Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that reviews the best players to add to your rosters. We’ll look at players who are likely available in most leagues, as well as some deep-league options. We’ll also look at the most-added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites and tell you which players to add and which to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Trent Grisham (NYY) – OF (Yahoo – 38%)
Yes, I’m aware that he is hitting .216. But I still believe in Grisham. Why? Because he is making very good swing decisions (120 DV) and avoiding whiffs (113 contact); that’s a pretty potent combination that suggests better days ahead. I can’t blame you in the least bit for ignoring him. Results are important. I get it. Still, having conviction behind your roster decisions is what makes fantasy fun, to me at least. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, so be it. But the Yankees insisting on hitting him leadoff despite the lack of results kinda matters to me. Although, I suppose you could argue that he’s simply the best option in a flawed lineup that features several free outs. …But not for nothing, he is hitting in front of Rice, who has the seventh-best wRC+ among qualified hitters. Sorry, that sounded more like a strange soliloquy than I had intended. Anywho, Grisham seems like a clear candidate for positive regression who is available in a lotta leagues. …Your Honor, if it pleases the court, there is something else I’d like to add. Sigh. Go on, get on with it. I had written this before last night’s Yankee game. Nobody cares. But I really did, I swear!
Tyler Mahle (ATL) – SP (Yahoo – 28%)
It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do. Mahle’s tenure with the Giants was forgettable. But he had a terrific Braves debut at Yankee Stadium last Friday, twirling his second consecutive nine-strikeout game. He looked good again last night, earning 15 whiffs on 40 swings while limiting the Mets to one earned run over six innings. Two things in Mahle’s favor: his velocity has crept up this year to 92.7 mph, and he has thrown his splitter more often in his first two starts with the Braves. While I don’t think we can anticipate Mahle’s best work, which came back in Cincy in 2021 when his fastball sat 94 mph, he could really solidify the back end of your rotation.
Jacob Lopez (A’s) – SP (Yahoo – 15%)
Unlike Mahle, J-Lo doesn’t have a great supporting cast, and he has a bad home ballpark to boot. But he has quietly gone on a nice roll, posting a 2.36 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 29% K rate over his last five starts. Admittedly, Lopez’s floor isn’t ideal; he’s had a few scary blow-ups. But the hot stretch prompted a pretty good promotion to 60th on The List, so he should at the very least be on your radar.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Zac Veen got the spotlight in yesterday’s column. Last year’s cup of coffee didn’t go well, but his second tour of the majors began last night in Arizona with a home run off Merrill Kelly. Fresh off a 143 wRC+ with Triple-A Albuquerque, Veen looks like a pretty interesting add who brings power and speed to the table.
Cam Smith received some clicks for banging three home runs over his last five games. He has posted 16 home runs and 10 stolen bases this season, and seems like a decent add in five-outfield leagues. His 108 Process suggests that he probably deserves better than his .692 OPS and 95 wRC+.
Justin Martinez recently threw some serious cheddar during his first rehab outing in Triple-A. With Paul Sewald gone, he seems like the heir apparent. But do the D’Backs throw him into the fire right away? I dunno. That seems a little ambitious. You’d figure he’ll need time to work on his command, and with only about five weeks left, the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
Before the year, I liked the idea of what Shane Baz could become. He teased us with a gem last Friday in Arlington. There he is! The guy who looked like Tampa’s future ace a few years ago. But then yesterday afternoon in Minnesota happened. At the end of the day, it’s difficult to reconcile a 12.8% K-BB% through 24 starts. He’s fine, just like a lot of other guys.
Dustin May was terrific yesterday, holding the Padres to one earned run over seven innings. May’s results haven’t been that different from Baz (4.30 ERA and 1.27 WHIP), but I’m much more bullish on him ROS, given that the Brewers traded for him. He must be good, right?
Jac Caglianone spoiled Skubal’s Dodger Stadium debut a couple of nights ago. The breakout is here. Please don’t let him sit on the wire. I’m begging you.
I feel the same way about Will Warren as I do about Baz. I thought he could take a step forward, but it never really happened. Unlike Baz, Warren will probably lose his rotation spot soon with Rodón due back very soon.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Max Scherzer (TOR) – SP (Yahoo – 6%) vs. BOS
Can you tell the options today are slim? In fairness, Scherzer pitched reasonably well in his last two starts. At the very least, he’ll have the platoon advantage against a Sox lineup that doesn’t have much left-handed thump. Fair warning: don’t do this unless you really don’t care about your ratios.
Tomorrow:
Gage Jump (A’s) – SP (Yahoo – 15%) vs. TEX
The home park stinks and makes Jump risky, but he just illustrated his upside last time out with a six-inning gem against the Red Sox at Fenway.
Anthony Kay (CWS) – SP (Yahoo – 15%) at DET
Kay is a bit more boring than Jump, but he’ll have the advantage of a less hectic environment. The Tigers could also be down one of their best bats in Greene.
Deep League Players to Watch
Adael Amador (COL) – 2B (Yahoo – 0%)
A notable prospect not too long ago, Amador got the call yesterday. Keep an eye on him; he could eventually be someone you can stream in Coors. I just wish he had done more with Triple-A Albuquerque. A .261 batting average and 93 wRC+? Blegh.
Charles McAdoo (TOR) – 1B, 3B (Yahoo – 0%)
With the Jays in evaluation mode, the 24-year-old righty should get an extended opportunity. He banged his second home run Monday night off Sonny Gray (he hit his first back on May 29) and has since led off two games, both against southpaws. He posted 16 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 120 wRC+ with Triple-A Buffalo.
