FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 7)
Patrick Gorski-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.
Hitters
Brandon Marsh: Hitting .333/.368/.500 with 4 HR and 3 SB on the season. Started against the last seven pitchers, including two lefties.
Brooks Lee: Hitting .278 AVG with 5 HR and 2 SB and qualified at second, third, and short.
Nathaniel Lowe: Starting regularly with a .269 AVG and 6 HR. His HardHit% (42% to 47%) and Contact% (78% to 80%) have improved.
Andrew Vaughn: Started all three games since coming off the IL. He’s making decent contact and hitting for power. Must add for teams needing home runs.
Nasim Nuñez: While he has a .566 OPS on the season, he hit for a .790 OPS over the last two weeks. And he has 16 SB so far.
Ryan Waldschmidt: The prospect people love him (top 50 prospect), but his projections point to a 12 HR, 16 SB, and .240 AVG guy.
Casey Schmitt: Started 13 straight games with a .294 AVG and 6 HR. The Giants can’t afford to sit their most productive hitter.
JJ Bleday: Strong-side platoon bat who has increased his bat speed by 5.3 mph and has 4 HR in just 43 PA. Next week, the Reds only face four righties.
Brayan Rocchio: He’s hitting a solid .264/.348/.368 with 3 HR and 5 SB.
TJ Rumfield: On pace for 20 HR and 0 SB with a .271 AVG.
Nathan Church: Continues to start every game with a reasonable 5 HR, 3 SB, and a .248 AVG.
Mark Vientos: Started the last six games with 5 HR on the season. Add while he’s still playing.
Sam Antonacci: The rookie makes a lot of contact (87%) and not much else (1 HR, 1 SB). Luis Arraez clone.
Ezequiel Duran: With Josh Smith on the IL, Duran is getting full-time at-bats with a respectable 2 HR, 4 SB, and .301 AVG.
Spencer Jones: Took off right where he left off in AAA with a 50% Contact% and 2 K in 3 PA in his debut. His Steamer600 comps point to a guy with good home run and stolen base numbers, but a batting average sink. I ranked him right before Zeck Gelof and MJ Melendez since they are comps.
Zack Gelof: Improved Contact% (60% to 72%) and has 3 HR and 2 SB.
MJ Melendez: A .458 BABIP makes his overall stat line (.295/.367/.545) look solid, but the 36% K% will drop the batting average down to his career .217 AVG.
Nolan Gorman: Hitting for power (5 HR) but nothing else.
Miguel Andujar: Started in nine straight games with a .296 AVG and little else (2 HR, 1 SB)
Nick Gonzales: A nice .306 AVG and a token 3 SB. The issue with him is that he has no home runs with just 2% Barrel%. A bench streamer.
Jeff McNeil: His “power” has disappeared, and he’s back to being a batting average-only contributor.
Isaac Collins: Starting to turn things around after a slow start. In May, he has a 1.052 OPS after a .637 OPS in April. I’m worried the steals won’t come, since he’s 2-for-5 on stolen-base attempts.
Brice Matthews: The lack of contact (62% Contact%, 36% K%, .228 AVG) will be a drag, but the Astros have no choice but to play him. He does have 4 HR and 2 SB.
J.P. Crawford: He starts all the time but not much else (.210 AVG, 4 HR, 1 SB)
Trevor Larnach: The strong-side platoon’s Bat Speed is down 1.3 mph, and his Average Exit Velocity dropped by 4.7 mph. At least he has a .270 to go with the 1 HR and 1 SB.
Esteury Ruiz: Nothing here. Five starts in the last 10 games. A 38% K%.
Curtis Mead: Doubled his Barrel% (4.5% to 10.1%) and increased his Contact% by 2% points. He’s still hitting for a low Batting Average (.226 in ’26, .236 for his career).
Catchers
Jesus Rodriguez: Started in four of five games (one in the OF) since being promoted and hitting .455/.500/.727 with 1 HR. Target the hot bat.
