Categories? Where we’re going, we don’t need categories.
Some people just prefer good old-fashioned points leagues where pitchers and hitters are rewarded more for their volume and discipline than the flashy stats and ratios. Well, obviously, they go hand-in-hand… but we’re digging for the players that roto leagues left behind. On the hitting side, points leagues tend to reward contact skills and plate discipline, giving points for walks and total bases while penalizing strikeouts (in most formats). Meanwhile, pitchers tend to accumulate points for innings pitched, strikeouts, quality starts, and wins.
Let’s take a spin through the first half and see which players that might be available on the waiver wire could come in handy after the All-Star Break in points leagues.
Strap in as we accelerate to 88 mph (and beyond), highlighting players that have been overlooked and under-rostered in most points leagues formats. Scoop up these guys to make your league mates think you got your hands on Biff’s Almanac.
NOTE: Every points league has slightly different scoring settings, so bear that in mind as you read through the suggestions.
Carter Jensen, C, KCR
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (C): 9th
36.6% rostered (ESPN)
I keep coming back to Jensen because he still isn’t rostered in enough leagues. The leadoff hitter for the Royals, Jensen is getting more at-bats than almost every other catcher in the league meaning he has more opportunities to score points than anyone else at the position. He closed the first half with a rough series in Baltimore, but the time off should do the rookie good as he comes back refreshed for the second half.
Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, TOR
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (3B): 8th
52.0% rostered (ESPN)
Okamoto has been largely ignored in points leagues due to his high strikeout rate, but the production offsets the penalty in so many ways. Okamoto bats every day in the heart of the Blue Jays order and has made solid contact at an excellent rate (when he makes contact). The 9.4% walk rate is helpful, but the 22 home runs and 62 RBI are really what drive his value. His slow start should be attributed to acclimation. It ought to be wheels up for the second half.
Brooks Lee, 2B/SS, MIN
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (2B): 12th
43.5% rostered (ESPN)
The Twins have provided a handful of surprises for fantasy baseball this season, Brooks Lee has been one of the main players to provide more production than projected. Already nearing career highs in almost every offensive category, Lee has improved his strikeout percentage, walk percentage and hard contact rate from a year ago. His 20.9% HR/FB rate is super helpful as well, though may be less sustainable than his other numbers. At second base, he’s easily in the conversation as an every-week starter.
Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B/OF, BOS
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (OF): 32nd
45.6% rostered (ESPN)
What if Rafaela hasn’t broken out yet? The Boston utility man has improved in nearly all of offensive categories so far this season except for one – his barrel percentage is nearly half (4.5%) of what it was last season and significantly below his career rate. If Rafaela can barrel more balls in the second half while maintaining the rest of his contact metrics, we could see even more exciting fantasy production from him. I’m on board for a second half breakout. Second base eligibility is appealing too!
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, ARZ
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 14th
64.4% rostered (ESPN)
Maybe the best kept secret in pitching so far this season, Rodriguez has quietly had himself an incredible first half, posting an 8-3 record with quality starts in 10 out of 15 outings, including each of his last five starts of the first half. Managers would surely love to see the WHIP lower in the second half, but 1.17 is palatable when it comes with a 2.29 ERA and eight wins. If he can rein in the control and limit the walks (8.4%) he is the type of arm that could turn the tide after the break.
Jacob Latz, RP, TEX
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (RP): 8th
56.7% rostered (ESPN)
The rootin’ tootin’ Texas reliever has been outstanding in the first half and continues to go under-rostered in ESPN leagues. Through the first half he ranks third in the AL with 18 saves and doesn’t seem to have any competition for ninth-inning duties in the Lone Star State. The only thing that worries me about Latz is whether or not he can maintain his role after the trade deadline. The Rangers hold a narrow lead atop the AL West and could acquire a high-leverage bullpen arm like Kenley Jansen or Emilio Pagán.
