Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 4

2 years ago by Nicklaus Gaut

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Welcome to Week 4 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire hitters. We'll be doing this roundup of points leagues every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver wire targets being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, and Fantrax.

Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits. We know points league players get neglected and we're here to help.

These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of April 17th - April 23rd, looking at players below ~50% rostered for ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax. 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 15.

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 4: Waiver Wire Leaderboards

All charts are updated prior to Sunday's games, on stats and ownerships, and clicking on a chart will open a new page with a magnified version. Players on overall leaderboards are ordered according to their current Roster% on Yahoo. All injury information is sourced from RosterResource at FanGraphs.com.

*APR = Average Platform Ranking - the average platform ranking between ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, Fantrax, and NFBC (standard point settings)

Overall Leaderboards

We'll be adding more charts with more stats and info in the weeks to come but let's keep it simple starting out, looking at just the platform ranks and per-PA scoring rates after the first week(+) of games:

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Garrett Cooper, MIA, 1B (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 17%) - Cooper was briefly banged up but missed just one game before getting right back to playing every day and slapping hits. Over his past seven games, Cooper is slashing .407/.467/.667, with a .486 wOBA and .448 xwOBA over 30 PA, with two three-hit games, and four with at least two.

Spencer Steer, CIN, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Steer is playing almost every day and against both hands but while he has been hitting righties better in 2023 (.281/.378/.500, 14% K%), he still has a .288 wOBA against them since the start of last season. But he's hitting them now and can be ridden until he proves otherwise, posting a 72 APR overall so far, with elite per-PA rates on every platform.

Next Choices

Carlos Santana, PIT, 1B (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 18%) - Santana is the first of many Pirates on the list this week, as low Roster% plus Coors is usually a spicy combination. He already has the qualities we start with when looking for a points compiler; playing almost every day, batting in the middle of the order, and rarely striking out. But in addition to getting three games in Colorado, he'll also face LHP in two of them (Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber) - since the start of 2022, Santana has a .368 wOBA and 11% K% vs LHP, compared to a .289 wOBA and 21% K% vs RHP.

J.D. Davis, SF, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 2%) - Davis has been on absolute fire lately, with home runs in his past two games and multiple hits in four of his past seven. But while the power remains legit, do be careful not to be fooled by a 22% K%, as it has come with a 15% SwStr% that says he's still a 30% K% player.

Patrick Wisdom, CHC, 1B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 8%) - Wisdom might have a 125 APR but remains a liability in leagues with a strikeout penalty, posting a 31% K% in 2023 after a 34% K% in 2022. But he whiffs even more vs LHP (37% K% since the start of 2022) and the Cubs will face four of them in Week 4.

Desperate Choices

Connor Joe, PIT, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Hey, look! It's another low-rostered Pirate who gets a series in Coors. Joe has gotten a few starts lately vs RHP but you can really only count on him starting in matchups with LHP, against whom he's posted a .348 wOBA and 19% K% against since the start of 2022. Luckily, the Pirates will face three LHP in Week 4, with two of them coming at Colorado.

Franchy Cordero, NYY, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 14%) - Cordero has been getting a lot of run in the Yankees outfield and recently had a streak of four home runs in five games. Since his last home run, though, Cordero has gone 1-for-11 with a 46% K% and since the start of last season has a .265 wOBA and 40% K% vs LHP - in Week 4, New York will face an LHP in 3-of-6 games.

Harold Ramirez, TB, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Ramirez, has a .401 wOBA and 12% K% vs LHP since the start of last year but just a .309 wOBA and 18% K% vs RHP - with Tampa Bay only set to face two lefties in Week 4, I wouldn't expect him much.

On the IL

Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (strained oblique - on rehab assignment)
Ji-Man Choi, TB, 1B (strained Achilles - no timetable)

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Edouard Julien, MIN, 2B (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 2%) - Another one of the new hotties to hit the show, Julien has now started each of Minnesota's five games since getting called up, batting leadoff in each. And while his strikeout rates in the minors were quite high, a 7% SwStr% in Double- and Triple-A with >.420 OBPs says the skillset might play just fine in points. Especially if he can tap into some of the power he showed at Double-A in 2022, hitting 17 HR in 508 PA.

Next Choices

Ji Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - Surprise! It's another Pirate. The speedy Bae has a 120 APR for the season and had started five games in a row before getting a day off on Sunday. Not to be repetitive but getting three games against substandard pitching at Coors is a solid basis by itself for earning a stream.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 3%) - Rengifo is scratching out a mostly full-time role, starting every game but two for the Angels, getting starts at four different positions. But his biggest value-add remains against LHP (.382 wOBA vs LHP since the start of last year, .274 wOBA vs RHP), and the Angels will only face one of them in Week 4, and considering that leftie is my guy, Nestor Cortes, I wouldn't count on much.

