TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups: Catcher

Kyle Schwarber owners? It's a tough blow, for all of us, as we already have to say goodbye to an exciting young player for the entire 2016 season. But it's still early, and we are here to help. It's time to take a peek down that hole known as the waiver wire for catching depth. It's a really deep hole, since there's a pretty big drop off after you pick the first five catchers. Not quite as deep as the Marianas Trench, but close. Not having good catching depth can crush you like the water pressure down there.

With that said, it's not hopeless. There's some talent to be found on that waiver wire and it could help both those in one- or two-catcher leagues. Let's go take a look. My metric is those who are owned by less than 50% of Fleaflicker fantasy owners.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Week 1 Waiver Wire Catchers

Yasmani Grandal (LAD) 28% - Yes, he's hurt, but it's still astounding that has that low ownership in the Yahoo leagues right now. He has a right forearm strain, but he's already playing in simulated games and the Dodgers think that he'll be back for their home opener next week. He's capable of hitting over 20 homers and if he gets his average up over .250 or higher, he could be a waiver wire steal, especially since we have him ranked at No. 7 among catchers.

Miguel Montero (CHC) 23% - Who wouldn't want a catcher who can hit at least 15 or more homers a season? Especially given that this is a position that has a steep drop off in talent after several picks, Montero shortcomings can be forgiven. His ownership should go up now that Kyle Schwarber is out for the year after colliding with Dexter Fowler in the outfield on Thursday and tearing both his left ACL and LCL.

Wilson Ramos (WAS) 30% - He's got solid power, hitting 15 homers in 2015, though he struck out way too many times. If he can get his average back up to the .260s range, he'll be picked up by more fantasy owners. He might be worth it as a second catcher.

Yadier Molina (STL) 45% - Yadi's power numbers have declined since that 22 homer season in 2012. Part of it is probably the wear and tear on his body. He's been in the Majors since he was 21 and 13 years of catching will take its toll on anyone. That said, he's still capable of a pretty decent average and his RBI totals are generally in the respectable range. He's in the higher percentage of ownership, but it should be even more. He's worth picking up as a second catcher or insurance on the bench.

J.T. Realmuto (MIA) 41% - Otherwise known as the Running Catcher, Realmuto swiped 8 bases in '15 and he could break the double-digit mark this season. Fans should enjoy it while they can because years of catching tends to slow down the best of them. People are on the steals train, but he's still up for grabs in the majority of leagues. Hitting more than 10 homers in '16 will also be a nice bonus.

Jason Castro (HOU) 4% - Whoa. Talk about a deep plunge. From the 20-40% picks to 4%. It's puzzling. Castro can hit ten home runs though, and he'd be great for two-catcher leagues. Yes, his power numbers have gone down, but Houston has a really good lineup so he might benefit from those who around him. He's worth taking a shot on.

Derek Norris (SDP) 44% -  He's  got double-digit power, which is always a good thing when it comes to picking catchers. Yes, the Padres are likely to be terrible this season, but he's especially able to help those who are in two-catcher leagues.  Plus who doesn't love his awesome beard? It's not in Dallas Keuchel's league, but it's pretty darn impressive. Taking him automatically gives you a great team name involving beards.

Nick Hundley (COL) 30%  - It wasn't just the Coors Field effect in '15 when he hit 10 homers - he hit 13 when he was playing for San Diego in the cavernous Petco Park. Right now nearly one-third of Yahoo owners have wised up that he could be a pretty good pick-up in either single- or double-catcher leagues.

James McCann (DET) 10%  -  Some may think of him as the Poorer McCann Brother to Brian  - they aren't really related, though. It's not like the whole Molina clan. Both just happen to be McCanns who play catcher. He has nowhere near Brian's power, but he can hit for decent average. There's plenty of lineup protection around him in the form of hitters like Miggy Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton. A .265 average and 10 homers would not be out of the realm of possibility. He would be better for two-catcher leagues.

