Welcome, RotoBallers, to the Week 22 edition of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of August 19 – August 25, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN or Yahoo.
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 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 are calculated using games through Saturday, August 17.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:
Waiver Wire Caveats and APR Explanation
Roster% Thresholds
We use a combination of Roster% to assess who is in our target pool, relying mostly on Yahoo and ESPN. For some players, you’ll notice a wide discrepancy between the two. This is because ESPN’s Roster% is heavily weighted by points players, with guys who don’t do well in their system (often because of an inflated K% but also sometimes, who really knows?) lagging behind the Yahoo Roster%.
For this reason, you’ll sometimes see players (especially early) who might make you question my sanity in including them in a waiver-wire article but don’t worry, it’s just a necessary glitch for coverage purposes.
APR stands for „Average Platform Rank” and is the average hitter rank between the four major point platforms: ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and Fantrax. All player data is from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant, with injury information pulled from the Roster Resource section on the former.
Fantasy Baseball First Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Carlos Santana, MIN, 1B (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 5%) – Listen, I get y’all just think it’s a bit but the Roster% of Carlos Santana continues to sabotage my general mental health and things aren’t getting any better. Facing a mess of the left-handers that he still crushes, Santana was our best choice last week and he didn’t disappoint, coming into Sunday as the #15 hitter. He’ll only see one LHP in Week 22 (@SD, vs STL) but Santana has an 88 APR for the season and remains one of the safest bets in point leagues.
Michael Toglia, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 9%) – Another consistent producer whose Roster% stays frustratingly low, Toglia is tied as the #15 hitter in Week 21 with our guy Carlos Santana. It’s always hard to stream a Rockies hitter on the road (@WSH, @NYY) but Toglia has been good enough away from Coors to warrant a ticket if you’re in need. Plus, he’ll face four LHP, against whom he has a .365 wOBA (.369 xwOBA), 57% HH%, and 18% Brl%.
Nolan Schanuel, LAA, 1B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) – Schanuel has been one of the most consistent scorers for multiple months but remains lightly-rostered. The scores have been ho-hum for the last three periods (#145, #118, #128) but those are still startable – if unexciting – finishes, and since finishing #369 in Week 10, Schanuel has averaged a 101 APR, never finishing worse than #155, with thee of those 11 periods finishing in the top 60. The Angels get seven games in Week 22, with only one scheduled against the LHP that Schanuel struggles with more.
Next Choices
Jonah Bride, MIA, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%) – This Bride continues to run away (from his previous reputation ; ), posting a 61 APR in Week 21, after finishing #65 in Week 20, and #79 in Week 19. Since Josh Bell, Jazz Chishom Jr., and Bryan De La Cruz were shipped out, Bride has now started 20 straight games, slashing .269/.390/.522 over 82 PA, with 5 HR and a .389 wOBA. Let’s not start getting carried away but for the time being, at least, Bride is a useful starter that can be streamed until he cools down. Especially in a week that will see the Marlins face four LHP in their six games (vs ARI, vs CHC).
Spencer Horwitz, TOR, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 4%) – Like a Canadian version of Nolan Schanuel, Horwitz has been boring but startable basically since getting called up. His ceiling is limited but since struggling initially, Horowitz has been a steady source of production with a high floor that won’t hurt you. The Blue Jays are set for some shaky pitching in Week 22 (vs CIN, vs LAA) and with only one LHP that Horwitz generally sits against.
Desperate Choices
Andrew Vaughn, CHW, 1B (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 8%) -With back-to-back top 100 weeks (#87, #66), Vaughn is officially on one of „his hotstreaks”. Enjoy it now, Vaughn-users because we know two to three weeks of above-averageness is usually followed by a few weeks back in the basement. But to be fair, Vaughn hits lefties a lot better and the White Sox are scheduled to see three of them in their six games (@SF, vs DET).
