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
Josh Jung (TEX), 3B (Yahoo – 43%)
After a bit of a power outage for Jung, he’s now homered in two of his last three games to bring his total to seven in 221 plate appearances this season. Jung continues to show an improved approach this season, with a 0.312 batting average and sub-15% strikeout rate. It’s an impressive development from a hitter who was never known to hit for batting average and a low strikeout rate in his career before this season.
His above-average 0.365 xwOBA and 142 wRC+ this season would both be the best marks in his career, an improvement over his 0.334 xwOBA and 114 wRC+ in his previously best season in 2023. Playing time is also no issue for Jung at a weak position in fantasy baseball at third base as well. He bats second or third every game in the Texas Rangers lineup and is one of the few players with good numbers in his pitcher-friendly home park, with a 0.379 batting average this season and five of his seven home runs. Jung is a player who should be rostered everywhere.
Jacob Gonzalez (CWS), 2B/SS (Yahoo – 6%)
With the injury to Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox, it has opened the door to an opportunity for Jacob Gonzalez. He’s not a prospect who has come with a lot of hype, but his production so far in Triple-A so far this season has been impressive. In 52 games and 238 plate appearances this season, Gonzalez has racked up 19 home runs and eight stolen bases already. It’s a well-earned opportunity and promotion for Gonzalez, who’s also had a respectable 33:49 BB:K ratio as well. His max exit velocity of 113.6 mph this season shows he has a strong ability to hit for power, and it paints the picture of an all-around good profile. He should be rostered by anyone needing middle-infield help.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Curtis Mead has been the talk of the town this week on Pitcher List, so there’s no need to belabor the point here. He was also on the cover of my FAAB recommendation article this week, and rightly so. He has the profile of a player who should be rostered in every league.
The other four players are pitchers who started Sunday, with Sean Burke being the most interesting to me. He’s been good at times this season, but continues to be volatile. He did pitch well here against the Detroit Tigers, allowing one earned run in 5.1 innings with a sub-one WHIP and six strikeouts. He lines up next to face the Philadelphia Phillies on the road next Saturday.
Zebby Matthews made his fourth start of the season on Sunday. He gave up seven earned runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the one positive being that he still struck out seven in 4.1 innings. That gives him 24 strikeouts in 23.1 innings, and he still has three quality starts out of four outings. It’s still worth the speculative add to see where this goes.
A player listed here whose roster rate surprises me is Bryce Miller of the Seattle Mariners. He’s been good so far in four starts this season, with 20 strikeouts over 21 innings with a 1.71 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. As long as he’s healthy and starting for the Mariners, Miller should be rostered everywhere as long as that’s the case.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check out Nick Pollack’s SP Streamer Rankings, which he releases every day before any games have been played. It’s a great resource to use all season long. Check them all out here.
Griffin Jax (TBR), SP (Yahoo – 29%)
Hopefully, you were paying attention last week when I mentioned Ben Brown here, who made two starts while only allowing two runs in 13 innings and earned a win as well. Moving on to Griffin Jax, he lines up for two starts this week, starting with the Detroit Tigers on Monday. He will face them at home in Tampa Bay in what should be a favorable matchup for Jax. He, at the very least, should be rostered, and if he is already on your teams, I would recommend running him out there.
Trevor McDonald (SFG), SP (Yahoo – 11%)
Trevor McDonald is an under-the-radar starting pitcher I continue to be intrigued by. He also lines up for two starts this week, facing the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs on the road. Those could be some tough matchups, but I buy McDonald enough to give him a shot here anyway. What he does reminds me a lot of his teammate Landen Roupp, being a groundball pitcher who throws lots of sinkers. He doesn’t have the same curveball, but he has a slider that he uses to play off his sinker. He’s also going to continue in the rotation now that Tyler Mahle has landed on the injured list. If you need pitching help, McDonald is a sneaky good pickup.
