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a day ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Load up on Yankees with Aaron Judge on mend — starting with Giancarlo Stanton
As the fantasy baseball season enters the late summer grind, roster flexibility and timely additions remain critical. While this list won't feature popular waiver pickups like Matt Shaw or Ryan McMahon, several other hitters are producing heading into Week 17. From established veterans heating up to call-ups carving out everyday roles, here are five players to consider adding now to boost your offensive output for the upcoming scoring period. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups Giancarlo Stanton - OF, New York Yankees (40% rostered) Stanton may not be the most under-the-radar name, but he's shockingly under-rostered at just 40% in Yahoo leagues. The Yankees' slugger has rediscovered his groove in July, batting over .340 with a 1.100+ OPS since the All-Star break. Statcast continues to back the performance — he ranks in the upper tier in average exit velocity (mid-90s), hard-hit rate (above 50%), and barrels. Matchup-wise, the Yanks have a three-game homestand against the Rays to start the week and close with a favorable road trip versus the Marlins. With Aaron Judge (elbow) on the injured list, Stanton offers a ton of power and potential run support in the heart of the Yankees' lineup. Ramón Laureano - OF, Baltimore Orioles (21% rostered) Laureano is another undervalued asset, especially in category leagues. Over the last 30 days, Laureano has quietly batted .292 with a .884 OPS, five home runs, 13 runs, 19 RBI and one stolen base. In just the past week, he's added another three dingers, four runs, and seven RBI — good for 72nd in category formats in Week 16. Now entrenched in Baltimore's everyday lineup, Laureano has become a well-rounded contributor offering power, speed, and run production. He's also likely to face several righties this week, facing the Blue Jays and Cubs. Laureano is slashing .298/.352/.565 with a .917 OPS against RHP this season. Ángel Martínez - 2B/OF, Cleveland Guardians (26% rostered) Guardians CF Lane Thomas' prolonged recovery from a foot injury opened the door for Martínez to play an everyday role for Cleveland. Since the All-Star break, the Cleveland utilityman is hitting .317 (13-for-41) with four doubles, a homer, and eight runs scored with a .892 OPS. While his season line sits at .247/.280/.403, Martínez has seen significant improvements in his contact rates and barrel metrics in recent weeks. Maybe it's because he's moved up in the batting order, hitting no less than second in the Guardians' lineup since mid-July. The Guardians kick off the week against the Rockies (positive) and close it out against the Twins. I'd be looking to add Martínez in deeper leagues while he's riding a mini hot streak. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Francisco Álvarez - C, New York Mets (17% rostered) Álvarez had a career-low .652 OPS before being optioned to Triple-A on June 22. After blasting 11 homers with a 1.233 OPS in 19 Triple-A games, he overstayed his welcome and was recalled on July 21. Since his recall last week, Álvarez is riding a five-game hitting streak, batting .353 and tallying a home run, six runs, and two RBI. And most importantly, he's firmly in line for regular playing time for a contender. Although his season slash (.240/.329/.364) is modest, Álvarez's recent stint in the minors taught him to be patient with his approach offensively, and it's already showing. There should be ample plate appearances available this week with the Mets playing against the Padres and Giants, both of whom have primarily right-handed pitchers. Rostered in just 17% of Yahoo leagues, another big week from the Mets' backstop will push him from a must-add in two-catcher leagues to a top-12 option in 12-team leagues. Colson Montgomery - 3B/SS - Chicago White Sox (13% rostered) The White Sox rarely present appealing fantasy options, but this is about riding a hot bat. Montgomery knocked three homers (in consecutive days) with eight RBI just last week, finishing as a top-25 option in category formats. And, he's been nearly a top-50 player since the All-Star break, hitting .265 but slugging a robust .588. Montgomery is building a compelling case for fantasy relevance, as he's earning a steady role in the White Sox lineup, alternating between SS and 3B. The White Sox objectively stink, but he's bringing a ton of power for an infielder and should be considered a streaming option against the Phillies and Angels this week.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 waiver wire pickups for Week 18
