FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 4)
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
Chandler Simpson: Add the speedster now, figure out his talent later. He stole 104 bases last year and hit one home run (inside the park). On top of the steals, he puts the ball on the ground and creates a ton of infield hits. While he could win a stolen base category by himself, it’ll be interesting to see how much he plays. Even with his speed, his defense grades below average so the team won’t feel obligated to start him. Top add in roto leagues, in point leagues, he’ll need to move down a few spots.
Jonathan Aranda: A .429 BABIP has him hitting .382/.453/.691 with 3 HR. The only knock against him was that he was sitting against lefties, but on Friday, he started against one.
Caleb Durbin: Add the speedster now, figure out his talent later. The Brewers have declared that Durbin will be their starting third baseman (currently qualified at 2B) and should be a solid fantasy contributor in a Steven Kwan sort of way (good AVG and SB, low HR). His Steamer600 comps don’t think batting average will be a help, but he posted a .278 AVG in the minors last year and a .304 the season before.
Austin Hays: Since coming off the IL, Hays hit in the middle of the Reds’ lineup. He could be a sneaky power play in that little league home park once the summer heats up.
Matt Mervis: The 43% K% is starting to weigh on his batting average (.239 AVG). The six home runs are nice.
Gabriel Arias: The 25-year-old added second base this season and is getting close to adding shortstop (5 games). Breakout season with 4 HR, 1 SB, and a .279 AVG.
Jake Meyers: With 7 SB and a .308 AVG. He is sacrificing power for more contact.
Ty France: Replacement-level corner bat.
Zach McKinstry: Nice bench bat. Playing every game while qualified at short, third, and outfield.
Pavin Smith: A .607 BABIP has the strong-side platoon bat hitting .408/.500/.735 with 3 HR and 1 SB.
Dylan Moore: Seven starts in the last 10 games while putting up a productive fantasy season (4 HR, 5 SB, .326 AVG).
Jesús Sánchez: Just returned from the IL (4 G). Sat against the first two lefties. Last year might be a career season (18 HR, 16 SB, .252 AVG) for the 27-year-old, but add for a potential repeat.
Alek Thomas: Even though Thomas is batting .311/.373/.467, the Diamondbacks continue to play McCarthy and his .294 OPS.
Alex Call: Hit leadoff in five of the last six games. Batting .300/.415/.400 on the season with 0 HR and 1 SB.
Jorge Polanco: Productive (.367/.373/.592, 3 HR, 1 SB) but only starting against righties.
Jose Caballero: The speedster (5 SB) has only started in six of the last ten games. We’ll have to see which of K% or BABIP wins out to take control of his batting average.
Alex Verdugo: In his first MLB game this year, the 28-year-old hit leadoff against a right. Historically, he’s been platooned (sits vs LHP), but the Braves need OF help, so he may face righties and lefties.
Kyle Stowers: Batting in the top half of the lineup with a .786 OPS, 1 HR, and 1 SB.
Miguel Andujar: Started in 10 of the last 11 games with a .300 AVG and no power (.067 ISO).
Griffin Conine: Note: Left Saturday’s game with an arm injury. Hitting a solid .279/.353/.426 with 13 starts in the last 14 games.
Luisangel Acuña: Solid start to the season (.263/.349/.342) with 6 SB. It’ll be interesting to see how the middle infield playing time works out once team favorite Jeff McNeil comes off the IL. Acuna is already not playing much with five starts in the last 10 games.
Adael Amador: I hope the Rockies give the 22-year-old a long leash to see what he can do in at least 100 PA. Amador is not helping the cause with a 43% K%.
Kameron Misner: Remains in the Rays lineup while batting .311/.353/.557. On the strong side of a center field platoon with Mangum facing the lefties.
Amed Rosario: With Abrams and DeJong on the IL, Rosario starts at third base while batting .270 AVG, 1 HR, and 1 SB. Don’t get attached since the playing time could immediately dry up.
