Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire 2025: Top Pickups & Sleepers of the Week, Every Week
Find the best fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. With weekly updates, top sleepers, and expert tips, dominate your league all season.
While nailing your fantasy baseball draft is always the first step towards having a great season, make no mistake about it, leagues are won and LOST on the waiver wire.
There is nothing more important in fantasy baseball than being proactive. Whether that is picking up one of the hottest hitters in MLB to ride the wave, or if it means identifying players who are off the radar entirely that are your best stash players in MLB.
In fantasy, you want to be deep in the waiver wire constantly, making sure you never get too complacent with your roster and continue to make weekly waiver wire pickups whenever an opportunity arises.
Throughout the 2025 Fantasy Baseball season, this post is going to be your home to stay on top of the MLB waiver wire, so that you don’t miss any of the diamonds in the rough that can transform your fantasy lineup.
Also, since players often sit on the waiver wire for more than just one week, we will keep up to three weeks of wires saved at the bottom of each update. Just in case you miss a week, and a player has slipped through the cracks in your league longer than they should have.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of September 22nd
We’ve made it. The last waiver wire of the season. In you have been along for the ride all season, I appreciate you! If you are checking in for the first time with hopes of solidifying your lineup for one last push in the playoffs, pull up a chair. I have several names for you.
Stats as of first pitch September 21. Ownership percentages via ESPN.
Hurston Waldrep – SP – Atlanta Braves (36.6%)
2025 Stats: 50.1 IP, 3.04 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 8.94 K/9
I know the eight-run outing might have scared some people away, but Waldrep has been everything you could have asked for an more. In August he did not allow more than one run in an outing and has two outings in September of three or less runs. He misses barrels and leans into groundballs which is the type of pitcher I like to stream.
His next outing is coming against the Nationals in Atlanta. Washington has been a mess and with the start being in Atlanta I like it even more. Use Waldrep as your early week streamer, then pivot to another streamer or start picking up relivers to close out the week.
Jose Caballero – UTIL – New York Yankees (11.2%)
2025 Stats: .234/.337/.347, 5 HR, 48 SB, 96 wRC+
Caballero has been a great pickup for the Yankees. He’s seeing more and more playing time which will only increase once the Yankees officially can take their foot off the gas later this week. We all know the name of his game is speed and I expect him to chase that 50 mark.
Not only do you get playing time but you get versatility. Adding Caballero allows you to roster a riskier player knowing that Caballero can fill in wherever you need him in your lineup. The Yankees have the O’s and White Sox, which should be advantages for New York.
Bryce Eldridge – DH – San Francisco Giants (2.1%)
2025 Stats: .083/.214/.167, 17 wRC+
Look, I know the very brief start to Eldridge’s career isn’t screaming “rush to pick this guy up.” However, you can’t just ignore the talent. He’s going to strikeout a lot, but the power potential is well worth the risk. So far he has six batted balls and five have been over 100 mph. The one that wasn’t? 99mph.
I don’t usually do this but I’m going with a gut feeling here. The Giants finish with the Cardinals and Rockies, both teams that aren’t exactly stacked with pitching.
Andrew Kittredge – RP – Chicago Cubs (10.4%)
2025 Stats: 51 IP, 3.53 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 10.59 K/9, 5 SV
The 35 year-old righty has still got it. That devastating slider of his is racking up a 39.5% whiff rate and batters are hitting only .160 off the pitch. Pair elite swing and miss with a 49% groundball rate and you’ve got a great pitcher.
Kittredge, due to injuries elsewhere, has started to pick up save opportunities which has skyrocketed his value compared to before. I think the Cubs will lean on him, a more proven vet, instead of Brad Keller down the stretch.
Connelly Early – SP – Boston Red Sox (21.1%)
2025 Stats: 10.1 IP, 0.87 ERA, 0.24 FIP, 15.68 K/9
Sure, it’s only two starts but I don’t think it could have gone much better for Early. An 11 K debut followed with one run, no walk, seven strikeout follow up. Both games were against the Athletics, but the A’s have some righty bats who are legit and it was not problem for Early.
