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. Fantasy managers are beginning to grow tired of poor hitting performances, and waiver wires are piling up with great bats off to cold starts.
There were a couple of hits and a couple of misses last week as Dalton Rushing didn’t accomplish much with his additional playing time and Noah Cameron got knocked around a bit on the mound. Paul Goldschmidt was excellent and made me (and other fantasy managers who grabbed him) look and feel really smart! Reid Detmers twirled a gem last time out too. It’s nice to get a couple of them right once in awhile!
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 Projected Positional Ranking (C): 28th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (C): 10th
22.2% rostered (ESPN)
Jensen has been an incredible points league asset the past couple of weeks. Not only is he hitting well, but he’s also leading off against right-handed pitching. Splitting time between catcher and designated hitter, Jensen has been getting near everyday at-bats, as much as anyone in the league ranking seventh among MLB catchers in at-bats with 235 this season. Carrying an 11-game hitting streak into the weekend, Jensen is batting .288 with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored since June 3rd.
Blaze Jordan, 1B/3B, STL
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: N/A
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: N/A
10.7% rostered (ESPN)
Aside from having one of the best names in baseball, Blaze Jordan is a prospect that was recently called up by the St. Louis Cardinals who fits really nicely in points league formats. The key to his points league success: he puts the ball in play. Jordan struck out twice in his MLB debut (along with two hits), but hasn’t been rung up in 26 at-bats since. With a strikeout rate of less than 10%, and some pop in the bat, he should be in serious consideration in all points league formats with a strikeout penalty.
Willi Castro, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, COL
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (2B): 39th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (2B): 30th
23.1% rostered (ESPN)
My sweet baby boy! Anyone who has listened to Scott Chu and I on the Hacks & Jacks podcast know that I’ve been a Willi Castro stan since he was signed by the Rockies this offseason. And finally, the man eligible at every fantasy baseball hitter position is starting to rake. Batting .340 with three home runs and 13 RBI since June 1st, Castro is taking full advantage of Coors Field (and the rinky-dink Las Vegas part to a lesser extent) to boost his production. His positional eligibility makes him a huge asset, and he ought to be rostered way more than 23% in points leagues.
Wyatt Langford, OF, TEX
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (OF): 24th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (OF): 112th
58.1% rostered (ESPN)
It seems like over 40% of ESPN fantasy baseball are asleep at the wheel – HOW IS WYATT LANGFORD AVAILABLE IN SO MANY LEAGUES? Langford missed significant time to begin the season but has been back in action for over two weeks now. After shaking off the rust, he’s finally started to heat up with three home runs and a stolen base in his last five games. This is a no-brainer. Race to your waiver wire, find Langford, and if he’s available snatch him up YESTERDAY!
Dustin May, SP, STL
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: 125th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 29th
40.1% rostered (ESPN)
Is Dustin May for real? Nick is starting to buy in! May tossed a complete game against the Padres last time out, flirting with perfection and throwing just 101 pitches. He’s hitting the top of the zone with his fastball, working in a cutter and sinker AND getting swings and misses with the sweeper. It’s the perfect combination for fantasy success for the former Dodger, and it seems like the Cardinals are looking to him every fifth day to hold down their rotation as an ace. He’s starting to fit the bill.
Jacob Latz, RP, TEX
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (RP): 217th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (RP): 10th
36.3% rostered (ESPN)
What if I told you that the fifth-highest scoring closer in MLB is available in over half of ESPN leagues? Seems like the majority of the fantasy industry is sleeping on the soon-to-be All-Star, Jacob Latz. The Rangers’ closer has recorded saves in each of his last eight outings, including a pair of six-out saves. He’s a stud and he’s on the waiver wire in over 60% of ESPN leagues. To be able to pick up an elite relief arm at this point of the season could swing the tides for the rest of the year. Do it now before your league mates catch on.
