Thanks to the White Sox, there are some exciting rookies on the fantasy baseball waiver wire right now. But while Noah Schultz and Sam Antonacci are intriguing prospects, there are plenty of veterans who may be better options. There are also a few players who are especially valuable for those who need to make a late push in a head-to-head league.
Pitchers to add
Mick Abel, SP, Twins, 20%: After becoming one of the most exciting draft risers during spring training, Abel gave back all that momentum when he allowed nine runs over 7.1 innings in his initial two outings. Fortunately, the right-hander has turned things around in a hurry by striking out 16 batters across 13 scoreless innings in his two most recent starts. April waiver wire moves are all about chasing upside, and there are few pitchers on the wire with more upside than a red-hot Abel.
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Landen Roupp, SP, Giants, 26%: Managers who are thinking about the long term should add Roupp, who induces oodles of grounders, has always had strong strikeout skills and has lowered his walk rate this season. He has been outstanding in his initial three starts, posting a 2.38 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and a 24:7 K:BB ratio.
Those who are looking for immediate help can target someone else from this article, since Roupp’s next start will come at Dodger Stadium.
Noah Schultz, SP, White Sox, 39%: As far as debuts go, Schultz didn’t have a memorable one when he allowed three earned runs (four total) on three hits and four walks over 4.1 innings on Tuesday. Still, there is good reason to add the 6’10” lefty who opened this season by posting a 19:2 K:BB ratio over 14 innings in Triple-A.
A former first-round pick, Schultz has massive upside. In most formats, I would add him now and reassess him after he faces the Athletics on Sunday.
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Kyle Harrison, SP/RP, Brewers, 26%: Harrison generated fantasy buzz in spring training and was continuing the momentum through his initial three starts until he suffered minor wrist and knee injuries while covering first base in his most recent outing. His roster rate stalled while we awaited word on the severity of his injuries. The good news is that the lefty will avoid the IL, despite having his next start pushed back. This is a great time to add Harrison, as his return date could make him a two-start pitcher next week.
Bryan Baker, RP, Rays, 18%: Baker is the Rays closer, and now he has some saves to show for it. The right-hander has earned four saves in his past five outings, albeit with a blown save in an eighth-inning appearance sandwiched in the middle. The Rays will always share their save chances to some degree, but Baker will get more opportunities than the others, which could lead to a 30-save season.
Louie Varland, RP, Blue Jays, 9%: Managers in deep leagues, or those in daily formats who can use a skilled setup man, may want to make a speculative move to add Varland. Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman entered the season on thin ice after an inconsistent 2025 campaign and has blown three of his five save chances.
If manager John Schneider wants to give Hoffman some low-leverage outings in the coming weeks, Varland (0.00 ERA, 16:3 K:BB ratio) is the easy answer for closer duties.
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Hitters to add
Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers, 33%: Remarkably, Dingler ranks first at his position in xBA, xSLG and xwOBA. The 27-year-old’s elite defensive skills will keep him in the lineup, and his improving plate skills put him on course to be a top-12 player at the position. Managers who are dealing with an unproductive or injured catcher should make him their No. 1 priority.
Sam Antonacci, 2B/3B, White Sox, 11%: Simply put, Antonacci is an on-base machine. The 23-year-old, who debuted on Wednesday, arrived to the White Sox with a lifetime .445 OBP in the minors, which included a .435 mark in Triple-A this year. He’s also speedy, having swiped 53 bases across 130 minor league games since the outset of 2025.
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Antonacci does lack power, having hit seven homers in 153 career minor league games, which will limit his usefulness to managers in categories leagues who are already in good shape with steals and batting average. But in most 12-team formats, there will be a team that should give him a chance.
Angel Martinez, 2B/OF, Guardians, 43%: There is a lot to like about Martinez, who is trending up in nearly every area. The 24-year-old has made major improvements to his strikeout rate (14.3%) and is hitting the ball harder than ever before (89.7 mph average exit velocity). He is also putting his 66th percentile sprint speed to good use by swiping four bases. The multi-position asset is on his way to being a five-category contributor.
Daulton Varsho, OF, Blue Jays, 44%: Varsho showed impressive improvement in his power skills during a 2025 season that was heavily impacted by injuries. Still, in most Yahoo leagues, managers decided to overlook his 20 homers in 71 games and allowed the 29-year-old to open the season on the waiver wire. He has picked up the pace after a slow start by homering three times in his past six games. Varsho also regularly bats second in the lineup.
Brandon Marsh, OF, Phillies, 10%: Marsh has posted a solid .290/.318/.452 slash line, with expected stats that mostly match his actual marks. His improved batting average is mostly due to a better strikeout rate, and Marsh is someone who has always logged a high BABIP thanks to an ability to make quality contact. He won’t be a league-winning player, but Marsh can plug a hole in lineups by being a 15-15 player and a five-category contributor.
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Hitters with favorable weekend matchups
Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers, 43%: An underrated power source, Muncy is off to a solid start by going deep four times in 17 games. His injury history makes him more of a streamer than a long-term solution, but this is a great weekend to stream the lefty slugger when he plays three games against right-handed starters at hitter-friendly Coors Field. In his career, Muncy owns an .841 OPS against righties (.787 OPS vs. southpaws).
Jung Hoo Lee, OF, Giants, 10%: Although not an attention-grabbing player, Lee can swipe a base and owns a lifetime .750 OPS against righties (.617 OPS vs. lefties). He should reach base often and score some runs this weekend when he faces three right-handed starters from a Nationals staff that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.91 ERA.
Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF, Athletics, 7%: McNeil is a carbon copy of Lee — a low-ceiling contributor with strong contact skills who can be helpful in the right matchup. Such is the case this weekend, when the left-handed hitter will play three games at his hitter-friendly home park against the mediocre righties from an unimpressive White Sox staff.
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Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference)
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Noah Schultz @ ATH (Sunday, 39)
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Jansen Junk vs. MIL (Friday, 4)
