Fantasy baseball managers may have to look a little deeper this week for players who can help improve their rosters.
Perhaps the most help could come from some injury returnees who are just starting to get back in full swing. (Or … full pitch??)
While veterans such as Trent Grisham and J.P. Crawford have been enjoying a resurgence lately, the window to pick them up has probably closed. So it’s on to the next group of hitters and pitchers on the rise.
Hopefully, your team has room for a few of these players whose fantasy stock is on the rise for any number of different reasons.
Fantasy baseball waiver wire targets: Week 7
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the highest to lowest roster rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values for standard 5×5 Mixed Roto leagues in parentheses based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
SP A.J. Smith-Shawver, Atlanta Braves
65% rostered (FAAB bid: $8)
Coming off the best start of his career, Smith-Shawver was snapped up by many fantasy managers over the weekend. But how long will he remain in the Braves rotation? Taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning will certainly give him a longer leash. Control issues (13 walks in 27 innings) remain a concern, but — as we saw — the upside is considerable.
SS/3B/OF Javier Báez, Detroit Tigers
64% rostered (FAAB bid: $7)
This isn’t the same Javier Báez we’ve been watching since his arrival in Detroit. Something seems to have clicked in the early going as he’s hitting the ball with authority and slugging .475 through 29 games. Sure, the plate discipline (23.8% strikeout rate, 3.8% walk rate) is still awful and his .394 average on balls in play is sure to regress, but his excellent defense after being unexpectedly moved to center field will keep him in the lineup on a regular basis. Ride him while he’s hot.
C Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
64% rostered (FAAB bid: $5)
Making his season debut last Friday after being sidelined by a strained oblique this spring, Stephenson hit his first homer over the weekend and will get the majority of starts behind the place in hitter-friendly Cincinnati. He has 20-homer and top-12 catcher potential. He’s even more valuable in leagues that use on-base percentage or start two catchers.
SP Gunnar Hoglund, Athletics
57% rostered (FAAB bid: $3)
A first-round pick in 2021, Hoglund made his MLB debut on May 2 against the Marlins, allowing just one run in six innings, striking out seven and earning the win. His follow-up wasn’t quite that good, but he seems to have earned a place in the A’s rotation. He’s displayed excellent control in those two starts (10 strikeouts, one walk in 11 innings), but the A’s home park will be a concern as the weather gets warmer. Stream him if possible.
2B Hyeseong Kim, Los Angeles Dodgers
57% rostered (FAAB bid: $2)
Just called up from the minors after posting a .798 OPS at Class AAA Oklahoma City, Kim started all three games at Miami this week and went 5-for-12 (.417) with a pair of stolen bases. Look for him to deliver more speed than power while Tommy Edman is on the injured list. His stay could be short.
SP Lance McCullers, Houston Astros
52% rostered (FAAB bid $3)
Making his first big-league appearance since the 2022 World Series, McCullers is hoping to put a long line of injuries behind him. So far, so good. He tossed 3 ⅔ scoreless innings and fanned four in a May 4 start against the White Sox and will get another turn in the rotation on Saturday vs. Cincinnati. He’s still building up arm strength, but could be useful as the Astros move to a six-man rotation.
Deeper league waiver wire targets
OF Dane Myers, MIami Marlins
33% rostered (FAAB bid: $5)
Displaying both power and speed, Myers has earned regular playing time in center field. He’s slashing .381/.435/.619 with five stolen bases over his last 14 games (46 plate appearances). The Marlins offense isn’t terribly exciting, but Myers is doing his best to change that.
OF/SS/2B/3B Daniel Schneeman, Cleveland Guardians
29% rostered (FAAB bid: $4)
Another relative unknown who’s scorching the ball, Schneeman is playing somewhere almost every day. And why not? In his last 20 games, the utilityman is hitting .373/.439/.706 with four homers, 11 runs and 10 RBI. He’s played mostly second base this season, but has seen action at all three outfield spots as well. He’s an excellent pickup in deep leagues with a premium on position flexibility.
OF/1B Zach Dezenzo, Houston Astros
24% rostered (FAAB bid: $2)
Getting more playing time with Yordan Alvarez on the injured list, Dezenzo he hit his first home run of the season on Sunday. He put up a .998 OPS in 25 games after being promoted to Triple-A last season and got his first taste of the majors in August.
RP Zach Agnos, Colorado Rockies
15% rostered (FAAB bid: $4)
Saves are saves. And a 0.00 ERA over his first seven MLB appearances will certainly play. But how much stock do you want to put in a closer on a team that’s on pace to break the White Sox’s record for most losses in a single season?
Prospect watch
SP Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs
With Shota Imanaga going on the injured list, could it be time for the Cubs to promote their top pitching prospect? Sounds like his MLB debut could come this weekend. Horton has posted a sparkling 1.24 ERA in six starts at Class AAA Iowa. He’s a power pitcher with 55 strikeouts in 47 innings at Iowa spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
C Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers’ top prospect is off to a blistering start at Class AAA Oklahoma City, slashing .323/.435/.527 with four homers, 14 RBI and 19 runs scored in 27 games. There’s no room behind the plate in Los Angeles with Will Smith playing so well, but the injury to OF Teoscar Hernandez could create a need for more offensive punch. Rushing has already seen action at first base and in the outfield at OKC this season. He’ll need to offer some position flexibility since the DH spot appears to be occupied for the time being.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy baseball waiver wire: 10 best pickups, Cade Horton