His next matchup is against the Tigers. Detroit has been absolutely awful recently and is inching closer to a complete disaster. I’ll take my chances with Early and hope the Red Sox offense can give him enough run support off Casey Mize.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of September 15th
Welcome to the championship! At least most of you. We all know how strange the end of a fantasy season can be. Finding the right players on rebuilding teams, injury replacements, and September call-ups is often the avenue toward you taking home a championship.
I’m back this week with seven names to help you down this final stretch. It’s a mix of rookies, players coming back off injury, and a vet who keeps playing better than expected.
Stats as of first pitch on September 14. Ownership percentages via ESPN.
Moises Ballesteros – C – Chicago Cubs (0.8%)
2025 Stats: .280/.357/.520, 1 HR, 136 wRC+
If you need a catcher this late in the year, Ballesteros might be your best bet. The 21-year-old had spent most of the year in Triple-A, where he hit .316 with a 121 wRC+. The bat has always been what holds his value, while his lack of a true position has held him from a more steady role with the Cubs.
Considering how few games you’ll need, picking up Ballesteros isn’t much of a risk. I expect him to get plenty of run and offer an above-average hit tool with some pop. He just hit his first career home run, and I think there’s more on the way.
Parker Messick – SP – Cleveland Guardians (16.7%)
2025 Stats: 29.1 IP, 1.84 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 6.75 K/9
Messick fits the profile that I personally love to watch: A lefty that doesn’t win with velocity, but rather by pinpointing a number of pitches. He avoids hard contact and produces a ton of groundballs, which should help keep him from getting blown up.
The next time he takes the mound will likely be against the Twins, who have not been much of a threat. I like the matchup, especially when you consider how good he has been to start his career. You wish there was more swing and miss, but siding with a safer groundball pitcher is probably the better play.
Otto Kemp – UTIL – Philadelphia Phillies (3.7%)
2025 Stats: .253/.319/.422, 6 HR, 104 wRC+
Everybody loves a good utility guy. Kemp has seen more playing time since the Trea Turner injury, and he has made the most of it, slashing .429/.458/.857 with two home runs over the past week. While he isn’t going to singlehandedly win you matchups, there’s a decent enough baseline to rely on.
The beauty of rostering Kemp is his versatility. You can plug him in at first, third, or outfield, which should help on your bench when players get a late-season off day. The Phillies’ lineup is going to have plenty of run production opportunities as well.
Cade Cavalli – SP – Washington Nationals (7.5%)
2025 Stats: 34.2 IP, 4.67 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 7.53 K/9
After injuries held him back for multiple years, Cavalli is finally getting a chance to start for Washington. His numbers are not fantastic, thanks to a seven-run outing and a four-run start. Outside of that, he’s made five starts in which he’s allowed three or fewer runs.
His next start comes against the Mets. Usually, I would be worried, but when you consider how the Mets have been playing recently, I think it is worth rolling the dice.
Kyle Bradish – SP – Baltimore Orioles (18.5%)
2025 Stats: 17 IP, 2.65 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 11.12 K/9
Another pitcher working his way back from injury, Bradish comes with a much higher floor than Cavalli. In fact, it doesn’t look like the injury has stopped him from being the ace we saw developing the past couple of years. The strikeout stuff is still there, and his control, which I thought would lag, hasn’t.
His next start is against the White Sox. I know Chicago has been playing better lately, but I am still not scared of that lineup. Not only do I love the matchup, but I think Bradish will get the win, which could make a big difference in your matchup.
Daylen Lile – OF – Washington Nationals (20.4%)
2025 Stats: .283/.330/.449, 5 HR, 8 SB, 115 wRC+
Lile deserves much more attention than he has received. The former second-round pick has really turned it on over the past month, slashing .355/.410/.592 with two home runs and three stolen bases. He’s more bat-to-ball with a great approach rather than a power hitter, but talent alone should make him roster-worthy.
