This is it, the final full week is ahead. Months of lineup management and roster decisions now come down to one last waiver wire run to determine final standings. Can a season be won by a one-week player contribution from the waiver wire? Absolutely! As wild as it is to imagine, many times key categories, such as home runs and saves, come down to the final games of the season to have a leader. That’s why this week’s waiver wire zooms in on players who can make key contributions in those scarce categories to help put your team on top!
More great Fantasy Baseball Analysis: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire | Weekly SP Rankings | Pitching Streamers | Two-Start Pitchers | Hitting Planner | Lineup Analysis | MLB Injury Report | Risers and Fallers | Prospect Report | Advanced Stats | Under the Radar | Overvalued & Undervalued
Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 26
15-Team Mixed League Targets
1. Zach Cole Jr., OF, Astros (15% rostered)
For fantasy baseball managers who used an early round pick on Yordan Alvarez, it’s been a frustrating season. Just when you finally get him back healthy late in the season, he gets hurt again. Don’t throw in the towel just yet. His replacement, Zach Cole Jr., is putting up Alvarez-type numbers so far in his debut as he has an OPS over 1.000 in his first 18 at-bats. More impressive are the seven RBI and near. 500 on base percentage in that first week of action. Zach Cole Jr. may be lightning in a bottle at the finish line for deep league fantasy managers.
Zach Cole DEMOLISHES a go-ahead HR in his first game at Daikin Park! pic.twitter.com/2cxN6EIM1c
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2025
2. Clayton Beeter, SP/RP, Nationals (13% rostered)
When it gets to the last weeks of the season, every save matters. In fact, one or two saves can completely shift the final standings. So when a dynamite reliever gets his first save as part of a larger role, it warrants immediate attention. With Nationals setup pitcher Cole Henry hitting the IL it elevated Clayton Beeter into the setup role and second in line for save chances behind Jose Ferrer. Not only can Beeter fall into more save opportunities, but he has been stellar over the last month with no earned runs allowed, a 0.62 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9. He could very well be the league-winner contenders have been seeking the last couple of weeks.
Clayton Beeter slams the door for his 1st career save 🔒🔥 13.2 straight scoreless, 20 Ks, just 2 hits allowed since joining the Nats. 96+ heat, filthy slider. The kid’s nasty. #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/JtgcqKPGN7
— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) September 15, 2025
AL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
A.J. Blubaugh, SP, Astros (14% rostered)
The Astros continue to have a wealth of talent in their farm system as they’ve promoted several players throughout the season who have made meaningful contributions. Quietly, one of the biggest contributors has become A.J. Blubaugh, who has been a force on the mound over the last few weeks. In September, he’s pitched 11 innings and allowed no earned runs with only nine base runners. He’s also tallied 16 strikeouts, putting his K/9 ratio at elite levels. Blubaugh won’t get you wins or saves but he can help in all other pitching categories down the stretch.
AJ Blubaugh with a great performance tonight:
3 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 7 K
He has a 2.16 ERA this season in Houston! #Astros #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/dUhSFpKwii
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) September 17, 2025
NL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Rafael Flores, C/1B, Pirates (7%)
Another premium position in mono leagues is catcher. This year, the NL has offered little depth beyond the top few stars at the position. That’s why any new players gaining playing time at the position should get serious consideration. The newly promoted Rafael Flores of the Pirates offers unique appeal as he’s catcher-eligible but will get playing time at first base. This should allow him to focus more on offense production in his transition to the majors. So far, so good, as he went 1-3 with a walk in his first game. In the minors, Flores hit for both a high average (.280) and power (22 home runs) in his 133 games played. If either of those production levels carries over into the final couple of weeks, he’ll be a valuable addition to teams without consistency in their catcher spot.
Heartfelt reactions from the family of Rafael Flores with @MearsHannah_ after his first Major League hit ❤️ https://t.co/FRhePxbk1k pic.twitter.com/Gwl5vf1u70
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) September 17, 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.
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