Waiver Wire Week 18: Gelof The Great

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve hit the stretch run of the season. Most teams only have 50-60 games remaining, and the trade deadline is right around the corner. That’s always one of the most fascinating times to scrounge the waiver wire because there are the occasional league-winners after some trades. Most of the big waiver wire pickups are closers after the deadline, but it also opens up the door for some prospects as well. We’ll discuss that more in the coming weeks, but let’s dive into this week’s waiver wire!

The stats and roster rates below are updated on 7/24. 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, 52% Rostership) – Moreno is rostered in nearly every league I’m in, but it’s still bizarre to see him at 52% rostership. This guy has been hitting cleanup nearly every day for Arizona, generating a .309 AVG and .844 OPS so far this season. A ton of that damage has happened recently, with Moreno maintaining a .492 OBP and 1.039 OPS across his last 14 fixtures. You won’t find many better stretches from a catcher all season, but we’re talking about a guy who has a .287 career AVG and .772 OPS. This production is here to stay for the long haul!

% of Recommended FAAB: 5%

QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 36% Rostership), Yainer Diaz (HOU, 41% Rostership)

Deep League Adds

Dalton Rushing (LAD, 17% Rostership) – It sounds like Will Smith is still a few weeks from returning, so Rushing should keep his everyday role for the time being. He’s quietly been one of the best catchers on a per-game basis, compiling a .338 OBP and .812 OPS so far this year. That’s all you can hope for from a waiver wire catcher, especially since Rushing is the starting catcher in the absence of Smith. It also couldn’t be a better lineup from a fantasy perspective, and there’s still a small chance he’ll find an everyday role if the Dodgers decide to move him before the trade deadline.

% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%

QUICK HITS: Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 21% Rostership), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 21% Rostership)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Zack Gelof (2B/3B, ATH, 34% Rostership) – Gelof was relegated to numerous waiver wires after an IL placement, but now’s the time to go pick him back up. This utilityman was in the middle of a breakout month before that knee injury, recording a 25-game hitting streak before an injury on June 21. He also had a .351 AVG and .987 OPS throughout that sensational stretch, after showcasing some remarkable stuff in his rookie season a few years ago. The talent is there for Gelof to have a monster final two months, and it sounds like his return is right around the corner since he’s resumed all baseball activities.

% of Recommended FAAB: 3-5%

QUICK HITS: Caleb Durbin (3B, BOS, 40% Rostership), Gleyber Torres (2B, DET, 42% Rostership), Brooks Lee (1B/2B/3B, MIN, 51% Rostership)

Deep League Adds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B, BAL, 2% Rostership) – There was a time when I thought CES would become a fantasy stud in Cincy. Injuries and ineffectiveness ruined his opportunity with the Reds, but a move to Baltimore could be just what the doctor ordered. Encarnacion-Strand has homered in three of his first five games since the call-up to the O’s. The minor league numbers have always been impressive too, with CES collecting a .296 AVG and .926 OPS. All he needs is an extended opportunity to prove himself, and this is a great opportunity for a bounce-back in Baltimore.

% of Recommended FAAB: 1%

QUICK HITS: Ty France (SD, 1B, 17% Rostership), Vaughn Grissom (LAA, 2B/SS, % Rostership), Tommy Edman (LAD, 2B/3B, 28% Rostership)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Steven Kwan (CLE, 47% Rostership) – Kwan was drafted in every league, but he was dropped to numerous waiver wires after a nightmarish start. He was actually dreadful for three months, but he’s recaptured something recently. Kwan has a .462 AVG, .553 OBP and 1.092 OPS over the last three weeks. That on-base ability has moved Kwan back up to his rightful leadoff spot, and he’s made that home over recent years. We’ret  alking about a player who used to battle for the batting crown every season, posting a .281 AVG, .351 OBP and .741 OPS since his call-up years ago. Not many guys off the waiver wire can single-handedly bump your batting average, but Kwan is one of them when he’s hitting like this.

