FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 5)
Vincent Carchietta-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
Ronny Mauricio: Promoted to take Lindor’s spot at shortstop. In AAA, he hit .293/.349/.638 with 6 HR and 5 SB. In the majors, he might be a batting average liability, but he has 20 HR/20 SB upside.
Ildemaro Vargas: I’m not sure if the 34-year-old’s results will continue (.357/.375/.671, 5 HR), but add now in case they do.
Josh Jung: Healthy, playing, and hitting (.301 AVG, 3 HR, and 1 SB).
Everson Pereira: Nine straight starts while batting .286/.357/.551 with 3 HR and 1 SB. Dropped his strikeout rate by 12% points.
Masyn Winn: Has a .270 AVG with 3 SB so far.
Brayan Rocchio: He’s cut his strikeout rate from 20% K% to 11% K%, thereby boosting his batting average from .233 AVG to .280 AVG. Also, he has 3 HR so far.
Troy Johnston: A .946 OPS in Colorado and a .669 OPS on the road. I’d like to see more power, but a solid streamer when he’s at home.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: In 17 PA since coming off the IL, he’s been struggling (.063/.118/.063).
Oswald Peraza: Mainly faces lefties, but when playing, he has been solid (4 HR, 3 SB, .286 AVG).
Amed Rosario: While normally a short-side platoon bat, he’s starting to face more righties (two of the last three) while batting .269/.310/.558 with 4 HR.
Dominic Smith: He’s dropped his strikeout rate for the second straight year (25% to 19% to 10%). I’m not sure how long his .355 AVG and 4 HR will last, but stream him in case it’s real.
Luke Raley: Strong-side platoon bat with 5 HR and a .284 AVG.
Jake Bauers: Strong-side platoon bat who is batting .241 AVG with 5 HR and 3 SB.
Carlos Cortes: I’m not sure how much the defensively-changed, strong-side platoon bat will play with Brent Rooker to come off the IL any day now. He’ll need to play to have value. Tough rank.
Hyeseong Kim 김혜성: Strong-side platoon bat who has 5 SB and a .351 AVG.
Leody Taveras: Eight starts in the last 10 games. Hitting for average (.304 AVG) and nothing else (2 HR, 1 SB).
Felix Reyes: Hit cleanup for three straight games, then sat for the last two (15 total plate appearances). My projections have him as a possible 20 HR bat with a respectable batting average. I’m intrigued, but he’ll need to play more to be fantasy viable.
Jacob Young: He seemed to be getting more power, but he doesn’t have a single extra-base hit since his last home run 10 games ago (.399 OPS over span).
Marcell Ozuna: He might be servicable. Over the last 11 games, he’s batting .261/.292/.435 with 2 HR.
Casey Schmitt: He plays every day and has a .280 AVG. I don’t have much more to add.
Daniel Schneemann: Utility batter (played four different positions this year) and seems productive, but a .447 BABIP is driving all his gains. His 30% K% will eventually drive down that batting average.
Nathan Church: He starts getting some attention with 2 HR on Saturday. Too many strikeouts (26% K%) and ground balls (51% GB%) to be fantasy relevant.
Austin Martin: Short-side platoon bat with a .415 BABIP propping up a .346 AVG. Ignorable until he starts to play more.
Catchers
Dalton Rushing: Inserting himself into the lineup more often (six of last 10 games) while hitting. Needs to start at least half the time.
Gary Sánchez: Starting almost every day while hitting 5 HR so far.
Moisés Ballesteros: A .463 BABIP has him batting .400/.443/.655 with 3 HR. Strong side platoon bat.
Adrian Del Castillo: Seven starts in the last 10 games. Hitting a solid .262/.279/.405 with 1 HR so far.
Carson Kelly: Starting half the time with a .318 AVG (.380 BABIP) and 2 HR.
Luis Campusano: He’s finally hitting in the majors (1.051 OPS, 2 HR) with five starts in the last 10 games. Borderline rosterable in two-catcher leagues.
