The waiver wire is one of the most interesting aspects of fantasy baseball because this is the only fantasy game where you can completely revamp your system. Most fantasy football teams are decided by the draft, but that’s not the case with baseball. You can get yourself a few photos throughout the year that can turn your average list into a champion. That’s our main goal here because we want to combine multiple assets throughout the season. We’ve had quite a few in the opening month, and we’ll look to keep that going here! With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s waiver wire options!
The stats and rankings below were updated on 4/24. All rostership percentages are at Yahoo.
Feel free to comment here or contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
Also, check out my Streamers article coming out tomorrow.
THE CATCHERS
10/12 Team additions
Carter Jensen (KC, 34% Rostership) – This is the deepest position to play in recent years, and it’s hard to believe that a guy like Jensen is still widely available. The youngster came up with a .391 OBP and .941 OPS in limited time last season and has looked the same this year. He played almost every day for the Royals, registering a .417 OBP and 1.071 OPS over his last 16 outings. Those are ridiculous averages from a pitcher, and we like that he has a road series in Sacramento this week against a bad A’s pitching staff.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 37% Rostership), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 31% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Gary Sanchez (MIL, 6% Rostership) – We had Sanchez in this category last week, and he may stay in it until he is included in more teams. This former stud also caught something with the Brewers. He has been hitting in the cleanup every day in Milwaukee, maintaining a .391 OBP, .582 SLG and .973 OPS in back-to-back campaigns. Milwaukee can’t keep him in their lineup with Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich out, so Sanchez should continue to clean up and be in the lineup every day. We also like Sanchez’s schedule this week, which features Arizona and Washington.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 17% Rostership), Kyle Teel (CWS, 11% Rostership), Samuel Basallo (BAL, 22% Rostership)
THE INFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Isaac Paredes (3B, HOU, 39% Rostership) – Paredes got off to a rough start this season, but it looks like he’s about to turn it around. Our favorite part about Paredes is that he is the third or fifth best hitter in baseball. That’s already a big bump in the waiver wire, but Paredes has shown he can be a legend. He had a .350 OBP and .793 OPS over the past three seasons and has been one of the best hitters in baseball. That should be good for Houston going forward, given the Crawford Box, though it has six road games this week. It’s actually six profitable road trips, against the Orioles and Red Sox. Not to mention, Paredes could find eligibility at first and second base sometime in the next month.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Xander Bogaerts (2B, SD, 40% Rostership), Matt McLain (2B, CIN, 49% Rostership), Max Muncy (3B, LAD, 40% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Josh Jung (3B, TEX, 20% Rostership) – One of my favorite words in sports fiction is “post-hype sleeper.” This word always seems to happen in baseball more than all sports because we always have players who struggle after being called up. It just takes time for these prospects to find you, and Jung did just that. The third baseman has a .383 AVG, .455 OBP, .745 SLG and 1.199 OPS over his last 13 games. That’s an interesting development for Rangers fans because he had a .372 OBP and .894 OPS throughout his minor league career. People also forget that injuries have slowed Jung down in recent years, and sometimes it’s just health that keeps these post-hype guys going the right way.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Jake Bauers (MIL, 1B/OF, 20% Rostership), Amed Rosario (NYY, SS 6% Rostership), Ildemaro Vargas (ARI, 1B/2B, 12% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY, 47% Rostership) – It wasn’t clear how much Stanton would play this season, but all those questions have been answered. The slugger has reached fifth in nine of his last 10 games. That’s all fantasy management wanted to see, and there’s no reason for Stanton to sit on the waiver wire as an everyday player. We’re talking about a guy who had a .350 OBP, .594 SLG and .944 OPS last season. He’s also approaching 500 home runs and should have plenty of RBI opportunities in the heart of this formidable NY lineup. That’s exciting as they face the Rangers and Orioles this week.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Jac Caglione (KC, 56% Rostership), Trent Grisham (NYY, 41% Rostership), Daylen Lile (WAS, 53% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Garrett Mitchell (MIL, 14% Rostership) – We just talked about how Milwaukee is cut right now, and those outside injuries have opened up Mitchell to success. We’ve seen this guy hit anywhere from first to fifth in recent weeks, and he plays almost every day. He earned that promotion by providing a .421 OBP and .828 OPS this season. Mitchell also added five steals to his resume, but we shouldn’t be surprised since he had a .381 OBP, .807 OPS and 41 steals in 158 minor league games. He also benefits from the Arizona and Washington matchups we mentioned in writing about Sanchez.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Troy Johnston (COL, 6% Rostership), Marcell Ozuna (PIT, 9% Rostership), Eloy Jimenez (TOR, 1% Rostership)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
Clay Holmes (NYM, 54% Rostership) – It’s surprising to see Holmes sitting on almost 50 percent of Yahoo. The guy has been a solid hitter throughout his career, compiling a 3.16 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 455 innings since 2021. That’s a sustained success rate, and it looks even better now that he has a 2.10 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through five starts this season. He has also allowed two runs or less in all five starts and needs to be removed from all right of relief as soon as he is expected to have a week one against the Nationals and Angels. None of those on the list worry us, and K’s terrible rate should help him reach 10 Ks as well.
