Welcome back to another edition of weekly waiver wire pickups. Were any of you able to snag Jakob Marsee last period? Hopefully so, because the man continues to make a mockery of big league pitching. If he’s still available in your league, stop reading and add him immediately. If you did miss out on Marsee, there’s no need to panic because there are still plenty more prospects on the verge of making an impact.
Today marks the date when potential call-ups no longer lose their rookie status for the following season. Unless they somehow cross the threshold of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched, teams get to hold onto their players for another year before reaching free agency. Which means, now is the time most teams will call up their top guys still toiling in the minor leagues. We’ve got a few on this week’s list who may be worth stashing before the rest of the world catches on.
We’ve got a whole plethora of position players and pitchers this week so there should be something for everyone. That’s enough blabbing for now, let’s get right to it.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets
All players listed are rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo leagues.
Ryan Bergert (SP – KC): 12%
Ryan Bergert’s been a bit wild this year but coming off of an eight-strikeout performance, the former Padre may be worth looking into. Since moving into the starting rotation, Bergert has held opponents to two runs or fewer in seven out of nine starts, and three in the other two. He’s been extremely consistent which has led to an excellent 2.87. ERA. His WHIP is also solid at 1.09 and he’s scattered 44 strikeouts over 47 innings.
The 25-year-old rookie has yet to last a full six innings but he did complete 5.2 innings in both of his latest two outings. The walks could become an issue but at 4.2 per 9, they are still in an acceptable range. Bergert’s worth adding in most leagues.
Bryan Abreu (RP – HOU): 49%
Bennet Sousa also deserves some love because he’s been solid (2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) and he’s already registered four saves. That said, Bryan Abreu is the much nastier option. With Josh Hader on the IL, the Astros will turn to one of these guys to hold onto the lead in the ninth. The most obvious choice is Abreu with his lights-out stuff but he could be called upon in any of the late innings with the game on the line. His exquisite ratios and massive strikeout potential make him worth rostering already but now with saves as part of the mix, he’s a must-add everywhere.
Cristian Javier (SP – HOU): 26%
Cristian Javier returned on Monday after nearly a 15-month absence. While I was expecting some rust after such an extensive layoff, Javier looked like his old dominant self, holding the Red Sox to just two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. While that may not quite qualify as “dominant,” the Red Sox lineup is hardly a pushover and three hits against 19 batters is pretty impressive. He also struck out five and earned the win.
Barring another injury, Javier should stick in the rotation for the rest of the season. He is a priority add if he does well again this weekend
Blaze Alexander (2B, 3B, SS – ARI): 30%
Just blaze baby. Blaze Alexander has been on my radar since 2022 when he posted nearly a .950 OPS in the high Minors while batting over .300. The Diamondbacks infielder has been receiving regular playing time and mashing of late, connecting for three dingers and a .421 average this week. He does have Jordan Lawler breathing down his neck as he continues to play in Triple-A, but Blaze has been too good recently to overlook. He qualifies at three tough positions and is worth adding in deeper leagues if you need help at middle or corner infield.
Jacob Lopez (SP – ATH): 48%
Lopez dealt with a few ups and downs this year but his stuff always looked good. I’ve mentioned him multiple times before but now he seems to be putting it all together. Lopez has been lights out this month maintaining a 0.00 ERA while striking out 28 batters over an impressive 24-inning scoreless streak. He’s been even more exceptional in his last two starts, pitching into the eighth inning of both games while earning dual victories and striking out 19. The crafty lefty was a menace on the farm as well, previously posting some gaudy strikeout numbers. He’s arguably the new ace of the Athletics and deserves to be rostered in all leagues.
Ernie Clement (1B, 2B, 3B, SS – TOR): 48%
Ernie Clement has been on fire lately launching four home runs over the last eight days. The power breakout comes as a bit of a surprise as the journeyman utility player isn’t exactly known for his pop. Batting average is likely his greatest calling card as well as runs scored. His loaded positional eligibility also helps further his value.
Clement hits lefties better than righties, so if you have the luxury of daily transactions, sit him against tough right-handed pitchers. However, if he continues to punish the ball the way he has this week, he may just become a must-start regardless of who’s on the mound.
Hurston Waldrep (SP – ATL): 21%
Waldrep was solid in his first two Major League outings, holding the Reds and Marlins to a total of two runs through 11.2 innings. Following those gems, Braves’ manager, Brian Snitker, raved to the media about the improvements Waldrep has made. He explained how Waldrep has nearly abandoned his four-seam fastball and has moved to more of a hard sinker that pairs nicely with his splitter and other off-speed stuff. Waldrep was more of a thrower in the Minor Leagues, trying to light up the radar gun on every pitch, but now with more of a cerebral approach, the results have been optimal. The production is likely to continue so add Waldrep everywhere you can.
Owen Caissie (OF – CHC): 10%
I’m not sure how the Cubs’ top-rated prospect fits into the starting lineup, but if Owen Caissie receives regular playing time, he may just be worth adding. Caissie has been a steady power hitter in the Chicago system for the last three years. He launched 63 home runs and 86 doubles over nearly 1250 at-bats. Those numbers roughly translate to 30 homers and 40 doubles over a full 600 at-bat season. Caissie has been especially hot of late amassing eight hits and two homers over his final four minor league games.
A few of the Cubs’ slugging outfielders have been slumping lately, so he could fill in almost regularly as Craig Counsell tries to get each of them a breather.
Bob Seymour (1B – TB): 0%
Bob Seymour. What a name. Seymour is set to debut on Saturday and could add some much-needed thump to the Rays’ lineup. The twenty-six-year-old leads the International League (Triple-A) with 30 home runs and could create a nice one-two punch with Junior Caminero.
On Thursday, Seymour wasn’t even listed on Yahoo’s platform so he should be widely available now across all forms. The long-time minor leaguer could be a nice addition for fantasy managers in deep leagues down the stretch.
Nolan McLean (SP – NYM): 19%
Nolan McLean’s debut is coming this Saturday against a tough Mariners squad. The Mets’ highly touted prospect was lights out in the minors this year holding opposing hitters to a minuscule .191 batting average. He also posted a 2.45 ERA and a 27.2% strikeout rate.
McLean’s main issue is all the free passes he surrenders at 10.7 per nine innings. While 10.7% isn’t too bad, it’s definitely not ideal considering he was facing minor league hitters. If he can’t get the control under wraps, things could escalate quickly at the highest level for the 24-year-old. He may not shut down the Mariners this weekend, but McLean should be somewhat valuable the rest of the year.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.