Injury Stash
Anthony Volpe: He’s participated in seven minor league games, and the only red flag is a 30% K%.
Hitting Prospects
Max Clark: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder is batting .307/.382/.455 with 1 HR and 7 SB in 102 PA.
Ryan Waldschmidt: In AAA, the 21-year-old outfielder is batting .313/.422/.510 with 2 HR and 4 SB in 117 PA.
Ronny Cruz: In High-A, the 19-year-old infielder is hitting .343/.446/.643 with 5 HR and 15 SB in 83.
Starting Pitchers
Payton Tolle: If Tolle’s available, the time to add is now. It’s probably too late in most leagues. In his debut, he struck out half the batters he faced over 6 IP. The only knock I see is that he’s fastball dependent (50% usage on four-seamer, 19% on sinker) and the league might quickly adjust to him.
Chase Dollander: He continues to shove with a 2.88 ERA (3.02 xFIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 11.5 K/9. This season’s biggest surprise.
Carmen Mlodzinski: He gets the job done with a 3.28 ERA (3.46 xFIP), 1.42 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, and 49% GB%.
Connor Prielipp: Prielipp was a draft-and-hold target of mine this preseason because he threw hard (96 mph fastball) with a great slider (70 grade). Additionally, projections loved him (4.00 ERA projection). He has two problems. First, he walks a ton of batters (3.4 BB/9 in ’24 and 4.6 BB/9 in AAA this year). Second, he has problems staying healthy (6 IP in ’23, 23 IP in ’24, 82 IP in ’25). In his debut, he didn’t walk anyone, even though he had a 37% Ball%, which normally means a 3.7 BB/9.
JR Ritchie: Solid debut with 7 K, 2 BB, and 2 ER over 7 IP. Our STUPH models see him as a Control over Stuff pitcher. He threw five different pitches between 8% and 28% of the time, with one of them standing out as above average. While I rank him above the streaming options on the unknown, I’m managing expectations.
Peter Lambert: The 29-year-old just returned from a season in Korea and has a 3.27 ERA (2.63 xFIP), 1.27 WHIP, and 13.1 K/9. He’s throwing five pitches between 28% and 8% of the time, with each one having a swinging-strike rate over 13%. Jump in now.
Keider Montero: Montero remains in the rotation with Verlander on the IL. He has taken a step back over the last couple of games
Kumar Rocker: While Rocker should post a solid strikeout rate (8.3 K/9) and ERA (3.48 ERA), his 60% GB% and 3.5 BB/9 will inflate his WHIP (1.31).
Jesse Scholtens: His results have been solid so far with a 2.93 ERA (3.90 xFIP), 0.98 WHIP (1.8 K/9), and 7.6 K/9. His start on Sunday against the Twins will go a long way in determining his cost in leagues that run FAAB on Sunday.
Colin Rea: The 35-year-old took a small step forward with 53% GB% and a walk rate under 2.0 BB/9. Best of the streaming options.
Davis Martin: A jump from a 9% K%-BB% to a 16% K%-BB% has all his ERA estimators down a point to around 3.75. He’s moved himself into the group of streaming options.
Dustin May: A .395 BABIP has helped inflate his 5.84 ERA (4.03 xFIP) and 1.54 WHIP (1.8 BB/9). Streaming option.
Foster Griffin: Very middling production at a 3.38 ERA (4.15 xFIP), 1.20 WHIP, and 7.4 K/9. Streamer against weak matchups.
Walker Buehler: He was having a decent season (4.98 ERA, 3.25 xFIP, 9.2 K/9, 1.25 WHIP) until his last start in Colorado, with 2 K, 3 BB, and 4 ER in 2 IP. Right now, it’s too many walks (4.0 BB/9) and hits (.377 BABIP) leading to a 1.62 WHIP.
