In the world of fantasy baseball, the waiver wire is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It's where the real experts separate themselves from the pack, and where the most astute managers can find the next breakout star. Today, we're diving into the top players to add to your roster, focusing on those who are likely to be available in most leagues. But don't just take our word for it; we'll also explore the most added players across major sites, and provide a deeper analysis of the streaming pitcher options. So, let's get started!
Top Priority Players to Add
Carlos Cortes (ATH), OF
What makes Carlos Cortes so intriguing is his ability to post top-notch EVs while limiting swing-and-miss. It isn’t every day you can trot out a sub-10% K rate bat that pairs that ability with 44% HH and 12% barrel rates. His SwStr% (7.7%) is also the best mark of his career, including his time in the minor leagues. This is a generational breakout from the Athletics outfielder, and I cannot overstate how imperative it is that you roster Cortes and let him cook in your lineup moving forward. Personally, I think Cortes is a must-add for any fantasy baseball manager. His .356/.417/.575 slash line with a .396 xwOBA and 174 wRC+ is simply incredible, and his ability to post top-notch EVs while limiting swing-and-miss makes him a unique and valuable asset.
Carson Benge (NYM), OF
Benge, 23, is slashing just .211/.283/.339 with a .308 xwOBA and 80 wRC+, however he’s started to string together some consistent quality at-bats over the past two weeks. Over his last 14 games, the righty is hitting .326 with a .941 OPS and 167 wRC+. The K% is living below 20% and he’s absolutely torching the baseball (91.4 mph EV, 50% hard-hit rate). In my opinion, Benge is a player on the rise, and his ability to string together consistent quality at-bats makes him a valuable addition to any roster. While his current numbers may not be eye-popping, his potential for growth and his ability to torch the baseball make him a player to watch.
Max Meyer (MIA), RHP
Meyer has been unreal to start the year, posting a 2.79 ERA/2.89 FIP with a career-best 1.10 WHIP and 17% K-BB rate. His 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 while leading his arsenal in usage. The sweeper is nearly as effective, posting a .284 xwOBA and 37% whiff rate on 27% usage. His four-seamer, which was rocked in years prior, has been elevated thanks to the threat of these two secondaries. From my perspective, Meyer is a must-add for any fantasy baseball manager. His 2.79 ERA/2.89 FIP and 17% K-BB rate are simply incredible, and his dynamic pair of secondaries make him a unique and valuable asset.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Ryan Waldschmidt
Ryan Waldschmidt is a prospect I needed to grab late in all of my drafts. He’s a high ceiling bat that boasts a knack for taking ball four and popped 18 HR in his first year of pro ball last year. The rookie went 1-for-1 with a 95.9 EV single in his MLB Debut. What many people don't realize is that Waldschmidt's ability to take ball four and pop HRs makes him a valuable asset in fantasy baseball. His high ceiling and knack for taking ball four make him a player to watch, and his 18 HR in his first year of pro ball is a testament to his potential.
Ezequiel Duran
Ezequiel Duran is a guy I’ve talked about before — he’s slashing .301/.379/.482 with a 141 wRC+, nearly triple compared the year prior. His K% has significantly improved and his bat speed is up, fueling a gigantic increase in EVs, HH%, and FastSw%. One thing that immediately stands out is Duran's ability to improve his K% and bat speed, which has led to a significant increase in EVs, HH%, and FastSw%. His .301/.379/.482 slash line with a 141 wRC+ is simply incredible, and his ability to improve his numbers makes him a player to watch.
Payton Tolle
Payton Tolle is the definition of a must-add pitching prospect. He’s turned in a 2.04 ERA/2.45 FIP and 25% K-BB rate through three starts. His trio of fastballs have been absolutely electric, plus his improved curveball has been racking up whiffs with ease. If you take a step back and think about it, Tolle's ability to turn in a 2.04 ERA/2.45 FIP and 25% K-BB rate through three starts is simply incredible. His trio of fastballs and improved curveball make him a unique and valuable asset, and his potential for growth makes him a must-add for any fantasy baseball manager.
Streaming Pitchers
Bubba Chandler (PIT), RHP
Chandler hasn’t had a dazzling start to the year, posting a 4.76 ERA/5.12 FIP in 34 innings, but he’s got a premium matchup against the Giants. The BB% scares me a bit, but San Francisco is the worst team in baseball at drawing ball four (just 5.3%). His changeup, running a .263 xwOBA and 29% whiff rate, has been such a dynamic pitch. What makes Chandler so intriguing is his ability to post a premium matchup against the Giants, despite his BB% being a bit of a concern. His changeup has been such a dynamic pitch, and his ability to post a .263 xwOBA and 29% whiff rate makes him a valuable asset.
Logan Henderson (MIL), RHP
I’m not very confident in Henderson facing off against a top notch offense like the Yankees, but he’s been such a consistent performer all year long. His 4.50 ERA is pretty mediocre, but he does own a 0.76 FIP and elite 33% K-BB rate to start the year. Starting him or not, Henderson is a must-add. In my opinion, Henderson is a consistent performer who owns a 0.76 FIP and elite 33% K-BB rate. His ability to post a 4.50 ERA despite facing a top-notch offense makes him a valuable asset, and his consistency makes him a must-add for any fantasy baseball manager.
Deeper Analysis
One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of the waiver wire in fantasy baseball. It's where the real experts separate themselves from the pack, and where the most astute managers can find the next breakout star. The waiver wire is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered, and it's crucial to stay on top of the latest trends and players to add to your roster. By focusing on the top priority players, the Yahoo and ESPN most added players, and the streaming pitcher options, you can build a strong and competitive roster that will help you win your fantasy baseball league.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the waiver wire is a crucial component of fantasy baseball, and staying on top of the latest trends and players to add to your roster is essential. By focusing on the top priority players, the Yahoo and ESPN most added players, and the streaming pitcher options, you can build a strong and competitive roster that will help you win your fantasy baseball league. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring the waiver wire and find the next breakout star for your fantasy baseball team!