Brice Turang, MIL, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 13%) - Turang has posted above-average per-PA rates on each platform but is in a platoon with Owen Miller at second base and has yet to get a start against a left-handed pitcher. Luckily for him, the Brewers are only scheduled to face one LHP in Week 4.

Rodolfo Castro, PIT, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 1%) - Castro has started eight of Pittsburgh's last nine games and has a .400 wOBA and 20% K% vs LHP since the start of 2022 (.297 wOBA/29% K% vs RHP). With two starts vs LHP at Coors in Week 4, a stream is certainly on the table.

Desperate Choices

CJ Abrams, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 15%) - Abrams has only run a disappointing .298 wOBA vs RHP in 2023 but hey, that's way better than the .209 wOBA and 24% K% he's managed vs LHP. With zero games scheduled vs LHP in Week 4, this would be a good time to get things going in the right direction.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 4%) - Berti has a hold on the shortstop job with Joey Wendle still out but with below-average per-PA scoring rates, he'll need every PA he can get (and then some) to be worth even a bench-add.

Mauricio Dubon, HOU, 2B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4%) - Dubon has had a hold on second base with the absence of Jose Altuve but his 121 APR is being driven by a #59 ranking on ESPN where a minuscule 2.1% K% can carry the load. But he only has a .225 wOBA vs RHP since the start of 2022 and will lose his job the second Altuve returns.

On the IL

Luis Urias, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
Kyle Farmer, MIN (face laceration - no timetable)
Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Next Choices

Desperate Choices

Gio Urshela, LAA, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 20%) - Urshela has started every game but two for the Angels and now has an 81 APR for the season, batting sixth and playing first in the past two. As long as he playing every day and batting after a strong first half of the Angels lineup, Urshela should continue to be an unexciting but useful points compiler.

On the IL

Luis Urias, MIL 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
Josh Donaldson, NYY (strained hamstring - no timetable)
Kyle Farmer, MIN (face laceration - no timetable)
Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Next Choices

Zach Neto, LAA, SS (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%) - Neto is one of the latest call-up hotties, getting a move to the bigs in replacement of a struggling David Fletcher. It's hard to trust rookies but Neto does have the contact skills and plate discipline to make a solid scoring profile in points. The bigger question, though, is whether he'll do enough to seize the everyday role needed to be a consistent contributor.

Desperate Choices:

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 14%) - The Rockies top prospect has struggled to do much of anything so far in 2023 but given how weak shortstop is on the wire after getting picked clean by Corey Seager and Tim Anderson replacements, his three games at home might be worth a gambit if you're desperate.

Geraldo Perdomo, SS, ARI (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 10%) - Perdomo might have a .275 AVG and .519 wOBA but a .269 xwOBA, .195 xBA, and .571 BABIP means he shouldn't be fooling anyone.

On the IL

Luis Urias, MIL 2B/3B/SS (strained hamstring - 6 to 8 weeks)
Kyle Farmer, MIN (face laceration - no timetable)
Joey Wendle, MIA, 2B/3B/SS (strained oblique - no timetable)

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 3%) - Umm, yeah - Friedl should not be so available. He has a 101 APR for the year, bats second, and plays in a home park bandbox. And while some had platoon concerns about his playing time, he has thus far been an everyday guy, playing in every game but one for the Reds, including four against LHP.

Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF (Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 16%) - Lookie, lookie, another Pirate. After starting the season going 2-for-18, McCutchen has now collected at least one hit in seven of his last nine games, with three multi-hit games and two home runs.

Jake Fraley, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 5%) - Fraley has a .369 xwOBA and .414 OBP over the last 10 days, and will face five RHP in Week 4, against whom he has a .383 wOBA and 21% K% since the start of last season.

Esteury Ruiz, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 9%) - Oakland's biggest prize in the Sean Murphy deal, Ruiz has started every game but one for the A's, while making more contact than what was expected and running just a 13% K%. There's no power to speak of but as long as he's getting on base enough to leverage his elite base-stealing ability (85 SB across three levels in 2022), Ruiz can produce starter-worthy scoring rates.

Next Choices

Nelson Cruz, SD, UT (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 5%) - No, Cruz didn't suddenly pick up OF eligibility but with no other DH-only making the cut, it's either this or give him his own section. Cruz has now started the past four games at DH, collecting at least one hit in each and slashing .417/.429/.500 over 14 PA. Cruz's per-PA rates have been stellar so far so if the playing time continues to be there, the old man is worth riding for a minute, or two.