Robinson Chirinos (TEX) 2%  He's another potential double-digit homer guy and you always have to like it when you see one of those on the waiver wire. Especially when he's been given the keys to the starting job and only a small fraction of Yahoo owners seem to know who the heck he is. Be better than that and grab him.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Merrill Kelly

Throwing from 60 Feet
Aldrich Potgieter

Extremely Risky When it Comes to Bay Hill
Bobby Miller

Throws Off Mound Tuesday
Hunter Gaddis

Dealing With Forearm Tightness
PGA

Sungjae Im to Make Season Debut at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Jordan Spieth

an All-or-Nothing Option at Bay Hill
Harry Hall

Trying to Rebound After the Genesis Invitational
Jurickson Profar

MLBPA to Challenge Jurickson Profar's 162-Game Ban
Royce Lewis

Back in Grapefruit League Lineup on Tuesday
Matt McLain

Emerging as Late-Round Sleeper?
Spencer Jones

Changes his Swing to Resemble Dodgers Superstar
Nolan McLean

"Day-to-Day" With Illness
Ryan Gerard

Needs Better Start at Bay Hill
Edgar Quero

Showing Improvement This Spring
Jurickson Profar

Facing 162-Game Ban After Second PED Violation
Kenneth Walker III

Won't Get the Franchise Tag
Patrick Cantlay

Still Plagued by Bad Putting Ahead of Arnold Palmer Invititational
Daniel Jones

Colts Expected to Use Transition Tag on Daniel Jones
Thomas White

Marlins Reassign Thomas White to Minor-League Camp
Breece Hall

Jets Placing Franchise Tag on Breece Hall
Max Scherzer

Completely Past his Thumb Issues
CFB

Mark Stoops Joining Texas Coaching Staff
Francisco Lindor

Plays Catch, Hopes to Take BP on Wednesday
Mike Burrows

Looking Strong in Early Spring Action
Garrett Crochet

Is an Elite Anchor for Your Rotation
Casey Mize

Can Be a Late-Round Value Pick
Nick Seeler

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Versus Maple Leafs
Daylen Lile

Can Be a Great Outfield Sleeper
Andrew Painter

Headed for Opening Day Roster?
Pierre-Olivier Joseph

Injured in Monday's Loss
Giancarlo Stanton

Will Make His Spring Training Debut on Tuesday
Joel Armia

Moved to Injured Reserve
Artturi Lehkonen

Set to Miss Time After Getting Hurt Monday
Shea Theodore

Iffy for Tuesday Due to Illness
Mitchell Marner

Dealing With Illness
Mark Stone

Considered Day-to-Day
Jason Day

Attempts to Bounce Back from The Genesis Invitational
Santi Aldama

Questionable Tuesday
Cedric Coward

Could Return Tuesday
Jacob Bridgeman

Rolling into Arnold Palmer Invitational
Ty Jerome

Could Miss Third Straight Game
Davion Mitchell

Iffy to Face Nets
Norman Powell

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Anthony Black

Likely to Return Tuesday
Klay Thompson

Questionable Tuesday
Russell Henley

Looks to Defend Title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Max Scherzer

Could Make Grapefruit League Debut This Weekend
Alex DeBrincat

Collects Two More Points
Andrew Benintendi

Should be Back on Thursday
Kirill Marchenko

Earns Three Points on Monday
Nicolai Hojgaard

Continues to Search for First PGA Tour Victory at API
Shane Lowry

Trying to Shake Off Last Week's Heartbreak at the API
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Scorching Start to 2026 Season
Keegan Bradley