Angel Martínez: While hitting .381/.364/.571 on the season, he played in center field when Lane Thomas was hurt. With Thomas back, Martinez has played right field, second base, and bench warmer. Maybe he’ll move to second base and Arias to shortstop.
Kyle Farmer: Hitting .345/.383/.509 and could take hold down the shortstop position with Tovar on the IL.
Chase Meidroth: In just 26 PA, he’s hitting .190/.346/.190 with 0 SB and 0 HR.
Thomas Saggese: In 13 games since being promoted, he’s started in seven games. A .526 BABIP is pushing up his .423 AVG.
Luke Keaschall: Promoted to the majors with just one start. In AAA, the 22-year-old hit .261/.379/.348 with 1 HR and 4 SB.
Ben Williamson: Since being promoted, he has started three of four games at third base. Before his promotion, he hit .281/.317/.333 with 2 SB in AAA.
Catchers
Carson Kelly: Crushing the ball (.419 AVG) with 6 HR. His walk rate has tripled from 8% BB% to 27% BB%, with his strikeout rate cut in half (18% K% to 9% K%).
Dillon Dingler: Hitting a .306 AVG (.406 BABIP) with 2 HR.
Jonah Heim: Some homers (3) and steals (2) from the catcher position.
Edgar Quero: The 22-year-old top prospect just got promoted after hitting .333/.444/.412 with 1 HR and 0 SB in AAA.
Miguel Amaya: Hitting for average (.283 AVG) and playing half the time.
Prospects
Hyeseong Kim 김혜성: In AAA, the 26-year-old is hitting .253/.317/.493 with 3 HR and 4 SB.
Jac Caglianone: In AA, the 22-year-old is hitting .204/.274/.407 with 3 HR and 0 SB.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Aranda 1B TB | 40% | 64% | 24% |
| Jorge Polanco DH SEA | 39% | 50% | 11% |
| Dylan Moore 3B SEA | 35% | 46% | 11% |
| Jac Caglianone 1B KC | 34% | 36% | 2% |
| Jonah Heim C TEX | 33% | 36% | 3% |
| Jose Caballero RF TB | 32% | 40% | 8% |
| Carson Kelly C CHC | 31% | 49% | 18% |
| Zach McKinstry RF DET | 28% | 42% | 14% |
| Luisangel Acuna 2B NYM | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Caleb Durbin 2B MIL | 17% | 23% | 6% |
| Dillon Dingler C DET | 16% | 22% | 6% |
| Chandler Simpson SS TB | 15% | 32% | 17% |
| Austin Hays DH CIN | 15% | 29% | 14% |
| Miguel Amaya C CHC | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Jesus Sanchez CF MIA | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Pavin Smith DH ARI | 13% | 25% | 12% |
| Ty France 1B MIN | 12% | 20% | 8% |
| Chase Meidroth SS CHW | 12% | 18% | 6% |
| Luke Keaschall DH MIN | 11% | 17% | 6% |
| Matt Mervis 1B MIA | 10% | 27% | 17% |
| Adael Amador 2B COL | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Alek Thomas CF ARI | 9% | 10% | 1% |
| Kameron Misner CF TB | 8% | 28% | 20% |
| Alex Call RF WAS | 8% | 13% | 5% |
| Kyle Stowers RF MIA | 7% | 17% | 10% |
| Gabriel Arias 2B CLE | 6% | 25% | 19% |
| Edgar Quero C CHW | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Hye Seong Kim 2B LAD | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Thomas Saggese SS STL | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Amed Rosario 3B WAS | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Jake Meyers CF HOU | 4% | 10% | 6% |
| Griffin Conine LF MIA | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Miguel Andujar LF ATH | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Kyle Farmer 2B COL | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Alex Verdugo RF ATL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Angel Martinez CF CLE | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Ben Williamson 3B SEA | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Staring Pitchers
J.T. Ginn: I should have doubled my bids for Ginn last week. Besides a 3.6 BB/9, he has posted elite numbers with an 11.7 K/9 and 65% GB%.
