The latest waiver‑wire roundup zeroes in on players who are still flying under the radar in Yahoo! formats, offering a mix of power arms and contact‑driven hitters who could swing the balance of your fantasy roster in the coming days.
Key Hitters to Watch
JJ Bleday, now rostered in just 39% of leagues, has hit a career‑high in bat speed and is delivering All‑Star‑level hard‑hit and barrel rates, making him a compelling add for teams needing a middle‑of‑the‑order boost. Gabriel Moreno, owned by only 34% of participants, is swinging the bat harder than ever, posting a solid contact rate and showing the upside to crack the top‑ten catchers in the league. Jake Burger’s May line of .256/.322/.488, coupled with five homers, signals a breakout that could push his roster percentage past the 40% threshold if the momentum continues. Rookie Colt Emerson, a 20‑year‑old with a 29% roster rate, has impressed with disciplined at‑bats and a skill set that suggests a fast rise through the fantasy rankings.
Pitching Arms on the Rise
On the pitching side, Reid Detmers carries a 4.57 ERA but a 1.14 WHIP and a 21.1% K‑BB% that points to better days ahead, while Zebby Matthews boasts a 2.37 ERA and 0.84 WHIP across three starts, and Jacob Latz, the lone Rangers reliever with a save since April 12, has sharpened his stuff after moving to the pen. Troy Melton’s season debut featured a 96 mph fastball and a deep mix of secondary pitches, while Walbert Ureña, a changeup‑first righty, will face the Rays and Rockies next with a 2.58 ERA despite a 1.38 WHIP. Gage Jump and River Ryan also made strong first‑appearance statements, the former flashing a 96 mph fastball and a suite of breaking balls, the latter dominating Triple‑A with six shutout innings and eight strikeouts.
Closer situations are shifting, too; Kyle Finnegan is slated to inherit the Tigers’ closing duties after Kenley Jansen’s groin injury, and Spencer Miles has been stretched into a bulk‑relief role for the Blue Jays, showing steady velocity and plus command.
MLB’s Broadcast Future
Beyond the diamond, the league announced that Major League Baseball will return to NBC and Peacock in 2026, a move that promises broader exposure and new streaming opportunities for fans across the United States and Canada.
Staying ahead of the curve means monitoring these emerging contributors and the broadcast shifts that could change how you watch the game, giving you both a fantasy edge and a front‑row seat to the sport’s evolving landscape.