You guys probably don’t know this about me, but my primary musical preference is old-school hip-hop. My favorite album of all time is 2001 by Dr. Dre, but give me any 90’s rap. Nas is my favorite artist, but Snoop Dogg isn’t too shabby either. That’s why we’re going with the classic Gin and Juice title drop because I want you guys to think about that song while reading this. It’s one of the best beats in rap history, and I’m excited to recommend Ginn this week! With that in mind, let’s take a look at the waiver wire!
The stats and roster rates below are updated on 5/22. All rostership percentages are on Yahoo.
Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
Also, check out my Streamers article dropping tomorrow.
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 30% Rostership) – Anytime you get a catcher playing nearly every day, you need to consider them off the waiver wire. That’s essentially what we’re getting with Moreno, playing in eight of Arizona’s last 10 games. He’s also been performing with this bump in playing time, tallying a .279 AVG and .779 OPS across his last 21 outings. His .464 OBP and 1.024 OPS across the last week are even more impressive, especially since we’re talking about a guy who had a .353 OBP and .783 OPS last year. If you just lost Ryan Jeffers, this is an ideal add off the waiver wire.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Samuel Basallo (BAL, 52% Rostership), Carter Jensen (KC, 37% Rostership)
Deep League Adds
Keibert Ruiz (WAS, 12% Rostership) – If I’m being honest, this is my least favorite section to write every week for the waiver wire. Recommending any deep-league catcher is like playing the lottery because all of these backend catchers are terrible. With that said, Ruiz has always shown some flashes and is an interesting add off the waiver wire this week. Despite playing only half the time, Ruiz has a .433 AVG, .933 SLG and 1.371 OPS across his last eight outings. That’s quite the surge from a guy who was once one of the top catching prospects in baseball, and we could see Ruiz see more playing time if this hot hitting continues.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1%
QUICK HITS: Carson Kelly (CHC, 13% Rostership), Kyle Teel (CWS, 9% Rostership)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Spencer Steer (1B/OF, CIN, 38% Rostership) – I used to love Steer a few years ago, and it’s nice to see him fantasy relevant once again. He averaged 22 homers and 20 steals between 2023 and 2024 while posting a .771 OPS. That’s why he used to be a sneaky asset in fantasy, but we’re seeing glimpses of that recently. Steer has a hit in 21 of his last 22 outings while sporting a .391 OBP and .879 OPS in that span. That’s why he’s been hitting between second and fifth in this dangerous Reds lineup every day. That sort of opportunity is even more enticing since he has a .878 OPS on the road this year despite struggling at home. That’s unlikely to continue since the Great American Ballpark is a hitter’s haven, and it’s hard to believe Steer is still so widely available.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Ezequiel Duran (1B/2B/SS/3B, TEX, 34% Rostership), Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SF, 43% Rostership), Matt McLain (2B, CIN, 52% Rostership)
Deep League Adds
Miguel Andujar (3B/OF, SD, 7% Rostership) – Many people might forget this, but Andujar was once expected to be a stud for the Yankees. While that never panned out, we’re seeing Andujar develop into a post-hype sleeper. He’s been one of San Diego’s best sluggers this season, providing a .290 AVG and .822 OPS. He also had a .352 OBP and .822 OPS last year, so something is clearly different with Andujar. His recent form is even more ridiculous, totaling a .991 OPS across his last nine outings.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1%
QUICK HITS: Sam Antonacci (CWS, 2B/OF, % Rostership), Zack Gelof (ATH, 2B, 21% Rostership), Brett Baty (NYM, 1B/2B/3B, 9% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Carson Benge (NYM, 34% Rostership) – This rookie has completely changed the Mets’ season. They made a risky decision when they stuck him into the leadoff spot a few weeks ago, but it’s led to their best stretch of the year. His play atop the lineup is a major reason why, posting a .377 AVG and .919 OPS across his last 17 outings. Most importantly, he’s up to eight steals and has the potential to be a 20-20 type player. He also had 16 homers and 27 steals across 131 minor league games, so he needs to be added off every waiver wire for now.
% of Recommended FAAB: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Daulton Varsho (TOR, 34% Rostership), JJ Bleday (CIN, 47% Rostership), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 39% Rostership)
Deep League Adds
Carlos Cortes (ATH, 14% Rostership) – Why is everyone sleeping on Cortes? This guy has been one of the A’s best bats since his call-up last season, and he’s actually been hitting leadoff over the last week. Cortes has a .329 AVG, .380 OBP and .921 OPS across 81 career games. That equates to half a season, and that’s enough of a sample size to say we believe him, especially since he hits in one of the best hitter’s parks in the sport. We love that this week since Cortes plays all six games in Sacramento!
% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Jake Bauers (MIL, 28% Rostership), Jake McCarthy (COL, 8% Rostership), Richie Palacios (TB, 2% Rostership)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Bryce Miller (SEA, 39% Rostership) – Miller has always showcased an elite fastball, and he’s said this is the first time he’s felt healthy in years. It remains to be seen how long that lasts, but he needs to be added off of every waiver wire as long as he’s pitching like this. Miller has a 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through two starts. Both of those were against two of the hottest offenses, but it’s no surprise since Miller threw 12 scoreless innings over his final three rehab appearances. This is the stud we saw back in 2024 when he was healthy, posting a 2.94 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 31 impressive starts. If he gets anywhere near that, Miller will be one of the best waiver wire adds of the season. Not to mention, he’s projected to have two starts this week!
% of Recommended FAAB: 5%
Bailey Ober (MIN, 45% Rostership) – It’s funny because Miller and Ober are in similar situations. Both guys struggled mightily last season, but both of them were must-roster players in the past. Like Miller, Ober is having a Renaissance season, registering a 3.63 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 10 starts. The recent form is even more impressive, producing a 2.65 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across his last six starts. That’s the outstanding Ober we saw in the past, with the righty accruing a 3.66 ERA and 1.03 WHIP between 2022 and 2024. We love that since he has a matchup with the White Sox this week. Ober has allowed four runs or fewer in 13 straight starts against Chicago, posting a WHIP below 1.00 across those 13 starts.
% of Recommended FAAB: 5%
QUICK HITS: Jack Flaherty (DET, 52% Rostership), Merrill Kelly (ARI, 55% Rostership), Ben Brown (CHC, 36% Rostership), Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI, 40% Rostership)
Deep League Adds
Griffin Jax (TB, 26% Rostership) – Tampa has always been one of the best organizations when it comes to successful experiments, and it looks like they’ve found another success with Jax. They’ve made him a starter for the first time in his career, collecting a 2.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP since April 1. He’s also completed five innings in back-to-back starts, allowing just one total run in this expanded role. That’s really encouraging for this week because Jax has a two-start week. It’s not any two-start week either, with Jax matching up with the Orioles and Angels. Los Angeles has the worst K rate in baseball, while Baltimore is 19th in runs scored and 28th in K rate.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%
Lucas Giolito (SD, 13% Rostership) – Giolito was just signed last month, and he’s now in San Diego’s rotation. Most people who have played fantasy for a few years know how great Gio used to be, with this right-hander tallying a 4.11 ERA and 1.17 WHIP between 2017 and 2021. That was a while ago, but Giolito still had a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with the Red Sox last season. Most importantly, Giolito allowed just three baserunners and one run across his final rehab start and followed that up with a gem in his debut. Giolito allowed just one hit and no walks through five innings, but three walks to start the sixth forced in three runs that his bullpen couldn’t prevent. That still tells us this guy is sharp and that sort of potential is all you can hope for off the waiver wire.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1%
QUICK HITS: Zebby Matthews (MIN, 25% Rostership), Connor Prieilpp (MIN, 18% Rostership), Jared Jones (PIT, 34% Rostership), Jack Leiter (TEX, 29% Rostership)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
J.T. Ginn (ATH, 37% Rostership) – I’ve always been intrigued by Ginn’s stuff, but seeing what he did in his last start was the nail in the coffin. This guy needs to be added in nearly every league, with Ginn flirting with a no-hitter in his most recent start. That gives Ginn a 2.98 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season while posting a 1.23 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across his last three starts. We’re talking about a guy who allowed three runs or fewer in all but five appearances last year as well, so the stuff is there for Ginn to maintain this for the next few months.
% of Recommended FAAB: 3%
QUICK HITS: Gregory Soto (PIT, 41% Rostership), Rico Garcia (BAL, 38% Rostership)
Deep League Adds
Will Klein (LAD, 3% Rostership) – This is a total punt play, but Klein picked up the Dodgers’ most recent save and then followed it up by closing the ninth inning with a four-run lead. That’s typically the usage you see from a closer, and LA hasn’t designated one since Edwin Diaz went down. Klein now has a 2.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this year while recording four holds over his last eight appearances. That includes the two ninth-inning appearances we discussed earlier, and potentially finding the Dodgers abaulable in 97 percent of waiver wires is truly ridiculous.
% of Recommended FAAB: 1%
QUICK HITS: Grant Taylor (CWS, 10% Rostership), Gus Varland (WAS, 14% Rostership)
