FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 3)
In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s (about 40% or less initial roster rate) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference grouped by starters, relievers, and hitters.
Batters
Kyren Paris: The breakout continues with 5 HR and 4 SB while hitting .419/.514/1.000. Some major underlying issues remain with his plate discipline that could quickly tank his production.
Chase Meidroth: Solid bat who just debuted going 1-1 with 3 BB. More of a batting average/on-base contributor but has some power and speed. He was hitting .267/.450/.600 with 3 HR and 2 SB in AAA. This week might be the last chance to add him in deeper leagues.
Wilmer Flores: Solid start to the season with 5 HR and a .255 AVG.
Zac Veen: Hitting at the top of the lineup against righties and buried at the bottom versus lefties. In four games, teams fed him a ton of fastballs (75%), and he can’t seem to hit them (overall 35% K%, 28% SwStr%, on four-seamers 41% SwStr%). Boosted rank on unknown upside.
Geraldo Perdomo: A 3% K% has him hitting a .333 AVG with 2 HR and 2 SB.
Carlos Santana: Remains a solid bat (.271 AVG, 2 HR, 1 SB).
Ty France: Solid with 2 HR and a .300 AVG.
Sal Frelick: Hitting for average (.340 AVG, .395 BABIP) with 4 SB.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Solid bench bat (.279 AVG, 4 SB) as long as he continues to start.
Ke’Bryan Hayes: He struggles to hit for average (.229 AVG) but has 1 HR and 2 SB.
Thomas Saggese: He started in four of six games since being promoted and has been on fire (.467/.438/.667, .545 BABIP). Closely monitor his playing time.
Alex Call: Started in seven of the last eight games while hitting .435/.531/.609.
Jake Meyer: Six straight center field starts while hitting .313/.395/.375 with 5 SB.
Matt Mervis: A 41% K% keeping down is production but a .276 AVG and 3 HR are rosterable.
Jonathan Aranda: Besides sitting against lefties, a solid option who appears hot with a .400 BABIP (career .290 BABIP).
Harrison Bader: Starting about three-quarters of the time (Buxton, Wallner, Larnach) and hitting for power (3 HR, 28% K%).
Jorge Polanco: Been the DH in three of the last four games. Dropped his strikeout rate from 29% to 9% for a 1.147 OPS (3 HR).
Alek Thomas: Four starts in the last six games while hitting .296/.355/.444 with 0 HR and 0 SB.
Kameron Misner: He has only sat three times, twice against lefties. He continues to hit (1.073 OPS) with 1 HR and 1 SB.
Leody Taveras: On the strong side of a center field platoon with Pillar. He’s not been hitting (.546 OPS) but has 5 SB.
Brendan Rodgers: Starting about three-quarters of the time while hitting .250/.351/.313 (32% K%).
Trent Grisham: He continues to hit (.344 AVG, 3 HR) but could sit since there are not enough lineup spots for all the productive hitters.
Zach McKinstry: Starting about two-thirds of the time while hitting .350/.426/.525 with 1 HR and 1 SB.
Pavin Smith: The DH against righties. Hitting .387/.472/.645 so far this season.
Dylan Moore: With Polanco unable to play in the field, Moore (.286/.375/.500, 2 HR, 2 SB) has been starting at third base.
Justyn-Henry Malloy: The on-base machine (.231/.400/.308) hit lead-off, but Torres returned from the IL, and Malloy went to the bench. Closely monitor his playing time going forward.
Josh Smith: He should get some left field starts with Lanford on the IL. While he’s hitting .333/.444/.533, his .500 BABIP won’t last.
Jake Mangum: Six straight starts. During those games, he’s hitting .136/.136/.136 with 2 SB.
Trey Sweeney: Baez (.740 OPS) has been taking away Sweeney’s playing time. Sweeney (.731 OPS) has only started in two of the last five games.
Brooks Baldwin: Started in eight of nine games while hitting just .237 AVG with 1 HR and 1 SB.
Tim Tawa: Tawa (.432 OPS) is splitting time with Hampson at second base.
Jonny DeLuca: Out a few weeks with a shoulder strain. Not worth stashing in most leagues.
Edmundo Sosa: He hasn’t started in three games. Only useful when a teammate is on the IL.
Noelvi Marte: Promoted on Tuesday and hasn’t had a plate appearance yet.