Andrew Abbott: Dominant in his first two starts with a 1.64 ERA (2.39 xFIP), 0.64 WHIP, and 13.1 K/9. He’s still home run prone, with the only runs allowed coming from two solo shots.
David Festa: Dominant in two starts with a 10 K/9, 0.00 ERA (3.92 xFIP), and 1.11 WHIP. Add while available.
Landen Roupp: His walks (4.2 BB/9) and hits (.410 BABIP) have his 4.80 ERA (3.12 xFIP) and 1.60 WHIP higher than expected.
Matthew Liberatore: Continues to be solid (3.93 ERA, 2.66 xFIP, 0.98 WHIP, and 8.8 K/9). I’m shocked he’s been able to keep his walk rate down at 0.5 K/9.
Andrew Heaney: Nothing crazy but a steady 7.8 K/9, 0.91 WHIP, and 2.13 ERA (3.50 xFIP).
Jose Quintana: I’d like more than a 4.3 K/9, but he’s limiting walks (2.1 BB/9) and keeping the ball on the ground (54% GB%). I expect a high-3.00’s ERA talent going forward.
Tyler Mahle: Here is my take on Mahle from earlier in the week.
Quinn Priester: While the strikeouts (7.2 K/9) and groundballs (54% GB%) are acceptable, he needs to bring down the walks (4.5 BB/9) to be more than a streaming option (4.09 xFIP).
Brandon Young: In his major league debut, he lasted 4 IP (81 IP) with 3 ER, 3 K, 3 BB (41% Ball%, equiv of a 4.7 BB/9), and 7 H. In AAA, the 26-year-old had a 2.76 ERA (3.21 xFIP), 0.92 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9. Add now and hope he can find the strike zone.
Colin Rea: A steady 1.32 ERA (3.09 xFIP), 1.10 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9. Weekly streamer. Maybe more if he can keep his walk rate at 0.7 BB/9.
JP Sears: A steady 3.13 ERA (4.64 xFIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 7.0 K/9. Weekly streamer.
Jake Irvin: A steady 3.91 ERA (4.02 xFIP), 1.22 WHIP, and 7.0 K/9. Weekly streamer.
Shane Smith: Limiting hard contact with a no home runs allowed and a .188 BABIP. Of the 145 starters so far this season (min 10 IP), Smith’s 7.4% K%-BB% ranks 118th.
Luis L. Ortiz: He may not deserve the 5.48 ERA (3.77 xFIP), but the walk (3.8 BB/9) and home run (1.7 HR/9) rates are troubling.
Taijuan Walker: Note: Let his Saturday start with an injury. Settled into being a low 4.00’s ERA talent. Nothing points to him being a 2.29 ERA talent, and the 81 LOB% is the only reason it’s so low.
Osvaldo Bido: Home runs (0.4 HR/9) haven’t returned to bite him with his low 27% GB%. His strikeouts are down (9.0 K/9 to 6.1 K/9) with his fastball velocity dropping 1 mph and him not throwing an effective changeup (14% SwStr% in ’24, 5% in ’25).
Ben Brown: Brown is striking out batters (10.8 K/9), but his walks (5.4 BB/9) have him with an unrosterable 1.75 WHIP.
Easton Lucas: After a great start to the season, the flyballs (33% GB%) and walks (4.1 BB/9) finally got to him, pushing his ERA up to 4.70 ERA (4.37 xFIP).
Tyler Anderson: Both his 96% LOB% and .157 BABIP lead all 88 qualified pitchers, thereby keeping his 2.08 ERA (4.84 xFIP) artificially low. His 4.84 xFIP is more predictive of any stat, ranks 78th among those same 88 pitchers.
Joe Boyle: Back in the minors after his debut (5 IP, 0 ERA, 7 K, 2 BB). He was able to keep his walks in check (6.8 BB/9 in ’25 AAA, 6.2 BB/9 career MLB).
Steven Matz: Will make a couple of starts. It’s an odd year, so he might keep his ERA in check. He is posting a career-low strikeout rate (5.9 K/9).
