Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Bleday Powers His Way to the Top

Another week of baseball is in the books, and that means it’s time to turn to the fantasy baseball waiver wire for roster reinforcements. Whether you need an injury replacement or are looking to stream players for the upcoming week, consider the waiver wire your friend.

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In this week’s fantasy baseball waiver wire, we highlight some players who can boost your power and speed categories, as well as some helpful arms for the week. All players listed are rostered at 70% or less in Fantrax leagues. That means Robby Snelling (80%) doesn’t make the cut. But be sure to check if the top prospect is available, as he’s a must-add in all formats and a higher priority than the starters listed below. With that in mind, let’s look at some fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 8.

Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets

JJ Bleday, OF, Reds (39%)

JJ Bleday is on fire. Since his April 26 call-up, he’s smacked four homers in nine games (34 PA), taken over the two-hole in the lineup, and is hitting .310 with a 1.170 OPS. It’s a super-small sample size, but Bleday was also tearing it up in Triple-A. Across 24 games (104 PA), he tallied six long balls, 18 runs, 19 RBI, one steal, and a 1.120 OPS.

Bleday’s pop is backed by strong power metrics. He has a whopping 18.2% barrel rate, 59.1% hard-hit rate, and a 94.4 mph average EV in the early going. Bleday is also tapping into his pull-side power while sporting a hefty 36.8% pulled-air rate. Again, small sample size alert. But the Reds have enough confidence in Bleday that they’ve moved him up to the two-spot against righties. It’s possible he sits against lefties, but Bleday’s hot bat is well worth riding to see where this goes.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr, OF, Diamondbacks (36%)

It’s been a slow start for Lourdes Gurriel since returning from ACL surgery. But the veteran is starting to heat up at the plate. He has 11 hits in his last eight games, including four multi-hit efforts and two doubles. Gurriel also walked at a 15.6% clip in that stretch while hitting .407 with a .981 OPS and 183 wRC+. He’s yet to go yard, but the hits are encouraging and hopefully the start of a productive run. Gurriel offers a nice blend of pop and speed while chipping in a .260ish batting average. That profile won’t last long on the waiver wire, so consider Gurriel while he’s still on the cheap.

Sam Antonacci, 2B,3B, SS, OF, White Sox (54%)

Sam Antonacci got the call-up in mid-April but only recently started receiving everyday playing time. He’s started in all of the White Sox’s last nine games, including two starts against LHP. Antonacci has also hit leadoff in the team’s last three games against RHP. In that nine-game stretch, Antonacci is hitting .290 with one double, one triple, and six runs scored. He also got on base at a healthy .405 clip and stole a base.

Much of Antonacci’s fantasy value stems from his legs and strong plate skills. He was a perfect 5-for-5 on the basepaths in 14 games at Triple-A this season, and combined for 48 steals on 57 attempts across 113 games between High-A and Double-A in 2025. Antonacci has the ability to rack up steals and runs, especially if he continues to lead off. He’s a solid add in 14-teamers; just make sure you have your power covered elsewhere.

Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, Reds (43%)

Nathaniel Lowe has been making some noise since taking over DH duties for Eugenio Suarez. He piled up six homers in those 13 games (52 PA) and drove in 11 runs, with a .298/.365/.723 slash line and 191 wRC+. Lowe’s power surge is supported by a 19.4% barrel rate in that stretch, and he’s leaning into his pull-side power. Overall, Lowe brings a solid plate approach and strong quality contact metrics to the fantasy table. He won’t bag you any steals, but Lowe provides 20-home run upside, a plus batting average, and hits in the heart of the order. He’s a nice power pickup while Suarez is on the mend.

Dustin May, SP, Cardinals (54%)

Dustin May is quietly getting the job done for the Cardinals. He had two horrible starts to begin the year, but has since become a sneaky-reliable arm. In his last five starts, May posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, with an 18:6 K:BB across 29.1 innings. The strikeouts aren’t there (15.7% K%), but May has kept the ball on the ground at a 48% clip and chewed through innings. He logged four quality starts in that five-game stretch and picked up three wins. That definitely plays in deeper leagues and quality-start formats. May’s matchup against the Padres on the road this Saturday is tougher than not. But he gets a tasty home matchup next week against a Royals team whose 67 wRC+ on the road versus RHP ranks dead-last. May is a strong waiver wire addition this week.

Peter Lambert, SP, Astros (41%)

Peter Lambert is fresh off a win against the Dodgers. He tossed seven scoreless frames, allowing three hits and four walks with four strikeouts. The free passes aren’t ideal, and have been an issue (11.8% BB% across 22.1 IP). But Lambert has been great at limiting hits and has a solid 45% groundball rate, so the damage has been minimal.

Overall, Lambert has been a nice arm for the Astros, even with some control issues. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in three of his four starts, showcasing a 2.42 ERA (4.11 xFIP), 1.16 WHIP, and 24.7% K% in that stretch. Some regression is due, but Lambert gets a favorable two-step at home next week against the Mariners and Rangers, and is well worth considering if you need pitching.

Jacob Latz, RP, Rangers (60%)

Jacob Latz is the Rangers’ ninth-inning guy and should be rostered more widely. He secured three of the team’s last four save opportunities and has been scoreless in his last eight appearances. Latz isn’t your traditional swing-and-miss fireballer, but he’s excellent at limiting free passes. Across 14 relief appearances (14.2 IP), Latz maintains a 25% K% and 5.8% BB%, with a tidy 1.32 ERA and 0.51 WHIP. Latz has the job and shouldn’t be on waivers in 12-teamers, especially given the ever-shifting closer landscape. Go pick him up.

Tony Santillan, RP, Reds (62%)

Tony Santillan looks to be in the driver’s seat in Cincinnati, as Emilio Pagan is out with a hamstring strain. While Santillan has struggled in his last couple of outings, he holds a 2.87 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 16:9 K:BB across 15.2 innings as the team’s setup man. His 14.1% walk rate could spell trouble, but Santillan has some closing experience, picking up seven saves in 2025. Skipper Terry Francona tends to stick with one guy, so Santillan is well worth a spec pick in 12-teamers.