FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 4)
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both 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. I start players being added at CBS who started the week on less than 40% of rosters.
The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by hitters, starters, and relievers.
Batters
Sam Antonacci: Just a .408 OPS in 13 PA for the prospect in the majors so far. He has the potential to steal 25 to 30 bags, but he’s going to need to start hitting. This high ranking is based on a projected decent batting average and 25 SB.
Angel Martínez: Playing time is an issue with only two starts in the last four games. With improved power (+2.6 mph avgEV) and contact rate (+6.7% Contact%), he’s hitting .279/.333/.443 with 2 HR and 4 SB.
Jacob Young: He’s hitting for quite a bit more power this year (career .076 ISO to .189 ISO), and back in 2024, he stole 33 bases in over 500 PA.
Jeremiah Jackson: Nine straight starts while batting .317/.323/.600 with 5 HR.
Jorge Soler: When not suspended, hits for power and nothing else.
Jose Fernandez: Nine straight starts while batting .302/.302/.453 with 2 HR and 1 SB. He has seven games at first base to go with his shortstop eligibility.
Nasim Nuñez: Continues to start, steal bases (7 SB), and hit like sh … really bad (.505 OPS). If a person needs steals, he’s one of just a handful of available sources.
Josh Bell: Playing while batting .254/.354/.463 with 3 HR and 0 SB.
Josh Jung: Started in eight straight games with his strikeouts down (25% K% to 18%) and Exit Velocity up (89.3 mph to 91.0 mph). Solid add while healthy.
Connor Norby: Starting to put it together (.254 AVG, 2 HR). He has seen his strikeout rate drop the last three seasons (33% to 27% to 24%).
Oswald Peraza: Solid skills improvement with his strikeouts down (30% to 20%) and power up (+0.9 mph avgEV). Hitting .286/.365/.554 with 4 HR and 3 SB with a .308 BABIP.
Brooks Lee: Qualified at three positions and has 3 HR so far. Currently has a .228 AVG, which is right in line with his career numbers.
Casey Schmitt: He’s playing and hitting .315/.373/.519 with 2 HR and 1 SB. Boring.
Brandon Marsh: Started against three of the last four lefties (.400 OPS vs LHP on the season). Solid contributor with 2 HR, 2 SB, and a .290 AVG.
Jake Bauers: Even though he’s in a platoon, he’s crushing it with 5 HR, 3 SB, and a .254 AVG.
Jesús Sánchez: After a slow start, the strong-side platoon bat is hitting .263/.313/.421 with 2 HR.
Luke Raley: Strong-side platoon bat with 4 HR. A 37% K% and .471 BABIP are battling out to see if his .317 AVG remains up.
Dominic Smith: Strong-side platoon bat with 4 HR and a .362 AVG. Dropped his strikeout rate from 19% to 12%.
Javier Báez: Started in seven straight while batting .280/.315/.420 with 1 HR and 1 SB.
Jeff McNeil: His bat speed is down 2 mph and his ISO has cratered (.168 to .082). Back to only being a batting average (.279 AVG) source.
Gavin Sheets: Strong side platoon bat who is hitting … fine (.773 OPS).
Edouard Julien: Strong-side platoon bat with a 57% GB%. I’m not sure what he does.
Moisés Ballesteros: Strong-side DH platoon bat who is hitting .375/.409/.625 with 3 HR. He might be catcher qualified.
Carlos Cortes: Defensively limited, strong-side platoon bat who has cut his strikeout rate by 15% points (20% K% to 5%).
Nick Yorke: A .688 OPS with 0 SB and 0 HR. Take a gamble on a player with upside.
Ildemaro Vargas: The 34-year-old is playing all over the field (1B, 2B, 3B, OF) while taking advantage of a .415 BABIP. The only change I could find was his groundball rate dropping from 58% to 42%. I’m not buying any breakout.
