Zack Collins (C, CHW) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 14+ teams and in OBP formats

ROSTERED IN: 5% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The week sets up nicely for Zack Collins, who's taken over as the everyday catcher for Yasmani Grandal (knee), who underwent surgery to repair a tendon tear in his left knee back on July 7. Collins hasn't really flashed since taking over the job (.158/.360/.368, 1 home run, three RBI, and 6:5 K/BB ratio in 25 plate appearances) and he doesn't hit in a prominent spot in the lineup, typically eighth or ninth, but he'll be facing some tasty pitching matchups next week. The White Sox head to Kansas City for a four-game set with the Royals before heading back to South Side to host the Indians for a three-game weekend series.

Collins bats from the left side of the plate and is slated to face five right-handed starters. The 26-year-old backstop is slashing .242/.370/.424 with nine doubles, three home runs, and 17 RBI over 99 at-bats against righties this season. Brad Keller (5.84 ERA, 6.45 xERA), J.C. Mejia (7.53 ERA, 5.24 xERA), and Triston McKenzie (5.91 ERA, 4.84 xERA) shouldn't be very challenging for Collins while the two lefties he could potentially face are Daniel Lynch (15.75 ERA, 11.50 xERA) and Kris Bubic (5.03 ERA, 5.86 xERA).

He's got a rough 31.1% strikeout rate for the year but he's getting on base at a decent clip with a 13.4% walk rate. He may be a better fit in OBP leagues as he's improved his plate discipline since July 7, putting up a 23% strikeout and walk rate since then. Potentially streaming Collins is about getting a piece of a potent lineup that will be facing subpar pitching. He's readily available on the waiver wire and is capable of providing a decent OBP, runs, and should have some RBI opportunities as the Sox tee off on the Royals. The ceiling is higher than you may think and the floor won't kill you in an OBP league.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]

Andy Smith 4 months ago

Kumar Rocker - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS:  Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is set to make his major league debut on Thursday and should be added in all standard leagues. Rocker has had a rocky start to his professional career. He was originally drafted by the New […]

Andy Smith 4 months ago

Jasson Dominguez: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 25 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees called up their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, before Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Dominguez hit sixth and played left field in his second major league start of the season. In that contest, he went 1-for-4 with […]

Joey Pollizze 4 months ago

Will Wagner - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 23)

BALLER MOVE: Use as Streamer for Rest of Season / Stash in Dynasty Leagues CALL-UP ETA: In Majors ANALYSIS: Will Wagner, the son of legendary closer Billy Wagner, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline from the Houston Astros as part of the Yusei Kikuchi return. The 26-year-old currently ranks […]

Jake Kleiner 4 months ago

Connor Norby - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August 19 ANALYSIS: Connor Norby is finally making his much-anticipated debut for the Miami Marlins. Norby, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, was playing with Miami's Triple-A team in Jacksonville since being traded but was activated by Miami […]

Dan Palyo 4 months ago

Download Our Free Waiver Wire App

Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy baseball mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.