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 available off the waiver wire that can fit the bill.
In doing our weekly diligence, the criteria for inclusion in our waiver wire recommendations will generally be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 6/10 ), 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
Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox
This is what we have been waiting for. The Boston Red Sox are in need of offense after injuries to Alex Bregman and Triston Casas. It was only a matter of time before Roman Anthony was promoted, and it finally happened this week.
The young outfielder was promoted to the big leagues after proving there was nothing left for him to do in the minor leagues. In 58 games at Triple-A, Anthony hit .288 with 10 home runs, 29 RBI, and 45 runs scored. Boston has wasted no time in inserting Anthony right into the middle of things, batting him fifth.
Through his first nine at-bats, Anthony has one hit and three RBI. There’s a lot to like here, and if Anthony wasn’t already stashed in your league, then this is what you have been waiting for.
CES is Back
Stop me if you have heard this before, but once again, Christian Encarnacion-Strand is healthy and back in the lineup. He’s now playing third base, so if that continues, it adds some roster flexibility.
Before playing just 29 games last year, Encarnacion-Strand made it through just 63 games in 2023. With a .270 average, 13 home runs, and 37 RBI, CES showed us what he can do, albeit in small samples. After returning from injury, Encarnacion-Strand is in a good position to continue making an impact on the ball.
Encarnacion-Strand is hitting just .210 on the season, but that comes with a .211 BABIP. Of greater importance, at this point, is Encarnacion-Strand’s .231 ISO and 47.5% hard hit rate. When combined with a 9.8% barrel rate and favorable home park, there’s legitimate value when looking to fill your corner infield spot.
Grab Those Home Runs Now
With Giancarlo Stanton beginning a rehab stint this week, there is some real home run potential sitting on the waiver wire. Granted you’ll have to plug Stanton into the Utility spot, and the batting average will be a struggle, but you also won’t find a better power option on the waiver wire.
Stanton has been sidelined since the beginning of the season, so it’s very possible he’s on the waiver wire. Last season in 114 games, Stanton hit .233, but he had 27 home runs and 72 RBI. The impact of that production can’t be overlooked, especially if you are deficient in home runs and/or RBI.
Some Upside in Arizona
While Alek Thomas might not be a true difference maker, the outfielder has been making his presence felt in Arizona. It’s his defensive ability that ultimately gets him into the lineup on a regular basis, but Thomas is also doing good things at the plate.
In his last seven games, Thomas is hitting .409 with two home runs, three RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base. From a fantasy perspective, his value is as more of an accumulator who can hit for a strong batting average. While Thomas doesn’t walk, he is hitting .273 with a .274 xBA. Thomas has a solid 9.2% barrel rate. There’s nothing to suggest that he won’t remain in the lineup on a regular basis while contributing a little bit in all categories. If you are looking to fill an injury-created gap in your lineup, Thomas is a strong option.
A Great Debut Just Happened
To say that there is a lot of firepower coming with the debut of Jacob Misiorwski would be an understatement. The right-hander’s fastball regularly sits over 100 miles per hour and is a real strength. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, to see Misiorwski regularly strike out more than 11 batters per nine innings.
As he’s promoted to start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Misiorwski takes a 2.13 ERA from Triple-A with him. Despite the fact that he walks over four batters per nine innings, it’s impressive to see his FIP at just 3.39. Ultimately, it’s the walks that are the issue and what we’ll be keeping an eye on. However, the talent and upside are still too much to ignore, and the strikeout upside helps to mitigate some of the risk.
Better Late Than Never
Previously a top prospect, the third organization seems to be the charm for Quinn Priester. The right-hander has found his groove with the Milwaukee Brewers and seemingly continues to improve. After allowing seven runs against the Padres at the beginning of May, Priester has been in the zone. He’s thrown at least five innings in each of his last seven starts. What’s more impressive is that in five of those starts, he’s allowed either one or zero runs.
Priester is coming off a strong start against Atlanta in which he allowed just one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. The knock against Priester, especially on the fantasy side, is that he’s only struck out 6.28 batters per nine innings. When you combine that with 3.79 walks per nine innings, it’s difficult to come out of that streaming tier. Against the Braves, though, Priester struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.
Over his last three starts, though, things have looked better. Priester has a 1.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings with just three walks. What has helped Priester is the fact that opposing hitters have just a 5.8% barrel rate. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.65 with a 3.83 xERA. In the upcoming week, that streamer value is at a peak. The right-hander will make two starts; at the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins. That’s worthy of our attention.
Did the White Sox Find a Closer
Even though the Chicago White Sox are currently failing to win games, they still need a closer. Plus, at some point, they will expect to win more. That’s where Grant Taylor comes into play. The former second-round pick in 2023 has had success throughout his professional career. We do have to note that the sample size and the workload are small, but the results have been there. That is especially the case in the strikeout department.
Taylor’s success has continued after he was shifted to the bullpen. In 9.1 innings, Taylor struck out a staggering 18 batters with just one walk. He was promoted to the big leagues to fill a similar role. Aside from the upside in the saves department, Taylor could make an impact with his strikeouts.
Is There a Real Closer in Miami?
To say that we have gone back and forth a few times here is an understatement. After picking up another save last week, it seems like we’re back to Calvin Faucher in that role. It was a team-leading fifth save for Faucher. At this point, while the investment shouldn’t be extreme, we should proceed as if he’s the Miami closer.
The good news is that he’s striking out a batter per inning, but Faucher has 11 walks in 23.2 innings. That can be problematic. It’s evidenced in his 4.18 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, as no one will confuse Faucher with being an elite closer. But right now, he is a closer. And that counts for something.
