As we e st. louis cnter the home stretch of the fantasy baseball season, late-August waiver wire management becomes the defining edge between securing a playoff spot and watching the postseason from the sidelines. There are plenty of options that have been called up, come off the injured list, or simply caught fire in August. This week’s priority additions feature a deep mix of scorching hot veterans, elite-discipline zone controllers, and high-upside call-ups across the diamond.

Be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid to run down a list of players that are likely available in your fantasy baseball leagues.

If you want more waiver wire content, head over to the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel where I broke some waiver wire options down for Week 22!

 

Top Waiver Wire Targets at a Glance

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Infielders

Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays

47% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 8-10%

If you are streaming catchers or searching for mid-season lineup help, Toronto Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk is scorching hot at the plate. Across 18 games in August, Kirk has posted a .387/.467/.613 slash line, pairing four home runs with six runs scored and 16 RBIs. This surge is part of a broader second-half breakout where he has hit .362 with a .989 OPS since the All-Star break.

Kirk’s core skill set makes him particularly valuable depending on your league structure. His elite bat-to-ball profile features minimal chase and whiff rates alongside a near 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.

Furthermore, while most fantasy catchers drag down your ratios, Kirk’s zone control and high walk rate elevate his value in OBP, Roto, and Head-to-Head formats. Batting in the heart of Toronto's lineup provides him with a steady stream of run-creation opportunities, giving him top-tier catcher upside for the rest of the season.

Josh Bell, Minnesota Twins

31% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 6-8%

If you are hunting for immediate run-production off the waiver wire, Josh Bell is cementing himself as a top second-half target. The veteran switch-hitter is quietly putting together a monster statistical campaign for the Minnesota Twins.

Bell currently ranks 16th in all of Major League Baseball with 76 RBIs, serving as the primary run producer in Minnesota's lineup. He is on pace to easily eclipse a classic 20-80-100 line (home runs, runs scored, runs batted in), making his remaining roster availability on fantasy waiver wires puzzling.

August has been an absolute launchpad for Bell's counting stats. Across 17 games this month, he has already driven in 14 runs while scoring 13 more. That run creation has been bolstered by four August home runs, which is his second-highest single-month total of the season. 

Because first base and designated hitter spots often demand heavy power output, Bell’s combination of everyday volume, RBI efficiency, and current momentum makes him an essential add in all standard and deep category formats. Scoop him up immediately before your league mates notice his run-production pace.

Abimelec Ortiz, Washington Nationals

18% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 5-7%

He’s not a qualified hitter, but man Abimelec Ortiz looks fantastic under the hood.

He barrels everything. He hits everything really hard. He has plus bat speed too. He only plays against righties, but that is the dominant split in major league baseball, as he has a .906 OPS and .383 wOBA off of them. He’ll continue to hit near the top of the lineup and be in plenty of run-producing spots with how good Washington’s lineup continues to be.

Rafael Flores, Pittsburgh Pirates

16% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 5-7%

It’s been a monster month for Rafael Flores as the breakout for one of the Pirates top-15 prospects is playing himself into an everyday role. In 12 August games, Flores Jr. has belted five home runs, scoring eight runs, and driving in 10 more. He’s posted a .366 OBP and .730 SLG% during this month.

It’s not all good with Flores because he’s struck out 36.6% of the time and has one of the highest whiff percentages in baseball. He does have an elite eye as he’s walked 13.3% of the time and that really plays in any format.

Angel Genao, Cleveland Guardians

12% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 4-5%

There have been a lot of prospects called up lately and Angel Genao has flown so far under the radar despite having immediate impact. Genao has been a Swiss army knife for the Guardians playing three different positions, which will eventually help his fantasy value rise on all platforms.

Genao is hitting .320 with a .382 OBP and has a 136 wRC+. He has a ton of skills as Fangraphs rated him out with a 50 hit tool, 50 power grade, and 60 speed tool on his prospect report. He has an ELITE bat-to-ball skill as he’s only struck out 9.1% of the time this season.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Outfielders

Lawrence Butler, Athletics

47% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 6-7%

It’s been a nice stretch for Lawrence Butler who’s an incredibly streaky player and now the Athletics play their next six games in Sutter Health Park. Butler has a .465 SLG% and has belted five bombs in August alone. He’s also swiped three bags in the month and with all of the injuries the Athletics have had, Butler is going to continue to play every day.

Let’s not overlook the fact that Lawrence Butler has nearly been a 20-20 guy in back-to-back seasons and he could flirt with it again this year with everyday reps for the remainder of the season. Forget what he’s done to start the year and pay attention to Butler streaking right now.

Griffin Conine, Miami Marlins

23% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 5-6%

Jeff’s son has really found his footing with the Marlins. That’s not fair to call him that, so Griffin Conine has really found his footing. Specifically against right-handed pitching this year, as he’s hit all 14 of his homers against them. He has a .282/.386/.620 slash along with a .338 ISO, .427 wOBA, and 171 wRC+

He does strike out a lot and only bats against righties, but any and all at-bats against right-handed hurlers comes with a price for the opposing pitcher.

Spencer Jones, New York Yankees

12% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 5-6%

We’ve seen Spencer Jones called up and sent down three times this year and each stint has gotten better, and his best results as a major leaguer are happening right now. Since July 22nd, he’s only hitting .225, but he has a .475 SLG%, .770 OPS, .250 ISO, and .328 wOBA. During that span, he’s hit five home runs, driven in 14 runs, and swiped six bags. That’s in a 25 game span. That’s a LOT of production in that sort of window.

