Several players have been a surprise so far in the first week of the season and could bolster your fantasy baseball team. Hitting the waiver wire every week is key, even if it's to improve the bench. Some of these players can fill the gap for those dealing with injuries. The percentages are a guideline and should be adjusted based on your roster and needs.

 

Top Waiver Wire Hitters

Francisco Alvarez, C/UTIL (NYM) - 10-15%

The Mets called up Alvarez with Omar Narvaez on the injured list with a calf injury and he is expected to miss almost two months. Alvarez should get time behind the plate and at designated hitter. In some leagues, Alvarez isn't eligible at catcher yet. The 21-year-old has shown good power and patience at the plate in the minor leagues, hitting 27 home runs in 411 at-bats last season in the minors. Even in leagues that start one catcher, Alvarez is worth the add.

Brice Turang, SS (MIL) - 15-20%

Turang has speed and will steal bases. He had 34 stolen bases in 131 games at Triple-A last season. He's off to a hot start, batting .313 with five runs, a homer, five RBI, and two stolen bases in his first six games. Turang showed good plate discipline in the minors and has walked three times to start the season.

Joey Wiemer, OF (MIL) - 10-15%

Wiemer is getting playing time with Luis Urias on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Wiemer has been hitting at the bottom of the order, but he has power and speed. Last season, he had 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. He struck out 30.2% of the time at Double-A and improved to 19.5% at Triple-A. He is batting .350 with two runs, one home run, three RBI, and one stolen base in his first 20 at-bats.

Jose Siri, OF (TB) - 10-15%

Siri is rostered in savvy leagues, but he's available in too many Yahoo leagues. Siri strikes out a lot and it has continued in his first six games at 29.2%, but he has two home runs, eight RBI, and one stolen base. He had seven home runs and 14 stolen bases in 104 games last season. He's in the 91st percentile in sprint speed and has the potential for 15 home runs and 25 steals.

Trevor Larnach, OF (MIN) - 4-6%

The Twins have been hit hard with injuries, allowing Larnach to not only get consistent playing time, but also hit in the heart of the order. He has a slash line of .333/.438/.519 with five runs, one home run and six RBI.

Alec Burleson, OF (STL) - 4-6%

Burleson is getting playing time with Lars Nootbaar on the injured list and often hitting second in front of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. Burleson has a slash line of .316/.350/.579 with three runs, a home run and two RBI. He's a short-term help while he's playing and batting second.

Orlando Arcia, 2B (ATL) - 4-6%

The Braves surprised many by naming Arcia the shortstop to begin the season and then signed him to a three-year contract. He's hitting at the bottom of the lineup, but it's one of the best rosters in baseball. Arcia has a slash line of .323/.364/.581 with seven runs, two home runs and four RBI.

Ji Hwan Bae, OF (PIT) - 4-6%

Bae is off to a hot start for the Pirates and will gain second base eligibility soon. Bae is hitting .304 with five runs, one home run, three RBI, and two stolen bases. Bae's value comes in the stolen base category. He had 30 steals in 108 games at Triple-A last season.

 

Top Waiver Wire Pitchers

Grayson Rodriguez, BAL - 15-20%

Rodriguez began the season in the minor leagues before a Kyle Bradish injury opened a spot in the starting rotation. The rookie made his Major League debut on Wednesday and allowed two runs over five innings, striking out five, and walking one. He's scheduled for two starts in the week ahead, at home against Oakland and at the White Sox.

Tylor Megill, NYM - 4-6%

Megill was mentioned last week, but he's still available in some leagues. He had the Marlins in his first two starts, so it's not a surprise he's 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 10:4 K:BB ratio in 11 innings. Megill is a short-term option since he's likely out of the rotation when Justin Verlander returns.

Anthony DeSclafani, SF - 3-5%

The Giants are one of the teams where you feel confident when they bring in a pitcher. DeSclafani had a 3.17 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in his first year with the Giants in 2021. He only threw 19 innings last season before having ankle surgery. The right-hander pitched well in his season debut against the White Sox, going six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, no walks, and four strikeouts.

Seth Lugo, SD - 3-5%

The Padres are going with a six-man rotation and Lugo is making the transition from being in the bullpen last season. Lugo went seven innings in his first start and allowed four hits, one run, no walks, and struck out seven against the Rockies in a win. The innings will be monitored over the season, but he has value now.

Bryce Elder, ATL - 3-5%

Injuries have allowed Elder to get in the Braves' rotation. He was excellent in his first start, pitching six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, three walks, and he struck out six against a good Cardinals offense. Elder gets a favorable matchup at home against the Reds in his next start.

Pierce Johnson, COL - 3-5%

Daniel Bard is the Rockies closer, but he's out due to anxiety and his return date isn't clear. Johnson has received the two save chances and converted both. He has pitched three innings and allowed three hits, one run, one walk, and struck out seven. He will have value until Bard returns.

Andrew Chafin, ARI - 3-5%

It appears the Diamondbacks want Scott McGough to close, but he allowed two solo home runs without recording an out on Monday to blow a save and hasn't appeared in a game since. Chafin has pitched well the last two season and has a win and a save in his first four appearances. With a three-run lead on Friday night, Chafin got the last two outs via strikeout after walking Freddie Freeman.

 

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