Amed Rosario: Short-side platoon bat hitting for some power (2 HR, .243 ISO). He probably doesn’t play enough to be fantasy relevant.
Rece Hinds: He’s finally got a hit on Saturday (.077 AVG) to go with his 50% K% and 60% GB%. He’s only seen fastballs 20% of the time for a 48% Contact%.
Curtis Mead: Short-side platoon bat with .671 OPS (career .621 OPS).
Catchers
Gary Sánchez: Five straight starts while crushing the ball (5 HR) and walking (26% BB%).
Victor Caratini: Eleven starts in 12 days while batting .241/.352/.310. An accumulator.
Nick Fortes: Cut his strikeout rate from 19% to 13% to improve his batting average from .229 AVG to .321 AVG.
Adrian Del Castillo: He’s slowly getting catcher eligibility (4 G) while riding a .444 BABIP to a .923 OPS.
Luis Campusano: Dropping his strikeout rate from 41% to 21% has boosted his production to a .897 OPS.
Carson Kelly: A .375 BABIP (career .263 BABIP) and a 5% point drop in strikeout rate have him rocking a .327 AVG.
Dalton Rushing: He doesn’t play enough to be fantasy-relevant (5 games played, 18 PA). A great bat stuck in a horrible situation.
Hitting prospects
James Tibbs III: The 23-year-old outfielder is batting .299/.407/.740 with 9 HR and 0 SB in 91 PA.
Max Clark: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder is batting .377/.444/.565 with 1 HR and 6 SB.
Charlie Condon: In AAA, the 23-year-old first baseman/outfielder is batting .339/.456/.589 with 4 HR and 2 SB in 68 PA.
Ryan Waldschmidt: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder is batting .314/.442/.543 with 2 HR and 3 SB.
George Lombard Jr.: In AA, the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .400/.471/.667 with 2 HR and 3 SB.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moises Ballesteros C CHC | 34% | 38% | 4% |
| Max Clark OF DET | 33% | 36% | 3% |
| Charlie Condon RF COL | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Josh Bell DH MIN | 24% | 49% | 25% |
| Luke Raley RF SEA | 23% | 30% | 7% |
| Ryan Waldschmidt CF ARI | 22% | 25% | 3% |
| Brandon Marsh CF PHI | 21% | 28% | 7% |
| Jake Bauers RF MIL | 20% | 34% | 14% |
| Jesus Sanchez RF TOR | 20% | 24% | 4% |
| James Tibbs RF LAD | 20% | 23% | 3% |
| Josh Jung 3B TEX | 19% | 22% | 3% |
| Jose Fernandez SS ARI | 18% | 26% | 8% |
| Jeff McNeil 2B ATH | 18% | 20% | 2% |
| Brooks Lee SS MIN | 17% | 26% | 9% |
| Connor Norby 2B MIA | 17% | 18% | 1% |
| Dalton Rushing C LAD | 16% | 23% | 7% |
| Nasim Nunez 2B WAS | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| George Lombard SS NYY | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Jorge Soler DH LAA | 13% | 52% | 39% |
| Carson Kelly C CHC | 13% | 18% | 5% |
| Gavin Sheets RF SD | 12% | 18% | 6% |
| Nick Fortes C TB | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Sam Antonacci SS CHW | 10% | 33% | 23% |
| Javier Baez SS DET | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Gary Sanchez C MIL | 7% | 16% | 9% |
| Victor Caratini C MIN | 6% | 10% | 4% |
| Angel Martinez SS CLE | 5% | 60% | 55% |
| Dominic Smith 1B ATL | 4% | 12% | 8% |
| Oswald Peraza 3B LAA | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Casey Schmitt SS SF | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Edouard Julien 2B COL | 3% | 13% | 10% |
| Rece Hinds CF CIN | 3% | 9% | 6% |
| Amed Rosario SS NYY | 3% | 8% | 5% |
| Adrian Del Castillo C ARI | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Nick Yorke 2B PIT | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Jacob Young CF WAS | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Jeremiah Jackson SS BAL | 2% | 33% | 31% |
| Curtis Mead 3B WAS | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Ildemaro Vargas 3B ARI | 1% | 8% | 7% |
| Carlos Cortes LF ATH | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Luis Campusano C SD | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Starters
Landen Roupp: >9.0 K/9, 50 GB% … what more do you want from a starting pitcher?
