Waiver Wire Spotlight: Rising Stars to Grab Now
Each week the fantasy baseball community scours the waiver wire for players who can tip the scales, and this edition spotlights a handful of under‑40% rostered names that are delivering surprising production. With Major League Baseball set to make its way back to NBC and Peacock in 2026, the buzz around streaming rights adds an extra layer of excitement for fans who want to follow every swing and steal.
Among the most compelling bats is Esmerlyn Valdez, who is batting .316/.375/.737 with six home runs and 15 RBI over his last 19 games, while Dylan Crews is posting a .320/.382/.440 line with a homer, nine RBI and three steals in his past 13 contests. Nasim Nunez continues to shine at .329/.400/.447, having scored 12 runs, driven in 12 and stolen 10 bases since June 1, and Samad Taylor’s .326/.426/.370 output has yielded six runs and two thefts in 13 games. The resurgence of Francisco Alvarez, now hitting .250/.289/.486 with five homers and nine RBI after returning from injury, adds depth to the mix, as does Tommy Edman’s .378/.451/.556 surge that includes nine RBI in 13 appearances. Cole Young’s .293/.329/.520 slash over the last 20 games features five homers, 11 runs and 10 RBI, while Javier Sanoja’s .317/.344/.500 line has produced 10 runs and 10 RBI. Dominic Canzone is on fire at .301/.378/.616 with six homers, 12 runs and 11 RBI since June 1, and Blaze Alexander’s .398/.449/.614 performance includes three homers, 13 runs, 20 RBI and three steals in 30 games. Owen Caissie’s .291/.323/.618 output translates to five homers, 10 runs and 17 RBI in his last 20 games, and Victor Caratini’s .338/.432/.618 line boasts five homers, 14 RBI and 13 runs scored in 21 contests since June 1. Carson Kelly’s .333/.471/.593 burst in the past 10 games includes a homer, nine runs and 11 RBI, while Trevor Larnach’s .358/.416/.531 line adds two homers, 14 runs and 13 RBI. Michael Conforto has gone 8‑for‑23 in the last two weeks with three homers, seven runs and eight RBI, Jacob Gonzalez is 12‑for‑38 (.316) with a homer, eight runs and 12 RBI over his last 12 games, Garrett Mitchell is posting a .350/.400/.650 line with four homers, 12 runs and nine RBI over his last 20 games, and Lars Nootbaar’s .304/.370/.456 output features two homers, 11 runs and 10 RBI since coming off the injured list.
Broadcast News: MLB Returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026
Beyond the stat sheet, the upcoming return of MLB games to NBC and Peacock in 2026 promises a new home for live action, meaning fantasy players will have more avenues to watch their pickups in real time. The expanded broadcast footprint could also bring fresh graphics and deeper analytics that help league participants make quicker roster decisions.
The blend of emerging talent and a refreshed viewing landscape positions this season as a pivotal moment for both on‑field performance and off‑field engagement, offering a fertile ground for fantasy strategists to capitalize on fresh storylines and streaming opportunities.