Recommended FAAB %: 10-15%
Landen Roupp (SF, 51% Rostership) – This is another dish that needs to be picked up from all the drop lines. We’re always excited about potential Giants pitchers coming up because San Fran owns the most expansive park, and that’s exactly what’s happening with Roupp. The righty allowed one or fewer runs in four of his five starts while registering a 2.28 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 average. That compares well with his 4-1 record, and even more impressive is that his ERA and WHIP are under 1.00 along the way. He has a road start this week, and it’s scary to think how good he could be with those road stats and San Fran’s big park in his favor. Jakkers recently did a deep dive on him on Friday as well.
Recommended FAAB %: 5-10%
QUICK HITS: Casey Mize (DET, 53% Rostership), Jake Wrobleski (LAD, 36% Rostership), Andrew Abbott (CIN, 49% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Jacob Lopez (ATH, 4% Rostership) – I’ve always admired Lopez’s stuff, but the numbers have him sitting on almost every waiver wire out there. It’s easy to understand why, as this lefty has a 5.70 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. Those numbers will get him overlooked across the league, but he’s actually allowed three runs or fewer in four of his five starts. In addition, Lopez had a 2.17 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 in his last 13 starts last year before being pulled last year. That kind of run is consistent with his 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 during his minor league career. We’re willing to take a risk on him here because Lopez has a first week against the Royals and Guardian. Kansas City sits 24th in xwOBA while Cleveland was dead last in that stat last season.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
Lucas Giolito (SD, 5% Rostership) – It was shocking to see Giolito sit as a free agent for so long, but San Diego is a sexy landing spot. Not only is it one of the friendliest parks, but his division also has two cupcake matchups. Giolito isn’t quite the producer he once was, but people may forget that he was an ace at one point. He had a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 in his last three seasons with the White Sox and had a 3.41 ERA with Boston last year. That’s all you can hope for in a deep league waiver wire addition, and reports say Giolito should meet with the Padres for about three weeks.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Bailey Ober (MIN, 21% Rostership), Yuseki Kikuchi (LAA, 23% Rostership), Dustin May (STL, 18% Rostership)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
Tanner Scott (LAD, 44% Rostership) – This is a very easy download. The Dodgers have lost Edwin Diaz for the next three months and said they will be following the committee closely. We have to think that Scott will get more opportunities because he has been at the top level before. Scott had 77 saves between 2022 and 2025, collecting 23 for the Dodgers last year. Most importantly, he has taken the starting spot since Diaz’s injury and has a 0.84 ERA and 0.57 WHIP so far this season. If Scott resumes his role as the Dodger’s center fielder, he could lead the league in saves until Diaz returns, as this is the best team in baseball.
Recommended FAAB %: 10%
QUICK HITS: Ryan Walker (SF, 61% Rostership), Joel Kuhnel (ATH, 26% Rostership), Louie Varland (TOR, 26% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Ben Brown (CHC, 2% Rostership) – Daniel Palencia just arrived in IL, so someone needs to fill the gig next door in Chicago. Caleb Thielbar appeared to be next in line, but a hamstring strain sent him to the IL as well. That leaves Brown as the only real option left, and he’s a speculative addition in every league where saves matter. The righty has a 1.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 since his debut.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Victor Vodnik (COL, 9% Rostership), Nick Martinez (TB, 13% Rostership), Chase Dollander (COL, 11% Rostership)