Brandon Young: Added a sinker that our STUPH models love (63 botOver, 126 Pitch+). And he’s not walking as many batters (3.4 BB/9 to 2.5 BB/9). I’m interested, but I’m not sure I’m ready to insert him into my rotation.
Lucas Giolito: Over the last three seasons, he has a 4.45 ERA (4.23 xFIP), 1.35 WHIP, and 9.2 K/9. If that’s playable, add him for a future debut.
Martín Pérez: A 90 mph fastball and 5.4 K/9. Fantasy managers must be focusing on his 2.70 ERA with all his ERA estimators and STUPH models pointing to a mid-4.50 ERA talent.
Brandon Sproat: Over his first three games, he posted an 8.7 BB/9 and 10.45 ERA (5.89 xFIP), but he dropped his walk rate down to a 2.3 BB/9 over the last two games (3.00 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 3.76 xFIP, 0.92 WHIP). I’m intrigued but not enough to add him just yet.
Jack Kochanowicz: He’s been generating weak contact (0.3 HR/9, .214 BABIP), so his 3.10 ERA is about two runs lower than his ERA estimators (4.86 xFIP, 5.25 SIERA). It’s tough to get behind an arm with a 5.9 K/9 and a 5.3 BB/9.
Christian Scott: I have no idea where the demand is coming from. The last time he showed any resemblance of being good was in AAA back in 2024. And in his debut, he threw more balls (25) than strikes (18). He was lucky to only give up 1 ERA after walking five batters. Gamble elsewhere.
Walbert Urena: He’s showing some solid underlying traits like a 98 mph fastball, 50% GB%, and 10.3 K/9. A 7.9 BB/9 is torpedoing his ratios (2.21 WHIP, 4.76 ERA).
Patrick Corbin: Why are people adding Corbin? Do they hate themselves? Here are Corbin’s ERAs since 2020:
Season: ERA
2020: 4.66
2021: 5.82
2022: 6.31
2023: 5.20
2024: 5.62
2025: 4.40
2026: 3.56 (.256 BABIP)
He’s shown the skill of being a horrible pitcher who throws a ton of innings. Believe him.
Dean Kremer: On the IL with a quad injury and will be out several weeks, a drop.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moises Ballesteros | 40% | 46% | 6% |
| Max Clark | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Jake Bauers | 36% | 43% | 7% |
| Luke Raley | 31% | 42% | 11% |
| Josh Jung | 25% | 55% | 30% |
| Ryan Waldschmidt | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Dalton Rushing | 24% | 49% | 25% |
| Anthony Volpe | 24% | 26% | 2% |
| Masyn Winn | 23% | 28% | 5% |
| Carson Kelly | 19% | 26% | 7% |
| Gary Sanchez | 17% | 22% | 5% |
| Troy Johnston | 16% | 21% | 5% |
| Dominic Smith | 15% | 22% | 7% |
| Marcell Ozuna | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Hye Seong Kim | 14% | 19% | 5% |
| Oswald Peraza | 13% | 24% | 11% |
| Lourdes Gurriel | 13% | 17% | 4% |
| Ildemaro Vargas | 9% | 35% | 26% |
| Casey Schmitt | 9% | 13% | 4% |
| Amed Rosario | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Brayan Rocchio | 7% | 22% | 15% |
| Adrian Del Castillo | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Daniel Schneemann | 5% | 18% | 13% |
| Jacob Young | 5% | 6% | 1% |
| Carlos Cortes | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Ronny Mauricio | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Austin Martin | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Luis Campusano | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Everson Pereira | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Nathan Church | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Leody Taveras | 1% | 7% | 6% |
| Felix Reyes | 0% | 5% | 5% |
| Ronny Cruz | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Starting Pitcher Prospects
Robby Snelling: In AAA, the 22-year-old lefty has a 2.25 ERA (2.88 xFIP), 1.04 WHIP, and 13.1 K/9 in 24 IP.