Noah Schultz: His debut was fine except for the four walks in four innings. He was lights-out in the minors this year with a 2.22 xFIP after struggling with injuries in 2025. He starts again on Sunday, and the results of that game will determine his cost for anyone with Sunday night FAAB. Based on upside, I might have him too low.
Mick Abel: Gamble to see if his last start was the true Abel (10 K, 0 BB), instead of the previous three starts where he posted a 6.08 ERA, 6.8 BB/9, and 2.10 WHIP.
Spencer Arrighetti: The highest upside of anyone ranked today if he can get his walks under control (4 BB in his first start) because he strikes everyone else out (10 K in 6 IP). In his first start, he threw his curveball 38% of the time for a 40% SwStr%.
Dean Kremer: In two starts, he’s been solid with a 4.09 ERA (2.26 xFIP), 13.1 K/9, and 0.91 WHIP.
Keider Montero: I wish his job was more secure. He’s likely headed to the minors once Verlander returns. For now, hope the mid-3.50 ERA production continues.
Steven Matz: Solid schedule coming up (vs CIN, at CLE, vs SF). He’s striking out more batters (6.9 K/9 to 8.9) by moving off his fastball (59% usage to 46%).
Carmen Mlodzinski: Used as a bulk reliever in his last start (5 K, 2 BB, 0 ER, 6 IP). Solid production this year with a 1.77 ERA (3.60 xFIP), 8.9 K/9, 1.33 WHIP, and 52% GB%. Bench streamer.
Davis Martin: Streamable 4.00 ERA talent if he can keep his walks at 2.2 BB/9.
Walker Buehler: I expected worse, but he’s dropped his walk rate from 4.4 BB/9 to 3.1 BB/9. His 4.58 ERA is hiding some solid skill improvements, like minimizing the use of his fastball (27% usage). He’s throwing his changeup (7% SwStr%) and curve (23% SwStr%) more. Under the radar add.
Dustin May: His ratios (6.98 ERA, 1.60 WHIP) are getting destroyed by a .410 BABIP. It’s not a good sign when your ERA and K/9 are identical (6.98). All other signs point to him being a low-4.00 ERA talent.
Colin Rea: Solid results so far (7.8 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, 53% GB%, 3.63 ERA, 3.62 xFIP), but our STUPH models are buying it (4.15 botERA, 93 Pitching+). He has a tough two-start week coming up against the Phillies and at the Dodgers.
Sean Burke: He’s been a little unlucky with a 66% LOB%, pushing his ERA up to 4.43, where other factors point to a 4.00 ERA talent. How he performs in his Sunday start will determine his cost.
Chase Dollander: He’s pounding the strike zone with his strikeouts up (7.5 K/9 to 10.9 K/9) and walks down (4.5 BB/9 to 2.8 BB/9). And a 55% GB% helps. Maybe a Colorado pitcher will be streamable. crazier things have happened.
Jesse Scholtens: Solid as a bulk reliever (5 IP and 4.2 IP) with a 0.00 ERA (4.06 xFIP), 0.83 WHIP (.200 BABIP), and 6.5 K/9.
Colton Gordon: He’s coming into a two-start week (at CLE, vs NYY) after having mixed results against the Rockies. In 3 IP, he allowed 4 ER on 8 H (2 HR). Also, he struck out five batters while not walking one. A 9.82 ERA vs 3.14 xFIP. He’s worth tracking and should be near the bottom of some bid lists to see what more real, the ERA or the xFIP.
