While some of the top fantasy catchers have lived up to expectations, several have been busts. Only a few in the late rounds have exceeded expectations and the fantasy baseball waiver wire hasn't been great for the position. All of a sudden, several options have emerged off the waiver wire this week.

Injuries have created opportunities for a couple and two top prospects were called up. That doesn't include the Braves' Travis d'Arnaud, who could become an option if Sean Murphy misses time. Murphy left Saturday's game with a mild hamstring injury. 

Trying to find a closer off the waiver wire has also been difficult in the 2023 MLB season. Many of the top closers have been the best in fantasy and there have been few pickups off the waiver wire this season. There are a few free agents available that could help for the short term and get some saves with the possibility of staying in the role the rest of the season. Here are some players that could be available in your league.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups – Hitters

Luis Matos OF, San Francisco Giants (38% – Yahoo, 8.9% – ESPN)

Matos has started in every game since he was called up, which is a good sign since the Giants like to platoon. Matos has yet to strike out in his first 12 at-bats and walked five times and stole a base. In 109 at-bats in Triple-A, he slashed .398/.435./.685 with 21 runs, seven home runs, 20 RBI, and six stolen bases with a 6.9% strikeout rate.

Danny Jansen, C, Toronto Blue Jays (17% – Yahoo, 14.1% – ESPN)

Alejandro Kirk was placed on the injured list, opening more playing time for Jansen. Since coming off the injured list, Jansen is 5-for-20 with three home runs and four RBIs. Jansen has nine home runs and 30 RBIs 42 games. Jansen had an .855 OPS last season with 15 home runs in 72 games.

Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros (4% – Yahoo, 0.8% – ESPN)

While the other rookie catchers that recently get called up get the attention, Diaz will come cheaper and is the better option. He has been playing consistently as the designated hitter with Yordan Alvarez injured. In June, he is 16-for-48 with five doubles, four home runs and eight RBIs. For the season, he is batting .275 with 15 runs, six home runs, and 13 RBIs in 109 at-bats,

Henry Davis, C, Pittsburgh Pirates (31% – Yahoo, 5.7% – ESPN)

Davis was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft and was called up on Monday. He's expected to play regularly in right field. Davis played 41 games at Double-A this season and moved to Triple-A for 10 games. Davis had walk rates over 17% at both levels along with a .433 on-base percentage. He combined for 11 home runs and nine stolen bases in the 41 games. Davis made his debut Monday night and went 1-for-3 with a double and played right field.

Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians (14% – Yahoo, 2.3% – ESPN)

The Guardians designated Mike Zunino for assignment, paving the way for Naylor to the majors. Naylor strikes out often, but the power will be there. He had 21 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season. In 60 games at Triple-A this season, Naylor slashed .253/.393/.498 with 45 runs, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and two stolen bases.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers (22% – Yahoo, 10.9% – ESPN)

Torkelson started the season slowly, but has been getting better as the season goes along. Torkelson has walk rates of at least 11% in May and June along with a .798 OPS in June. He has four home runs and 10 RBIs over his last 16 games.

Tommy Pham, OF, New York Mets (8% – Yahoo, 2.5% – ESPN)

Pham has been playing every day and hitting the ball hard. In June, he is 16-for-49 with nine runs, four home runs, 14 RBIs and a stolen base. Pham has seven home runs and six stolen bases in 139 at-bats.

Samad Taylor, 2B, Kansas City Royals (4% – Yahoo, 0.8% – ESPN)

Taylor has started the first three games since being called up. He is 2-for-10 with two runs and two RBIs. Taylor can help in stolen bases. He was hitting .304/.409/.463 with six home runs and 34 stolen bases in 62 games at Triple-A this season and had 23 steals in 70 games at Triple-A last season. 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Brayan Bello, SP, Boston Red Sox (38% – Yahoo, 16% – ESPN)

How many times do I have to write about Bello? He should be on the majority of rosters as he continues to pitch better. Bello has pitched at least seven innings in three of the last five starts. Bello has pitched at least five innings and allowed fewer than two earned runs in seven of his last nine starts. In those nine starts, Bello has a 2.60 ERA. Bello's sinker has helped lead to a 58.2% ground ball rate.  

Braxton Garrett, SP, Miami Marlins (49% – Yahoo, 24% – ESPN)

Garrett is another player that has been mentioned here many times. It could be due to him not going deep into games. Garrett has pitched six innings twice, including his last start on a season-high 90 pitches, so maybe the Marlins will let him get to 100 pitches soon. In his last seven starts, he has a 2.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with a 49:8 K:BB ratio over 33 innings.

Emmet Sheehan, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (31% – Yahoo, 8.6% – ESPN)

Manager Dave Roberts said Sheehan will make at least one more start after a good debut. If he pitches well, he could stay in the starting rotation even when Julio Urias returns. Sheehan pitched six scoreless innings and allowed no hits, walked two and struck out three against the Giants. One of the concerns was he only had four swinging strikes. Sheehan dominated at Double-A this season and skipped Triple-A entirely. Sheehan made a quick rise for the Dodgers this season and skipped Triple-A. In 53.1 innings at Double-A, he had 88 strikeouts with 23 walks and allowed 24 hits with a 1.86 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.

Scott McGough, RP, Arizona Cardinals (25% – Yahoo, 3.9% – ESPN)

McGough is starting to take over the closer role. Miguel Castro has struggled and pitched the eighth inning of an 8-1 game on Monday. Andrew Chafin could be in the mix also, but McGough is worth adding if available. He has two saves in his last four appearances and hasn't allowed an earned run since May 12. Over his last 18.2 innings, he has allowed two unearned runs with seven hits and a 25:7 K:BB ratio.

Jordan Hicks, RP, St. Louis Cardinals (22% – Yahoo, 2.1% – ESPN)

Ryan Helsley is on the injured list and most thought Giovanny Gallegos, who was splitting closing duties with Helsley, would take the role. Gallegos got the first chance and blew the save. Hicks got the chance to close it out the last three days and converted all of them. Hicks' command has been a big problem, but he has walked only five over his last 15.1 innings. He has 49 strikeouts over 31.1 innings. Helsley isn't expected to be out long, so Hicks might only help short-term. 

Jason Foley, RP, Detroit Tigers (1% – Yahoo, 0.9% – ESPN)

Foley is a speculative add for saves. Alex Lange has been the closer, but has struggled lately. On Sunday, he allowed two hits and a walk for three runs without recording an out. Foley replaced him and struck out four over two innings to get the save. On Monday, Lange got the save chance and retired the side in order for his 11th save. Lang has allowed nine hits, 10 runs, walked five and struck out six over his last six innings. Foley has a 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 23% strikeout rate and a 5.7% walk rate. If Lange continues to struggle, Foley will see more save opportunities.

 

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