One interesting aspect of deep fantasy baseball leagues is that they often involve some keeper aspect to them. Whether it’s just having the ability to keep a few players or it’s a full-blown dynasty, this has an impact on how players are targeted on the waiver wire. In those league there are instances where players with a greater future value, like prospects, may be prioritized over a player with more present value. Though, the sweet spot is to find players who check both boxes successfully. In this week’s deep league waiver wire article player who may meet that criteria are identified for your claim consideration.
Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 11
15-Team Mixed League Targets
1. Kody Clemens, 1B/2B, Twins (24% rostered)
Like other players with superstar fathers, Kody Clemens, the son of Roger Clemens, has long had to prove his worth beyond the perceived pedigree potential. As a third-round pick in 2018, the questions about his true talent from the start are still unanswered. After batting in the low .200’s range for the Phillies the last couple of seasons, he was released early this year. He was quickly claimed by the Twins and has found his way into a regular role. Now, he’s showing his ability to hold his own and, perhaps, even breakout potential. In fact, the breakout may already be happening, as he is batting .357 with a .449 OBP and 4 home runs over the last 15 games. Take a flyer on Clemens while he’s hot and see if long-term value can be realized.
twins INF/OF Kody Clemens is demanding our attention
in the last 14 days (min. 30 PA):
✅ 79.2% hard hit rate | best in MLB
✅ 100.2 MPH average ExitVelo | best in MLB
✅ 1 of 21 hitters w/ 20%+ Barrel% (20.8%)
✅ 1 of 20 hitters w/ 4+ HRBABIP + HR/FB% will fall, but wow 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iL6dgyzTUT
— the Fantasy Gospel™ (@fantasy_gospel) May 28, 2025
2. Braxton Ashcraft, SP, Pirates (23% rostered)
No team is richer with young pitching talent than the Pirates. While everyone is waiting on Bubba Chandler’s call-up, the Pirates have promoted other intriguing arms to the majors recently. Along with Mike Burrows was the promotion of Braxton Ashcraft, who is serving in a long relief role. Ashcraft has an intimidating arsenal that could bode well either as a closer or starter in the long run. In the short term, he’s certain to provide an immediate boost to pitching ratio categories. Though, with the Pirates’ ongoing volatility at closer, there’s a chance he could find his way into save opportunities. That could thrust into the top tiers over closers if it happened.
Braxton Ashcraft in his MLB Debut:
3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO
50 pitches, 32 strikes, 4 whiffsHe has a 0.00 ERA. pic.twitter.com/CQkpcKSNXU
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) May 27, 2025
AL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Adrian Houser, SP/RP, White Sox (14% rostered)
There’s no sugar-coating the fact that Adrian Houser has not been a valuable fantasy asset over the last few seasons. Despite being without a team at the start of the year, he was recently signed by the White Sox and thrust into the rotation. In his debut against Seattle, he showed flashes of his excellent control that had been lost in past years by allowing only five base runners over six innings. More impressive was his follow-up performance against the Mets where he again shined with just four base runners allowed in six innings. Houser is not a consistent source of strikeouts, but he can log quality innings when his control is working for him. It’s ideal to claim him to hold on your bench for another start before inserting into your lineup right away.
Adrian Houser was great in his White Sox debut pic.twitter.com/Z0B34fd0iw
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 21, 2025
NL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Victor Mesa Jr., OF, Marlins (4%)
A silver lining for having a weaker roster at the start of the season, like the Marlins, is the ability to freely call up top prospects and provide them with regular playing time. This was the case for Agustin Ramirez already, and now Victor Mesa Jr. Rated as a top 5 prospect in the Marlins system last season, the hope has long been for Mesa Jr. to develop into a Christian Yelich type of profile over time. He’s shown flashes of those abilities throughout his minor league career, so there’s merit in the hopes for him. How long he stays up with the club will depend on how well he can produce for the team. For fantasy managers, this presents a true low risk and high reward waiver wire claim opportunity as he has the potential to hold a spot for the long-term.
Victor Mesa Jr. YOU have your first big league hit 👏 pic.twitter.com/MEwElhGXmw
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) May 28, 2025
Got a few deep league waiver wire targets of your own? Tell me who is standing out to you by sharing in the comments below.
