It’s the All-Catcher version of the Waiver Wire. For those who went late on Catcher at the draft table, the rewards have been great. For those who didn’t, there are some solid options available that should generate considerable interest in two-catcher formats. Go get em!
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Miguel Amaya, C, CHC (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
Well, Amaya hasn’t flashed any power yet but does manage to lead all Catchers with seven RBI. It is a small sample size, but so are the number of Fantasy teams taking advantage of this hot streak.
Jordan Beck, OF, COL (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Beck flashed the power in the Spring and now has a pair of stolen bases early in the season. He was rostered at 8% last week and 9% this week. That’s simply not enough growth for the potential rewards.
Osvaldo Bido, SP, OAK (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Bido wasn’t particularly sharp in his season debut, allowing four walks, but limited the damage to only one earned run in gaining his first 2025 win. In deeper Leagues, a small bid is in order.
Sean Burke, SP, CWS (CBS: 39% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered)
An ace is born, at least on the South Side.
Hunter Goodman, C/OF, COL (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
We have yet to witness the power from Hunter Goodman, but it will surface. What is important is that he has started back-to-back games at Catcher and has gone 3-for-8. Add the OF eligibility, and you have a solid backup Catcher and outfield depth, all neatly rolled into one package.
Jonah Heim, C, TEX (CBS: 17% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered)
That two-home run game should serve as a reminder that there is a very good chance the 2025 results will be closer to 2023 than 2024. Heim is currently rostered at 17% in CBS Leagues. Why?
Jack Leiter, SP, TEX (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Leiter got out of the gate strong, tossing five solid innings of five hit one run ball. He limited the free passes to a scant one, a very positive sign. Let’s see what Rich has to say about Mr. Leiter. “I’ve written about Leiter extensively, so I’ll keep this year’s update brief. He boasts a substantial arsenal, featuring a fastball that can reach 98 MPH (with an average of 95.6 MPH) and a solid slider and changeup. Everything plays up because of his impressive extension (6.8 feet). However, he struggles to throw strikes, which suggests that this is who he will be. It’s odd because his mechanics are quite simple. He just can’t repeat them.
There’s a chance he figures it out, but realistically, he’s likely a high-end number four pitcher who will show flashes of being much better than that—much like I viewed Jon Gray early in his career. There’s also a non-zero chance that he will be moved to the bullpen.
Zack Littell, SP, TBR (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
Littell got out of the gate strong, tossing six innings of four hit no walk ball with seven strikeouts and allowing but a single earned run in a tough-luck 2-to-1 loss to the Rockies. Last year, he posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 141 strikeouts over 156 1/3 IP. That 18% rosterability seems a tad on the low side.
Kameron Misner, OF, TBR (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Richie Palacios fractured his finger and will be lost for several weeks. Yesterday, Josh Lowe suffered a strained right oblique and is heading to the IL for at least several weeks. Kameron Misner, who has already hit a home run this season, is likely to be the beneficiary. What I do find interesting is that Misner’s Minor League numbers are very Josh Lowe-ish in nature.
Jorge Polanco, 2B, SEA (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
The skills have always been solid and remain solid. The problem of late has been staying healthy and on the field. He is currently and shouldn’t be ignored.
Ben Rice, 1B, NYY (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
He’s currently platooning, sitting against southpaws, but for how long? The power is of the “big boy” variety, and until the return of Giancarlo Stanton (which could be a while), he’s deserving of a spot on your Fantasy squad.
Keibert Ruiz, C, WAS (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 74% rostered)
Just another boring two-homer start to the season for what, early on, looks like an opportunity to invest in a solid bounce-back season. At the very least, one should roster Ruiz as a #2 catcher in two-catcher formats.
Victor Scott II, OF, STL (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered)
Saturday, Scott got the wheels wheeling and swiped his first two bases of the ’25 campaign. If he can consistently put the ball in play, an easy 40 thefts are there for the taking.
Lenyn Sosa, 2B/3B, CWS (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
When he hits it, it’s with authority. When he doesn’t, the odds are high he’s walking back to the dugout. He’s also on the White Sox, which improves his opportunities for regular playing time.
Kyle Stowers, OF, MIA (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
He’s going to play every day and hit at the top of the order, probably in the two-hole. The counting stats won’t be high, but if you’re looking for an everyday bat for injury replacement purposes, he could fill that void.
Leody Taveras, OF, TEX (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
He’s still only 26 years old and off to a great start with a pair of stolen bases. Evan Carter might be the center fielder of the future, but the future isn’t here yet. Leody Taveras and his 10-to-15 homers and 20 thefts is now.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, DET (CBS: 50% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered)
Spencer Torkelson has followed up a great Spring with a hot start to the ’25 campaign, going 4-for-9 with a home run and an impressive (for Torkelson) 5/4 BB/K ratio. This week will prove to be the last opportunity to board the Torkelson train!
Closer Report
Jose Alvarado, PHI (CBS: 20% rostered, ESPN: 6%)
It’s crowded in the Philly bullpen, and Jordan Romano didn’t make his case for the everyday closer role, as he tossed 29 pitches and allowed a pair of runs, blowing the save in his first opportunity in Philly. Jose Alvarado has the resume that suggests he’d be next in line, but both Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering are very capable of getting the job done.
Graham Ashcraft, CIN (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Emilio Pagan might have the job, but after living through the seven blown saves back in 2022, there isn’t enough Maalox available at my local pharmacy for me to take that plunge. I’ll go with what I think is a better long-term play and plunk down a buck or three on recently converted starter Graham Ashcraft. He has all the qualifications to work late into games with that solid mid-nineties’ fastball and a career 1.42 WHIP.
Jason Foley, DET (CBS: 28% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Jason Foley posted a 3.15 ERA last year with 28 saves in 32 opportunities. He had a rough spring ERA-wise but did post a 10/0 K/BB ratio. Do the Tigers hate him or what? Brieske has been risky, so Foley might be back sooner rather than later.
Porter Hodge, CHC (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 11% rostered)
Ryan Pressly got the save last night but struggled. He allowed two runs, and if not for a game-ending baserunning gaffe by Garrett Hampson, he could have taken his first blown save of the year. He has also allowed runs in both of his outings in Week 1 of the regular season. Meanwhile, Porter Hodge has made three appearances and has yet to allow a run, with five punchouts in the books. Hodge will earn saves this year, and that number could be a bit higher than was originally estimated.
Justin Slaten, BOS (CBS: 26% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
Liam Hendriks is expected to spend at least the first couple of weeks of the season on the injured list with a compressed nerve in his right elbow, which will likely move Justin Slaten into the setup role, at the very least. Slaten already has his first save in the books. There will be more to follow.
Blake Treinen, LAD (CHC: 20% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered)
The Dodgers spent a substantial amount on the offseason signing of Tanner Scott, but that doesn’t mean he will automatically “own” the ninth inning. It looks like Dave Roberts will mix and match, and Blake Treinen will be part and parcel to his plans for ninth inning duties.
