Dont sleep on the catcher position when there are upgrades on the waiver wire
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...