When scanning your fantasy baseball waiver wire each week, it’s always best to simplify your approach by focusing on just three specific targets: the best available hitter, the best available starting pitcher, and a high-potential catcher upgrade.
While elite hitters and arms naturally draw the most attention, the catcher position is where savvy managers quietly gain a competitive edge.
Because so many fantasy managers punt the position after missing out on a top five option, the waiver wire is constantly populated with usable backstops.
If you are rolling with a zero-catcher strategy or surviving on a black hole of production, the upcoming week offers three perfect targets to instantly boost your roster.
First, look to the Cleveland Guardians where Patrick Bailey, acquired from the San Francisco Giants last month, has received high praise from manager, and former catcher, Stephen Vogt. While his season-long overview numbers might not jump off the page, Bailey’s recent form demands immediate attention.
Over his last five games, he is sizzling at the plate, slashing .385/.467/.385. This recent surge makes Bailey an incredibly easy starting option in Cleveland. More importantly, his defensive wizardry guarantees him a spot on the field, as he instantly slots in as the best defensive catcher on the Guardians roster.
If his bat stays hot to close out the first half of the season, adding Bailey provides a massive and unexpected boost to your team’s batting average and on-base totals.
Another prime target is Houston Astros backstop Yainer Diaz, who recently returned from a stint on the injured list, meaning an impatient manager in your league may have cut him loose. He has wasted no time hitting his stride since his activation, batting .278 with a home run over his last five games.
Diaz possesses the raw power and run-producing environment in Houston to be a top-tier fantasy asset when healthy. Securing him off waivers gives you a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat out of your catcher slot.
Finally, do not overlook Kyle Teel of the Chicago White Sox. Much like Diaz, Teel recently came off the injured list and has immediately re-established himself as the primary catcher for the White Sox. Teel brings a highly coveted blend of athletic pedigree and consistent playing time to a position where steady at-bats are incredibly hard to find. By locking down everyday reps in Chicago, he offers a stable floor with plenty of post-hype upside for the second half of the season.
Winning a fantasy championship requires maximizing every single spot on your roster. Instead of letting your catcher position drain your weekly statistics, execute this three-pronged waiver strategy.
Snag your impact hitter, grab your streaming pitcher, and fix your backstop situation by targeting Bailey, Diaz or Teel before your league mates catch on.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy, catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest baseball news and advice from Fantasy Alarm.
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