Waiver Wire Watch: Standout Pickups After the Trade Deadline
The MLB trade deadline has reshaped rosters, and fantasy managers are now turning their attention to the waiver wire for fresh sources of production.
Among the most coveted categories, batting average remains a quick route to lineup stability, and recent performances have put several youngsters in the spotlight. Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles is hitting .450 over the past week and .362 over the last 30 days, making him a strong pickup for batting average, while Cole Young of the Seattle Mariners has collected 28 hits over the last 25 games, including five homers and 15 runs scored, thriving in the leadoff spot.
Speed and Stolen-Base Threats
Jake Mangum of the Pittsburgh Pirates has swiped 20 bags and averages a steal every 15 plate appearances, making him a strong stolen-base target and a potential catalyst for aggressive base-running strategies.
Emerging Pitching Options
Walbert Urena of the Los Angeles Angels boasts a 2.54 ERA and has given up only five earned runs over his last five outings, establishing himself as a dominant pitching option, while Tyler Mahle of the Atlanta Braves has improved since returning from injury, posting a 1.18 WHIP over seven starts and nine strikeouts against the Padres.
Brandyn Garcia of the Arizona Diamondbacks is closing games and averaging more than a strikeout per inning, with a 2.00 ERA and 0.80 WHIP, and Erik Miller of the San Francisco Giants has taken over as the primary saves option after Caleb Kilian was traded, posting a 2.76 ERA and six saves. Dustin May of the Milwaukee Brewers joins a winning team and should benefit from better run support and a solid bullpen, improving his win potential.
The convergence of these storylines means that weekly lineup decisions will increasingly hinge on recent form and role clarity, especially as teams lock in closer roles and rotation spots, making these waiver additions pivotal for any championship chase.