Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that looks at the best players in baseball that you should be adding to your rosters. We’ll look at the players that are likely to be available in most leagues, as well as some deep league waiver wire options, and we’ll also look at the most added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites, and let you know which players to add and which players you can leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Dustin May (STL), RHP — 61% Rostership
Jacob Misiorowski. Drew Rasmussen. Logan Webb. Ranger Suarez. Dustin May? That’s right. May has been lethal in 2026, and he’s only gotten better as the year has gone on, posting a 1.31 ERA/1.36 FIP (3rd in MLB) this month through 20.2 innings. His 27% K-BB rate isn’t too shabby, either.
Through the month of June, May’s four-seamer – his lead offering – hasn’t even allowed a hit. His sweeper has produced dynamic results (34% whiff rate) while the cutter, changeup, sinker, and curve all do their part to carry the rest of the arsenal. Righties are getting torched by his dual-fastball combo, and lefties have had little success against the elevated four-seamer paired with a sweeper (50% whiff rate against LHBs) or changeup. Velo is up, extension is good; this is the pitcher Boston more or less envisioned when they acquired him at the deadline. The Cardinals have used Boston’s tweaks and simply elevated them over a more consistent sample of innings, and it’s been masterful to watch.
Bryce Eldridge (SF), 1B — 32% Rostership
I did a big write-up on Eldridge in yesterday’s newsletter, and the message remains the same: the change in limiting swinging-strike rate has helped Eldridge go from a fringe quality major league option to a budding superstar that pitchers need to gameplan around. He’s posted a .931 OPS and 159 wRC+ this year thus far, and if this – paired with the newfound contact ability – is just the beginning, I’d be shaking in my boots worrying about what’s next.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Looks like Walker Buehler enjoyed his day off (or years, rather) and is slowly but surely returning to form. It’s not going to be that sexy SP1 form we once saw him dominate in, but he’s become a serviceable arm featuring a 3.45 FIP through 67.1 innings. It’s been three consecutive starts allowing just one earned run (1.72 ERA, 16.4% K-BB this month), and while I’m not sure this lasts forever, he could be a fun waiver wire target for now.
Another Padre, Samad Taylor, owns a 162 wRC+ and has racked up four stolen bases through his first 11 games this season. He’s another temporary filler add if you need to boost some depth on your team. This is by no means a long-term starter, in my opinion.
As far as the rest of these names? Walbert Ureña’s FIP is over 1.5 runs higher than his ERA, and he has a major walk issue. Zac Gallen appears to be cooked, and I wouldn’t want anything to do with him. Ian Seymour is a good arm, but I’m not sure what he provides value-wise for your fantasy team. He’s a bulk guy who’s been inconsistent in recording shutdown outings. The strikeout rate is somewhat appealing, but what categories will he boost for your squad outside of that?
J.T. Ginn is an interesting case. On one hand, the FIP (4.08) is over a full run higher than his active ERA. He’s also lost some velo after his valiant eighth-inning performance against the Angels on May 18th. He’s managed to allow two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts, but his bad outings typically are implosions, so there’s some risk. Be cautious, but I wouldn’t say no if your team needs starter depth.
Troy Melton is another guy who has massively overperformed his expected numbers, but this isn’t the first season we’ve seen him do this. My one concern is the strikeout rate dropping significantly, especially considering he was rocking a 36% clip throughout his rehab.
Zack Gelof is certainly a must-add. He’s been one of the top five hottest hitters in the month of June, slashing .344/.417/.656 with a 192 wRC+. He was a guy I highlighted as a priority add last week, and you see why now.
Streaming Pitchers
Our guy Nick Pollack does a fantastic job at highlighting and ranking starting pitcher streaming options… check out his list here!
Payton Tolle (BOS), LHP — 64% Rostership
Tolle is such an elite arm talent…I’m absolutely baffled by his rostership rate. The 23-year-old has posted a 2.93 ERA/2.66 xERA/3.09 FIP through 58.1 innings this season, featuring a walk rate that has dropped 4% and stellar limitation of quality of contact (top 8% of MLB in xwOBA). His trio of fastballs is untouchable, plus when he needs to mix it in, both the curve and changeup can rack up whiffs. If he’s available, this is a no-brainer addition to your squad.
Jared Jones (PIT), RHP — 33% Rostership
Jones is a dynamic young right-hander who has the ability to produce like a high-end starter when he’s healthy. He’s been shaking off the rust through his first 17.1 innings post-surgery, posting a 6.23 ERA/5.07 FIP, but a chunk of his arsenal is due for some positive regression. Jones will right the ship at some point – he’s too talented not to – and I’d prefer that breakout to happen when he’s on my roster.