On the IL
- Anthony Rizzo, NYY, 1B (fractured forearm – no timetable)
- Kris Bryant, COL, 1B/OF (strained back – no timetable)
- Tyler Soderstrom, OAK, 1B (wrist bruise – no timetable)
- Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (back discomfort – no timetable)
- Joey Gallo, WSH, 1B/OF (strained hamstring – rehab assignment)
Fantasy Baseball Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Brandon Lowe, TB, 2B (Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 12%) – People must still have lingering anger from over-drafting Lowe during the last couple of seasons because he should’ve already crossed our Roster% threshold, as he’s been one of baseball’s better producers since returning from injury on May 20, slashing .260/.342/.524 over 257 PA, with 14 HR, 70 R, 42 RBI, and 5 SB, with a .368 wOBA and 145 wRC+. Lowe and the Rays have seven games in Week 22 (@OAK, @LAD) but while two are vs LHP, Lowe has actually had his best numbers against lefties in years.
Next Choices
Whit Merrifield, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 17%) – We’ll repeat what we said last week; the best versions of Merrifield are super points-friendly and while this might not be Prime-Whit, Merrifield is playing every day and batting ninth, with Atlanta’s lineup rolling over to a ton of power. With everyday PAs and a 13% K%/11% BB%, Merrifield should continue to be a solid producer with a high floor. This week could be more of a struggle, though, with Atlanta scheduled to face three LHP (vs PHI, vs WSH).
Spencer Horwitz, TOR, 1B/2B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 4%) – Like a Canadian version of Nolan Schanuel, Horwitz has been boring but startable basically since getting called up. His ceiling is limited but since struggling initially, Horowitz has been a steady source of production with a high floor that won’t hurt you. The Blue Jays are set for some shaky pitching in Week 22 (vs CIN, vs LAA) and with only one LHP that Horwitz generally sits against.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 9%) – He’s unexciting in Roto but IKF has always been a pretty good compiler in points, as long as he’s playing every day. That’s what he’s done since joining Pittsburgh, starting every game since missing the first two due to illness. The Pirates are scheduled against four LHP in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN) but that’s not necessarily a good thing for the right-handed Kiner-Falefa, whose numbers vs RHP are slightly superior.
Gavin Lux, LAD, 2B (Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 13%) – Hey look, Gavin Lux is having a great week (#25)…which he’ll probably follow up with two below-average weeks and a disaster before coming back with another good one. You can try and voodoo yourself to figure out if this is a good week for Lux (vs SEA, vs TB, one LHP) but I’ll continue passing on the hassle.
Desperate Choices
Jace Jung, DET, 2B (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) – Jung is the latest top prospect to get the call but unfortunately, it’s to Detroit, with their cavernous home stadium and lackluster lineup. He had nothing left to prove in the minors but even the best prospects have their ups and downs in the best circumstances, and playing for the Tigers certainly isn’t that. But counterpoint: rostering a prospect lotto ticket is always fun and can be abandoned at any time during this part of the season.
Geraldo Perodomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 5%) – Perdomo hasn’t done anything in Week 21 (#257) but had averaged a 103 APR in the six periods prior. It’s nothing exciting and rarely has a high ceiling but Perodoma and his 15% K% can be your middle-infield band-aid if you’re desperate.
Brendan Rodgers, COL, 2B (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 6%) -One of our Best Choices last time out, Rodgers has a top-75 APR for four straight weeks and now you might be thinking, „Hey, not all of those games could’ve been at home, right? Maybe I should stream Brendan Rodgers on the road???” Umm, I probably wouldn’t suggest it. For one, Rodgers has a .266 wOBA and 68 wRC+ away from Coors this season but for two, Colorado faces six LHP this week. But Nicklaus, isn’t Rodgers much, much better vs LHP? Why yes, friends, he is, with a .375 wOBA and 130 wRC+ vs LHP in 2024, compared to a .304 wOBA and 82 wRC+ vs RHP. But alas, those numbers are also heavily weighted by .470 wOBA and 195 wRC+ vs LHP at home — on the road, Rodgers has a putrid .279 wOBA and 65 wRC+ vs LHP.