Sean Murphy: Three starts in the seven games with a 50% K% (60% Contact%) since coming off the IL. Ranked high based on past performance.
Carson Kelly: OK catcher, .298 AVG, 2 HR.
Joe Mack: Making tons of contact (80% Contact%) but with no power so far (.077 ISO). That was the expectation from him.
Brandon Valenzuela: Starting (seven in last 10 games) and hitting homers (4 HR). Coming into Saturday, he had a .192 AVG, went four for five, and ended the day with a .246 AVG. .246 AVG, 4 HR >>>> .192 AVG, 3 HR
Hurt Hitters
Ha-Seong Kim 김하성: In a rehab assignment and will join the major league team soon.
Hitting Prospects
George Lombard Jr.: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 20-year-old shortstop hit .278/.410/.463 with 4 HR and 6 SB.
A.J. Ewing: Across two minor league levels (AA and AAA), the 21-year-old outfielder hit .350/.463/.530 with 2 HR and 16 SB.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Marsh | 39% | 58% | 19% |
| Brooks Lee | 39% | 53% | 14% |
| Andrew Vaughn | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| TJ Rumfield | 35% | 37% | 2% |
| Mark Vientos | 31% | 37% | 6% |
| Ryan Waldschmidt | 30% | 33% | 3% |
| Brayan Rocchio | 29% | 33% | 4% |
| Carson Kelly | 27% | 31% | 4% |
| Sam Antonacci | 27% | 31% | 4% |
| Spencer Jones | 25% | 54% | 29% |
| Nathan Church | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Casey Schmitt | 24% | 52% | 28% |
| Nasim Nunez | 24% | 28% | 4% |
| Nolan Gorman | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Nick Gonzales | 18% | 28% | 10% |
| Jeff McNeil | 18% | 22% | 4% |
| George Lombard | 18% | 20% | 2% |
| Nate Lowe | 12% | 25% | 13% |
| Miguel Andujar | 11% | 18% | 7% |
| J.P. Crawford | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| A.J. Ewing | 10% | 13% | 3% |
| Ha-seong Kim | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Trevor Larnach | 8% | 10% | 2% |
| Sean Murphy | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Isaac Collins | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Brice Matthews | 6% | 17% | 11% |
| Joe Mack | 6% | 14% | 8% |
| Ezequiel Duran | 4% | 11% | 7% |
| Zack Gelof | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| J.J. Bleday | 3% | 24% | 21% |
| Esteury Ruiz | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Curtis Mead | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| MJ Melendez | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Jesus Rodriguez | 1% | 6% | 5% |
| Brandon Valenzuela | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Starting Pitchers
Logan Henderson: I’m a little surprised Henderson’s rostership rate was low enough to be counted. Maybe managers are focusing on his 4.50 ERA and not the underlying talent. Over the past two seasons, his 27.1% K-BB% is the best among all starters (min 30 IP).
Christian Scott: I was down on Scott when his first start (1 IP, 5 BB) was overweighted. Over his last two starts, he has a 13.0 K/9, 2.79 ERA (2.49 xFIP), 0.83 WHIP (1.9 BB/9). Big miss on my part.
Robby Snelling: Even though Snelling struggled in his debut (2 K, 4 BB, 3 ER, 5 IP), he should be added in all leagues based on his upside.
Janson Junk: While some regression should be expected (2.82 ERA), he could be a mid to high-3.00 arm with his 50% GB and 1.9 BB/9.
Carmen Mlodzinski: A .361 BABIP has inflated his 4.50 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Otherwise, his numbers have been great (9.2 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 48% GB%).
Sean Burke: A high-3.00 ERA talent with boring production (3.68 ERA, 4.06 xFIP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.4 K/9).
Ben Brown: I’m not sure where to rank Brown as he moves back into the rotation. In his first game back, he went 4 IP and threw just 46 pitches, so it might be a few games until he is fully stretched out.
