Overreaction is the enemy. So is not reacting. There’s a fine line to be walked, but improving your team must be done. Hot streaks require attention and are made to be exploited. We aren’t at the point in the season where a sixth-round draft choice needs to be dropped. However, at the same time, you can feel free to move on from your 26th round pick if the performance dictates it. Quite simply, high-performing players shouldn’t be left on the waiver wire. Each week, you should be looking to churn your roster to gain any potential edge.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 4/02 ), with some exceptions. The popularity of Dynasty leagues on Fantrax does sway some of these percentages compared to other platforms, but these are players who should be on your radar.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Recommendations
Kyren Paris, 2B, Los Angeles Angels
Aaron Judge’s swing coach. That has to be the leading theme when talking about Kyren Paris. To be clear, that’s not going to work for everyone, but the former second-round pick does have talent and pedigree. However, it hasn’t led to success at the major league level. At least until this season, that is.
In 46 plate appearances in 2023, Paris hit .100, and then he followed that up by hitting .118 in 59 plate appearances last year. It’s important to remember that Paris is still just 23 years old, but it’s notable how he spent his offseason. Now that doesn’t mean it’s a clean break and Paris will now be an All-Star, but at the same time, it should catch our attention. Paris made adjustments this winter, and the results have been evident.
After hitting two home runs on Wednesday, Paris is up to five on the season. He’s hitting .440 with eight RBI and 11 runs scored while stealing four bases. He’s only striking out 20% of the time, to this point, but we know there’s bound to be some negative regression here. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore his power and speed production to this point.
Trent Grisham, OF, New York Yankees
The Yankees are looking for offense, and Trent Grisham has been successful to begin the season. Through 10 games, the veteran is hitting .367 with three home runs, nine RBI, and nine runs scored. He’s still not in the lineup on a daily basis, he was a late-game replacement on Wednesday, but Grisham should find himself starting on most days.
We should be careful here, as Grisham has hit under .200 in each of the three seasons, but the veteran has proven to be a solid power/speed option. While Grisham might not be a difference maker, he does have a .309 xBA. That comes with a 13% barrel rate and 52.2% hard hit rate, which does point to some adjustments made. Injuries are starting to present themselves, and there are plenty of players not living up to expectations. At this point, Grisham is, and that shouldn’t be ignored.
Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies
Depending on your league, it’s very possible that Zac Veen has been stashed since Opening Day. The talented outfielder didn’t take long to earn his promotion from Triple-A this year. In eight games, all Veen did was hit .387, and this was a time as good as any for the outfielder to get the call to Colorado.
The former first-round pick has had an up-and-down minor league career to this point, but there’s no disputing his talent and upside. We do have to acknowledge, though, that it might be a bumpy ride. There is some power potential in Veen’s hit tool, but it’s not fully developed yet. Strikeouts are going to be a point of concern for Veen, but his stolen base upside does provide a decent floor from a fantasy perspective. That doesn’t mean we should ignore Veen, but we shouldn’t overinvest and expect him to be a 2025 All-Star either.
Zach McKinstry, 3B/SS/OF, Detroit Tigers
At first glance, how can we not be enamored with Zach McKinstry’s multi-positional eligibility? That is something that can help any fantasy team, especially one that is hindered by injuries. Unfortunately, that is likely most teams, though.
Beyond being versatile, McKinstry has also found his way into regular playing time to begin the season. As players return to health for Detroit, there will be greater competition for playing time, but McKinstry’s versatility should keep him in the lineup. Of course, his performance also has something to do with that.
While he does have a .400 BABIP, McKinstry’s hitting .371 on the season with more walks than strikeouts. That came after a two-hit and two RBI performance on Wednesday after he took a .298 xBA into the game. With six RBI and seven runs scored, we aren’t going to see production that truly is off the charts from McKinstry. However, if you have plugged him into the lineup, there are worse options. McKinstry also helps to extend your bench.
Easton Lucas, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
When a starting pitcher is going well, that’s generally a train you want to jump on. Easton Lucas has won both of his starts to begin the season while not allowing an earned run. Lucas only has 18.1 innings of major league experience under his belt prior to 2025. Last year, Lucas found success in Triple-A with all three organizations. That laid the groundwork for success to begin in 2025.
Lucas is striking out more than a batter per inning and sports an xERA of just 1.91. It’s just two starts, but Lucas hasn’t allowed an opposing hitter to barrel up a ball yet in 2025. This isn’t a pitcher I’m looking to go crazy on just yet, but Lucas also shouldn’t be ignored.
Taijuan Walker, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
It’s important to maximize innings, and pitchers making two starts in a week certainly helps. Matchups are always important here as well. Heading into the upcoming week, Taijuan Walker checks both boxes. His starts are against the San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins, and both represent favorable matchups for the right-hander.
Initially, it was unclear that Walker was even going to be in the Phillies’ rotation to begin the season, but a Ranger Suarez injury changed things. The good news is that Walker is doing everything he can to continue starting games for Philadelphia.
It was a struggle against the Atlanta Braves in Walker’s third start of the season on Wednesday. He continued his streak of not allowing an earned run, but it wasn’t smooth sailing. Walker scattered five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings, and now his FIP sits at 3.07. That’s still well better than where our expectations were for the right-hander, but we shouldn’t ignore his success.
To this point in his career, Walker has had value as a streamer, and this week should be no different.
Emilio Pagan, RP, Cincinnati Reds
Prior to Emilio Pagan allowing a walk-off, two-run homer on Wednesday, this waiver wire recommendation looked better. Pagan has two of the Reds’ three saves on the 2025 season, and that has to catch our attention. Again, he did blow the game on Wednesday, and Alexis Diaz is getting closer to his return, but right now, the seat still belongs to Pagan. Chasing saves makes us do some crazy things, and it’s also notable that it was Pagan on the mound in the ninth inning.
Since saving 20 games in 2019, Pagan has had limited exposure to the role, but the dependable veteran is capable. This is only temporary until Diaz returns, but we have to follow the saves. Those two earned runs were the first that Pagan allowed to begin the season, and that has to count for something as well.
AJ Minter, RP, New York Mets
The first few weeks of the season are always difficult when figuring out bullpen situations. Sporadic schedules and a lack of save situations continue to be an issue, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore relief pitchers. If there aren’t saves to chase, then try to speculate and, at the very least, look for a good pitcher.
There’s no doubting that Edwin Diaz will continue to be the closer for the Mets this season. He has been utilized as such and has two saves, but his velocity has been down, and things haven’t been completely smooth. We aren’t at the point of saying that there’s true danger in Diaz and his role, but we should monitor this from afar.
AJ Minter is a high-leverage reliever who has been comfortable saving games in the past. It’s clear that he’s the eighth inning guy, and if there’s something truly wrong with Diaz, there should be a clear path to saves for the left-hander. But even if that never happens, Minter can be a strong source of strikeouts.