On the IL
- Thairo Estrada, SF, 2B/SS (sprained wrist – rehab assignment)
- Nick Gonzales, PIT, 2B (strained groin – no timetable)
- Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained groin – rehab assignment)
- Richie Palacios, TB, 2B/OF (sprained knee – no timetable)
- Jorge Mateo, BAL, 2B/SS (elbow sprain – no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Junior Caminero, TB, 3B (Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 11%) – Remember when we thought Caminero might get called up pre-June. Hardee-har-har, good times are always had by betting on Tampa Bay’s call-up decisions. Caminero is finally up and has started every game since; prospects can flame out but he’s definitely worth a claim to see if that lotto ticket can cash for a little bit this season.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 29%) – Hayes remains generally unexciting but this would be a good week to try and stream yourself a little lighting, as the Pirates are scheduled to face four LHP in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN). Facing LHP this season, Hayes is slashing .309/.383/.469 over 94 PA, with a .369 wOBA and .852 OPS.
Ernie Clement, TOR, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 3%) – Clement has been one of the few bright spots on a third base waiver wire that gets more and more grim by the week. Currently #53 among all hitters for Week 21, Clement and the Blue Jays get six games at home in Week 22 (vs CIN, vs LAA) but only one is scheduled against a left-handed starter.
Next Choices
Jonah Bride, MIA, 1B/3B (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%) – This Bride continues to run away (from his previous reputation ; ), posting a 61 APR in Week 21, after finishing #65 in Week 20, and #79 in Week 19. Since Josh Bell, Jazz Chishom Jr., and Bryan De La Cruz were shipped out, Bride has now started 20 straight games, slashing .269/.390/.522 over 82 PA, with 5 HR and a .389 wOBA. Let’s not start getting carried away but for the time being, at least, Bride is a useful starter that can be streamed until he cools down. Especially in a week that will see the Marlins face four LHP in their six games (vs ARI, vs CHC).
Whit Merrifield, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 17%) – We’ll repeat what we said last week; the best versions of Merrifield are super points-friendly and while this might not be Prime-Whit, Merrifield is playing every day and batting ninth, with Atlanta’s lineup rolling over to a ton of power. With everyday PAs and a 13% K%/11% BB%, Merrifield should continue to be a solid producer with a high floor. This week could be more of a struggle, though, with Atlanta scheduled to face three LHP (vs PHI, vs WSH).
Desperate Choices
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 9%) – He’s unexciting in Roto but IKF has always been a pretty good compiler in points, as long as he’s playing every day. That’s what he’s done since joining Pittsburgh, starting every game since missing the first two due to illness. The Pirates are scheduled against four LHP in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN) but that’s not necessarily a good thing for the right-handed Kiner-Falefa, whose numbers vs RHP are slightly superior.
On the IL
- Brooks Lee, MIN, 3B/SS (biceps tendinitis – no timetable)
- Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained groin – rehab assignment)
- Yoan Moncada, CHW, 3B (strained groin – no timetable)
- Jon Berti, NYY, 3B/SS (strained calf – no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Masyn Winn, STL, SS (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 15%) – Sigh; I really (really!) thought this would be the week that the Roster% world would finally wake up to just how good Winn has been. But alas, I suppose it’s not to be. Winn has a 48 APR in Week 21, making it seven straight weeks in the top 100, averaging #65. But sure, keep him on the wire.
Ernie Clement, TOR, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 3%) – Clement has been one of the few bright spots on a third base waiver wire that gets more and more grim by the week. Currently #53 among all hitters for Week 21, Clement and the Blue Jays get six games at home in Week 22 (vs CIN, vs LAA) but only one is scheduled against a left-handed starter.
Next Choices
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 9%) – He’s unexciting in Roto but IKF has always been a pretty good compiler in points, as long as he’s playing every day. That’s what he’s done since joining Pittsburgh, starting every game since missing the first two due to illness. The Pirates are scheduled against four LHP in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN) but that’s not necessarily a good thing for the right-handed Kiner-Falefa, whose numbers vs RHP are slightly superior.
Desperate Choices
Geraldo Perodomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 5%) – Perdomo hasn’t done anything in Week 21 (#257) but had averaged a 103 APR in the six periods prior. It’s nothing exciting and rarely has a high ceiling but Perodoma and his 15% K% can be your middle-infield band-aid if you’re desperate.
