This isn’t the time to slow down. Even when you think your team is settled and locked in, it never is. Don’t stop looking for ways to improve your team, as there are multiple types of players that can fit the bill.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 5/27 ), 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
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
Depending on your league and its structure, it’s very possible that Marcelo Mayer has already been stashed waiting for this moment. The infielder is one of Boston’s top prospects, and it was only a matter of time before he found his way to the big leagues. On the field, Mayer certainly earned it. Mayer has been held back by injuries the last two years, playing in just 78 and 77 games. Last year, in his age 21 season, Mayer hit .307 with eight home runs, 13 stolen bases, 60 runs scored, and 38 RBI at Double-A.
To begin 2025, Mayer got his first taste of Triple-A. He hit a solid .271 with his power seeing some improvement with nine home runs in 43 games. Mayer has also been a run-producing machine with 43 RBI, although he stole just two bases.
While naturally a shortstop, the injury to Alex Bregman led to Mayer’s promotion. That means, at least for now, Mayer will be manning third base. Through his first 20 plate appearances, Mayer is hitting .263 with two doubles and one RBI. There is a clear need for everyday at-bats from Mayer, and he’s certainly up to the task.
Alejandro Osuna, OF, Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are looking for a spark offensively after their early-season struggles. There were changes to the coaching staff with Bret Boone coming aboard, but there’s still more work to be done. While Alejandro Osuna isn’t going to be a league winner, the young outfielder can be a solid contributor.
Texas ultimately promoted Osuna, looking for a spark, so he’s going to receive consistent playing time. Through this point in his career, though, Osuna has shown some power and speed. In 102 games in his age 21 season, peaking at Double-A, Osuna hit a strong .292 with 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases. The strikeouts shouldn’t overwhelm, and at the very least, Osuna should contribute some stolen bases. That will help to give him at least a floor from a fantasy perspective. Prior to his promotion, Osuna had nine stolen bases in 39 games.
Kody Clemens, 1B/2B, Minnesota Twins
It seems like there’s a never-ending string of injuries for the Minnesota Twins, but that also means we get to see players stepping up. The latest to take advantage of available playing time is Kody Clemens. The fact that Clemens is eligible at both first and second base certainly piques our interest from a fantasy perspective. When constructing a fantasy roster, you can never argue with versatility.
Over the last 14 days, Clemens is hitting .353 in 11 games with three home runs and six RBI. Overall, Clemens is hitting .274 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 72 plate appearances. While the body of work is minimal, it’s shaping up to be a career year for Clemens. We’ve also never seen Clemens hit the ball better with a 16.7% barrel rate and 64.3% hard hit rate. That plays from a fantasy perspective as he takes advantage of regular playing time.
Chase Meidroth, 2B/3B/SS, Chicago White Sox
If you need to fill a spot in your infield, Chase Meidroth is your guy. Depending on your league format, his roster numbers might be inflated as dynasty players jumped on the infielder already, but he now should be on everyone’s radar. Playing for the Chicago White Sox represents the land of opportunity, and Meidroth has done a great job of taking advantage of that.
Last year, all Meidroth did was hit .293 in 122 games in Triple-A. He’s not much of a power hitter, with seven home runs, but he did steal 13 bases while scoring 87 runs to go along with 57 RBI. What’s most impressive is seeing Meidroth walk 18.8% of the time compared to a 12.7%Â strikeout rate.
That trend has continued now that Meidroth is entrenched at the top of Chicago’s batting order. After continuing his on-base streak on Wednesday, Meidroth is hitting .286 with 17 runs scored and eight stolen bases. He has identical strikeout and walk rates at 11.9%. His approach continues to lend itself to fantasy success, as long as it’s not power you’re looking for.
Lance McCullers, SP, Houston Astros
We’ve waited years for this, but Lance McCullers is back. His blow-up against the Cincinnati Reds is long behind us, and the right-hander has found his groove once again. That was on display in full on Wednesday as McCullers faced the Athletics. He got through six innings of work and struck out 12 batters while allowing three runs.
In his fifth start of the season, McCullers brought his ERA down to 5.89, but his FIP sits at 4.65 with an xFIP of 3.89. The strikeouts are now there for the right-hander. It was a good sign to see him get through six innings of work prior to next week when he takes the mound twice. McCullers faces the Pirates and Guardians. Both are winnable matchups for the right-hander.
Daniel Lynch, SP, Kansas City Royals
Another pitcher taking the mound twice next week with favorable matchups is Daniel Lynch. After success out of the bullpen to begin the season, Lynch moves back into the rotation to face the Cardinals and White Sox. We do need to qualify that this is more of a deeper league play, as there are more talented pitchers taking the mound twice, but the matchups do work in Lynch’s favor.
In 25.2 innings, Lynch has a 1.75 ERA, although his 4.09 xERA does give us some pause. He’s been able to work around walking 4.56 batters per nine innings, as a 47.9% ground ball rate does help. Lynch is struggling to generate strikeouts so far this year, and in his career, he’s generally been up and down. The good news is that opposing hitters have a barrel rate of just 6.7% against him.
Daniel Palencia, RP, Chicago Cubs
Don’t look now, but the Chicago Cubs have a new closer. With three saves over the past seven days, Daniel Palencia has certainly planted his flag. Palencia struck out five over three innings of work while not allowing a run.
Anytime a new closer emerges on the scene, it’s only natural to pay attention. However, when it comes on a team as successful as the Cubs have been, our attention is only heightened. Palencia is now up to four saves on the season to go along with a 1.83 ERA in 19.2 innings with 21 strikeouts. With an average fastball velocity around 99 miles per hour, Palencia’s skill set plays perfectly in the ninth inning. It also helps that in 46 batted balls, just one has been barreled by an opposing hitter.
Robert Garcia, RP, Texas Rangers
There has been some movement in the ninth inning for the Texas Rangers, but with two saves in the last seven days, it appears the job has been transferred to Robert Garcia. He has close to a strikeout per inning to go along with a 2.25 ERA in 24 innings of work. The quality of contact is lacking against Garcia, as his 28.8% hard hit rate has played a large part in his success. This is Garcia’s first taste of the closer’s role at the big league level, but he’s having no issues finding initial success.