Playing time won’t be an issue. The Nationals probably see him as part of the future and will continue to run him out regularly. Also, Washington has the Braves, Mets, and White Sox left on the schedule. I think he’ll see some good pitching matchups down the stretch.
Harrison Bader – OF – Philadelphia Phillies (13.7%)
2025 Stats: .288/.361/.472, 16 HR, 10 SB, 132 wRC+
Bader having a career year at 31 has been a fun watch. He’s always hit lefties well but was more known for his glove, sinking his fantasy value until this season. He’s doubled his walk rate from the past two years while showing his best power numbers since his Cardinals days.
Since joining Philly, Bader has slashed .352/.410/.544 with four home runs. He’s been on a heater that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Like I said with Otto Kemp, run production opportunities will be there.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of September 8th
If you have made it this far, congratulations! Your team is in a playoff hunt looking for an edge in order to continue your playoff run. I’m back today with seven names that should help you down the stretch. A mix of young players and a number of familiar faces who have shown better of late.
Stats as of first pitch 9/7. Ownership percentages via ESPN.
Braxton Ashcraft – SP – Pittsburgh Pirates
2025 Stats: 55.1 IP, 2.44 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 8.46 K/9
Ashcraft was pitching out of the Pirates bullpen but was moved to the rotation in the beginning of August. As a starter, Ashcraft has five starts with none allowing more than a single run. A 97 mph fastball paired with two breaking pitches with over a 30% whiff rate will play.
Sure, his starts have not gone past five innings, but at this point in the fantasy season I’ll take a short, productive, outing over shaky starts of six innings. Ashcraft has the stuff to be a very good major leaguer and I’ll happily roll the dice on this one.
Luis Garcia – SP – Houston Astros
2025 Stats: 6 IP, 4.50 ERA, 5.47 FIP, 9 K/9
Doesn’t it feel good to see Garcia back on the mound? He’s made only seven starts since 2022 but should help the Astros down the stretch. Picking up pitchers off long injury layoffs is always a bit risky but Garcia comes with a track record that is too good to pass up.
His next start will be in Toronto which does give me some concern. The start after Toronto is in Atlanta, but I’m willing to trust his talent against those teams, especially if you have been hit with injuries recently.
Matt Shaw – 3B – Chicago Cubs
2025 Stats: .227/.294/.394, 11 HR, 16 SB, 92 wRC+
Shaw had a disastrous start to the season that ultimately pushed him out of the playing group. However, he has found something in the second half slashing .280/.331/.592 with nine of his 11 home runs.
We all know Shaw is a big talent and the breakout we are seeing could be real. I think adding a top talent who is figuring it out, in a lineup like the Cubs, is well worth the risk. The Cubs have the Braves, Rays, Pirates, and Reds on their schedule which isn’t exactly scary.
Jake Meyers – OF – Houston Astros
2025 Stats: .306/.366/.401, 3 HR, 117 wRC+
Speaking of Astros coming back off injury, Meyers is back and will help the Astros down the stretch. He’s having the type of career year that does not seem sustainable long term, but at this point in the season it is hard to deny that this is more than a hot streak.
Meyers walking more and striking out less will help in category leagues more than points. This one is probably a 12-league pick up, but even smaller leagues could use a player who should get a lot of playing time with this level of production.
Josh Jung – 3B – Texas Rangers
2025 Stats: .255/.298/.395, 13 HR, 93 wRC+
Jung’s season got off to such a bad start that he was demoted to the minors. He’s since bounced back slashing .296/.333/.464 with five home runs in the second half. Playing time should not be a concern and as a Josh Jung fan, I still believe.
The only issue here is that Jung does not offer enough for category leagues. Not much power, decent average, no speed. In points leagues he might do just enough to give you a decent baseline to help you finish out the season.
