We’re onto the tenth week of the fantasy baseball season and there are still plenty of league-shifting additions just waiting to be added on the fantasy baseball waiver wire. The pitching depth available in so many leagues makes this week's edition of the article really exciting because there are names you should be adding in any and all formats. Lets dive into this week's fantasy baseball waiver wire.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Jack Leiter, SP, Milwaukee Brewers

ESPN: 19% / Yahoo: 36%

FAAB: 7-9%

We’ve started to get the best version of Jack Leiter lately, notching his first two quality starts of the year in each of his last two times toeing the rubber. Leiter’s season-high seven innings came against the Astros.

Leiter is a fantastic streaming option on Saturday as he matches up with the White Sox, but has a tough matchup after that against the St. Louis Cardinals. Leiter, a former top draft pick and prospect, is coming into form and when looking at options in great matchup, 

 

Noah Cameron, SP, Kansas City Royals

ESPN: 11% / Yahoo: 23%

FAAB: 2-4%

So, Noah Cameron is hashtag...good? We’re through three starts and Cameron’s pitched to a 0.93 ERA and after not missing many bats in his first two starts, he struck out eight batters in start number three. Cameron has been a strikeout pitcher at every level he’s pitched at, so that’s something that could be more consistent.

What could come into play here is obviously the return of both Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo and both pitchers' returns are coming sooner rather than later. If Cameron pitches well enough is there a chance he sticks? At this point it’s unlikely, but it’s really hard to deny him at this point.

 

Slade Cecconi, SP, RP, Cleveland Guardians

ESPN: 1% / Yahoo: 3%

FAAB: 3-5%

This one made my eyebrows raise as far as they can and I’m no Rock in his prime WWF days, let me tell you. Slade Cecconi made his season and team debut with the Guardians against the Reds IN Great American Ballpark and guys and gals, he was fantastic. He was equally good in start number two, possibly even better.

Cecconi struck out eight batters and generated an 18.2% SwStr in his first start and returned to the mound to face the Tigers in his second outing and struck out six more. He also allowed just one earned in start number two and lowered his ERA to 3.27, raised his groundball rate to 44.8% and 2.39 xFIP. If the strikeouts can stick and this new pitch mix continues to yield results, we could be looking at something very real.

 

Hayden Birdsong, SP, RP, San Francisco Giants

ESPN: 6% / Yahoo: 34%

FAAB: 8-10%

There’s a LOT to like about Hayden Birdsong’s move back into the Giants rotation. The 23-year old has missed a LOT of bats at every stop he’s made including his 11 K/9 last year across 16 major league starts and 72 innings. His strikeouts are down this year, but his swinging strike rate is 12.6% and that’s a full percent higher than it was a year ago, so the strikeouts will come.

He got up to 80 pitches in his first start of the year and that ramp up from the bullpen to the rotation happened fast and he should be up to 100 pitches in no time. If Birdsong has already been added, Kyle Harrison could potentially be available too, but his leash as a starter seems more tied to Justin Verlander’s IL stint.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Infielders

Chase Meidroth, 2B, 3B, SS, Chicago White Sox

ESPN: 9% / Yahoo: 22%

FAAB: 7-10%

This guy continues to just absolutely rake. Chase Meidroth is riding a 10-game hitting streak after his two-hit performance on Friday. He’s had six multi-hit efforts during this span while scoring six runs, driving in three more, and most importantly swiping five bags. He’s not going to give up his leadoff role and is now up to .301 with eight stolen bases on the year. Meidroth is playable at three infield positions, too, making him extremely valuable.

 

Luis Garcia Jr., 2B, Washington Nationals

ESPN: 36% / Yahoo: 59%

FAAB: 7-10%

Luis Garcia Jr. doesn’t typically fit the profile as someone I’d suggest here, but he’s the perfect buy low candidate and is someone who’s been dropped in 2x the amount of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues than he was added in. Garcia’s actually been one of the league’s most unlucky players.

Here are some of his numbers and expected stuff as well;

  • .222 BA, .280 xBA
  • .346 SLG%, .449 xSLG%
  • .271 wOBA, .342 xwOBA

This guy was two homers away from being a 20-20 guy last year that also hit .280. Garcia is a fantastic buy low guy and is possibly available in your league. His .233 BABIP will start to take a turn for the better sooner rather than later.

 

Matt Shaw, 2B, 3B, SS, Chicago Cubs

ESPN: 23% / Yahoo: 47%

FAAB: 7-10%

This is more than likely the last chance at grabbing Matt Shaw off the waiver wire as he’s one of the week’s hottest adds. The Cubs number-one ranked prospect was awful prior to being sent down but tweaked things at the minor league level and looked like a completely different player, one the Cubs were confident in recalling.

Since returning, Shaw’s had two multi-hit games, scored three runs, drove in two more, and swiped two bags across four contests. Shaw’s a power-speed guy that is in an elite offense. Hitting ninth isn’t too bad either considering all the run scoring upside he has with who’s hitting behind him.

This tweet from Brendan Miller of CHGO Cubs gives us a great look at some adjustments Shaw made before his recall if you’re at all worried he’s going to struggle again.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Outfielders

Jordan Beck, OF, Colorado Rockies

ESPN: 10% / Yahoo: 34%

FAAB: 9-11%

The Rockies’ season is absolutely lost and at this point they’re just simply trying to avoid being the worst team in the history of the game. With that being said, Jordan Beck is playing quite well. He’s notched three straight multi-hit outings and is up to a robust .863 OPS on the year.

There’s a lot to like about Beck’s numbers and the peripherals behind them. He has a .355 xwOBA, .509 xSLG%, 92nd percentile barrel rate, and his 86th percentile sprint speed has led to him stealing six bags to this point. Beck is legit a 20-20 candidate hitting atop the Rockies order and we cannot overlook the fact that he gets to play his home games in the best hitting environment in all of baseball. Beck’s a must-add if available in your league and by the looks of things, he’s available in a LOT of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

 

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

ESPN: 16% / Yahoo: 28%

FAAB: 4-6%

There was a LOT of excitement when the fastest man in baseball was called up because of the possibility of endless stolen bases if and when he reached base. He’s done his part reaching base as he’s hitting .289 and his expected batting average actually sits at .302.

In 28 games, Simpson has stolen 12 bases, six coming in the last five games he’s appeared in. Simpson’s not going to provide you with any power, but he will be a run scoring speedster that provides teams that lack speed, plenty of stolen base upside. 

If you’re wondering how fast he is, how about Simpson getting a double on a line drive to straight away center field.

 

 

Colton Cowser, OF, Baltimore Orioles

ESPN: 11% / Yahoo: 55%

FAAB: 8-10%

Guess who’s back (almost)? Back again (for the first time). Colton’s back (almost). Tell your friends (fantasy league mates after you pick him up). Colton Cowser is nearing a return as he’s currently on a rehab assignment with Baltimore’s High-A affiliate.

In 2024, Cowser did a lot of really nice things offensively including 77 runs scored, 69 more batted in, while belting 24 home runs. The Orioles have desperately needed anything positive to enter their stratosphere and Cowser will represent just that.

Your league mate that previously had him and potentially on their injured list may have had to cut ties at some point. It’s worth checking your waiver wire and adding him if he’s available.

 

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