On the IL
- Thairo Estrada, SF, 2B/SS (sprained wrist – no timetable)
- J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (fractured pinkie – no timetable)
- Brooks Lee, MIN, 3B/SS (biceps tendinitis – no timetable)
- Jacob Wilson, OAK, SS (strained hamstring – rehab assignment)
- Wenceel Perez, DET, SS/OF (strained oblique – no timetable)
- Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained groin – rehab assignment)
- Jon Berti, NYY, 3B/SS (strained calf – no timetable)
- Jorge Mateo, BAL, 2B/SS (elbow sprain – no timetable)
Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
TJ Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 32%) – Perhaps people just assumed he reinjured himself already and that’s why he’s still so available? Regardless of the reason for his continued availability, Friedl has been really good since returning from the IL and is worth rostering nearly everywhere he’s still available.
Wilyer Abreu, BOS, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 11%) – If Abreu’s 41 APR in Week 21 holds, that’ll make it three top-60 weeks for him in the last four periods but his Roster% has stayed stubbornly below our cutoff. The left-handed Abreu gets six games in Week 22 (@HOU, vs ARI) with only one scheduled vs an LHP.
Daulton Varsho, TOR, OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 35%) – Varsho has returned to the ranks of the great unwashed on the waiver wire after a big downturn in production but he’s been right back at it for the past few weeks and has a 64 APR in Week 21 after a 107 APR last week. If available, this is a good time to swoop in on his dip.
Joc Pederson, ARI, OF (Yahoo: 49%, ESPN: 17%) – What do we do when Joc Pederson isn’t scheduled against an LHP all week (@MIA, @BOS)? That’s right, Debbie; we start him.
Michael Toglia, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 9%) – Another consistent producer whose Roster% stays frustratingly low, Toglia is tied as the #15 hitter in Week 21 with our guy Carlos Santana. It’s always hard to stream a Rockies hitter on the road (@WSH, @NYY) but Toglia has been good enough away from Coors to warrant a ticket if you’re in need. Plus, he’ll face four LHP, against whom he has a .365 wOBA (.369 xwOBA), 57% HH%, and 18% Brl%.
Next Choices
Bryan De La Cruz, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 18%) – My guy BDLC remains frustratingly inconsistent but this could be a good time to bet on the good version of the new Pirate, with four LHP scheduled in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN). Facing LHP this season, De La Cruz has a .344 xwOBA and 45% HH%.
Whit Merrifield, ATL, 2B/3B/OF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 17%) – We’ll repeat what we said last week; the best versions of Merrifield are super points-friendly and while this might not be Prime-Whit, Merrifield is playing every day and batting ninth, with Atlanta’s lineup rolling over to a ton of power. With everyday PAs and a 13% K%/11% BB%, Merrifield should continue to be a solid producer with a high floor. This week could be more of a struggle, though, with Atlanta scheduled to face three LHP (vs PHI, vs WSH).
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, PIT, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 9%) – He’s unexciting in Roto but IKF has always been a pretty good compiler in points, as long as he’s playing every day. That’s what he’s done since joining Pittsburgh, starting every game since missing the first two due to illness. The Pirates are scheduled against four LHP in their seven games (@TEX, vs CIN) but that’s not necessarily a good thing for the right-handed Kiner-Falefa, whose numbers vs RHP are slightly superior.
Desperate Choices
JJ Bleday, OAK, OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 19%) – The unheralded but athletic A is the #23 hitter headed into Sunday, in what would be his second top-25 finish in the last five weeks. Bleday gets seven games in Week 22 (vs TB, vs MIL), with all but one coming against RHP.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3%) – A new contender for the hyphenated All-Stars, PCA has an 81 APR in Week 21, after finishing #108 in Week 20, and #76 in Week 19. It’s still a question of whether his on-base skills will be good enough to take true advantage of his wheels (.255 OBP, 23 SB) but Crow-Armstrong is worth a stream while he’s running hot.
