Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 21

1 year ago by Nicklaus Gaut

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In This Article hide

2. Week 21 Leaderboards

3. First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

4. Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

5. Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

6. Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

7. Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

8. Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

9. More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice

Welcome to Week 21 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of August 14 - August 20, 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, August 12.

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

Know Your Scoring System

Platform	AB	Hits	TB	1B	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	HBP
ESPN	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	-1	1	0	0
Yahoo!	0	0	2.6	2.6	5.2	7.8	10.4	1.9	1.9	2.6	0	4.2	0	2.6
CBS	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	-0.5	2	-1	1
Fantrax	0	0	1	1	2	3	4	1	1	1	0	2	0	0
NFBC	-1	4	0	0	0	0	6	2	2	0	0	5	0	0

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 21 Leaderboards

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 21, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 7%) - Jones is our first (but certainly not last), "Hey everybody, Colorado has a homestand all week" Week 21 wavier-wire darling but he's also been hitting lately, running around a top-75 APR over the past two weeks. But do be conscious of a 34% K% that will severely limit his impact in leagues with a strikeout penalty.

Spencer Torkelson, DET, 1B (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 13%) - Torkelson is picking up speed again, now up to an 81 APR for the season after running a 31 APR so far in Week 21 by hitting three home runs and slashing .273/.360/.727, with a .446 wOBA (.433 xwOBA). He'll only face one LHP in Week 21 but his production is becoming consistent enough to trust even when the splits don't line up perfectly.

Next Choices

Jake Burger, MIA, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 8%) - The Marlins have been flopping around in the second half like, well, fish, but have now won three of their past four, with deadline-acquisition Burger continuing to bring some meat to an often fishy lineup. Since being traded, Burger is slashing .278/.366/.472, with a .364 wOBA and 132 wRC+, putting up a 98 APR so far in Week 20. Week 21 will be full of tough matchups, though, with Miami facing the Astros (with Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez) and Dodgers (Gonsolin, Urias, Miller).

Mike Moustakas, 1B/3B, LAA (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 5%) - I'll keep making "what is Moose may never die" jokes until Moustakas quits putting up points and that time isn't today - Moustakas has an 83 APR so far in Week 20 and a 63 APR over the past two weeks, continuing to stay locked in at third base (and cleanup!) for the Angels.

Christian Encarnacion- Strand, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 12%) -CES has a 74 APR so far in Week 20 but is walking a thin line for value in Week 21, with the Reds only having five games, with only two coming against the left-handers he does his most damage against.

Desperate Choices

Michael Toglia, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%) - Our latest "But Coors!" pinup boy, Toglia hasn't done much on the field but is playing every day and will get six games at home this week. I mean, if you're looking to shoot dice, that's a solid start.

Carlos Santana, MIL, 1B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 20%) - Santana has been floundering since being traded to Milwaukee and has a tough week of road matchups with series against the Dodgers and Rangers. Probably not the week to catch some of his point-league magic.

Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) - Good god! Is it finally Joey Gallo SZN again? Naa-aaaah. Gallo just has a 19 APR so far in Week 20 because he's hit three home runs in his past four games but is still striking out at a >40% clip, with a .185 AVG. Same ol' Pico.

On the IL

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (sprained shoulder - no timetable)
Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - no timetable)
Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - 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

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 12%) - Rengifo's Roster% is slowly creeping up but not nearly as fast as his role and production should be justifying, batting leadoff in front of Shohei Ohtani every day and running a 61 APR over the past two weeks.

Michael Massey, KC, 2B (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 1%) -Has anyone noticed that Massey has a 95 APR over the past two weeks and has 6 HR in the second half? He's also now starting every day at second base, batting in the middle of Kansas City's lineup, and has even started the last two opportunities vs LHP after mostly being a "never vs LHP guy" earlier in the season. It's almost like sometimes top prospects can initially struggle but then start to put it together after getting their feet a bit wetter. Huh.

Next Choices

Kike Hernandez, LAD, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 9%) - Hernandez continues to recapture that old Dodgers magic, now slashing .320/.364/.520, with a .375 wOBA and 138 wRC+ in his 55 PA since being traded back to Los Angeles. With a mostly everyday role (at multiple positions), Hernandez can be a useful fill-in if you're looking to plug a hole or upgrade your bench for a playoff run.

Brice Turang, MIL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 4%) - It might be time to forgive Turang for his earlier rookie year struggles, as he's now slashing .250/.351/.375 over 94 PA in the second half, with 3 HR, 12 R, 9 RBI, and 5 SB. But it's a tough slate of opposing pitchers in Week 21, with the Brewers scheduled to face Clayton Kershaw, a resurgent Lance Lynn, and Max Scherzer in three of their six games.

