Deep League Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets for Week 22

With five weeks left to go in the rotisserie league season, it’s time to start thinking of the final push to the finish line. Interestingly, this changes the way in which players on the waiver wire should be viewed. Rather than dismissing hot streaks due to clear signs of unsustainable good luck, the focus should be on a player’s immediate return-on-investment. This is especially true in deep leagues where counting stats are even harder to find on the waiver wire. That’s why this week’s deep league waiver wire targets article focuses on several newly promoted players, largely available in most fantasy leagues, who are making meaningful contributions for their teams right now.

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Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 22

15-Team Mixed League Targets

1. Darell Hernaiz, 3B/SS, Athletics (16% rostered)

A prime example of a deep league waiver wire target who can provide short-term production boost is Darell Hernaiz. Called up a month ago to fill-in for the injured Jacob Wilson, he’s already been successful filling the void. Much alike Wilson, Darell Hernaiz is a singles hitter with minimal power and speed contributions. Though that doesn’t mean he’s not adding value in fantasy leagues as his .320 batting average over the seven games has given fantasy managers a boost to that key ratio. With his surging on base abilities he’s compiling more runs and RBI as of late, adding to his appeal. Even if his playing time dwindles with Wilson’s return in the coming weeks, he’s worth of an immediate add for contending teams to potentially use next week.

Darell Hernaiz comes up clutch again.

Jacob Wilson is nearing a late-Aug return but Hernaiz is doing all he can with this opportunity. Respect. #Athletics pic.twitter.com/QGnIiQ5Eqx

— SleeperAthletics (@SleeperAth) August 17, 2025

2. Kyle Karros, 3B, Rockies (23% rostered)

Kyle Karros, the son of Dodger’s icon Eric Karros, is more than deserving of his opportunity with the Rockies. Having batted .301 with a .398 OBP in the minors so far this season, the belief is that his skills (and pedigree) will carry into success in the majors. So far the results are promising, with a .276 average and .386 OBP in his first 12 games. His on base abilities are leading to consistent run production, with 10 already in those first 12 games. It’s clear the Rockies are focused on their future and should continue to give playing time to their emerging top prospects.

Kyle Karros, son of Eric Karros, hits his first career home run against his dad's former team 💙 pic.twitter.com/2E9WbAZxnq

— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2025

AL-Only League Waiver Wire Target

Ramon Urias, 2B/3B, Astros (10% rostered)

Despite his consistent production for the Orioles over the last couple of seasons, there was a collective sigh of relief from their fans when he was traded at the deadline this year. His unpopularity wasn’t due to his play but, rather, the fact he was an aging veteran blocking several young prospects from making the majors. But as the saying goes, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”. This has been the case for the Astros who have leaned on Urias throughout August. In that time span, he’s batted .308 and it’s lead to a steady uptick in regular playing time over the last week. Like Hernaiz, there’s little power and speed with Urias but the batting average should lead to multi-category contributions for fantasy managers.

Roman Urias was an excellent pickup for the Astros. Decent bat and superior glove, he will fit right in. Astros now have 5 Gold Glovers on the team, with 4 being in the infield at all times.

Close to $1M, as $2M was already paid to him this year. pic.twitter.com/vd11qynky1

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) July 31, 2025

NL-Only League Waiver Wire Target

Will Benson, OF, Reds (11%)

Each week, I aim to identify a player who could be league-altering or, perhaps, even a league-winning waiver wire acquisition. While a few have panned out as of late, like Isaac Collins and Jakob Marsee, most just meet deep league bench player expectations. This week, I’ve marked the recently promoted Will Benson of the Reds as the high-potential payoff pick. While Benson has struggled over the last season, we’ve seen his immense upside before when he broke out with 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases in just 287 at-bats in 2023. In his last seven games in the minors, he batted .316 with a home run and a steal. Perhaps there’s still some charge in his battery and, if so, the output could be electrifying.

Here is the electric Reds radio call of Will Benson's walkoff single vs the Padres.

pic.twitter.com/xxfdHfkbVo

— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) June 29, 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.