In the realm of fantasy baseball, the waiver wire is a treasure trove of hidden gems, waiting to be discovered and added to your roster. It's a delicate dance, striking a balance between established stars and up-and-coming prospects, and today, we delve into the top players to add to your fantasy baseball team. From breakout stars to consistent performers, these players are poised to make a significant impact on your league. Let's explore the names that are making waves and the reasons why they deserve a spot on your roster.
The Breakout Star: Carlos Cortes
One of the most intriguing players on the waiver wire is Carlos Cortes, an outfielder who has taken the baseball world by storm. With a scorching hot start, Cortes has become a force to be reckoned with, and his performance is truly remarkable. What makes him stand out is his ability to post top-notch EVs while limiting swing-and-miss. It's not every day you come across a player with a sub-10% K rate who also boasts 44% HH and 12% barrel rates. His SwStr% (7.7%) is the best mark of his career, including his time in the minor leagues, and it's a testament to his exceptional skills.
Cortes' performance has been nothing short of generational, and his impact on the Athletics is undeniable. The 29-year-old has slashed .356/.417/.575 with a .396 xwOBA and 174 wRC+. If you were to take a blind comparison test, I'm confident you'd pick his production over a handful of your favorite established position players. This breakout star is a must-add for any fantasy baseball team, and his potential to continue his hot streak is immense.
The Consistent Performer: Carson Benge
Carson Benge, a 23-year-old outfielder, has been steadily improving and finding his stride. While his current stats may not jump off the page (.211/.283/.339 with a .308 xwOBA and 80 wRC+), his recent performance over the past two weeks has been impressive. Over his last 14 games, Benge has hit .326 with a .941 OPS and 167 wRC+, and his K% has remained below 20%. What's more, he's absolutely torching the baseball with an 91.4 mph EV and a 50% hard-hit rate.
Benge's ability to string together consistent quality at-bats is a sign of his growing maturity and skill. His performance has been a pleasant surprise, and his potential to become a reliable fantasy option is evident. While he may not be a household name yet, Benge is a player to watch and a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds.
The Dynamic Pitcher: Max Meyer
Max Meyer, a right-handed pitcher, has been a force on the mound to start the year. With a 2.79 ERA/2.89 FIP, a career-best 1.10 WHIP, and a 17% K-BB rate, Meyer's success is fueled by a dynamic pair of secondaries. His slider, perhaps a top five offspeed offering in baseball when he's healthy, has missed bats at a 44% clip and boasts a .225 xBA. The sweeper is nearly as effective, posting a .284 xwOBA and 37% whiff rate on 27% usage.
Meyer's four-seamer, which was rocked in years prior, has been elevated thanks to the threat of these two secondaries. His ability to mix up his pitches and keep batters off-balance is a testament to his skill and intelligence on the mound. Meyer's performance has been a welcome addition to any fantasy baseball team, and his potential to continue his success is high.
The High-Ceiling Prospect: Ryan Waldschmidt
Ryan Waldschmidt, a prospect with high ceilings, is a player who deserves attention on the waiver wire. With a knack for taking ball four and popping 18 HR in his first year of pro ball last year, Waldschmidt is a force to be reckoned with. His MLB debut was a testament to his talent, as he went 1-for-1 with a 95.9 EV single. Waldschmidt's ability to make consistent contact and hit for power makes him a player to watch.
While his current stats may not be eye-popping, Waldschmidt's potential is undeniable. His high ceiling and ability to take advantage of opportunities make him a strong consideration for any fantasy baseball team. With a little bit of development, Waldschmidt could become a valuable asset, and his addition to your roster could pay dividends in the long run.
The Improved Hitter: Ezequiel Duran
Ezequiel Duran, a player I've talked about before, has taken his game to a new level this year. Slashing .301/.379/.482 with a 141 wRC+, Duran's performance has nearly tripled compared to the previous year. His K% has significantly improved, and his bat speed is up, fueling a gigantic increase in EVs, HH%, and FastSw%. Duran's ability to make consistent contact and hit for power is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
The improvement in Duran's performance is a fascinating development, and his ability to take advantage of opportunities is a sign of his growing maturity. While he may not be a household name yet, Duran is a player to watch and a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds. With his improved performance, Duran is poised to become a valuable asset to any fantasy baseball team.