Tyler Wells – SP – Baltimore Orioles
2025 Stats: 5 IP, 3.60 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 7.20 K/9
Another pitcher returning from nearly a two season injury, you probably know what Wells is by now. A solid back end option/streamer who you will roster throughout the year, but never for the entire year.
Well, his next two starts come against the Pirates and White Sox. I’m not sure if you will find many starters with a more favorable two start stretch on the waiver wire. You might not get the innings you will hope for but I can bet the production will be worth it.
Ryan Weathers – SP – Miami Marlins
2025 Stats: 24.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 8.39 K/9
Weathers was a spring training darling who saw his season abrupted by injury after only five starts. He’s set to return within a week and could be the type of pitcher you have to add a day before he is activated. A good amount of strikeout upside with control isn’t usually on the wire this late into the season.
My concern will be his innings. You might need to get big brained and also pick up the bulk inning relief pitcher on his starts. Something to monitor closely.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of September 1st
The players listed below were featured in our waiver wire article from a week ago. Stats as of first pitch August 31. Ownership percentages via ESPN.
Jonah Tong – SP – New York Mets (22.9%)
2025 Stats: 5 IP, 10.80 K/9, 1.80 ERA, 0.72 FIP
Tong has been flying up prospect list and you saw why in his first outing. He has truly special stuff that is obviously big league ready and an ability to rack up strikeouts. He’s scheduled to make his next start against Cincinnati, who has gone cold despite battling for a playoff spot against the Mets.
I’m not sure how the Mets will handle their rotation down the stretch but Tong is one of the five best talents. Although his next start is in Cincinnati, the Reds have not been much of a home run threat and a majority of their lineup makes weak contact.
Abner Uribe – RP – Milwaukee Brewers (27.9%)
2025 Stats: 65.1 IP, 10.88 K/9, 1.65 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 4 SV
The Brewers are one of the best at churning out arms. Uribe has always possessed electric stuff but his lack of command held him back. Well, the Brewers of course fixed him and now he has a chance to close out games for perhaps the best team in baseball.
A 30% strikeout rate combined with a 51.7% groundball rate is a perfect make up for an elite pitcher. Uribe was not rostered because of his role, not because of his talent. Now with a larger opportunity he is a must add down the stretch.
Trent Grisham – OF – New York Yankees (27.7%)
2025 Stats: .246/.353/.477, 28 HR, 133 wRC+
I cannot believe how few people have rostered Grisham this season. Career best wRC+, home runs, strikeout rate, and walk rate for the 28 year-old in a contract year. He’s batting leadoff and getting plenty of at bats on a good team which is also a combination I target.
Grisham should be scooped up especially when you consider the Yankees schedule in September. The last 13 games of their season are against the Twins, O’s, and White Sox, all teams they should handle with easy and have favorable matchups against.
Tyler Freeman – OF – Colorado Rockies (2.8%)
2025 Stats: .287/.361/.377, 2 HR, 17 SB, 96 wRC+
Freeman has slowed down a bit from his red hot start but still offers some value, especially in category leagues where you need an average boost. The bat-to-ball skills are still there and he might even steal a bag or two.
The Rockies first six games of the week will all be at home. Freeman has slashed .301/.366/.436 good for an .806 OPS at Coors this year. A pickup that can last you a week and help you get buy until the next roster move.
Kyle Teel – C – Chicago White Sox (4.3%)
2025 Stats: .293/.380/.408, 4 HR, 124 wRC+
Teel, who the White Sox acquired in the Crochet deal, isn’t getting nearly the buzz that he deserves. The former top 100 prospect has really started to hit his stride in the second half slashing .333/.386/.486 with all four of his home runs on the year.
The White Sox are obviously playing with their minds toward the future and Teel should continue to get a lot of at bats and opportunities. Finding offensive catchers can be challenging so don’t skip out on one of the only ones available.