Griffin Canning: In two starts so far, Canning has deserved some of his 6.75 ERA (3.23 xFIP), with a 4.8 BB/9 (1.61 WHIP), but unlucky with a .391 BABIP. It’s tough to gauge his talent since coming off the IL.
Michael McGreevy: While not the most talented pitcher, he’s been solid (2.18 ERA, 3.72 xFIP, 0.86 WHIP, 6.6 K/9). He’s been able to keep his ratios down with a .200 BABIP.
Connor Prielipp: While not elite numbers so far (10.0 K/9, 3.32 ERA, 4.29 xFIP, 1.00 WHIP), he’s a solid bench streamer.
Trevor McDonald: Great debut (8 K, 0 BB, and 1 ER in 7 IP), but immediately demoted to the minors [And now back up].
Ty Madden: In two starts so far, he’s been great with a 2.45 ERA (2.40 xFIP), 0.73 WHIP, and 9.8 K/9. So far the only negative is how many starts will he get once the team gets healthy.
Colin Rea: He has been solid (4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.3 K/9) and could continue to run the inflated WHIP with his 2.8 BB/9 and 52% GB%.
Peter Lambert: He has been OK (2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) because he’s not being hit around (0.0 HR/9, .263 BABIP). I see him as a low-4.00 ERA talent to be streamed against weaker opponents.
Keider Montero: Good batted ball luck (.235 BABIP, 0.7 HR/9) has him with some decent ratios (0.96 WHIP, 3.18 ERA). It’s tough to know where his talent will settle. For now, I’m going to see him as a low-4.00 ERA talent.
Cade Cavalli: There is upside to Cavalli if he could get his walks (4.4 BB/9) under control. Hell, his 1.70 WHIP is doing as much ratio damage in Roto leagues as a 6.41 ERA. He would not be on the most added list with an ERA over 6.00.
Kyle Leahy: He’s similar to his teammate McGreevy, but a little worse across the board (4.93 ERA, 4.15 xFIP, 1.64 WHIP). At this point, the WHIP is unrosterable since it’s doing as much ratio damage as a 6.00 ERA.
Jake Bennett: In two starts so far, he has as many walks (4) as strikeouts while allowing 5 ER in 10 IP.
Trey Gibson: He’s struggled with walks in the minors, and the struggles have continued in his two major league appearances (4.1 BB/9). I think he has some upside, but his 5.40 ERA (5.20 xFIP), 1.50 WHIP, and 5.4 K/9 should be monitored from the waiver wire.
Aaron Civale: Besides an 86% LOB% keeping his 2.95 ERA in check, he has not been good with xFIP and SIERA over 4.50, and his 1.34 WHIP is doing as much ratio damage as a 4.40 ERA.
Andre Pallante: I wonder if managers are getting ahead of themselves for Pallante’s two-start week coming up at West Sacramento and versus Kansas City. So far, Pallante’s been horrible (4.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP), and his ERA estimators and projections see him as performing even worse.
Erick Fedde 페디: A .204 BABIP has him with a decent looking. 3.79 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Digging deeper, the numbers are similar to last season when he posted a 5.49 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. I’m guessing he’ll be a popular add with two possible starts against (vs KC, vs CHC).
Tomoyuki Sugano: A two-start week is probably the only reason he was added. Maybe managers weren’t scared off by his 3.41 ERA and 1.14 WHIP (.223 BABIP). In his first start, he rewarded his managers with 1 K, 2 BB, 3 H, and 4 ER in 5 IP.
Chris Bassitt: The only reason (5.91 ERA, 5.50 xFIP, 5.6 K/9, 4.8 BB/9) I could see for adding him was his two-start week (at MIA, vs ATH). In his first start, he rewarded his managers with 3 K, 3 BB, 6 H, and 4 ER in 4 IP.
