on a lot on post-ASB weekend but we know the Yankees will be in Colorado, making most of their waiver-wire players a reasonable option.

Next Choices

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 20%) - Wade has been slumping but will get a weekend set against the subpar pitching of Pittsburgh.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 14%) - Miller's spot in the lineup is back to being more assured with the placement of Rowdy Tellez on the IL, having started the last seven games, with all but one coming at first base and cleanup. Three games in Cincinnati sets up a solid stream.

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - The OHearn retro train keeps chugging, with a .391 AVG and .423 OBP in Week 15 helping him to a 23 APR. But his playing time likely goes poof (at least what's needed from a fantasy perspective) once Ryan Mountcastle returns.

Desperate Choices

Carlos Santana, PIT, 1B (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 21%) - Santana hasn't done anything yet in Week 15 but gets a slate of Detroit pitching to help him get back on track post-ASB.

Mike Ford, NYY, SEA, 1B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Mike Ford SZN continues, with Ford continuing to start against all RHP. He has a 20 APR so far in Wee 15, with a 58 APR over the past two weeks. Even with a 30% K%, his per-PA scoring rates remain high but a .397 wOBA only backed by a .334 xwOBA tells us an adjustment is likely incoming.

On the IL

• Jake Bauers, NYY, 1B/OF (shoulder contusion - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Darin Ruf, MIL, 1B/OF (knee laceration - no timetable)

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

D.J. LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 44%) - We might not be able to count on a lot on post-ASB weekend but we know the Yankees will be in Colorado, making most of their waiver-wire players a reasonable option.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 19%) - With Jose Altuve hitting the IL, Dubon SZN is back online.

Next Choices

Jordan Westburg, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 10%) - Another week, another heralded Baltimore prospect getting the call. Westburg has started off strong just remember the inevitable rookie curve will come for him, just as it comes for all.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 14%) - Miller's spot in the lineup is back to being more assured with the placement of Rowdy Tellez on the IL, having started the last seven games, with all but one coming at first base and cleanup. Three games in Cincinnati sets up a solid stream.

C.J. Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 9%) - Abrams has been on a speedball lately, coming in with a 54 APR over the past two weeks after slashing .297/.381/.405, with 8 R and 6 SB.

On the IL

• Jorge Polanco, MIN, 2B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (knee discomfort - no timetable)
• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Ehire Adrianza, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (elbow inflammation - no timetable)

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jeimer Candelario, WSH, 3B (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 18%) - Doo-doo-doo, don't mind Candelario, who is now up to a 50 APR for the season, a 20 APR over the past two weeks, and a 43 APR so far in Week 15. He piles up PAs, doesn't strike out much, and is now up to 13 HR, 46 R, and 43 RBI, even throwing in 5 SB for fun. But no, let's continue keeping him below a 50% Roster%.

D.J. LeMahieu, NYY, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 44%) - We might not be able to count on a lot on post-ASB weekend but we know the Yankees will be in Colorado, making most of their waiver-wire players a reasonable option.

Next Choices

Jordan Westburg, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 10%) - Another week, another heralded Baltimore prospect getting the call. Westburg has started off strong just remember the inevitable rookie curve will come for him, just as it comes for all.

Josh Donaldson, NYY, 3B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3%) - Donaldson has hit a little hot streak in Week 15, posting a 90 APR after hitting 2 HR. He's still slashing .146/.222/.469 for the season but perhaps this small power bump carries into a series in Coors.

On the IL

• Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (lower back - no timetable)
• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (knee discomfort - no timetable)
• Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
• Nick Madrigal, CHW, 2B/3B (strained hamstring - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Ehire Adrianza, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (elbow inflammation - no timetable)
• Kevin Smith, OAK, 3B/SS (strained back - no timetable)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 8%) - Riddle me this - who plays every day, bats leadoff, has been a top-100 hitter all season, is currently on a heater (33 APR over the past two weeks, 57 APR in Week 15), AND remains <10% rostered on most platforms? There is a clue in the player's name above.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 19%) - With Jose Altuve hitting the IL, Dubon SZN is back online.

Next Choices

Jordan Westburg, BAL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 10%) - Another week, another heralded Baltimore prospect getting the call. Westburg has started off strong just remember the inevitable rookie curve will come for him, just as it comes for all.

