Each week, we’ll look at a handful of players who fantasy managers should consider picking up in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Many of these players will have the most value in larger leagues where waiver wire options aren’t as plentiful. Still, they could also occasionally be useful additions in other, more standard-sized leagues, depending on your options at each position.
All roster percentages mentioned in this column are via FantasyPros as of Friday afternoon.
Aaron Ashby – 1%
A starter for much of his career, Aaron Ashby has operated predominantly out of the bullpen for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 27-year-old found success in the role last year and has continued that in 2025.
So far in 49.1 innings, the right-hander has pitched to a sparkling 2.01 and 2.86 FIP in 29 appearances, often working in a multi-inning role for the National League Central franchise.
Ashby has also added 56 strikeouts compared to 17 walks and three home runs allowed. And while he’s not overwhelming with saves and holds numbers, the reliever has logged three holds, a pair of saves and two pitcher wins in his 29 appearances so far and could, speculatively speaking, be a candidate to see save chances in situations after Abner Uribe with Trevor Megill on the injured list.
Uribe is second in the Milwaukee bullpen in fWAR after Megill, but Ashby ranks third among Brewers both in fWAR and saves so far.
Elsewhere, Ashby has been elite at missing bats and inducing grounders – not to mention limiting loud contact.
The left-hander ranks in the 86th percentile league-wide with a 28.7% strikeout rate, while ranking in the 97th (60.5%), 84th (35.3%) and 100th (2.5%) percentile, respectively, in ground-ball rate, hard-hit rate and barrel rate.
He’s very much worth a look to help keep weekly ERA and WHIP numbers down, with the potential to add some ancillary saves and a few holds.
Carmen Mlodzinski – 1%
Sticking with the theme of relievers who can help keep your weekly ERA and WHIP numbers down – all the while adding a few strikeouts here and there – Carmen Mlodzinski has been decidedly effective for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025.
The 26-year-old right-hander has enjoyed a solid season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitching to a 3.86 ERA and a 3.56 FIP in 27 appearances spanning 84 innings of work for the National League Central club. Of those 27 appearances, 11 have been starts for the hurler, who has logged three pitcher wins and a pair of holds along the way.
Mlodzinski has started just two games in the majors since May 17, but he’s routinely logged multiple innings in his relief outings for the Pirates.
For the season, the right-hander is sporting a 2.96 FIP as a reliever with a noticeably higher strikeout rate.
As a reliever this season, the right-hander is sporting a 25.5% strikeout rate and a 5.2% walk rate. As a starter, both of those numbers check in at 16.9% and 7.2% respectively.
What’s more, opponents have also managed a significantly lower wOBA (.287) against Mlodzinski when he’s pitching out of the bullpen compared to when he’s starting (.345).
Matt Svanson – 1%
Svanson, similar to Ashby, has found success this season in part by limiting loud contact. The 26-year-old entered play on Friday, ranking in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate. Among qualified relievers, just 23 pitchers have a lower hard-hit rate against this season.
Overall, the 26-year-old has pitched to a 2.18 ERA and a 3.21 FIP in 29 appearances spanning 45.1 innings of work for the Cardinals this year— 45.1 innings of work that included a 26.4% strikeout rate and a 9.2% walk rate so far.
Elsewhere, with mid-season trades of established relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz, Svanson has cemented his role as a trusted late-inning option for the Cardinals, giving him plenty of upside for holds down the stretch.
The right-hander is just one of four Cardinals relief pitchers with multiple high-leverage appearances out of the bullpen since the calendar flipped to August.
With an elevated strikeout rate, the ability to limit loud contact and a key role in the St. Louis bullpen, Svanson looks like a quality fantasy option in leagues where saves and holds are part of the scoring.
Graphic by Carlos Leano.