Trent Grisham, SD, OF (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 6%) - Grisham has a 100 APR in 2023, with a .388 xwOBA over his last 10 games, playing every day and batting leadoff when facing RHP. However, with Fernando Tatis Jr. likely to return on 4/20, Grisham's leadoff spot is about to go up in a cloud of smoke.

Brandon Marsh, PHI, OF (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 18%) - Marsh has a 56 APR on the young season but also doesn't really start vs LHP, taking a seat in four of the five opportunities Philadelphia has had. Luckily for him, though, the Phillies are lined up to face just one leftie out of their seven games in Week 4.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., ARI, OF (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 11%) - Gurriel Jr. has never really been my cuppa but a low strikeout rate vs both hands and an everyday role keeps him viable. Over his past 7 games, Gurriel Jr. is slashing .286/.333/.571, with a .383 wOBA and .385 xwOBA. But with matchups against St. Louis and San Diego, the sledding might be tough in Week 4.

Mark Canha, NYM, OF (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 10%) - Canha hasn't quite gotten things going yet but plays almost every day and has posted a .845 OPS over his past 10 games, with a .360 wOBA and .365 xwOBA.

Wil Myers, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 9%) - A preseason favorite of many, Myers has finally started to get going, slashing .357/.419/.643 over his past seven games. And on Saturday, he went full ham, going 4-for-5 in a 13-0 win over Philadelphia, with two home runs, four runs, and five RBI.

Brent Rooker, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Rooker only has a 149 APR for the season but is slashing .409/.462/.955 over his last six games, starting every game since Seth Brown hit the IL while hitting in the middle of Oakland's order.

Jorge Soler, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 8%) - Soler continues to smash LHP (3 HR, .681 wOBA, 331 wRC+) and struggle vs RHP (1 HR, .270 wOBA, 64 wRC+), with the Marlins scheduled to face LHP in two of their six games in Week 4.

Desperate Choices

Josh Lowe, TB, OF (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 5%) - Lowe has a 99 APR but isn't going to start vs LHP as long as he continues the .166 wOBA and 41% K% he's posted against them in his career. With two lefties on tap for the Rays in Week 4, expect Lowe to get four starts, at most.

Jurickson Profar, COL, OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 15%) - Profar has done very little so far in 2022 but plays every day and bats leadoff for a team whose home ballpark is in the clouds. With three games (and likely starts) against mediocre Pittsburgh pitching (including one against LHP, Rich Hill), Profar might be worth a stream for the desperate.

Ramon Laureano, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 7%) - Laureano has a 135 APR but is mostly being carried by his everyday role, starting every game but one, as his per-PA scoring rates are average, at best, while only posting a .292 wOBA vs RHP since the start of 2022.

Alex Call, WSH, OF (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%) - Call has quietly become Washington's leadoff hitter of choice, starting eight games in a row at the top of the order before getting the day off on Sunday. He has a 119 APR for the year but carries the most value in leagues with a full strikeout penalty, as he's buoyed by a 15% K% and 15% BB%.

Chas McCormick, HOU, OF (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 10%) - McCormick missed Saturday and Sunday with an illness but started at leadoff for the previous six games and has a 66 APR for the season. The problem, though, is that he remains very ineffectual vs RHP, with a .558 wOBA vs LHP and a .334 wOBA vs RHP so far in 2023, with a .431 wOBA/19% K% vs LHP and .295 wOBA/29% K% vs RHP since the start of last season. It's a tough schedule in Week 4, as the Astros take on Toronto and Atlanta, with all vs RHP.

On the IL

Joc Pederson, SF, OF (wrist inflammation - no timetable)
Seth Brown, OAK, 1B/OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
Joey Gallo, MIN, 1B/OF (strained oblique - on rehab assignment)
Austin Meadows, DET (anxiety - no timetable)
Jose Siri, TB, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Elias Diaz, COL, C (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 14%) - Diaz is a catcher with a pulse and gets three games at home in Week 4 but is also slashing .500/.533/.786 over the past 10 days, and has a 74 APR for the season. With the Rockies set to face three LHP, Diaz is a solid catcher stream if needed.

Next Choices

Yasmani Grandal, CHW, C (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 12%) - Grandal is slashing .310/.355/.448 over Chicago's last 10 days (8 starts) and will face four LHP in Week 4, against whom he has a .336 wOBA since the start of 2022, compared to a .257 wOBA vs RHP.

Desperate Choices

Christian Vazquez, MIN, C (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 5%) - Vazquez has started with a .462 AVG but that comes with a .462 BABIP and .235 xBA, while a .404 wOBA is backed by a .306 xwOBA. The hammer of regression is right around the corner, not ideal with a catcher only playing 3-4 games a week.

On the IL

Mitch Garver, TEX, C (sprained knee - no timetable)
Omar Narvaez, NYM (strained calf - no timetable)

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