Week 12 of the National Fantasy Baseball Championship brings a fresh wave of waiver opportunities, especially for those playing in 12‑ and 15‑team formats. With the trade deadline looming, managers are looking to extract maximum value from limited FAAB resources, and the player pool is packed with undervalued talent that can shift the balance of power in any roster.
Catchers Worth the Investment
Backstops who are seeing increased playing time present some of the most attractive bids. Dalton Rushing, catching for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Will Smith remains sidelined, commands $26 in 15‑team leagues and $13 in 12‑team leagues. Francisco Alvarez, the New York Mets’ power‑hitting catcher, returns from injury and is similarly priced, while Jimmy Crooks, a St. Louis prospect heating up at the plate, offers a $10 (15‑team) or $5 (12‑team) entry point.
Infield Gems and Utility Options
First‑base prospects such as Blaze Jordan and TJ Rumfield are priced at $16/$8 and $10/$5 respectively, reflecting their upside and favorable matchups. Spencer Horwitz, a Pittsburgh utility piece batting near the top of the order, can be secured for just $4 in larger leagues, while versatile players like Willi Castro and Oswald Peraza provide multi‑position flexibility at minimal cost.
At shortstop, Jacob Wilson and Ezequiel Tovar stand out with bids of $22/$11 and $10/$5, respectively, thanks to their recent hot streaks and favorable schedules. Masyn Winn, another St. Louis shortstop, is a low‑risk $2/$1 stash bet on volume, while Caleb Durbin and Kyle Karros, both third‑base heating up, merit $12/$6 and $8/$4 investments.
Outfield Targets with Upside
Braden Montgomery, a highly touted prospect in the Chicago White Sox system, demands $30/$15 due to his pedigree and early‑season promise. Jung Hoo Lee, currently red‑hot for the San Francisco Giants, is a $12/$6 play, while Cole Carrigg offers a $6/$3 bargain in Colorado’s favorable environment.
Pitching Streamers and Closer Bets
Starting pitchers Edward Cabrera and Luis Castillo, both priced at $16/$8, present solid matchups against the Rockies and Red Sox respectively, making them worthwhile spends. Walbert Urena’s $4/$2 price tag rewards a hot streak, while relief options such as Caleb Kilian, the new Giants closer, command $24/$12, reflecting his save potential.
Garrett Whitlock, a Boston reliever, can be stashed for $4/$2 as Aroldis Chapman’s eventual trade opens a closer role, and Yoendrys Gomez, Minnesota’s closer, is available for $2/$1. These relief arms provide high upside at a fraction of the cost, ideal for managers looking to hedge risk while preserving budget for positional upgrades.