Catchers
Sean Murphy: Off the IL and should be rostered by some team in all leagues.
Jonah Heim: When not catching catching against lefty, he’s the starting DH. So far, he’s hitting .303/.303/.576 with 3 HR.
Dillon Dingler: With Rodgers on the IL for at least a month, Dingler (.387/.406/.677) can take over the full-time catching role.
Pedro Pagés: Main catcher for the Cardinals with Herrera on the IL. So far this season, Pages is hitting .303/.303/.485.
Carlos Narvaez: Primary catcher with Wong on the IL.
Jose Trevino: Playing and hitting (.640 OPS).
Carson Kelly: Starting about half the time while batting .333/.500/.762 with 2 HR.
Endy Rodríguez: Started in 11 of 14 games so far, with seven coming at first base. He’s struggling at the plate (.205/.279/.282).
Hitting Prospects
Nick Kurtz: In AAA, the 22-year-old is hitting .385/.418/.846 with 6 HR and 0 SB.
Jac Caglianone: In AA, the 22-year-old is hitting .333/.389/.600 with 2 HR and 0 SB.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Aranda 1B TB | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Josh H. Smith 3B TEX | 36% | 40% | 4% |
| Sean Murphy C ATL | 34% | 47% | 13% |
| Jac Caglianone 1B KC | 32% | 34% | 2% |
| Nick Kurtz 1B ATH | 31% | 42% | 11% |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS PIT | 31% | 37% | 6% |
| Geraldo Perdomo SS ARI | 28% | 59% | 31% |
| Jorge Polanco 3B SEA | 28% | 36% | 8% |
| Dylan Moore 3B SEA | 28% | 34% | 6% |
| Jonah Heim C TEX | 26% | 32% | 6% |
| Zac Veen RF COL | 23% | 47% | 24% |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B PIT | 23% | 32% | 9% |
| Wilmer Flores DH SF | 22% | 42% | 20% |
| Sal Frelick RF MIL | 20% | 42% | 22% |
| Jake Mangum RF TB | 17% | 25% | 8% |
| Carlos Santana 1B CLE | 17% | 22% | 5% |
| Kyren Paris 2B LAA | 14% | 77% | 63% |
| Jonny DeLuca CF TB | 13% | 17% | 4% |
| Harrison Bader LF MIN | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| Noelvi Marte 3B CIN | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Carson Kelly C CHC | 9% | 31% | 22% |
| Edmundo Sosa SS PHI | 9% | 12% | 3% |
| Pavin Smith DH ARI | 9% | 12% | 3% |
| Leody Taveras CF TEX | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Ty France 1B MIN | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Alek Thomas CF ARI | 8% | 9% | 1% |
| Trey Sweeney SS DET | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Endy Rodriguez 1B PIT | 7% | 8% | 1% |
| Zach McKinstry RF DET | 6% | 24% | 18% |
| Dillon Dingler C DET | 6% | 15% | 9% |
| Chase Meidroth SS CHW | 4% | 10% | 6% |
| Matt Mervis 1B MIA | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Kameron Misner CF TB | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Brendan Rodgers 2B HOU | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Thomas Saggese 2B STL | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Brooks Baldwin 2B CHW | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Justyn-Henry Malloy DH DET | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Trent Grisham CF NYY | 2% | 30% | 28% |
| Pedro Pages C STL | 2% | 12% | 10% |
| Alex Call RF WAS | 2% | 7% | 5% |
| Jake Meyers CF HOU | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Tim Tawa 2B ARI | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Jose Trevino C CIN | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Carlos Narvaez C BOS | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Starting Pitchers
Landen Roupp: A .407 BABIP is pushing up his 1.50 WHIP. Otherwise, he’s been lights out (10.8 K/9, 3.08 xFIP).
Matthew Boyd: Start him as long as he’s healthy.
Easton Lucas: In two starts, the 28-year-old has a 10 K/9, 0.00 ERA (2.98 xFIP), and 0.68 WHIP. All three of his pitches have a swinging-strike rate over 13%.
Hayden Wesneski: While his .107 BABIP will regress upward, he’s been solid with a 3.75 ERA and matching ERA estimators.
Andrew Heaney: Solid season with a 1.50 ERA (3.17 xFIP), 0.92 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9.