C.J. Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 9%) - Abrams has been on a speedball lately, coming in with a 54 APR over the past two weeks after slashing .297/.381/.405, with 8 R and 6 SB.

On the IL

• Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (knee discomfort - no timetable)
• Zach Neto, LAA, SS (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
• Kevin Smith, OAK, 3B/SS (strained back - no timetable)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Jarren Duran, OF, BOS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 11%) - Duran is lava, posting a 12 APR over the past two weeks and a 15 APR so far in Week 15, with 1 HR, 7 R, 4 RBI, and 2 SB. Now up to an 80 APR for the season, there are few reasons Duran should remain below our Roster% threshold.

Will Benson, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 2%) - Benson keeps producing and playing, having now started 10 of the last 11, including two vs LHP. With a 50 APR over the past two weeks and a series at home over the weekend, Benson remains an easy pickup.

Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 16%) - Even after a slow week, BDLC is still at an 88 APR for the season, currently pacing for ~90 RBI on a good Marlins offense.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 15%) - Benintendi remains what he's been all season - a profile built for points that makes him a high-floor, top-75ish hitter that is tragically under-rostered.

Colton Cowser, BAL, OF (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 10%) - See; Westburg, Jordan.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 19%) - With Jose Altuve hitting the IL, Dubon SZN is back online.

Next Choices

Harrison Bader, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 17%) - With a 71 APR in Week 15 and a series in Colorado in Week 16, now is definitely the time to pick up some points from Bader before he inevitably heads back to the IL.

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 20%) - Wade has been slumping but will get a weekend set against the subpar pitching of Pittsburgh.

Joey Wiemer, MIL, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) - Wiemer continues to provide counting stats, driving him to a 100 APR over the past two weeks, even with a 29% K% and .211 AVG.

Owen Miller, MIL, 1B/2B/OF (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 14%) - Miller's spot in the lineup is back to being more assured with the placement of Rowdy Tellez on the IL, having started the last seven games, with all but one coming at first base and cleanup. Three games in Cincinnati sets up a solid stream.

Ryan O'Hearn, BAL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - The OHearn retro train keeps chugging, with a .391 AVG and .423 OBP in Week 15 helping him to a 23 APR. But his playing time likely goes poof (at least what's needed from a fantasy perspective) once Ryan Mountcastle returns.

Desperate Choices

Corey Julks, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 3%) - Julks continues to play in the absence of Yordan Alvarez and has now started the past eight games for Houston. He's responded, posting a 28 APR in Week 15 and a 37 APR over the past two weeks, slashing .425/.477/.500 over 44 PA.

Randal Grichuk, COL, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) - Grichuk has a 109 APR so far in Week 15 but more importantly gets a home series following the break.

On the IL

• Tyler O'Neill, STL, OF (strained lower back - no timetable)
• Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF (elbow inflammation - no timetable)
• Charlie Blackmon, COL (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - expected to miss 10 weeks)
• Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (knee discomfort - no timetable)
• Ramon Lauerano, OAK, OF (fractured hand - no timetable)
• Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
• Austin Meadows, DET (anxiety - no timetable)
• Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
• Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
• Trayce Thompson, LAD, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
• Jake Bauers, NYY, 1B/OF (shoulder contusion - no timetable)
• Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)
• Ehire Adrianza, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (elbow inflammation - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Francisco Alvarez, NYM, C (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 19%) - You'd think that after how hot Alvarez has been that he would've crossed our eligibility threshold but he's still hanging around after posting a 97 APR over the past two weeks and a 10 APR so far in Week 15. If he happens to still be on your wire, Alvarez is the clear #1 choice if you're in need.

Next Choices

Yanier Diaz, HOU, C (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 6%) - Diaz has been playing a lot and mashing in concert, collecting 24 PA after playing every game so far in Week 16, with 3 HR that includes popping a double-dong against Colorado. Diaz should keep getting plenty of playing time, at least until Yordan Alvarez returns, and perhaps even beyond.

Desperate Choices

Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 5%) - We know what we have here - a catcher that plays a lot (293 PA already in 2023), has some pop (10 HR) but struggles to get on base (.205 AVG, .267 OBP) and plays for Oakland. But sometimes fantasy times desperate times just call for someone you know will play.

Blake Sabol, SF, C (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) - Sabol produces points when he's in but remains without a path to consistent playing time.

On the IL

• Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (shoulder surgery - out 4-6 months)

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