Jesus Sanchez, MIA, OF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%) – Sanchez has a ho-hum 150 APR in Week 21 but he’s been fairly excellent for a while; Sanchez has averaged a 99 APR over the last seven weeks, with only one (#165) finishing outside of the top 150. This probably isn’t the week to find Jesus, though, as the Marlins are scheduled to face four LHP and Sanchez is generally a black hole against them.
On the IL:
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- Nolan Jones, COL, OF (strained lower back – rehab assignment)
- Kerry Carpenter, DET, OF (back stress fracture – rehab assignment)
- Esteury Ruiz, OAK, OF (strained wrist – no timetable)
- Heston Kjerstad, BAL, OF (concussion – no timetable)
- Kris Bryant, COL, 1B/OF (strained back – no timetable)
- Austin Hays, PHI, OF (strained hamstring – no timetable)
- Wenceel Perez, DET, SS/OF (strained oblique – no timetable)
- Blake Perkins, MIL, OF (strained calf – no timetable)
- Chris Taylor, LAD, 2B/3B/SS/OF (strained groin – rehab assignment)
- Richie Palacios, TB, 2B/OF (sprained knee – no timetable)
- Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (back discomfort – no timetable)
- Joey Gallo, WSH, 1B/OF (strained hamstring – rehab assignment)
- Josh Palacios, PIT, OF (strained hamstring – rehab assignment)
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Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Choices
Joey Bart, PIT, C (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 6%) – The Joey Bart renaissance continues, with our best choice last week coming through with an 86 APR headed into Sunday’s action. Bart hasn’t had any competition for playing time since the start of August and is now slashing a silly .278/.353/.521 over 190 PA this season, with a .374 wOBA and .480 wOBA (on contact). He’s a great pickup and keep but Bart looks particularly threatening in Week 22, as the Pirates are scheduled to face four LHP in their seven games. Small sample caveats apply but facing left-handers in 47 PA this season, Bart is slashing .442/.489/.767, with a .530 wOBA, 1.256 OPS, and 50% HH%.
Shea Langeliers, OAK, C (Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 19%) – Langeliers is up to an impressive (for a catcher) 110 APR and gets seven games (vs TB, vs MIL), with only one scheduled vs the left-handers that he struggles against.
Next Choices
Freddie Fermin, KC, C (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%) – Fermin has now started five straight games and has finished with a top 75 APR in two of the last three weeks. The Royals have six games in Week 22 (vs LAA, vs PHI), with three scheduled vs LHP. Facing lefties this year, Fermin is slashing .362/.443/.464, with a .400 wOBA and .907 OPS.
Tyler Stephenson, CIN, C (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 28%) – Stephenson has a 113 APR in Week 21 entering Sunday but has been on a tear since Week 16, with only one hiccup (#3, #72, #250, #28, #60, #113) in the middle. The Reds have seven games in Week 22 (@TOR, @PIT) but only one is scheduled versus the lefties that Stephenson tends to do far more damage against.
Keibert Ruiz, WSH, C (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 45%) – Ruiz is on his way to posting yet another top 100 performance, running a 70 APR headed into Sunday after finishing with a 69 APR in the prior period. He might be more of a slapping hitter but that can work out in points if you also never really whiff (11% K% in 2024).
Desperate Choices
Travis d’Arnaud, ATL, C (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 11%) – He’s a part-time player but this is as good as any to try and stream d’Arnaud, who has been somewhat hot recently, finishing in the top 100(ish) of all hitters in two of the last three weeks. However, the better reason is that Atlanta is scheduled to face LHP in three of their six games, against whom d’Arnaud has a .395 wOBA, .427 xwOBA, and .965 OPS.
Connor Wong, BOS, C (Yahoo: 49%, ESPN: 21%) – Wong has dropped below our Roster% Threshold after a combination of lackluster production and the acquirement of Danny Jansen possibly threatening his playing time. However, he’s turned things around lately at the plate while still being the unquestioned everyday starter. The matchups (@HOU, vs ARI) aren’t great for Week 22, though, with only one left-handed starter scheduled.
On the IL
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