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 you can leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Casey Schmitt (SFG) – 1B, 2B, 3B (Yahoo! – 28%)
I recommended Schmitt a few weeks ago, writing this on April 15: “His average exit velo is up from a below-average 89,5 mph to an elite, 95th-percentile 94.4 mph. His hard-hit rate skyrocketed into elite territory, and his barrel rate rose from average to the 70th-percentile. These changes have translated into a .950 OPS on the season for Schmitt… [He] is certainly getting lucky with a .520 BABIP, but his contact ability and power have taken legitimate steps forward. He’s not an add in shallow leagues just yet, but I think a 2025 Jo Adell–like level-up is very possible for Schmitt.”
Schmitt has kept hitting in the time since, and while his OPS has come down a bit, the whole package looks more sustainable. His OPS has settled at a very respectable .901, and he’s tacked on four more home runs. His average exit velocity is now almost exactly where it was last year, at 89.4 mph, but his barrel and hard-hit rates remain substantially higher. He’s done an excellent job lifting and pulling the ball with a 31.8 Pull Air %, earning all six of his home runs on the pull side. His BABIP has come back down to earth a bit, and his results remain excellent. I’m buying the partial breakout for Schmitt. He’s not going to win you your league single-handedly, but he’s evolved into a rock-solid hitter, and he’s worthy of a roster spot on any fantasy team.
Caleb Kilian / Keaton Winn (SFG) – RPs (Yahoo! – 4% and 5%)
Ryan Walker may have blown his last save. The closer situation is still foggy in San Francisco, but one of Kilian or Winn will likely get the nod. They’re both solid arms, and the Giants have a track record of naming a traditional closer. It’s anyone’s guess who will end up with the job, but I’m personally betting on Kilian for the higher strikeout numbers. Whoever gets it, Oracle is the ideal ballpark for a closer, so this is worth speculating on.
Yahoo! and ESPN Most Added Players
Yahoo!
Jameson Taillon was a popular streaming pick against the road Reds. He went 5.2 with 2 ER and 5 K’s in a no-decision. This doesn’t really move the needle on him – he’s a solid streamer and not much more.
Cade Cavalli was another popular streamer, coming off back-to-back double-digit strikeout games. The Twins got to him in last night’s start, knocking him out of the game before the fifth with three earned runs. While I love the handlebar mustache, I don’t love the .402 BABIP. He’ll have plenty more starts like this one, and I think he’s still in streamer territory.
Luis Severino was a surefire starter on the road last year with a 3.02 ERA, compared to 6.01 at home. He seemed like a safe bet against the Phillies, and he delivered another solid start, going five innings with one earned run. His home/away splits aren’t as dramatic as last year, but you’ll still be well-served streaming him on the road.
Ryan Jeffers has flown under the radar in a crowded field of catchers this year. He holds an .865 OPS with four home runs, and his underlying metrics look excellent. He’s the sixth-best catcher on the season, and I’d be comfortable dropping your Adley Rutschman or Salvador Perez for him.
Casey Schmitt received a full write-up as a priority pick. He’s worth an add in all leagues.
ESPN
Check out the Yahoo! section above for info on Jameson Taillon, Luis Severino, and Cade Cavalli.
Max Meyer has been putting up excellent results. His ERA sits at 2.68, and he’s averaging more than a strikeout per inning. His only quality start came in his most recent outing against the Phillies, but he’s 2-0 on the season and hasn’t had any disastrous starts. He’s a borderline priority pick, though I wish his fastball was performing better.
Ivan Herrera has been one of the better offensive catchers this year. He’s 87% rostered on Yahoo!, and now that he’s catcher-eligible on ESPN, I imagine he’ll skyrocket to a similar rostered percentage.
Streaming Pitchers
Check out Nick Pollack’s SP Streamer Rankings for a complete breakdown of every start over the next few days.
Tomorrow (Thursday): We have a short slate of games, but priority pick Max Meyer should feast on the faltering Orioles. For a deeper pick, Cade Povich is available everywhere, and the Marlins aren’t the most intimidating lineup.
Deep League Players to Watch
Vaughn Grissom (LAA) – 2B (Yahoo! – 1%)
I love a reclamation project. Grissom is playing every day against left-handed pitching, and most days against right-handed pitching. He’s not hitting for power, but he’s rocking an excellent K/BB%. He’ll need to find a bit more power to really leave a mark, but his .806 OPS is solid, and he has managed one home run in 16 games. He’s probably only relevant in AL-only leagues at the moment, but there is some upside here.
