Stretch‑Run Waiver Wire Targets
As Major League Baseball hurtles toward the second half, fantasy managers are scouring the waiver wire for the kind of production that can rescue a faltering roster. The landscape is crowded, but a handful of players have begun to separate themselves with statistically significant bursts that align with the categories most in need of a lift.
Miami’s 23‑year‑old catcher Joe Mack has been a revelation, on pace for roughly 26 home runs per 600 plate appearances while still learning the nuances of the position. Arizona’s versatile infielder Tim Tawa is batting .286 over the last stretch, adding five runs, ten RBIs, three homers and two stolen bases, giving him a rare blend of contact and power. Los Angeles’ second baseman Vaughn Grissom has trimmed his strikeout rate dramatically, posting a string of multi‑hit games that have vaulted him into the conversation for a mid‑season breakout.
Atlanta’s shortstop Jim Jarvis combines a high hard‑hit rate with a respectable barrel percentage, suggesting that both power and speed could materialize as the season progresses. Pittsburgh’s third‑baseman Nick Gonzales offers a balanced line of .313 batting average, 58 runs, 46 RBIs, six homers and four steals, making him a well‑rounded asset for teams needing production across the board. Milwaukee’s outfielder Garrett Mitchell has started 20 of the past 21 games and appears to have a clear path toward OF2/3 rest‑of‑season production, thanks to an increasingly regular spot in the lineup.
On the pitching side, New York starter Zac Thornton has posted a pristine 1.93 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP, numbers that are hard to ignore despite concerns about the sustainability of his current profile. His recent outings have shown a sharp command of his fastball and an effective secondary offering that has kept hitters off balance.
Navigating a Chaotic Save Market
The save environment in 2026 is unusually fluid, with 204 different pitchers having recorded a save at some point this season. In such a climate, the most valuable relievers are those who already hold a clear ninth‑inning role or are poised to inherit it within weeks. Targeting relievers with imminent opportunity, rather than established names, often yields the greatest upside for fantasy teams looking to shore up a volatile category.