FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 9)
Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
In this 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
Zack Gelof: His strikeout rate dropped from April to May (24% K% to 22% K%), so the breakout continues. He’ll fall off the list next week as people finally catch on that he’s an add.
Sam Antonacci: It would be nice to see a little more power from him (1 HR, .115 ISO, 51% GB%), but can’t argue with 5 SB and a .288 AVG.
Ezequiel Duran: Steady (4 HR, 4 SB, .286 AVG) and qualified at every position, including tight end.
Gavin Sheets: Started against the last two lefties and has 9 HR with a career-high 3 SB. A 1.018 OPS in May.
Austin Martin: The top of this list is full of high batting average, high-steal guys. On the season, Martin has 2 HR, 7 SB, and a .297 AVG (.413 OBP). Started in 11 of 12 games.
Jake Burger: He continues to hit home runs (9 HR) and not be a complete sink in batting average (.245 AVG).
Miguel Andujar: Starting every game with 5 HR and a .289 AVG.
Jake McCarthy: A person can’t argue with 2 HR, 9 SB, and a .282 AVG. And there are no signs of regression with his OPS up from .726 to .846.
Kody Clemens: He’s never hit for average (.230 AVG in ’26, career .210 AVG) but does have 4 HR and 5 SB on the season. Normally, he’s just a strong-side platoon bat, but he has started against the last three lefties. He’s got four games in the outfield with two coming in the last three games.
Anthony Volpe: Has 30 PA with a .704 OPS and 2 SB. He’s still a little rough on the edges with his bat speed down 1.1 mph and Contact% down 1.3% points. At least he has 2 SB and is learning second base.
Jacob Young: He’s cut his groundball rate from 54% to 39%, and he already has a career-high 6 HR. While the added power is unexpected, it would be nice if he’d steal more than two bases.
Justin Foscue: Eight straight starts with 2 HR and batting .351/.390/.595. A better strikeout rate (27%) and .440 BABIP have him looking better than he should.
Brett Baty: I’ve been hoping for a little more power (3 HR, .118 ISO), but it doesn’t seem to be coming. I’ll take the guys listed above who are hitting.
Jhostynxon Garcia: Started in four of five games (13 PA) since being promoted. The only change I’ve noticed so far is that he has a large 14 deg Attack Angle and 18 deg Launch Angle. That much of an angle will lead to some swing-and-miss (70% Contact%).
Mike Yastrzemski: After struggling in April (.555 OPS), the strong-side platoon bat has come alive in May (.878 OPS, 3 HR). His fantasy value is limited since he only faces righties.
Cedric Mullins: While the 10 SB helps in roto leagues, he’s batting .189 as he tries to hit everything over the fence (24% GB%, 3 HR). Even with the “power” swing, he has a sub-.100 ISO.
Yohendrick Piñango: Strong-side platoon bat who seems to be a solid source of batting average (84% Contact%, .347 BABIP), but little more. Better story than a fantasy contributor.
Richie Palacios: Strong-side platoon bat who is hitting for average (.271 AVG) and stealing bases (7 SB).
Esmerlyn Valdez: The 22-year-old outfielder was just promoted after hitting .253/.381/.506 with 10 HR and 0 SB in AAA. He’s struggling to make contact. As I write this on Saturday, he has 3 K in 6 PA.
Paul Goldschmidt: Got a small run as the team’s first baseman (Ben Rice hand injury) with 5 HR and a .256 AVG in 95 PA. His value will be linked to how much he plays. Before that three-game stretch, he started just four times in 10 games.
Pedro Ramírez: Just recalled by the Cubs. In AAA, he has 9 HR and 19 SB while batting .312/.395/.547 in 196 PA. He had the chance to start twice, but the team hasn’t played him yet. He would be listed in the top three or four of this list if playing every game.
Dylan Crews: No signs of him contributing (.000 ISO, 54% GB%). Let him be someone else’s headache.
Taylor Walls: Starts every game and has 6 SB and nothing else while being a batting average drag (.211 AVG in ’26, career .196 AVG).
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Currently hurt (hamstring) and now on the IL. After struggling in April (.459 OPS), he’s performing better in May (.670). I wish he were hitting for more power (.077 ISO).
