Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Hot Additions
The latest waiver wire roundup highlights a handful of players who have turned heads in the first few weeks of the season, offering fantasy managers a chance to plug gaps before the trade deadline.
Lars Nootbaar, the St. Louis outfielder, has burst onto the scene with an .872 OPS and two home runs in just 85 plate appearances, making him a compelling add for any lineup seeking on‑base upside.
Meanwhile, Henry Bolte has cemented himself in the leadoff spot for the Oakland A’s, batting .287 with two homers and 11 stolen bases, a combination that could boost both speed and run production.
Esmerlyn Valdez, a power hitter from Triple‑A, is posting a .914 OPS and already 13 homers, suggesting he could provide a late‑round surge of slugging power.
Pitching Prospects and Risks
On the pitching side, Brandon Sproat earned his second consecutive win, though his 5.28 ERA still lags behind expectations, prompting a cautious approach to his upside.
Griffin Jax continues to show steady improvement, inching closer to the durability of a regular starter as his pitch count climbs.
Connelly Early has been cruising early in the rotation, but a lingering elbow discomfort raises questions about his long‑term availability.
Veteran Martín Pérez posted a 3.27 ERA entering his latest start, yet the Cardinals erupted for four earned runs in five innings, a reminder that even solid numbers can be volatile.
Tatsuya Imai’s high‑risk profile makes him a less certain recommendation despite flashes of brilliance, while Payton Tolle has surged to the 23rd spot on the rankings with dominant recent outings.
Joey Cantillo’s recent stretch of excellence has many scouts taking notice, and Luis García Jr. exploded in June with a 1.128 OPS and 11 homers, positioning him as a breakout candidate.
Shane Drohan has delivered two solid, albeit brief, starts in a row, offering a glimpse of consistency for a back‑end rotation slot.
Finally, Walbert Ureña maintains a 3.17 season ERA despite a recent disaster start, illustrating the fine line between resilience and regression.