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Like the rest of his Brewer brethren, Monasterio will face a tough slate of starters in Week 21 but it's getting really hard to ignore his continued production. Monasterio has a 33 APR so far in Week 20 and an 84 APr over the past two weeks, .271/.340/.417, with 2 HR, 7 R, 5 RBI, and 1 SB, with a 20% K% and 11% BB%.

Desperate Choices

Pablo Reyes, BOS, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 0%) - Reyes has an outrageous (for Pablo Reyes, anyways) 19 APR so far in Week 20 and has now started eight games in a row. With the return of Trevor Story and Justin Turner, you'd think that Reyes's playing time days would be numbered but the continued struggles of Luis Urias (both for the season and since joining the Red Sox) might have something to say about that. And while some batted ball luck has definitely played a factor in his .379 AVG and .427 wOBA over the past two weeks, having run a .385 BABIP over that stretch, a .308 xBA and .373 xwOBA isn't anything to drop shade on.

Ildemaro Vargas, WSH, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - He's still Ildemaro Vargas but the 32-year-old has now started 10 games in a row, slashing .250/.270/.500, with two home runs and 9 RBI. He doesn't walk (5% BB%) but also doesn't whiff (7% K%) making him a more viable stream in leagues with a strikeout penalty.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 15%) - You'd think Perdomo would be a solid add in Week 21, with the Diamondbacks set for seven games, with three coming in Colorado. But he's also sat against the past four LHP in favor of Nick Ahmed and Arizona is scheduled to face three lefties in the upcoming week.

On the IL

Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - rehab assignment)
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 9%) - Garcia remains a Roster% tragedy, still widely available in most leagues, even though he plays and bats leadoff every day, with a 34 APR over the past two weeks. With a seven-game week on the horizon, Garcia remains a must-add, even if it's only to upgradde your bench.

Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 14%) - Hayes remains en fuego since returning from the IL, running a 7 APR in Week 20, with three home runs in his last four games. If he was dropped in your league out of IL/poor-production frustration, now is the time to snag him for your crew.

Next Choices

Desperate Choices

Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 4%) -Moncada has multiple hits in three straight games going into Sunday, with one double and one home run but remains a subpar points asset under most scoring systems. He's a tough play in Week 21, with only five games on the schedule but maybe that'll be enough considering three of them will come in Colorado.

Brayan Rocchio, CLE, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0%) - Rocchio is hitting fine in his first real stretch of consistent playing time, with nine hits in the 10 games since getting recalled on August 2 but his lack of power will require a lot of playing time (and runs scored) to score consistently enough to be worth a flyer on.

On the IL

Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
Josh Donaldson, NYY, 3B (strained calf - questionable for season)
Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
Evan Longoria, ARI, 3B (strained lower back - no timetable)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 9%) - Run, don't walk, to pick up Tovar if he's still available in your league. Tovar is not only hot right now, slashing .275/.326/.500 in August, with a 69 APR over the past two weeks and a 21 APR so far in Week 20, but will get six games worth of that sweet, thin-air, home-cooking in Week 21. Currently, on a six-game hit streak, the time to capitalize on Tovar is now.

Next Choices

Desperate Choices

On the IL

Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (concussion - no timetable)
Zach Neto, LAA, SS (lower back inflammation - no timetable)
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 4%) - I have an embarrassingly long list of Carpenter shares for my draft-and-hold teams so you better believe I'm loving his continued breakout, with Carpenter posting a 32 APR over the past two weeks and a 9 APR so far in Week 20. Oh, you didn't know he was breaking out? Well, I don't blame you considering his current Roster%, organization, and previous IL stints. But Carpenter is now slashing .281/.341/.510 over 273 PA, with 15 HR, 34 R, and 41 RBI, with a .362 wOBA and 134 wRC+. He's hit three home runs in his past two games and is currently on an outrageous nine-game hit streak, over which he's had six multi-hit games while slashing .471/.500/.882. Pick. Him. Up. Please?

Mike Tauchman, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 15%) - OMG you guys, are we still really dealing with a Mike Tauchman SZN? Tauchman has come back to earth some recently but still managed a 120 so far in Week 20 and continues to bat leadoff when the Cubs face an RHP. But with only five games on the docket (and one vs an LHP), Tauchman will have to do a lot in not many opportunities.