% of Recommended FAAB: 3%

QUICK HITS: Carson Benge (NYM, 52% Rostership), Trent Grisham (NYY, 46% Rostership), Heliot Ramos (SF, 43% Rostership)

Deep League Adds

Trevor Larnach (MIN, 7% Rostership) – Why the hell is Larnach still below 10 percent? This has baffled me for weeks, and he’ll remain in this waiver wire article until we see that number bump. He’s become the Twins’ everyday leadoff hitter, and he’s amid the best stretch of his career right now. Larnach has a .375 AVG and 1.054 OPS since taking over that leadoff spot a month ago. It’s not a fluke either, as Larnach has a .294 AVG, .383 OBP and .843 OPS for the season.

% of Recommended FAAB: 1%

QUICK HITS: JJ Bleday (CIN, 26% Rostership), Cole Carrigg (COL, 23% Rostership), Jake Mangum (PIT, 12% Rostership)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Cade Cavalli (WAS, 49% Rostership) – It’s easy to understand why fantasy managers have been fickle regarding Cavalli, but this might be the last time he’s available on the waiver wire. A suspension limited some of his visibility, but it’s impossible to overlook a 3.58 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 rate. The season-long statistics are impressive, but his 2.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 rate over the last month are unbelievable. The only reason he’s sitting on some waiver wires is that he pitches for Washington, because a player with averages like those on the Dodgers or Yankees would’ve been rostered universally a month ago.

% of Recommended FAAB: 5-10%

Christian Scott (NYM, 33% Rostership) – Scott had some unlucky fielding behind him in his most recent start, but he continues an incredibly consistent season. This righty has allowed four runs or fewer in all 14 starts en route to a 3.13 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He’s also got a 3.27 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.9 K/9 rate since June 1. The best part about adding him here is that he has two home starts this week. Pitching in Citi Field couldn’t be better, and matching up with teams like the Marlins and Braves is far from concerning as well.

% of Recommended FAAB: 3-5%

QUICK HITS: Tatsuya Imai (HOU, 35% Rostership), Merrill Kelly (ARI, 39% Rostership), Landen Roupp  (SF, 49% Rostership)

Deep League Adds

Brady Singer (CIN, 25% Rostership) – Singer has been a regular as one of our streamers for years, and it’s usually when he’s on runs like the one he’s on right now. The Reds right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts while registering a 3.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 rate in that span. That’s more in line with what we saw over recent years, with Singer sporting a 3.86 ERA and 1.26 WHIP between 2024 and 2025. What’s also interesting about Singer is that he’s been sensational in Cincy, collecting a 3.23 ERA and 1.13 WHIP there in that three-year span. That’s a shocking statistic with how that ballpark plays, but we definitely don’t want to fade him in these matchups against the Guardians and Pirates. Cleveland ranks 29th or 30th in runs scored and xwOBA while Pittsburgh’s talent doesn’t necessarily worry us despite their good stats.

% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%

Zac Thornton (NYM, 24% Rostership) – The Mets always seem to find these gems throughout their minor league system. Thornton had a 3.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in the minors before this season and has been even better with the Mets. Thornton has allowed just one total run over his last three starts while tallying a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP for the season. What makes that even more impressive is that he faced the Brewers, Phillies, Red Sox and Nationals. Those are not lineups you want to face right now, and Thornton should benefit from some softer matchups in one of the best pitcher’s parks in the sport!

% of Recommended FAAB: 1-3%

QUICK HITS: Clay Holmes (NYM, 29% Rostership), Ronel Blanco (HOU, 11% Rostership), Spencer Arrighetti (HOU, 28% Rostership)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Yoendrys Gomez (MIN, 32% Rostership) – Why is Gomez still available in so many leagues? He’s clearly taken over as the Twins closer, picking up 10 saves since the end of May. Gomez also has a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in that span and doesn’t have much competition in this bullpen to take away saves.

% of Recommended FAAB: 5%

QUICK HITS: Gregory Soto (PIT, 31% Rostership), Shane Drohan (MIL, 37% Rostership)

Deep League Adds

Keider Montero (DET, 21% Rostership) – There aren’t many great deep-league options for saves, but Montero is a fantastic waiver wire addition with RP eligibility. He’s quietly been one of Detroit’s best starters this year, posting a 3.14 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 16 starts. Montero also has a 1.80 ERA and 0.85 WHIP since June 10. That form should continue this week since he has a home matchup with Baltimore, who rank 27th in K rate.

% of Recommended FAAB: 3%

QUICK HITS: Grant Taylor (CWS, 25% Rostership), Brandon Pfaadt (ARI, 16% Rostership)