Kumar Rocker: A 4.3 BB/9 is going to destroy a pitcher’s ERA (4.30) and especially his WHIP (1.50). And his walks per game keep doubling (1 to 2 to 4), so no improvement. An 8.6 K/9 and 53% GB% form a solid foundation.
Justin Wrobleski: It’s tough putting a value on him with a .154 BABIP and just a 3.2 K/9. He’s been mainly fastball-slider (86% combined usage).
Foster Griffin: After pitching in Japan the last three seasons, he seems to be settling into a low-4.00 ERA talent. While his fastball is only at 91 mph, he’s throwing it just 27% of the time and leaning into his cutter (10% SwStr%) and slider (9% SwStr%).
J.T. Ginn: Solid two-start week coming up at the Marniers and at the Rangers. I wish I could be excited about him, but the 3.9 BB/9 will eventually kill his ratios once his .163 BABIP stabilizes. One option for this week is to add-and-bench him and evaluate him later.
Aaron Civale: A solid 3.54 ERA (4.51 xFIP) and 1.33 WHIP. A low to mid-4.00 ERA talent who can be streamed every three to four weeks.
Michael McGreevy: His .188 BABIP and 87% LOB% won’t last, so his 2.49 ERA will balloon into the mid-4.00’s, especially with his 5.0 K/9 and 90.6 mph fastball.
Eduardo Rodriguez: I’m not buying the 1.96 ERA (.239 BABIP, 87% LOB%) and will focus on every other indicator pointing to him being a 4.50+ ERA talent.
Bailey Ober: Probably added for his two-start week. Not much here, especially with his fastball velocity down at 89 mph.
Jack Kochanowicz: Two start week coming up against the Blue Jays and at the Royals. After posting a 4.7 BB/9 last season, he has decided to best that number with a 5.8 BB/9 this year. The walks and a 59% GB% will push up his WHIP (1.75 last year, 1.20 this year) once his .200 BABIP normalizes.
Cade Povich: A .216 BABIP keeps his ratios (2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) with projections and ERA estimators in the low-4.00’s. Value down since he’s in the minors.
Matt Waldron: In the knuckleballer’s 2026 debut, he allowed 6 ER in 3 IP with 4 K and 1 BB. None of his pitches were working. At best, an add-and-bench to see how his other starts go.
Javier Assad: Ignore, he has zero positive traits.
Tomoyuki Sugano: I don’t know what is with the love for solid 5.00 ERA or higher talent. Nothing here.
Pitching Prospects
Robby Snelling: In AAA, the 22-year-old lefty has a 1.89 ERA (2.27 xFIP), 14.7 K/9, and 0.95 WHIP in 19 IP.
Kade Anderson: In AA, the 21-year-old lefty has a 0.64 ERA (2.40 xFIP), 14.1 K/9, and 0.86 WHIP in 14 IP.
Payton Tolle: in AAA, the 23-year0old lefty has a 3.00 ERA (3.77 xFIP), 11.4 K/9, and 1.07 WHIP in 15 IP.
