The fantasy baseball waiver wire has been flooded with talent and prospects almost every week in the 2023 MLB season. It appeared it was coming to an end this week, but a few prospects got the call in the last couple of days. It's not the same as last week with the money being thrown at Elly De La Cruz. Still, there are some players to help fill some gaps. Luis Matos, Emmet Sheehan, and Bo Naylor are the latest prospects to get called to the majors. While they won't generate the excitement of previous waiver wire pickups, they can help and won't cost as much, which is important since many budgets are low. There are also a couple of talented pitchers featured that could get the call, too. Not all waiver wire adds need to be long term. Churning roster spots or picking up short term adds can also bolster your fantasy baseball team. Some of the pickups listed are getting increased playing time due to injuries and will help short term. The percentages listed are a guideline and should be adjusted based on team needs and league bidding.

 

Top Waiver Wire Hitters

Luis Matos, OF, San Francisco Giants, 10-15%

Matos was called up the big leagues on Wednesday. He went 1-for-3 and batted second in his debut and against a right-hander on Friday, he batted eighth and went 0-for-2 with a run and three walks. Matos began the year at Double-A and was promoted to Triple-A. He slashed .398/.435./.685 with 21 runs, seven home runs, 20 RBI, and six stolen bases with a 6.9% strikeout rate in 108 at-bats at Triple-A. He should get regular playing time with Mitch Haniger out the next couple months with a fractured forearm. Matos played in the friendly Pacific Coast League and Oracle Park is not a good park for right-handed power. The playing time over the weekend will dictate bids.

Jake Burger, 3B, Chicago White Sox, 10-15%

Burger is on rosters in most competitive leagues, but he is available in 69% of Yahoo leagues. Some might have been concerned with his playing time with Eloy Jimenez back, but Yoan Moncada is on the injured list, ensuring playing time for Burger. While he is striking out 33% of the time, he has big power. He is batting .248 with 27 runs, 16 home runs, and 36 RBI in 165 at-bats.

Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers, 6-8%

Taveras has made big improvements from last season. He is chasing fewer pitches out of the zone and making more contact with pitches in the zone. The strikeout rate has gone from 25.8% to 19% and the walk rate has increased from 6.2% to 8.1%. Taveras is slashing .299/.357/.485 with 33 runs, seven home runs, 29 RBI, and seven stolen bases. He is showing more power and is in the 95th percentile of sprint speed.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, OF, Cincinnati Reds, 6-8%

Many of the top prospects have already been called up to the majors. The next one should be Encarnacion-Strand. He's already been picked up in some leagues, but if available it's time to add him. He is slashing .354/.423/.709 with 43 runs, 17 home runs, and 47 RBI in 189 at-bats at Triple-A. The Reds haven't been hesitant to call up their prospects and in a weak National League Central, they are in contention for the division title.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers, 3-5%

Torkelson had a disappointing rookie season last year and had a bad April. He was better in May and has picked up the power lately. Over the last week, he is slashing .357/.471/.679 with seven runs, two home runs, and six RBI with a 14.7% strikeout rate and 17.6% walk rate. Torkelson has a 50.5% hard hit rate and is making good adjustments.

Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians, 3-5%

Mike Zunino was designated for assignment and Naylor got the call to the big league club. Naylor should get the majority of the time behind the plate. He slashed .254/.393/.498 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI at Triple-A this season with a 19.3% strikeout rate and 18.1% walk rate.

Tommy Pham, OF, New York Mets, 3-5%

Pham has been getting consistent playing time and he’s hitting fairly well. He has started seven consecutive games and in his last 13 games, he is 15-for-42 with six doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, and stolen three bases. Pham has a 52.1% hard hit rate and a 94% barrel rate.

Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros, 2-4%

Diaz has been getting more playing time and it should continue with Yordan Alvarez on the injured list.  In June, Diaz is 11-for-31 (.355) with four doubles, four runs, two home runs, and five RBI. He has a 45.6% hard hit rate and 13.9% barrel rate and makes for a good second catcher in deeper formats.

Dairon Blanco, OF, Kansas City Royals, 1-2%

This is for deeper leagues if you're in need of stolen bases. Blanco has appeared in three games and is 4-for-12. In 49 games at Triple-A this season, he stole 47 bases in 173 at-bats. He stole 45 bases in 107 games last season.

 

Top Waiver Wire Pitchers

Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox, 8-10%

Since coming off the injured list in late May, Whitlock has pitched well over four starts. In 23 innings, he has allowed 22 hits, eight earned runs, walked four, and struck out 22. He is throwing first-pitch strikes 76.6% of the time and is getting hitters to chase pitches out of the zone 36.4% of the time. Whitlock gets a two-start week on the road against the Twins and White Sox.

Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-10%

Sheehan made his Major League debut on Friday and was impressive. He pitched six scoreless innings and allowed no hits, walked two, and struck out three. He threw 89 pitches, 51 of which were for strikes. He dominated at Double-A this season and skipped Triple-A entirely. In 53.1 innings, he had 88 strikeouts with 23 walks and allowed 24 hits with a 1.86 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.

Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies, 4-6%

Suarez started the season slowly after beginning the year on the injured list. He allowed 12 runs over 11 innings in his first three starts. In his last four starts, Suarez has pitched 26.2 innings and allowed 21 hits, four earned runs, walked seven, and struck out 22 for a 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.

Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles, 4-6%

Rodriguez struggled to start the season with the Orioles, but he is pitching well in the minors and should get the call back to the majors soon. He's worth stashing in deeper formats. In his last start at Triple-A on Thursday, he allowed two runs over six innings with 11 strikeouts.

Aaron Civale, Cleveland Guardians, 3-5%

Civale gets a two-start week at home against the Athletics and Brewers. Civale has a 2.67 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, a 19.5% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate. 

Julio Teheran, Milwaukee Brewers, 3-5%

Teheran has to be one of the biggest surprises this season. He has a 1.78 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with an 18.2% strikeout rate and 3.6% walk rate in 30.1 innings over five starts. He's attacking the strike zone and allowing hardly any hard contact. A .220 BABIP and 87.2% strand rate have helped, so it's difficult to trust him long term.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers, 3-5%

Skubal is on a rehab assignment and pitching well. He pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his last start at Triple-A. In eight innings, he has allowed one unearned run and struck out 12 and his fastball has been in the mid-90s. He is scheduled to make another start at Triple-A on Wednesday.

 

More Fantasy Baseball Content

MLB Injury Report

Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid

Cash It Podcast

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report