Mark Vientos – 3B/1B – New York Mets (35.9%)
2025 Stats: .246/.293/.439, 15 HR, 103 wRC+
After a breakout year last season, Vientos fell short of expectation for the majority of this season. However, he has started to turn it around slashing .353/.404/.902 with eight home runs over the past two weeks.
Vientos is on one of those runs that’s so good that I can be convinced it won’t even stop. We know how talented that bat is and what better time to break out of a season long slump. The Mets have a certain vibe to them right now that feels like everything is clicking and Vientos is a big part of that.
Ian Seymour- SP – Tampa Bay Rays (5.4%)
2025 Stats: 28.1 IP, 10.80 K/9, 3.18 ERA, 3.16 FIP
I always like lefties with some funk to them and Seymour fits that description. He throws about six different pitches and darting in different directions without much velocity. And it’s productive. Despite a 92 mph fastball, Seymour still generates a 30% whiff rate on the pitch.
He’s been moved to the rotation although he might not go deep into games. If you have a two-week playoff period it might be hard to find starters making Seymour an answer, along with picking up who you think will be the bulk guy after Seymour.
Luis Morales – SP – Athletics (5.6%)
2025 Stats: 22.2 IP, 8.74 K/9, 1.19 ERA, 3.08 FIP
I’ve been waiting awhile to see Morales in the big leagues. His stuff always caught my eye in the minors and he should be part of the A’s rotation into the future. There’s a lot of learning for the 22 year-old to do, but his fastball alone can carry him for now.
Like I mentioned with Seymour, finding starts in a two week matchup can be challenging. Morales is coming off two starts totaling 13 innings, four hits, one runs, and 13 strikeouts. He has yet to allow more than one run in an outing.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of August 25th
The players listed below were featured in our waiver wire article from two weeks ago. All stats as of first pitch 8/24. Ownership percentages via ESPN
Carson Williams – SS – Tampa Bay Rays (4.7%)
2025 Stats (AAA): .213/.318/.447, 23 HR, 22 SB
The Rays recently called up Williams and he homered in his first game. A talented player with a ton of swing and miss, Williams is an option for teams needing power and speed who can live with a lower batting average. The Rays are going to give him plenty of playing time which always helps with value.
Williams numbers in Triple-A were not great, but I’m willing to roll the dice and see if the power can translate. Prospects tend to either start hot and cool or start off ice cold. Maybe it is just a gut feel, but I like Williams as a player who can help you down the stretch.
Jose A. Ferrer – RP – Washington Nationals (4.9%)
2025 Stats: 63 IP, 4 SV, 7.71 K/9, 4.29 ERA, 2.83 FIP
Ferrer really established himself this season after spending parts of the last two years between Washington and the minors. The lefty is a groundball machine (63.7%), misses barrels, and limits blow up innings due to his plus command.
With Kyle Finnegan now in Detroit, Ferrer is getting chances to close out games. Although the Nationals are not winning many, picking up a closer at this stage of the season is always worth it.
Brett Baty – 3B/2B – New York Mets (5.8%)
2025 Stats: .246/.306/.437, 15 HR, 109 wRC+
Baty has not developed into the player many thought he could be, but he has taken significant steps forward with year. In the second half Baty is slashing .295/.364/.523 with six home runs and 10 walks, which is seven walks short of his first half total.
Sometimes all your team needs is a solid player. You cannot always find a game changer, especially at this point of the season. Baty can be just that and should have plenty of run production opportunities down the stretch.
Dylan Beavers – OF – Baltimore Orioles (4.3%)
2025 Stats (AAA): .304/.420/.515, 18 HR, 23 SB, 152 wRC+
Beavers was always in a second tier, and somewhat forgotten, in the O’s prospect hype over the past couple of years. He put together a massive season in Triple-A and now joins the big league club where he has already stolen a base and hit a home run in his first week.
