The latest waiver‑wire roundup for Week 23 reveals a crowded market of high‑upside additions across the fantasy baseball landscape, with platforms such as Fantrax and the NFBC Online Championship driving aggressive pickups.
Standout Hitters
The Kansas City Royals exploded for 47 runs in Week 22, a surge that propelled Bobby Witt Jr. to the top of the run‑scoring leaderboard, while Vinnie Pasquantino and Kyle Isbel each contributed two homers. Pete Crow‑Armstrong continues to dominate as the season’s most productive fantasy player, batting .375 with five homers last week and already amassing 30‑plus steals and round‑trip balls.
Pitching Breakouts
Cy Quantrill proved his worth with two wins, 13 scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts while posting a 4.62 xFIP, and rookie Kade Anderson made a modest debut for the Mariners, surrendering three runs over 5.2 innings against the Cubs. Both arms are attracting FAAB interest despite differing levels of polish.
Injury‑Driven Streaming
With several Athletics regulars sidelined, streamers are eyeing players such as Cortes, White and Max Muncy, who have stepped into everyday roles after Nick Kurtz’s injury. The move has already paid dividends for those who grabbed George Klassen, the Angels rookie who silenced the Astros with seven shutout innings and seven strikeouts.
Closer Dynamics
The Orioles’ closer committee saw a boost when Rico Garcia recorded a save and a win in consecutive appearances, showcasing a career‑best swinging‑strike rate and hard‑hit rate that could cement his role moving forward.
Strategic Outlook
Early‑season pricing for top starters remains steep, with Aaron Nola and Andrew Painter commanding premium FAAB bids, while Matthew Liberatore offers strikeout upside against favorable matchups. Meanwhile, the recent drop of Abimelec Ortiz by 11% of NFBC managers opens a window for Vinnie Pasquantino to become a more attractive upgrade for those still holding the former.