The post 2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 waiver wire pickups for Week 18 appeared first on ClutchPoints. The fantasy baseball regular season is winding down, making the waiver wire even more important. Plus, the MLB trade deadline will change the fantasy baseball landscape, with some contenders getting better. The playoffs are right around the corner, and you need the best possible team to make the dance. We've got you covered with the Week 18 waiver wire pickups. Each of these players is claimed in fewer than half of ESPN fantasy baseball leagues. That, however, could change quickly with the trade deadline approaching. You may have missed the boat with Ryan McMahon and Josh Naylor before they landed with playoff teams. But some of these guys are getting launched into pennant races in both leagues. Which players should you pick up for the week? Top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 18 Addison Barger, Toronto 3B/OF (Rostered: 31.4%) The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the hottest teams in baseball after their recent series win over the New York Yankees. Barger has been a big reason why. In the 23 games before the All-Star Break, he had an .875 OPS with six homers and 18 RBI, helping Toronto pick up 15 wins. That has continued after the break with an .829 OPS and seven RBI in nine games. Barger also gives your fantasy baseball team some positional versatility, which is always important. Even if the Blue Jays make a big trade before the deadline, Barger will still find his way into the lineup. They are going to be in a division race for the rest of the season, making their hottest hand a player to pick up in fantasy. David Bednar, Pittsburgh RP (Rostered: 35.6%) The Pittsburgh Pirates will almost certainly sell off pieces at the MLB trade deadline, and closer David Bednar should be one of them. He has had a great season, with a 2.19 ERA and 16 saves in 41 appearances. If he gets dealt to a contender, fantasy baseball managers will flock to the waiver wire to scoop him up. If you do it now, it could help you win your league. Bednar has been connected to just about every division leader and Wild Card contender ahead of July 31. Every team needs bullpen help, and Bednar should be one of the best ones available. Picking him up now helps your team get saves and maybe holds, depending on where he goes, for the stretch run. Drake Baldwin, Atlanta C (Rostered: 10.7%) The Atlanta Braves will be selling at the MLB trade deadline thanks to a dreadful start to the season. Despite reports that catcher Sean Murphy is off the table, anything can change in the final minutes. Right now, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is not playing every day. One good offer from a contender could change that. Pick him up in fantasy baseball, and it could work out as a league-winning move. Even if the Braves do not trade Murphy, Baldwin could help your team down the stretch. The rookie has an .857 OPS and 15 RBI in July. With Atlanta out of the playoff hunt, they should be playing the rookie more as the season winds down. Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees SP (Rostered: 6.3%) In two MLB starts, Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has been solid. He has allowed five runs in 10.1 innings, working out of trouble on multiple occasions in a big game against the Blue Jays. He could be traded for a veteran starter at the deadline, giving him even more run with a worse team. Or, he could make two starts for the Yankees this week against the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins. Either way, he is a solid fantasy baseball pickup. Once this week is over, it is every manager's choice what to do with Schlittler. You can dump him for next week's streamer, or you can keep him around for the stretch run. At 24 years old, he's a great choice as a keeper and could be in your rotation for years to come. Mickey Moniak, Colorado OF (Rostered: 6.4%) Among players still on the Colorado Rockies, Mickey Moniak is one of the few worth picking up in fantasy baseball. He was cut by the Angels and signed with the Rockies this offseason and has been solid. He has a career-high .273 batting average and .870 OPS. Moniak will also set his career high in RBI in the next few games. If the Rockies are committed to the teardown, Moniak could be on the way out. And if not, he should get a ton of at-bats moving forward. The former number one overall pick is not going to win your league. But he could help you get through an injury or just a tough time with your fantasy baseball outfield.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Demoted Bradley 'a name to watch' at deadline
Eric Samulski details the implications of Taj Bradley's demotion to Triple-A after struggling for much of the MLB season and explains why Joe Boyle is next in line as a waiver wire add.