Catchers
Keibert Ruiz: He’s hitting fine … for catcher (.260 AVG, 4 HR).
Mickey Gasper: Started five of six games last week and just two games this week. Posting a high BABIP (.407), inflating his .333 AVG.
Carson Kelly: Starting about half the time with a .289 AVG and 2 HR.
Daniel Susac: Since coming off the IL, he’s started in five of eight games. A .500 BABIP is the main reason he has a .965 OPS.
Hitting Prospects
Edwin Arroyo: In AAA, the 22-year-old shortstop is batting .348/.408/.604 with 10 HR and 8 SB.
Noelvi Marte: In AAA, the 24-year-old outfielder is batting .374/.431/.569 with 6 HR and 9 SB.
Kaelen Culpepper: In AAA, the 23-year-old shortstop is batting .249/.353/.457 with 9 HR and 10 SB.
Cole Carrigg: In AAA, the 24-year-old outfielder/shortstop is batting .356/.418/.533 with 4 HR and 26 SB in 202 PA.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Antonacci | 38% | 42% | 4% |
| Zack Gelof | 34% | 50% | 16% |
| Jake Burger | 34% | 43% | 9% |
| Ezequiel Duran | 33% | 49% | 16% |
| Carson Kelly | 32% | 42% | 10% |
| Dylan Crews | 29% | 39% | 10% |
| Brett Baty | 29% | 34% | 5% |
| Noelvi Marte | 29% | 31% | 2% |
| Anthony Volpe | 22% | 27% | 5% |
| Miguel Andujar | 17% | 25% | 8% |
| Jake McCarthy | 15% | 20% | 5% |
| Gavin Sheets | 14% | 43% | 29% |
| Cedric Mullins | 14% | 18% | 4% |
| Austin Martin | 12% | 16% | 4% |
| Cole Carrigg | 12% | 16% | 4% |
| Kody Clemens | 12% | 15% | 3% |
| Lourdes Gurriel | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Daniel Susac | 10% | 14% | 4% |
| Edwin Arroyo | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Kaelen Culpepper | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Keibert Ruiz | 6% | 32% | 26% |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Jhostynxon Garcia | 5% | 11% | 6% |
| Pedro Ramirez | 5% | 9% | 4% |
| Mike Yastrzemski | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Esmerlyn Valdez | 4% | 7% | 3% |
| Jacob Young | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Yohendrick Pinango | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Taylor Walls | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Justin Foscue | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Richard Palacios | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Mickey Gasper | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Starting Pitchers
J.T. Ginn: Ginn seems to be improving as the season goes on. Over his last three starts, he has a 2.62 xFIP mainly from a 1.2 BB/9. His sinker is a great pitch with a 50% GB% and 10% SwStr%. The only blemish is a 4.43 botERA.
Zebby Matthews: While he has just a 7.6 K/9, his 0.7 BB/9 is doing an amazing job of keeping his 1.38 ERA (3.25 xFIP) and 0.77 WHIP down. It’s been just 13 IP, but he’s looking like a must-add.
Spencer Miles: Miles will get a couple more starts with Scherzer still on the IL. The Rule 5 pick has been great so far (2.17 ERA, 3.15 xFIP, 1.03 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9). He’s been slowly building up his pitch count (15 to 27 to 38 to 56 to 63) and went 4.1 IP in his last start. The next step would be throwing 5 IP and the chance for a Win if he starts. Over his last three appearances, he has gone longer into games, and his stats have improved (10.6 K/9, 2.57 xFIP). It’s time to add.
Cade Cavalli: Good, solid bench streamer who has maintained a sub-4.00 ERA even with a .367 BABIP.
Connor Prielipp: He looked like a must-roster until Boston lit him up on Friday (5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 4 IP). Walks are becoming an issue, as seen with the 3.7 BB/9. More of a streamer now and not someone a person starts every week.
Christian Scott: He’s been good over his last four starts (3.93 ERA, 3.26 xFIP, 11.8 K/9, 1.31 WHIP). The only issue keeping him from being higher is that he’s not throwing deep into games. Over his last three starts, he hasn’t reached the fourth inning after averaging 81 pitches per start. It would be nice if he started averaging over 5 IP per start.