Didier Fuentes: In AAA, the 20-year-old righty has a 2.16 ERA (4.19 xFIP), 10.8 K/9, and 0.84 WHIP in 16 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey Ober SP MIN | 40% | 42% | 2% |
| Mick Abel P MIN | 38% | 67% | 29% |
| Didier Fuentes P ATL | 38% | 47% | 9% |
| Eduardo Rodriguez SP ARI | 36% | 46% | 10% |
| Payton Tolle SP BOS | 33% | 36% | 3% |
| Robby Snelling SP MIA | 30% | 33% | 3% |
| Landen Roupp P SF | 26% | 48% | 22% |
| Michael McGreevy P STL | 26% | 36% | 10% |
| Steven Matz SP TB | 25% | 49% | 24% |
| Kade Anderson SP SEA | 23% | 26% | 3% |
| Noah Schultz SP CHW | 22% | 74% | 52% |
| Spencer Arrighetti P HOU | 22% | 58% | 36% |
| Davis Martin SP CHW | 20% | 29% | 9% |
| Dustin May SP STL | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Foster Griffin SP WAS | 15% | 30% | 15% |
| Kumar Rocker P TEX | 13% | 14% | 1% |
| Aaron Civale SP ATH | 11% | 25% | 14% |
| Carmen Mlodzinski RP PIT | 11% | 17% | 6% |
| Sean Burke P CHW | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Javier Assad RP CHC | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Justin Wrobleski P LAD | 10% | 38% | 28% |
| Walker Buehler SP SD | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Chase Dollander SP COL | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Dean Kremer SP BAL | 7% | 15% | 8% |
| Tomoyuki Sugano SP COL | 6% | 11% | 5% |
| Colin Rea SP CHC | 6% | 10% | 4% |
| Cade Povich SP BAL | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Keider Montero SP DET | 3% | 14% | 11% |
| Jack Kochanowicz SP LAA | 3% | 11% | 8% |
| J.T. Ginn P ATH | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Matt Waldron SP SD | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Colton Gordon P HOU | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Jesse Scholtens RP TB | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Bryan Baker: Good reliever who is the closer
Jakob Junis: Below-average reliever who is the closer.
Louis Varland: Great reliever who is next in line behind a shaky closer.
Brad Keller: Average reliever who is likely the closer for a few weeks.
Enyel De Los Santos: The below-average reliever is probably the closer for the next month.
Tony Santillan: Good closer who could get a few Saves as the main closer deals with a small injury.
Tanner Scott: Good reliever who may get a Save or two with the main closer banged up.
Alex Vesia: Good reliever who may get a Save or two with the main closer banged up.
Gus Varland: Average reliever who may be sharing the closer’s role.
Joel Kuhnel: Below-average reliever who appears to be in a closer committee.
Cole Winn: Average reliever who appears to be the backup closer.
Jason Adam: Above-average reliever who may be the backup closer.
Rico Garcia: Great reliever who appears to be the backup closer.
Erik Sabrowski: Great reliever who may be the backup closer.
Juan Morillo: Average reliever who is the backup closer.
Ben Brown: Good reliever who is being used as a long reliever.
Grant Taylor: Good reliever who isn’t getting any high-leverage relief opportunities.
Aaron Ashby: Good (and healthy … for now) reliever who is a step or two from closing.
Edwin Uceta: Rehab setback for the potential closer.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ashby SP MIL | 20% | 25% | 5% |
| Edwin Uceta RP TB | 19% | 20% | 1% |
| Bryan Baker RP TB | 17% | 35% | 18% |
| Jake Junis RP TEX | 16% | 45% | 29% |
| Tony Santillan RP CIN | 16% | 22% | 6% |
| Jason Adam RP SD | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Grant Taylor RP CHW | 16% | 17% | 1% |
| Erik Sabrowski P CLE | 15% | 21% | 6% |
| Tanner Scott RP LAD | 15% | 20% | 5% |
| Alex Vesia RP LAD | 13% | 20% | 7% |
| Ben Brown SP CHC | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Brad Keller SP PHI | 7% | 14% | 7% |
| Louie Varland SP TOR | 6% | 13% | 7% |
| Cole Winn SP TEX | 6% | 10% | 4% |
| Rico Garcia RP BAL | 3% | 10% | 7% |
| Joel Kuhnel RP ATH | 1% | 15% | 14% |
| Juan Morillo P ARI | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Caleb Thielbar RP CHC | 1% | 8% | 7% |
| Enyel De Los Santos RP HOU | 0% | 6% | 6% |
| Gus Varland RP WAS | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Colton Gordon P HOU | 0% | 2% | 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.
Is Thielbar The Guy for CHC with Palencia out?
My guess is they don’t have a guy
I would bet on Ben Brown but Thielbar has a good arm. Tossup.
Seems like that was left out…