David Festa: Solid 64-pitch start in his first major league game this year. The only change from last season is the possible addition of a sinker. Add now and see if the results continue.
Zebby Matthews: Could start Monday after being promoted from AAA where he posted a 1.80 ERA (2.61 xFIP), 0.60 WHIP, and 11.7 K/9.
Quinn Priester: A 55% GB% and 7.0 K/9 talent comps to the 2024 versions of Logan Webb and Cristopher Sánchez.
J.T. Ginn: In 11 IP in AAA, he posted a 1.64 ERA (0.99 xFIP), 15.6 K/9, 0.64 WHIP, and 56% GB%. In his debut, he went 5 IP with 1 ER, 6 K, 2 BB, and a 57% GB%.
Tony Gonsolin: Gonsolin is in AAA, going through his rehab starts. His fastball velocity averages 92.8 mph, and he’s leaning into his splitter and curveball (both up about 15% points). When healthy, he has been a decent pitcher. He needs to keep above a 12% SwStr% (22% in AAA) to be productive.
Shane Smith: Lots of groundballs (62% GB%) are hiding some strike throwing flaws (3.9 BB/9). His changeup and curve both have over a 17% SwStr%.
Edward Cabrera: Looked to be in midseason form in his 2025 debut with 3 BB in 5 IP. He posted a career-high fastball velocity (97 mph).
Matthew Liberatore: Unlucky with a .351 BABIP and 48% LOB% leading to a 5.84 ERA (2.37 xFIP).
JP Sears: Solid (4.24 ERA, 3.76 xFIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.18 WHIP) streamer.
Michael Lorenzen: The 33-year-old has everything working with a 3.18 ERA (3.67 xFIP), 1.15 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9.
Taijuan Walker: He has not allowed a run yet in 10 IP but does have a 4.34 xFIP. Reasonable streamer for Wins if his fastball velocity stays up.
Ryan Gusto: In 12 IP so far, he has a 3.00 ERA (3.40 xFIP), 11.3 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9. In his first start on Saturday, he went 4 IP (72 pitches), so he’s still working up to a starter’s workload. Add and bench.
Kyle Hendricks: The 86 mph fastball seems to be working with a 1.64 ERA (4.04 xFIP). At least this season, he’s not walking as many batters (3.0 BB/9 in ’24, 1.6 BB/9 in ’25).
Martín Pérez: He’s not allowing any hard contact (0.0 HR/9, .148 BABIP), so his WHIP and ERA are down at 0.73. I don’t trust he’ll keep it up with his 88 mph fastball.
Tyler Mahle: His 4.6 BB/9 will catch up with him once his .147 BABIP and 0.0 HR/9 regress.
Ben Lively 라이블리: I can’t roster a 4.50 ERA talent even if he has three decent matchups (vs CWS, vs KC, at PIT).
Richard Fitts: No signs of a breakout, but could be a decent streaming option (Update: Left his Saturday start with an arm issue).
Osvaldo Bido: A 3.00 ERA (4.93 xFIP) seems fine, but it’s paired with a 1.60 WHIP (.391 BABIP, 3.6 BB/9). He might end up with two starts against the White Sox in the next two weeks.
Mitchell Parker: The 1.96 ERA (4.86 xFIP) won’t last with a 4.9 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9.
Bobby Miller: A matching 8.3 K/9 and 8.3 BB/9 in AAA (6.20 xFIP). Career 5.24 ERA (4.04 xFIP) in the majors. Always hype, few results.
Jose Quintana: In his debut, he lasted 7 IP with 2 K, 0 BB, and 0 ER. He threw his sinker more and pushed his groundball rate to 53%.
Jack Kochanowicz: Way too many walks (3.5 BB/9) for the low strikeout rate (5.2 K/9). His 51% GB% can only do so much.
Landon Knack: In his first start, he allowed 5 ER with 5 K and 4 BB in 4 IP. Evaluate from the waiver wire.
Kyle Freeland: Not worth adding since his start next week will be at home (vs WSH). He has been solid with a 3.79 ERA, 7.1 K/9, and 1.00 WHIP.
Jake Irvin: The 5.00 ERA talent is only being added because of his two-step at Pittsburgh and at Colorado.
Chase Dollander: There are no reasons to roster Dollander. A rookie on the Rockies … what could go wrong?