Trevor McDonald: If McDonald is guaranteed a rotation spot going forward (monitor if he gets demoted or not), he should be a cheap buy-low. On Friday, he got lit up for 7 ERA, 3 H, 3 HBP, 1 BB, and 4 K over 3 IP. Even after that game, he has a solid 3.74 botERA and 2.92 xFIP. His 4.76 ERA could be worse, and his 1.01 WHIP is helping his ratios equivalent to a 2.63 ERA.
Kai-Wei Teng: I’m having problems valuing him. Since he began starting, he has a 3.14 ERA (3.99 xFIP), 8.8 K/9, and 1.33 WHIP (3.8 BB/9). If he has a downside, it’s the walks (career 4.7 BB/9). He seems like a streaming option for now to see if the walks continue on a downward trend.
Troy Melton: On the IL and scheduled to start in the majors this Sunday. In 11 minor-league innings, he has a 1.54 ERA (2.31 xFIP), 0.69 WHIP, and 12.3 K/9. Add now to see how the start goes.
Martín Pérez: The 35-year-old lefty’s production is solid (2.85 ERA, 3.67 xFIP, 1.00 WHIP) with a career-high 8.3 K/9. To take a step forward, he’s throwing his changeup (19% SwStr%, 54% GB%) more than any other pitch for the first time in his career. He’s cranked up the strikeouts (12.2 K/9) over his last six appearances (4.4 K/9 before that), with his changeup usage increasing from 28% to 36%. Decent streamer for now.
David Peterson: I give up on Peterson; he had a good four-start stretch (2.50 ERA, 3.60 xFIP, 10.0 K/9, 1.28 WHIP) when he leaned into his slider (19% to 30% usage) and started throwing more strikes (3.0 BB/9). I feel he’s sucked me in before, but maybe this time it’s different … right?
Slade Cecconi: SLADE has carved his last three opponents (DET, LAA, KCR) with a 2.19 ERA (4.09 xFIP). Every metric points to him being useful against weak opponents and benching against stronger ones. He might be changing his arsenal by dumping his slider (8% SwStr%) and adding a changeup. He did both in his last game, so check his next start to see if he continues with it.
Griffin Jax: Over his last three starts, he has thrown 59, 66, and 62 pitches. While he’s been efficient (4 IP, 5 IP, 5 IP), the team doesn’t seem to want him to go over the 70 pitch mark. Since transiting to a starter, he has a 1.42 ERA (4.29 xFIP, 2.94 botERA), 1.11 WHIP (3.8 BB/9), and 6.6 K/9. Not horrible, not great.
Walbert Ureña: The 22-year-old righty looked better over his last two starts (CLE, ATH) with a 1.64 ERA (3.88 xFIP) and just a 2.5 BB/9. Before that start, his walk rate was at 6.5 BB/9. Digging a little deeper, he had a 42% Ball% (5.8 equiv BB/9) over the starts, which points to him still struggling with control. His one saving grace this year has been his 52% GB% (0.5 HR/9). His value will be determined if a person thinks the drop in his walk rate is real or not. I don’t.
Kumar Rocker: While the strikeouts (7.4 K/9) and groundballs (52% GB%) are solid, his walks (4.0 BB/9, 1.38 WHIP) make him nearly unplayable. The STUPH models are not a fan with a 91 Pitching+ and 5.00 botERA. I can’t find any improvements. His fastball velocity is down 1.2 mph from last year.
Anthony Kay: He’s throwing better in May with his xFIP down from 6.08 to 4.18. He changed by transitioning away from his four-seamer (7.5% SwStr%) to his sinker (8.9 SwStr%, 67% GB%) and slider (7.3 SwStr%). While better, a 4.25 ERA talent is still not that desirable. His walks remain an issue with a 4.0 BB/9 over the last two games.
Walker Buehler: He’s blah. There isn’t one standout trait, good or bad, that points to a potential breakout. He needs to find a way to get out lefties (6% K%-BB% vs LHP, 18% K%-BB%). Mike Burrows has a similar issue. He hasn’t been good for the last three seasons. Why would he start now?