**Those who've read the works of Alex Chamberlain from FanGraphs over the years know that he is the original Mike Tauchman stan and has to be loving this Tauchman coming-out party. But putting fantasy and baseball aside, Alex also lives on Maui and is currently raising money for the relief efforts there. If you're able to donate anything, he and the rest of the island would really appreciate it.**

Next Choices

Jurickson Profar, COL, OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 9%) - Profar has been scuffling, only running a 168 APR over the past two weeks but nothing says slump-buster like a homestand in Colorado - he's slashing .281/.364/.432, with a .347 wOBA at home, compared to .201/.279/.309, with a .264 wOBA on the road.

Tommy Pham, ARI, OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 3%) - Fueled by pure hate, I'm not sure anyone loves a change of scenario more than Pham*, who is currently on a little four-game hit streak and will get three games in Colorado in Week 21. Not only that but those games will come against the three-headed monster of awful that is Chris Flexen, Ty Blach, and Austin Gomber.

*maybe because everyone eventually gets sick of his crap?

Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 6%) - Herr Kepler keeps hitting and is even getting more opportunities vs LHP, having started against two of the past four that Minnesota has faced. He's been a top-100ish hitter over the past few weeks and will face all right-handers in his five games in Week 21.

Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 18%) - My guy BDLC is back under our Roster% threshold??? How dare all of you! To be fair, the Marlins have been sinking like a stone as of late, and De La Cruz has only racked up a 222 APR over the past two weeks, slashing just .231/.286/.462 in August. But the real issue with his overall value lately has been the lack of R+RBI that being on Miami has afforded him lately, with De La Cruz collecting just 8 R and 10 RBI so far in the second half.

Sal Frelick, MIL, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 15%) - Um, how much does Frelick need to hit before getting some more Roster% respect? Frelick has a top-40 APR both over the past two weeks and in Week 20 but also doesn't start vs LHP so Week 21 might be more boom-or-bust with the Brewers scheduled to face lefties in two of their six games.

Harrison Bader, NYY, OF (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 13%) -Bader keeps doing Bader things - IE being a top-100ish hitter and being useful in most point leagues that use five outfielders. Actually, Bader isn't doing Bader things because he's now played 18 games without getting hurt. I'll keep the clock running, though.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 15%) - Benintendi may have a points-friendly profile (15% K%, 9% BB%) but I'm not keen on trying my luck with anyone on a sinking ship of a team that clearly seems about 10 seconds from packing it all in for the season.

Desperate Choices

Johan Rojas, PHI, OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) -Rojas is starting to settle in as Philadelphia's everyday center fielder, a role he should continue to serve in with Brandon Marsh going back on the IL. He's started six of seven games since Marsh went down, slashing .318/.348/.500 over 23 PA, with 1 HR, 1 SB, and a .364 wOBA.

On the IL

Charlie Blackmon, COL (fractured hand - rehab assignment)
Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - expected to miss 10 weeks)
Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (sprained shoulder - no timetable)
Brandon Marsh, PHI, OF (knee contusion - no timetable)
Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - rehab assignment)
Jesse Winker, MIL, OF (back spasms - rehab assignment)
Austin Meadows, DET, OF (anxiety - no timetable)
Mike Yastrzemski, SF, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - no timetable)
Kevin Kiermaier, TOR, OF (elbow laceration - no timetable)
Dylan Carlson, STL, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - no timetable)
Jo Adell, LAA, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
A.J. Pollock, SF, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Aaron Hicks, BAL, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Mitch Garver, TEX, C (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - The prognosis on Garver remains the same as it's been the past few weeks - as long as Jonah Heim is on the IL, he's a must-add if you're in need at catcher. Garver is still playing and hitting, posting a 59 APR over the past two weeks and a 52 APR so far in Week 20.

Next Choices

Henry Davis, PIT, C/OF (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 14%) - Davis's biggest value-add remains his playing time, starting nearly every day in right field. That's enough to do some light compiling but his production thus far puts him below what you're generally looking for under most point systems.

Yanier Diaz, HOU, C (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 10%) - Diaz remains a much better option in daily leagues, as his sporadic playing time can make him more frustrating to use in weekly leagues. He's running an 82 APR so far in Week 20, starting four of Houston's last five games but prior to that stretch had only started 1-of-4 games.

Desperate Choices

Patrick Bailey, SF, C (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%) - Bailey has been heating back up, posting a 98 APR so far in Week 20 and a 115 APR over the past two weeks. But do be aware that this production is backed by some smoke and mirrors - Bailey's .294 AVG and .352 wOBA have a .220 xBA and .306 xwOBA behind them, along with a .357 BABIP.

On the IL

Gabriel Moreno, ARI, C (shoulder inflammation - no timetable)
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA, C (shoulder surgery - rehab assignment)

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