The Must-Add Pitcher: Payton Tolle
Payton Tolle, a pitching prospect, is the definition of a must-add. With a 2.04 ERA/2.45 FIP and a 25% K-BB rate through three starts, Tolle's performance has been electric. His trio of fastballs have been absolutely electric, and his improved curveball has been racking up whiffs with ease. Tolle's ability to generate strikeouts and feature one of, if not the best four-seamer/curveball combos in baseball, makes him a player to watch.
Tolle's performance has been a welcome addition to any fantasy baseball team, and his potential to continue his success is high. While he may not be a household name yet, Tolle is a player to watch and a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds. With his electric performance, Tolle is poised to become a valuable asset to any fantasy baseball team.
The Underrated Arm: Clay Holmes
Clay Holmes, an arm that should be rostered more often, has been a consistent performer on the mound. While strikeouts aren't quite flooding in, Holmes has registered a sub-2 ERA and sub-1 WHIP fueled by a deep arsenal and a 90% LOB rate. His ability to keep batters off-balance and limit damage is a testament to his skill and intelligence on the mound.
Holmes' performance has been a pleasant surprise, and his ability to consistently perform at a high level is a sign of his maturity and skill. While he may not be a household name yet, Holmes is a player to watch and a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds. With his consistent performance, Holmes is poised to become a valuable asset to any fantasy baseball team.
The High-Ceiling Arm: Braxton Ashcraft
Braxton Ashcraft, a high-ceiling arm, has been a really fun pitcher to watch this year. With a 3.02 ERA/2.99 FIP, Ashcraft's performance has been sustainable and impressive. His ability to generate plenty of strikeouts and feature one of, if not the best four-seamer/curveball combos in baseball, makes him a player to watch.
Ashcraft's performance has been a welcome addition to any fantasy baseball team, and his potential to continue his success is high. While he may not be a household name yet, Ashcraft is a player to watch and a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds. With his high ceiling and ability to consistently perform at a high level, Ashcraft is poised to become a valuable asset to any fantasy baseball team.
Streaming Pitchers
For streaming pitcher options, our guy Nick Pollack does a wonderful job at highlighting and ranking them. His list is a valuable resource for fantasy baseball managers, and it's a must-read for anyone looking to maximize their streaming options.
The Premium Matchup: Bubba Chandler
Bubba Chandler, a right-handed pitcher, has had a decent start to the year, posting a 4.76 ERA/5.12 FIP in 34 innings. However, his upcoming matchup against the Giants is a premium one. With the Giants being the worst team in baseball at drawing ball four (just 5.3%), Chandler has the opportunity to shine. His changeup, running a .263 xwOBA and 29% whiff rate, has been a dynamic pitch, and his ability to take advantage of the Giants' weaknesses could be a game-changer.
While Chandler's BB% scares me a bit, his upcoming matchup is a golden opportunity to add him to your roster. With the Giants' struggles against drawing ball four, Chandler has the potential to post strong numbers and become a valuable asset to your fantasy baseball team.
The Consistent Performer: Logan Henderson
Logan Henderson, a right-handed pitcher, has been a consistent performer all year long. While his 4.50 ERA may be mediocre, his 0.76 FIP and elite 33% K-BB rate to start the year are impressive. Henderson's ability to consistently perform at a high level is a sign of his maturity and skill, and his upcoming matchup against the Yankees is a test of his mettle.
Henderson's performance against a top-notch offense like the Yankees will be a true test of his abilities. While I'm not very confident in his chances, his consistent performance throughout the year makes him a strong consideration for your waiver wire adds. Henderson's ability to perform in high-pressure situations is a testament to his skill and intelligence on the mound.