Starting Pitcher Prospects
Braxton Garrett: In AAA, the 28-year-old lefty has a 2.30 ERA (4.74 xFIP), 0.80 WHIP, and 9.2 K/9 in 31 IP.
Kade Anderson: In AA, the 21-year-old lefty has a 0.60 ERA (2.30 xFIP), 0.67 WHIP, and 14.1 K/9 in 30 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robby Snelling | 40% | 66% | 26% |
| Cade Cavalli | 40% | 52% | 12% |
| Michael McGreevy | 34% | 44% | 10% |
| Peter Lambert | 34% | 39% | 5% |
| Chris Bassitt | 33% | 39% | 6% |
| Logan Henderson | 29% | 63% | 34% |
| Connor Prielipp | 29% | 30% | 1% |
| Kade Anderson | 28% | 32% | 4% |
| Colin Rea | 26% | 38% | 12% |
| Jack Perkins | 22% | 49% | 27% |
| Aaron Civale | 22% | 24% | 2% |
| Ben Brown | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Janson Junk | 16% | 34% | 18% |
| Keider Montero | 16% | 22% | 6% |
| Tomoyuki Sugano | 15% | 18% | 3% |
| Carmen Mlodzinski | 15% | 16% | 1% |
| Sean Burke | 13% | 42% | 29% |
| Christian Scott | 13% | 23% | 10% |
| Kyle Leahy | 11% | 17% | 6% |
| Braxton Garrett | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Andre Pallante | 7% | 18% | 11% |
| Erick Fedde | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Jake Bennett | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Trey Gibson | 5% | 6% | 1% |
| Griffin Canning | 4% | 14% | 10% |
| Trevor McDonald | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Brant Hurter | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Ty Madden | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Relief Pitchers: Saves-based ranks
Gregory Soto: Great reliever who now seems to be the closer.
Jacob Latz: Average reliever who is the closer.
Gus Varland: Average reliever who is the closer.
Bryan King: Good reliever who is the closer.
Jack Perkins: Good reliever who will close some games.
Rico Garcia: Good reliever who is temporarily the closer.
Pierce Johnson: Average reliever who got the team’s last Save after Santillan and Ashcraft failed in their last attempts.
Ryan Zeferjahn Averagish reliever who got the team’s last Save and might be the closer.
Caleb Kilian: Average reliever who got the team’s last Save.
John King: Average reliever who got the team’s last Save.
Tyler Phillips: Below-average reliever who might be the closer.
Ian Seymour: Average reliever who is being used in high-leverage spots.
Cole Sulser: Below-average reliever who is being used in high-leverage spots.
Graham Ashcraft: A below-average reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Tony Santillan: A below-average reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Kyle Finnegan: Poor reliever who might be the backup closer.
Ben Joyce: Average reliever working his way back from the IL.
Erik Sabrowski: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Juan Morillo: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Dylan Lee: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Brant Hurter: Average reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Soto | 38% | 46% | 8% |
| Tony Santillan | 24% | 36% | 12% |
| Jack Perkins | 22% | 49% | 27% |
| Erik Sabrowski | 22% | 26% | 4% |
| Jacob Latz | 21% | 54% | 33% |
| Rico Garcia | 20% | 37% | 17% |
| Gus Varland | 13% | 20% | 7% |
| Kyle Finnegan | 12% | 20% | 8% |
| Graham Ashcraft | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Juan Morillo | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Ben Joyce | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Bryan King | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Dylan Lee | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Tyler Phillips | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Ian Seymour | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Caleb Kilian | 3% | 11% | 8% |
| Cole Sulser | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Ryan Zeferjahn | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Pierce Johnson | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| John King | 1% | 1% | 0% |
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.
Thanks for the good info. Ian Seymour is being wasted in Tampa. He was an excellent starting pitcher last year and they are using him as a 7th inning guy. There is no way Tampa has 5 starters better than Seymour.
I thought I was the only one who noticed. 3.16 xFIP as SP in 2025