Yahoo
5 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Key players who could see better roles after the MLB Trade Deadline
With less than a week to go until the MLB trade deadline, this is a great time for fantasy baseball managers to be as active as possible on the waiver wire. There are several potential contributors listed below, but managers should also pay close attention to the news so that they can grab someone who moves into a better role when a real-life deal occurs. Slade Cecconi, SP, Guardians, 21% Cecconi may be the latest example in a long line of successful development of pitchers by the Guardians organization. The 26-year-old has been effective since the beginning of June, posting a 3.33 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 43:15 K:BB ratio in 54 innings. Those in points leagues will enjoy learning that Cecconi has thrown at least six innings in each of his past four starts. The righty is heading into an appealing two-start week, where he will face the Rockies (28th in runs scored) and the Twins (19th in runs scored). Brandon Walter, SP, Astros, 26% Walter has dominated the strike zone since joining the rotation on May 20, which has enabled him to post a ridiculous 52:4 K:BB ratio in 53.2 innings. Fantasy managers have been slow to take notice, but there is no reason for a starting pitcher on a contender with a 3.35 ERA and 0.93 WHIP to remain on waivers. His next start is a reasonable home matchup against the Nationals. Landen Roupp, SP, Giants, 34% Roupp has plenty of upside, thanks to his solid swing-and-miss skills and heavy groundball lean. And he has started to turn that potential into production by posting a 1.15 ERA in his past six starts. Unfortunately, the outstanding run prevention has come with a 1.37 WHIP, as the 26-year-old sometimes struggles to limit walks. Roupp is worth the risk next week though, when he will face a Pirates offense that ranks last in runs scored before taking on a top-heavy Mets lineup that has been less productive than expected this season. Griffin Jax, RP, Twins, 22% Wise managers will ignore the 4.09 ERA that Jax carries right now and instead focus on his outstanding 68:12 K:BB ratio. The right-hander has been plagued by a .376 BABIP, but he remains one of the best relievers in baseball. There are two scenarios at the trade deadline that could instantly turn Jax into a top-15 reliever: He could be traded to a contender that needs a closer, such as the Phillies or Dodgers, or, Twins closer Jhoan Duran could be shipped out of town, leaving Jax to work the ninth inning in Minnesota. Dylan Lee, RP, Braves, 7% Amid a disappointing season, the Braves are expected to trade their pending free agents while holding onto those who can help them rebound next year. Raisel Iglesias fits into the former category, and there is a good chance that he spends the stretch run on a different team before heading to the open market. Lee has excellent ratios (2.62 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) and a pair of saves, and he will either own the ninth inning or share it with Pierce Johnson once Iglesias departs. Luke Keaschall, 1B/2B/OF, Twins, 27% Keaschall is someone to stash, as he could be quite valuable after the trade deadline. The youngster is currently wrapping up a rehab assignment, and he could return to the team as the starting second baseman if pending free agent Willi Castro is traded next week. Keaschall looked ready for the majors in 26 plate appearances before suffering a forearm fracture, as he hit .368 with two strikeouts, five walks and five steals. He also accumulated 19 homers and 40 steals in 153 career minor league games and could make a big impact in multiple categories down the stretch. Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays, 38% I've promised myself that I won't write about Simpson again, so I'll keep this brief. He's going to lead the majors in second-half steals, which means that he should be rostered in every roto league. The .308 hitter is also batting leadoff, which will lead to plenty of runs. And he rarely strikes out. He is a better points league option than many managers realize. Isaac Collins, OF, Brewers, 4% Although few fantasy managers have noticed, Collins has been an asset for the Brewers in recent weeks. The 28-year-old has hit .299 with five homers, four steals and an .873 OPS since the beginning of June, becoming a full-time player in the process. Milwaukee has bigger needs than outfield at the trade deadline, which means that Collins could keep his regular role by staying hot. And after compiling 14 homers and 24 steals in 113 games in Triple-A last year, Collins has proven that he has the diverse skill set that roto managers covet. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies, 17% Sure, it took nine years since he was selected first overall in the 2016 draft, but Moniak is finally in the midst of a career season. The outfielder has reduced his strikeout rate and raised his average exit velocity, which has resulted in an .865 OPS. Granted, he has had most of his success against righties and at Coors Field, but the predictable nature of Moniak's production makes him easy to stream in leagues with daily transactions. The Rockies are on the road for a week but, beginning on August 1, they will play 14 of 20 games at home. Drake Baldwin, C, Braves, 20% Baldwin has become a full-time player for the Braves, and his role should be even more secure after Marcell Ozuna is traded next week. The catcher is handling a heavy workload by mixing in starts at DH, which has allowed him to accumulate six homers and 26 RBIs since the beginning of June. And with a .284 average that is well-supported by a .285 xBA, Baldwin is one of the few catchers who can be an asset in the batting average category.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Jac Caglianone, Zebby Matthews, and Jesús Sánchez
With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, it's time to start positioning ourselves for the championship push. Whether you're trying to hold onto a top spot, pushing the leader, desperately trying to play catchup, or positioning yourself for the playoffs, reinforcements are vital this time of year Most waiver wires have been picked over though and it's difficult to find impact players readily available in most leagues at this point in the season. Advertisement Fear not, because there are still a handful of available players that have the chance to be difference makers that help push us towards glory. MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Seattle Mariners MLB Power Rankings: Brewers cruise to the top, Dodgers scuffling The streaking Brewers continue to exceed expectations this season. D.J. Short , Here are three players that are under 40% rostered on Yahoo leagues that you should strongly consider adding. If you want a larger list, Eric Samulski wrote his extended waiver wire piece on Sunday . Jac Caglianone, OF Royals (26% Rostered on Yahoo) Still teeming with potential, the first seven weeks of Caglianone's career have been a disaster. Advertisement After 38 games, he has a lowly .501 OPS – second-lowest among all qualified players since his debut on June 3rd – and has not acclimated well to the corner outfield. In terms of FanGraphs' wins above replacement , no player in the entire league has been less valuable since he came up. Yet, the fact that Caglianone is even in the major leagues is a miracle in and of itself. The Royals drafted him sixth overall just last season and he only played 79 total minor league games before getting the call. While he was flying through the system, he was transitioning to the outfield after splitting his time between first base and pitching in college with the University of Florida. So, here we have a 22-year-old who was a regular member of a high-level SEC rotation last year that was tasked with trying to revive the Royals' floundering offense after barely half a season of minor league baseball at a defensive position he'd never played before. This is not an easy assignment! Advertisement Funny enough, while his stats are completely abysmal, he's done a lot of things well enough at the plate to think he could turn a corner soon. The biggest thing working in Caglianone's favor is 99th percentile bat speed, on par with super-rookie Nick Kurtz. That was his MO in college and has translated to the big leagues with a max exit velocity of 114.1 mph (92nd percentile) and 90th percentile exit velocity at 110.2 mph (99th percentile). He hits the ball very, very hard Also, Caglianone has managed to both lift and pull the ball around league average so far. Of course, he's struggling to do both of those things at the same time with a very low pulled fly ball rate, but just having the capability to do each shows he could be close to it all coming together. Lastly, he is making tons of contact. His general contact rate is good and zone-contact rate is great despite poor chase and whiff rates. While he's aggressive in general, he's especially aggressive in the strike zone. Which is good for a hitter that can do as much damage as he can. Advertisement That helps Caglianone pop on one of my favorite leaderboards: barrels per swing. It takes some fancy Baseball Savant search function customization to get there, so I linked it for you guys right here . I often go back to barrels per swing rather than the normally reported barrels per batted ball event of plate appearance because it adds a swing-decision element