Braxton Garrett: In AAA, the 28-year-old lefty has a 0.77 ERA (4.24 xFIP), 0.51 WHIP, and 8.9 K/9 in 23 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payton Tolle | 36% | 69% | 33% |
| Robby Snelling | 34% | 37% | 3% |
| Foster Griffin | 31% | 37% | 6% |
| Davis Martin | 30% | 45% | 15% |
| Brandon Sproat | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Carmen Mlodzinski | 19% | 22% | 3% |
| Dustin May | 18% | 32% | 14% |
| JR Ritchie | 17% | 32% | 15% |
| Dean Kremer | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Kumar Rocker | 15% | 19% | 4% |
| Keider Montero | 15% | 18% | 3% |
| Jack Kochanowicz | 13% | 26% | 13% |
| Chase Dollander | 12% | 31% | 19% |
| Colin Rea | 11% | 25% | 14% |
| Walker Buehler | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Christian Scott | 8% | 15% | 7% |
| Lucas Giolito | 6% | 14% | 8% |
| Braxton Garrett | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Connor Prielipp | 3% | 12% | 9% |
| Martin Perez | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Antonio Senzatela | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Patrick Corbin | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Jack Perkins | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Walbert Urena | 1% | 6% | 5% |
| Brandon Young | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Kai-Wei Teng | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Jesse Scholtens | 3% | 7% | 4% |
Relievers: Saves-based ranks
Louis Varland: Best reliever in a closer-by-committee.
Enyel De Los Santos: A below-average reliever who is the closer until Josh Hader returns.
Brad Keller: Average reliever who is the closer.
Tanner Scott: Average reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.
Alex Vesia: Good reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.
Gus Varland: Above-average reliever who could be sharing the closer’s role.
Antonio Senzatela: Good reliever who may now be the team’s closer.
Ben Brown: Good reliever who might be in a closer-by-committee.
Victor Vodnik: Below-average reliever who was the closer, but he might not be any more.
Jack Perkins: Above-average reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.
Hogan Harris: Average reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.
Joel Kuhnel: Below-average reliever who seems to be sharing the closer’s role.
Rico Garcia: Great reliever who might be the closer with Ryan Helsley on bereavement leave.
Juan Morillo: Average reliever who may be the backup closer.
Blake Treinen: Below-average reliever who might be in a closer-by-committee.
Dylan Lee: Good reliever who may be the backup closer.
Tony Santillan: Good reliever who may be the backup closer.
Graham Ashcraft: Good reliever who may be the backup closer.
Luke Weaver: Below-average reliever who could be the backup closer.
Aaron Ashby: Great reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Anthony Nunez: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Mason Montgomery: A great reliever who may be a couple of steps away from closing.
Tyler Kinley: Average reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Caleb Thielbar: On the IL.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ashby | 27% | 35% | 8% |
| Tony Santillan | 22% | 27% | 5% |
| Alex Vesia | 21% | 45% | 24% |
| Tanner Scott | 20% | 60% | 40% |
| Luke Weaver | 19% | 22% | 3% |
| Joel Kuhnel | 17% | 35% | 18% |
| Victor Vodnik | 15% | 18% | 3% |
| Louie Varland | 14% | 41% | 27% |
| Ben Brown | 12% | 15% | 3% |
| Rico Garcia | 11% | 18% | 7% |
| Hogan Harris | 11% | 12% | 1% |
| Brad Keller | 10% | 28% | 18% |
| Enyel De Los Santos | 8% | 19% | 11% |
| Graham Ashcraft | 7% | 11% | 4% |
| Caleb Thielbar | 5% | 28% | 23% |
| Juan Morillo | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Dylan Lee | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Blake Treinen | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Mason Montgomery | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Antonio Senzatela | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Anthony Nunez | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Jack Perkins | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Gus Varland | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Tyler Kinley | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Peter Lambert | 0% | 13% | 13% |
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.
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