Kyle Leahy: Don’t buy into any of the BS about a 1.10 ERA (4.92 xFIP) over his last three games. He has just 12 K to go with 9 BB. He hasn’t changed anything since his first six games and his 5.52 ERA (4.12 xFIP). I see him as a 4.50 ERA talent, which is not valuable in most leagues.
Aaron Civale: The 3.31 ERA won’t last (4.82 xFIP, 4.23 botERA), especially with a 91 mph fastball and a 6.5 K/9. His 1.39 WHIP is doing as much ratio damage as a 4.87 ERA.
Jonah Tong: Threw 3 IP on Friday with 0 ER, 2 K, and 1 BB. He’s never had control, and this one start didn’t change anything. In it, he posted a 39% Ball% which normally equates to a 4.5 BB/9. In each minor league appearance (5.7 BB/9), he walked at least two batters with 7 BB in 6 IP in his last two AAA starts.
Lucas Giolito: There is nothing here. Fastball down 3 mph. Hell, three kids on my kid’s high team in nowhere Kansas throw harder than him. He has as many walks as strikeouts. Drop.
Zach Thornton: Optioned to AAA after his debut (4 IP, 3 K, 2 BB, 4 ER).
Pitching Prospects
Kade Anderson: In AA, the 21-year-old lefty posted a 1.63 ERA (2.54 xFIP), 0.80 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9 in 38 IP.
Thomas White (on the IL): In AAA, the 21-year-old lefty posted a 4.34 ERA (4.00 xFIP), 1.45 WHIP, and 12.1 K/9 in 18 IP.
River Ryan: In AAA, the 27-year-old righty posted a 2.81 ERA (3.13 xFIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 11.8 K/9 in 16 IP.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cavalli | 40% | 44% | 4% |
| Kade Anderson | 40% | 42% | 2% |
| Christian Scott | 35% | 36% | 1% |
| Aaron Civale | 34% | 42% | 8% |
| Connor Prielipp | 32% | 40% | 8% |
| Trevor McDonald | 28% | 39% | 11% |
| Thomas White | 28% | 31% | 3% |
| Lucas Giolito | 26% | 38% | 12% |
| Jonah Tong | 25% | 28% | 3% |
| David Peterson | 23% | 24% | 1% |
| Griffin Jax | 22% | 33% | 11% |
| J.T. Ginn | 20% | 55% | 35% |
| Zebby Matthews | 19% | 53% | 34% |
| Kyle Leahy | 19% | 23% | 4% |
| Slade Cecconi | 16% | 22% | 6% |
| Walbert Urena | 14% | 26% | 12% |
| Kumar Rocker | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| River Ryan | 12% | 16% | 4% |
| Walker Buehler | 12% | 14% | 2% |
| Martin Perez | 10% | 17% | 7% |
| Anthony Kay | 8% | 15% | 7% |
| Troy Melton | 7% | 16% | 9% |
| Kai-Wei Teng | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Spencer Miles | 2% | 6% | 4% |
| Zach Thornton | 1% | 7% | 6% |
Relievers: Save-based ranks
Grant Taylor: Great reliever who seems to be sharing the closer duties.
Hogan Harris: Good reliever who is in a closer-by-committee.
Antonio Senzatela: Good reliever who goes multiple innings and closes some games.
Bryan Abreu: OK reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Erik Sabrowski: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Dylan Lee: Great reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Adrian Morejon: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Kevin Kelly: Average reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
Fernando Cruz: Good reliever who seems to be the backup closer.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Sabrowski | 28% | 31% | 3% |
| Bryan Abreu | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Grant Taylor | 15% | 23% | 8% |
| Antonio Senzatela | 14% | 25% | 11% |
| Dylan Lee | 13% | 15% | 2% |
| Hogan Harris | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Adrian Morejon | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Kevin Kelly | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Fernando Cruz | 8% | 10% | 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.
Excellent stuff. There should be more comments as people read through this stuff. I follow baseball very closely and still learn a few things every week. This year might be another lesson not to spend too much on closers.