into the best stat we have to understand power output. Caglianone being around the 85th percentile there tells me his power is legit (duh), his swing decisions are solid, and his hit tool is a bit better than anticipated. Throw away what's happened so far and pick up Caglianone for the chance he goes on a huge hot streak to close the season. Advertisement Zebby Matthews, SP Twins (18% Rostered on Yahoo) Of all the arms that could be found on waiver wires right now, Matthews has the best chance to pitch well enough to win you your league for the rest of the season. He's more reliable than any injury stash and already in the major leagues unlike any other prospect stash. Also, his upper-90s fastball, strong slider, and excellent command makes him totally equipped to get major league hitters out. There are a few mitigating factors though as to why he's flown a bit under the radar to this point. Matthews opened the season pitching in shorter, three to five inning stints with Triple-A St. Paul. He remained in a quasi-starter's role for a couple outings when the Twins called him up in mid-May. Advertisement They began to push him shortly thereafter, but he struggled to keep runs off the board before landing on the injured list with a shoulder strain in June that kept him sidelined for about six weeks. He made one rehab start right before the All-Star break and looked excellent in it, striking out nine batters over four scoreless innings. His fastball touched 99 mph and sat around 97 mph over 56 total pitches. In all, he forced 15 swings-and-misses with eight of them coming with his slider. Funny enough, St. Paul's bullpen allowed eight runs over the following five innings after he was pulled. In most cases, he would've made a few more rehab starts before re-joining the Twins' staff. Their rotation has been ransacked by injuries though, so they brought him back over the weekend to eat some innings. Annoyingly, his return was in Coors Field where he allowed five runs in four innings. That pushed him to a 6.26 ERA at the major league level this season. Honestly, that should be considered a blessing in disguise for us. While his results were poor against the Rockies, he still struck out six batters and walked just one. Plus, his velocity looked great. We know for certain that right now, he's healthy. Advertisement On top of that, the ugly ERA is foiled by a low 3.21 SIERA and elite 21.2% strikeout minus walk rate. His stuff is good, his command is great, and he has a bonafide spot in the Twins' rotation. He is primed for a great final few months of the season ahead. Jesús Sánchez, OF Marlins (6% Rostered on Yahoo) Now 27 years old and hovering around league average for the better part of three years, practically all the hype that surrounded Sánchez as a popular breakout pick over the last few seasons has dissipated. He's still producing like the same player he's been too with eight home runs, nine stolen bases, and a .733 OPS through 79 games. Advertisement Ironically, all of those same tools that intrigued us are still present and he's made some massive improvements under the hood that haven't shown up in his production to this point. First off, he currently has the lowest strikeout rate of his career at 21.1%. He's gotten there by chasing fewer pitches out of the zone, making more contact on pitches in the zone, and dramatically decreasing his whiff rate against breaking balls. It's all borderline unbelievable after watching Sánchez flail at breaking ball after breaking ball in the dirt during his first few seasons and the growth in his approach has gotten to a point where we can confidently call it 'good'. Past that, he's pulling his fly balls better than a league-average rate at the moment after not doing so for the past few seasons. It was a skill he had earlier in his career, but lost as he seemed focused on adjusting his approach. Advertisement Since 2023 – when he had one of the lowest pulled fly ball rates in the league – Sánchez has moved a few inches deeper in the batter's box, closed off his stance a good bit, and shortened up his swing a tad while swinging harder more consistently. With all of those tweaks, he's making contact with the ball nearly five inches further out in front of the plate on average. There was certainly some intentionality with these changes. Also, probably a function of him working better counts and not being victimized by breaking balls like he had been earlier in his career. Rumors have been swirling around Sánchez possibly being traded before the deadline next week too. Getting out of loanDepot Park in Miami will only further push him towards a late-season breakout. Just be advised that he still sits against left-handed pitchers, hurting his value in weekly leagues.