Searching for Better Results Heading to Bay Hill
P.J. Washington

Questionable vs. Hornets
Egor Demin

to Miss Second Straight Game
Nicolas Claxton

Expected to Play on Tuesday
Coby White

Ruled Out vs. Dallas
Collin Murray-Boyles

to Miss Second Straight Game
Naji Marshall

Unavailable Versus Charlotte
Donovan Mitchell

Out Tuesday vs. Detroit
Cooper Flagg

Listed as Doubtful for Tuesday Night
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Ruled Out for Tuesday's Matchup With Bulls
Isaiah Hartenstein

to Miss Game Against Bulls
Anthony Gill

Out, Julian Reese Set to Start Monday
Kris Dunn

Available On Monday Against Warriors
John Collins

Sidelined vs. Warriors
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Set to Suit Up Monday
Trevor Moore

Unavailable Monday
Drew Doughty

Could Return Thursday
Roope Hintz

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Zach Werenski

Iffy for Monday's Action
Travis Konecny

a Game-Time Decision Monday
John Gibson

Exits Win Early
Connor Murphy

Moving to Edmonton
Khalil Mack

Will Play in 2026
MMA

Lone'er Kavanagh Gets Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno

Gets Outclassed
Marlon Vera

Loses Fourth Fight In A Row
Daniel Jones

Colts Have "50/50" Chance to Get a Deal Done With Daniel Jones
David Martinez

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Daniel Zellhuber

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
King Green

Gets Second-Round TKO Win
Felipe Bunes

Drops Decision At UFC Mexico City
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ryan Blaney

Falls to Eighth Despite Running Most of the Race in the Top Five At COTA
Ty Gibbs

Wins A Stage and Finishes Fourth At COTA
Christopher Bell

Earns First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at COTA
Kyler Murray

"Repeatedly" Linked to Jets
Shane Van Gisbergen

Falls Short of Victory At COTA
Tyler Reddick

Wins At COTA and Makes NASCAR History
David Montgomery

Texans Acquire David Montgomery From Lions
Lukas Dostal

Sets New Career High With 24th Win
Cutter Gauthier

Hits Two Goals in Shootout Win
Robert Thomas

Returns to Action With Multi-Point Effort
Matthew Tkachuk

Dishes Out Three Assists Sunday
Matthew Schaefer

Has First Three-Point Outing
Kyler Murray

Likely to be Released
Travis Etienne Jr.

Not Expected to be Franchise-Tagged
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Planning to Release Aaron Jones Sr.?
Tyler Reddick

Could Make History at COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Still the Favorite at COTA
Christopher Bell

Will Be Tough to Beat at COTA
AJ Allmendinger

Could Contend at COTA
Connor Zilisch

Carries Plenty of Upside for DFS at COTA
Chase Elliott

May be A Strong Contender Again at COTA
Chris Buescher

Is Nothing But Consistent at Road Courses
Ross Chastain

May Be An Underrated Competitor for the Win at COTA
William Byron

Is William Byron a Viable DFS Option for COTA?
Carson Hocevar

Needs Clean Race at COTA
Kyle Larson

Could be A Decent DFS Option for COTA Lineups
Ryan Blaney

Could Ryan Blaney be A Sleeper DFS Option for All Formats for COTA?
Chase Briscoe

Should DFS Players Roster Chase Briscoe at COTA?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Is A Favorable Value Option for COTA DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

Could Ty Gibbs Be A Rosterable DFS Play for COTA?
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Favorable DFS Option for COTA?
A.J. Brown

Patriots "Have Explored Trade Talks" Involving A.J. Brown
Lone'er Kavanagh

Set For UFC Mexico City Main Event
Brandon Moreno

Looks To Bounce Back
David Martinez

Set For UFC Mexico City Co-Main Event
Marlon Vera

In Dire Need Of Victory
King Green

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Zellhuber

Aims To Snap Two-Fight Skid
Felipe Bunes

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Interested in Trading George Pickens
Ashton Jeanty

Not in Line for Workhorse Role in 2026?
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Colts Give Anthony Richardson Sr. Permission to Seek a Trade
Kyler Murray

Prefers to be Released
Derek Carr

"Strong Belief" That Derek Carr is "Very Serious" About Unretiring
Andy Dalton

Is Andy Dalton Available for a Trade?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF