Fantasy baseball managers scanning the waiver wire this week will find a mix of power arms and high‑contact hitters who are suddenly in the spotlight, each offering a distinct advantage for the upcoming slate of games.
Hot Hitting Options
Bryce Eldridge of the Giants has surged to the 27th spot on the Yahoo Player Rater over the last two weeks, thanks to a blend of raw power and a disciplined approach at the plate. TJ Rumfield of the Rockies brings a .275 average and the upside for 20 homers, while Troy Johnston, also a Rockies prospect, is posting a .312 average with 7 home runs and 64 RBIs, making him a reliable middle‑of‑order option. Cole Carrigg, another Rockies bat, is riding a .861 OPS during the team’s homestand, and Nasim Nuñez of the Nationals is stealing bases at a major‑league‑leading pace, ranking second with 26 thefts and batting .378 in June. Even less heralded names like Spencer Horwitz of the Pirates, who boasts a low strikeout rate and a high rate of balls in play, and Joc Pederson of the Rangers, who carries a .792 OPS against right‑handed pitchers, are worth a look for those needing a weekend boost.
Pitching Streamers
On the mound, Gage Jump of the Athletics has posted a 2.37 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across his first five MLB starts, while Griffin Jax of the Rays sits at a 2.57 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in nine starts since joining the rotation on April 26. Both arms are attractive stream options, especially as Jax will face a San Diego lineup that could be vulnerable to his mix of fastballs and off‑speed pitches. J.T. Ginn, another arm on the radar, offers a high strikeout potential that could translate into a strong performance against a middling opposition.
With a handful of favorable matchups on the schedule, the smartest move is to prioritize players who not only perform well individually but also benefit from advantageous lineups and ballparks. Monitoring the upcoming series will reveal which of these candidates can deliver the biggest return before the next waiver cycle.