Another guy that strikes out a lot and there are obvious questions around his playing time once Cody Bellinger returns, but if he stays as locked in as he’s been over his last 12 games (.293 AVG, .917 OPS, 2 HR, 4 SB), it’ll be hard for the Yankees anemic offense to take him out of the lineup.

Henry Bolte, Athletics

9% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 5-6%

July was the first time in Henry Bolte’s major league career in which he didn’t have any success but he’s back in August hitting .320, which would actually be his best month of the year if he finished this way.

He’s hit a season-high three homers in August along with 13 runs scored, eight more driven in, and has stolen two bags. With six games at home this week, Bolte could be one of the better fantasy adds of the week. He’s spent a lot of time as the team’s leadoff hitter lately as well and there’s no reason to think with all of their injuries that they won’t keep running him out there atop the order.

Jordan Lawlar,  Arizona Diamondbacks

6% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 3-4%

It had been a slog in his first couple of games since returning from the injured list, but Jordan Lawlar had a big game on Friday and could be a big part of fantasy baseball rosters moving forward. Lawlar is supremely talented and has every ability to be a superstar.

He had a monster rehab assignment and has played well this year at the major league level when given the opportunity. In just six games he’s hit a pair of homers and has four steals. He has multi-positional eligibility for the remainder of the season as well. He’s going to continue to play everyday for a team contending for a playoff spot.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Kade Anderson, Seattle Mariners

54% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 12-15%

This has been one of the more dominant minor league seasons we’ve seen in recent memory and the Mariners felt it was time to get Kade Anderson on their big league ball club and possibly have him help push for a playoff spot. Anderson, who was drafted in 2025, has pitched 18 career minor league games – all at Double-A – and has a 1.06 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 93.1 IP.

If you haven’t been stashing him, that’s on you. If he’s available in your league, go add him. Whatever FAAB you have left, use it. He pitches in the best pitchers park in the league every time he toes the rubber at home and is a top-five prospect in all of major league baseball.

Tyler Mahle, Atlanta Braves

39% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 8-10%

The Tyler Mahle hype train is going NOWHERE! He’s completely turned his season around since being traded to the Atlanta Braves and I’m telling anyone who will listen!

In his three starts with Atlanta;

  • 18.2 IP (three quality starts)
  • 3 ER
  • 19:3 K:BB ratio

I’ve talked about it a bunch already, but the Braves revamped his pitch mix and it’s improved his stuff to an elite level. Before joining the Braves, Mahle had only thrown his splitter more than 30% of the time in two of his 18 starts with the Giants. He’s thrown it 34% or more in ALL three of his starts with the Braves including a season-high 40.8% of the time against the Twins.

Pitch mix changes matter and Mahle is an immediate add. Caveat here being his next matchup comes against the Dodgers, so he may be on the bench for that start, but have no fear, a meeting with the Rockies in Atlanta follows that one.

Grant Taylor, Chicago White Sox

30% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 4-6%

After a long time cycling through closers and guys at the back end of the bullpen, Grant Taylor has grabbed the ninth inning role and ran with it. He’s up to seven saves on the year and has two since August 8th. He’s an elite ratio’s helper, too, as he’s posted an 11.7 K/9 and 32.6% K-rate this year to go along with a 2.01 ERA. We’re always looking for save opportunities at this point in the season and Taylor could definitely provide you with a bunch down the stretch for the first place Chicago White Sox.

Kodai Senga, New York Mets

28% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 4-5%

The entire body of work for Kodai Senga leaves a lot to be desired, but as a reliever? There could be something here. The Mets have said Devin Williams wouldn’t be back until September at the earliest and with a shoulder injury being the reason he’s sidelined, there’s rushing him back for a team that’s going to miss the postseason.

Senga has made four straight appearances since the 10th of this month that have resulted in a save. Four saves in 12 days is really legit and he’s only allowed one earned run over that span. Senga has a lot of talent, but he’s just been unable to put it all together at the major league level. Maybe this is the role he’s best suited for as things are going really well for him currently.

Ben Joyce, Los Angeles Angels

22% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 4-5%

Oh look, another new closer around major league baseball. We know Ben Joyce because he throws 7,000 (101.6) MPH but he’s only just stepped back into the limelight because he’s returning from Tommy John. He’s pitched in seven games thus far and has yet to allow a singular earned run while converting three saves. 

How many opportunities will he get with the lowly Angels is obviously a question at the front of our minds, but Joyce misses a ton of bats, has relatively good control, and is the clear-cut closer for the remainder of the year in LA. If you’re looking for help at the back end of your bullpen he’s the guy.

George Klassen, Los Angeles Angels

8% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

FAAB - 3-4%

Let’s face facts here; George Klassen has my attention and he should have yours too. In his previous start against the Astros, Klassen generated 17 (!!) whiffs across seven one-hit innings in which he struck out seven and walked three.

Walks have been the primary issue for Klassen through his first five starts at the big league level, but in his previous two starts he’s walked fewer than three batters in each and has two quality starts because of it. He’s won each of those starts while striking out at least five batters. He’s best attribute to date has been his ability to miss bats. Here’s his swinging strike rates through his first five starts;

Super elite, intriguing stuff, he just needs to hone in on the control, but this is the same thing we’ve said all year about Walbert Urena and look what he’s doing in an Angels uniform at this point in the year.