This week’s fantasy baseball waiver wire list is dominated by starting pitchers, as several skilled starters have recently emerged as potential different makers. On the offensive side, a pair of young outfielders are the most exciting players to add. Those who need infield help could look at a Reds veteran or a weekend streamer from the D-backs.
Pitchers to add
Logan Henderson, SP, Brewers, 41%: Although I try not to mention the same players repeatedly, I need to go back to the well one more time with Henderson. The right-hander’s roster rate should increase by at least 20%. He has been excellent in his nine major league starts dating back to last season, logging a 2.49 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a 56:11 K:BB ratio across 43.1 innings. And his success shouldn’t be surprising, as the Brewers are arguably the best in baseball at developing young starters, which we are also seeing with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison. Fantasy managers shouldn’t overthink a Milwaukee starter — add Henderson right away.
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Bryce Miller, SP, Mariners, 40%: Miller struggled last season to such a great degree (5.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) that many fantasy managers have forgotten that he was outstanding (2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) in 2024. The 27-year-old has looked great in two starts since returning from a season-opening stint on the IL (1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10:2 K:BB ratio). Given that he is also supported by a strong team and a pitcher-friendly home park, Miller can match the ceiling of any starter who is rostered in less than 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Ben Brown, SP, Cubs, 35%: After years of teasing fantasy managers, Brown may finally break through as a useful pitcher. The right-hander is known for compiling an impressive K:BB ratio but has often given up too much hard contact while failing to fool hitters with a two-pitch mix. He recently added a sinker, which has diversified his arsenal and encouraged the Cubs to give him another rotation opportunity. The results across three starts have been impressive (2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 16:4 K:BB ratio). Pitching for a winning team with a pitcher-friendly home park adds to Brown’s allure, and as an added bonus, he lines up for two starts next week.
J.T. Ginn, SP, Athletics, 40%: After many managers added Ginn for a two-start week, there are reasons to keep him beyond the current scoring period. The right-hander has always induced plenty of grounders, which is an excellent quality for someone who plays his home games at a homer-happy venue. His fastball and sinker velocity are up this season, which has contributed to improved marks in average exit velocity and barrel rate. I prefer the pitchers listed above him, but Ginn is still good enough to find a roster spot in most leagues.
Hitters to add
Carson Benge, OF, Mets, 33%: The fantasy baseball world moves so quickly that Benge could be a post-hype sleeper after less than two months in the majors. The rookie generated some buzz when he made the Opening Day roster before losing his luster when he was hitting .189 with a .525 OPS at the end of April. Fortunately, the Mets didn’t give up on Benge, who has spent plenty of time in the leadoff spot and has hit .351 with an .859 OPS in May. He has already flashed his speed (8 SB) and could remain a five-category contributor. While we are on the topic of rookie Mets outfielders, A.J. Ewing deserves at least a 15% bump on his 42% roster rate. Ewing’s elite speed makes him a potential impact player in categories leagues.
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Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals, 37%: I’m not sure that Crews is a good baseball player. After all, the 24-year-old has logged a .629 OPS over 119 career games. But he once had a sky-high ceiling, which made him the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. He also has a fantasy-friendly skill set for those in points leagues, as even while playing poorly in 2024-25, he still managed to collect 13 homers and 29 steals.
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Crews could be a poor man’s version of Jazz Chisholm Jr., as someone who can be viable in fantasy leagues when he’s playing poorly and very impactful when he’s playing well. Managers should add him now, while monitoring the upcoming Nats lineups to ensure that Crews is receiving regular playing time.
Spencer Steer, 1B/OF, Reds, 38%: In the previous three seasons, Steer reached the 20-homer plateau partially due to the homer-happy nature of Great American Ball Park, as his batted-ball data was below average. But we are seeing a different version of Steer this year. His average exit velocity (90.2 mph) and barrel rate (14.1%) are vastly improved marks, and his expected stats, including a .289 xBA and .539 xSLG, are much better than his actual marks. By sustaining these skills, he will post a helpful batting average and surpass the 20-homer plateau. Steer can also impact the steals category (47 steals across 2023-25).
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Hitters with favorable weekend matchups
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Diamondbacks, 36%: For the second week in a row, Arenado finds a spot in this space due to an advantageous matchup with the Rockies. The veteran slugger and his teammates will face three starters with bloated ratios and a bullpen that lacks reliable options. And with a lack of productive third base options this season, Arenado (who has logged a 1.011 OPS since April 13) could be a temporary saviour for some teams.
A.J. Ewing, OF, Mets, 42%: The Mets will spend the weekend facing a Marlins squad that has allowed more steals than any other team. And with starters Eury Pérez and Dax Fulton on the docket, Mets hitters should have plenty of chances to reach base. This is the perfect matchup for Ewing and Carson Benge, who both have the speed to accumulate multiple steals.
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Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference)
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J.T. Ginn @ SD (Saturday, 40% rostered)
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Logan Henderson vs. LAD (Friday, 41)
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Jeffrey Springs @ SD (Friday, 32)
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Trevor McDonald vs. CWS (Friday, 19)
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Noah Schultz @ SF (Sunday, 23)
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Connor Prielipp @ BOS (Friday, 19)
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Zac Gallen vs. COL (Saturday, 49)
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Walbert Ureña vs. TEX (Saturday, 11)
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Bailey Ober @ BOS (Sunday, 44)
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Christian Scott @ MIA (Saturday, 14)
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Reid Detmers vs. TEX (Sunday, 34)
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Stephen Kolek vs. SEA (Saturday, 5)
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Erick Fedde @ SF (Saturday, 2)
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Jameson Taillon vs. HOU (Friday, 22)