Here’s what we know. He’ll steal you some bases, drive the gaps, and will get a lot of playing time. I always like picking up players who are playing for a bigger spot next season and Beavers has something to prove. Count me as a believer.
Brenton Doyle – OF – Colorado Rockies (29.3%)
2025 Stats: .247/.291/.403, 14 HR, 13 SB, 78 wRC+
Doyle had a terribly sad off the field loss that obviously affected his play, particularly to start the season. In the second half, Doyle is slashing .400/.421/.678 with seven home runs, which matches his first half total. The talent is there and a hot streak of this level cannot simply be ignored.
Playing your home games at Coors will always give players a boost. Doyle has a .909 OPS at home this season and still have 13 home games on their schedule, including games against the Angels and their lack luster pitching staff.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week of August 18th
The players listed below were featured in our waiver wire article from three weeks ago. Stats as of first pitch August 17th. Ownership percentages via ESPN.
Sal Frelick – OF – Milwaukee Brewers (28.5%)
2025 Stats: .298/.361/.416, 9 HR, 18 SB, 121 wRC+
Frelcik has been a catalyst to a lot of what has made the Brewers such a good team. Since moving to the leadoff spot he has an .803 OPS and six of his nine home runs. His lack of power might push some owners away, but his bat to ball skills and a 12.8% strikeout rate can help in any league, especially categories.
The Brewers are the hottest team in baseball. They don’t have a bunch of established household names, but the run production continues to show up. Adding the leadoff hitter in that equation will lead to more value than most players with similar power output.
Bryan Abreu – RP – Houston Astros (28.6%)
2025 Stats: 55 IP, 13.25 K/9, 1 SV, 1.64 ERA, 2.40 FIP
Abreu has established himself as one of the better set up arms in baseball. He racks up strikeouts at a 36% clip and has an ERA under two, which he has done three out of the past four seasons. Without a doubt, Abreu has the talent to be rostered player. However, without saves, set up arms aren’t much value.
Well, the recent Josh Hader injury can change Abreu’s role. Hader will be out for some time and Abreu will be leaned on to close out games. He has the trust of Houston’s staff and the stuff to make it work. I doubt a better “closer” option will become available this year.
Charlie Morton – SP – Detroit Tigers (8.7%)
2025 Stats: 117.2 IP, 9.33 K/9, 5.20 ERA, 4.68 FIP
Morton has racked up 16 years of service time for a reason. Although he’s (probably) at the end of his career, he’s shown flashes of still being a rosterable player. Since joining Detroit, he has two starts of six innings one allowing no runs and one along a single run. He also has a six run start sandwiched between.
Morton has had a number of blow up starts this season. However, he also has seven quality starts since June and can still rack up strikeouts. A risky pick up, but I think Morton is a great streaming option and deeper league pick up.
Blaze Alexander – 3B/2B/SS – Arizona Diamondbacks (5.7%)
2025 Stats: .255/.348/.449, 4 HR, 2 SB, 124 wRC+
Alexander went from a depth AAAA player who was seen as a platoon bat to getting everyday playing time since the Suarez trade, and he’s making the most of it. He has just enough power and eye for the zone to be intriguing, although his strikeouts need to improve.
What I like about Alexander is how much run way the Diamondbacks are giving him. They are playing him regularly and his positional flexibility makes for a great fantasy bench piece who can fill in for injury or days when your starters aren’t playing.
Miguel Andujar – OF/3B – Cincinnati Reds (12.1%)
2025 Stats: .309/.348/.474, 9 HR, 125 wRC+
Andujar is looking like one of the steals from the trade deadline. Since joining the Reds he is slashing .389/.463/.694 with three home runs and two doubles. Although he might fall back into a platoon role, Andujar is playing too well not to get regular at bats.
The Reds have leaned into more contact oriented players which is why Andujar was on their radar. The power bump since joining Cincinnati is likely more of a coincidence, but I’d roster him and find out. He’s a free agent at year’s in so you know he is locked in.
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