Brad Lord: In his last appearance, he lasted 3 IP (55 pitches) with 0 ER, 4 K, and 2 BB. Nothing stands out.
Chad Patrick: His 2.45 ERA is less than half of his ERA estimators. His main issues so far are the 5.7 BB/9 and 1.6 HR/9. The walks have not haunted him (98% LOB%). None of his pitches have a swinging-strike rate over 10%. Stay away.
Tyler Alexander: A 5.0 BB/9 will limit any upside. A .226 BABIP is keeping his 2.84 ERA (4.92 xFIP) low.
Patrick Corbin: So it looks like 4% of CBS users don’t lock their computers up, thereby letting their “friends” add washed-up arms.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Boyd SP CHC | 36% | 53% | 17% |
| Chase Dollander SP COL | 32% | 46% | 14% |
| Richard Fitts SP BOS | 30% | 36% | 6% |
| Michael Lorenzen SP KC | 27% | 36% | 9% |
| Hayden Wesneski SP HOU | 26% | 46% | 20% |
| Landen Roupp SP SF | 24% | 30% | 6% |
| JP Sears SP ATH | 24% | 27% | 3% |
| Mitchell Parker SP WAS | 21% | 53% | 32% |
| Zebby Matthews SP MIN | 21% | 35% | 14% |
| Kyle Freeland SP COL | 17% | 22% | 5% |
| Tyler Mahle SP TEX | 16% | 33% | 17% |
| Ben Lively SP CLE | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Tony Gonsolin SP LAD | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Osvaldo Bido SP ATH | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Martin Perez SP CHW | 14% | 29% | 15% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 14% | 17% | 3% |
| Edward Cabrera SP MIA | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Jack Kochanowicz SP LAA | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| David Festa SP MIN | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Bobby Miller SP LAD | 11% | 12% | 1% |
| Andrew Heaney SP PIT | 10% | 22% | 12% |
| Matthew Liberatore SP STL | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Taijuan Walker SP PHI | 6% | 26% | 20% |
| Kyle Hendricks SP LAA | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Jose Quintana SP MIL | 6% | 7% | 1% |
| Landon Knack SP LAD | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Quinn Priester SP MIL | 3% | 8% | 5% |
| Chad Patrick SP MIL | 3% | 7% | 4% |
| Tyler Alexander SP MIL | 2% | 8% | 6% |
| Easton Lucas SP TOR | 2% | 26% | 24% |
| Patrick Corbin SP TEX | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| J.T. Ginn SP ATH | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Ryan Gusto RP HOU | 0% | 4% | 4% |
| Brad Lord RP WAS | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Relievers: Save-based ranks
José Alvarado: Good reliever who is the closer.
Dennis Santana: OK reliever who is the closer.
Anthony Bender: Good reliever who might be the closer.
Tony Santillan: Good reliever who could be the closer.
Tommy Kahnle: Average reliever who might be the closer.
Emilio Pagán: Below-average reliever who may be the closer.
Luke Weaver: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Jason Adam: Good reliever who may be the backup closer.
Robert Garcia: OK reliever who might be the backup closer.
Tyler Rogers: Good reliever who could be the backup closer.
Alex Vesia: Good reliever who is part of a closer by committee.
Anthony Banda: Middle reliever who is several steps away from closing.
Ben Casparius: Middle reliever who is several steps away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Weaver RP NYY | 38% | 40% | 2% |
| Jose Alvarado RP PHI | 37% | 67% | 30% |
| Jason Adam RP SD | 30% | 33% | 3% |
| Dennis Santana RP PIT | 25% | 32% | 7% |
| Emilio Pagan RP CIN | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Tommy Kahnle RP DET | 15% | 28% | 13% |
| Shane Smith SP CHW | 14% | 27% | 13% |
| Alex Vesia RP LAD | 11% | 15% | 4% |
| Tony Santillan RP CIN | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Anthony Bender RP MIA | 8% | 17% | 9% |
| Tyler Rogers RP SF | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Robert Garcia RP TEX | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Anthony Banda RP LAD | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Ben Casparius RP LAD | 3% | 5% | 2% |
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.
Thank you Jeff, always look forward to your insights. I went back to the MJ Melendez well, one more time, hoping the re-worked swing would bring about that 2021 MiLB season. Safe to say OFs Call, Bader and Tavarez are worth dropping him?