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
Cristian Javier (HOU) – SP (Yahoo! – 22%)
There was an article posted here in 2023 that really stuck with me. Aidan Resnick published a Going Deep piece titled Mike Trout and his Cristian Javier Problem which I think about every time I see Trout miss on a high fastball. I thought about it again tonight while watching Javier make his 2025 debut.
Javier squared off against the Red Sox and earned his first win of the season. It started off rough, with former teammate Alex Bregman taking him yard with a two-run shot in the first. But Javier settled in and cruised through five innings without any further damage. He struck out five, gave up three hits, and issued just two walks. He got Roman Anthony to swing out of his shoes, striking out on one of his signature high fastballs in the fifth.
There were red flags around Javier during his rehab assignment. His fastball velocity was up-and-down, and he issued 15 walks in 14 innings. The speed on his fastball fluctuated in this start, too, though it was right back where it started at 94 mph as he checked out of the game. I am thoroughly encouraged that he issued just two walks as well.
Javier was practically an ace in 2022 with a 2.54 ERA and an 11.74 K/9. His 2023 and 2024 weren’t on that elite level, but we’ve seen his arsenal succeed. His average fastball velocity in 2022 sat around 94 mph and fell to 92 mph in 2023 and 2024. It settled right around 94 mph in his debut. He’s added a new sinker, which posted a 50% whiff rate in a small sample. We can’t project how his season will go based on one start, but there’s a lot to like here. It’s unlikely he recaptures the 2022 magic, but the Astros are very motivated to hold their one-game lead over the Mariners for the AL West, and Javier could be in line for plenty of wins with a strong bullpen behind him. He has a softer landing pad for his next start against the 53-65 Orioles this weekend, and I’m looking to add him in leagues of all sizes.
Yahoo! and ESPN Most Added Players
Yahoo!
Jose Quintana was a successful streaming pick against the Pirates. His ERA on the season is a respectable 3.44, and while he’s not the most electric pitcher, he has the capable Brewers defense behind him. He’ll draw the Reds for his next start, and you could do worse.
Cade Cavalli was a less successful streamer. He gave up four runs in five innings against the Royals and is tentatively lined up against the Phillies later this week. I’d suggest returning him to the wire before that one.
Will Warren has had a mixed bag of a season, but yesterday’s start against the Twins was simply great. He went 6.2 innings, punched out seven, issued zero walks, and held Minnesota to two runs. He’ll see the Cardinals on Sunday, and he’s worth a stream there — and should be rostered in most league sizes.
Isaac Collins has been fantastic in the second half. He’s batting .387 since the break with three homers and three steals. He’s been the Brewers’ best bat this week and has earned himself a spot at the top of the order. He’s in line for plenty of runs and RBIs with Milwaukee extending its win streak to 10 and showing no signs of slowing down.
Cristian Javier got an extended write-up above.
ESPN
Jeffrey Springs was roughed up by the Rays yesterday, and his season ERA sits at 4.06. He has a terrible home park, and it came back to bite him in this one. He pitched three consecutive quality starts before today, but I think this is closer to who he is.
Luke Keaschall was a priority pick for me two weeks ago. He’s been on fire since returning to the lineup last week, batting .400 with 10 RBIs and two home runs in six games. He’s a solid all-around player, and he could make a serious impact in all categories in all league sizes.
Edward Cabrera was last week’s priority pick, and he kept it going with an eight-inning, 11-strikeout gem. He’s been nearly unhittable since the All-Star break, and I like his chances against Cleveland in his next start this week. He’s worthy of a roster spot in all league sizes.
Ernie Clement is putting up great numbers in the second half. He’s batting .293 with four homers in 23 games, matching his first-half homer total. This power surge isn’t sustainable. It’s possible you could catch the tail end of it, but he’s really more of a batting average specialist. That still plays in plenty of leagues, just know that we’ve likely seen the peak for Clement. He’ll be a decent bat in deeper leagues even after his power dies down.
Gavin Williams nearly completed a no-hitter in his last start, but lost it to a Juan Soto home run in the ninth. He’s been phenomenal in the second half, posting a 1.30 ERA and improving his full-season ERA to 3.17. He’s emerged as a rock-solid arm after some rocky starts at the beginning of the year. He deserves a spot on your roster in all league sizes.
Streaming Pitchers
Check out Nick Pollack’s SP Streamer Rankings for breakdowns and recommendations for every start.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) – SP (Yahoo! – 28%)
Sheehan will square off against the Angels today. He’s coming off a five-inning shutout against the Cardinals, and I don’t think the Halos will win a sixth game in a row against the other LA team.
Deep League Players to Watch
Check out Ben Rosener’s Deep League Waiver Wire column every Thursday and Saturday for more Deep League picks.
Heriberto Hernández (MIA) – OF (Yahoo! – 1%)
Jakob Marsee is getting all of the buzz, but Hernandez is having a great debut as well. His wRC+ sits at just 139 compared to Marsee’s 250, but that’s over 46 games played compared to Marsee’s 11. Hernandez has seven home runs on the season, with two coming in the past week. He’s not an everyday player at the moment, but he’s not fully platooned either. He starts against every lefty, and even with Marsee competing for a corner outfield spot, his playing time is ticking up against right-handed pitching. His K% is high, but he makes strong contact and hits the ball hard. There’s a lot to like here for a 1%-rostered player.