Logan Allen로건: Another enticing ERA (2.30), but the 5.2 BB/9 (1.40 WHIP) and 5.02 xFIP point to someone I’ll avoid.
Randy Vasquez: Never roster a pitcher with more walks (14) than strikeouts (8), even if they have a 1.74 ERA (6.83 xFIP).
Rehabbing Starters
Tony Gonsolin: Completed three rehab starts for a total of 9 IP. His average fastball velocity is up a bit compared to the last time he threw in the majors.
Clayton Kershaw: Beginning his minor league rehab starts with his fastball velocity down 2.5 mph from last season to 87.5 mph.
Brayan Bello: On rehab assignment. In 14 IP, he’s getting hit around (7.07 ERA, .459 BABIP).
Lucas Giolito: Five rehab starts totaling 7.2 IP with a 92.5 mph fastball.
Tobias Myers: Should be promoted this week. Three rehab starts (13 IP) with just a 5.4 K/9. His average fastball velocity is down ~1 mph.
Lance McCullers Jr.: Having control problems (5.9 BB/9, 4.70 ERA) in 7 IP of rehab.
Pitching Prospects
Logan Henderson: Will debut on Tuesday. In AAA, the 23-year-old had a 3.21 ERA, 15.4 K/9, and 1.36 WHIP in 14 IP.
Zebby Matthews: In AAA, the 24-year-old has a 1.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and 12.0 K/9 in 15 IP.
Hunter Dobbins: Promoted to make two starts (2.45 ERA, 3.03 xFIP, 1.18 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9) and now back in the minors.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brayan Bello SP BOS | 39% | 41% | 2% |
| Zebby Matthews SP MIN | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Tyler Mahle SP TEX | 36% | 75% | 39% |
| Lucas Giolito SP BOS | 32% | 33% | 1% |
| Tobias Myers SP MIL | 32% | 33% | 1% |
| Landen Roupp SP SF | 31% | 40% | 9% |
| Easton Lucas SP TOR | 30% | 44% | 14% |
| Taijuan Walker SP PHI | 28% | 34% | 6% |
| Shane Smith SP CHW | 28% | 30% | 2% |
| JP Sears SP ATH | 27% | 30% | 3% |
| Ben Brown SP CHC | 24% | 35% | 11% |
| Andrew Heaney SP PIT | 24% | 29% | 5% |
| Luis Ortiz SP CLE | 22% | 28% | 6% |
| Andrew Abbott SP CIN | 18% | 28% | 10% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 18% | 25% | 7% |
| Clayton Kershaw SP LAD | 18% | 20% | 2% |
| Tony Gonsolin SP LAD | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Osvaldo Bido SP ATH | 16% | 20% | 4% |
| Tyler Anderson SP LAA | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| David Festa SP MIN | 14% | 20% | 6% |
| Matthew Liberatore SP STL | 13% | 25% | 12% |
| Logan Allen SP CLE | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Lance McCullers SP HOU | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Jose Quintana SP MIL | 8% | 32% | 24% |
| Quinn Priester SP MIL | 8% | 21% | 13% |
| Randy Vasquez SP SD | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| J.T. Ginn SP ATH | 4% | 11% | 7% |
| Logan Henderson SP MIL | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Joe Boyle SP TB | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Steven Matz RP STL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Colin Rea RP CHC | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Hunter Dobbins SP BOS | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Brandon Young SP BAL | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Relievers: Save-based ranks
Tommy Kahnle: OK reliever who is the closer.
Emilio Pagán: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Abner Uribe: Good reliever who is next in line for Saves.
Phil Maton: Good reliever who is next in line for Saves.
Jack Dreyer: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
Daniel Lynch IV: Below-average reliever who is being added because of his 0.00 ERA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Kahnle RP DET | 29% | 35% | 6% |
| Emilio Pagan RP CIN | 24% | 37% | 13% |
| Abner Uribe RP MIL | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Phil Maton RP STL | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Daniel Lynch RP KC | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Jack Dreyer RP LAD | 1% | 4% | 3% |
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.
Love the Portrait of the Prey!