Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week of July 6

Here are five players fantasy managers should consider picking up off waivers after the first week of July.

By Clay Snowden | July 5, 2026 | | 0

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 25: Kyle Stowers #28 of the Miami Marlins rounds first base after hitting a solo home run in the third inning amb at American Family Field on July 25, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The Fourth of July has come and gone, and the All-Star break is right around the corner. To me, Fourth of July through the end of the All-Star break is the best time in the baseball calendar. Cookouts, fireworks, Home Run Derby, trade deadline discussions, and waiver wire articles! Well, maybe the last one is an exaggeration.

Today, I mostly have a collection of former top prospects who are either rebounding, breaking out, or making the most of their new opportunity. I have also mixed in a veteran that I am sure you have rostered at some point in your fantasy journey, even if only for a minute. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Stats as of first pitch July 5. Ownership percentages via ESPN.

Kyle Stowers – OF – Miami Marlins (32.9%)

2026 Stats: .247/.335/.470, 11 HR, 118 wRC+

Stowers started the season slow but has since picked it up, slashing .311/.411/.656 with seven home runs over the past month. The Marlins have been a fun and exciting team this year that continues to improve, giving Stowers more and more run-producing opportunities.

We all know the breakout Stowers had last season. I do not think that was simply a fluke. Injury kept him from hitting the ground running, but it looks like he has found his stride, making him a prime candidate to be added to your team down the stretch.

Endy Rodríguez – C/1B – Pittsburgh Pirates (1.6%)

2026 Stats: .260/.393/.479, 5 HR, 142 wRC+

Rodríguez has not been able to establish an everyday role since being called up in 2023 due to underperformance and injury. Now healthy and getting regular at-bats, Rodríguez has jumped out to a fast start through his first 34 games, showing the potential that made him a top prospect.

He’s posting a 92.6 mph average exit velocity and lifting the ball more than we have seen in years past. His at-bats have looked more comfortable and confident, and the little positional flexibility he offers doesn’t hurt. He also has two stolen bases if you need a sliver of speed from your catcher spot.

Tommy Edman – 2B/OF – Los Angeles Dodgers (14%)

2026 Stats (15 games): .354/.446/.521, 1 HR, 171 wRC+

By now you know what Edman is as a fantasy player. Since joining the Dodgers, he no longer steals bases, making his value much lower, but he’ll soon enough add third base to his eligibility, making him a nice bench piece for your team. Look, if you can add a Dodgers starter, especially at a weak fantasy position, I say you do so.

We have all seen these hot Edman stretches in the past. The same method applies for this one. Pick him up, ride the hot hand, and once it cools off, drop him for the next hot player. A strategy you’ll have to use at some point in your fantasy season.

Caleb Kilian – RP – San Francisco Giants (3.2%)

2026 Stats: 37 IP, 8 SV, 4.14 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 10.95 K/9, 4.14 BB/9

Everything about the Giants has been messy this season, and their closer situation is no different. After filtering through more established options, they have now landed on Kilian, who should get an opportunity to finish the season in the role.

How much do I trust Kilian? Ehhh, not a ton right now. But I’m willing to find out if that trust can change. Strikeout stuff with a high groundball rate and save potential gets harder and harder to find, so don’t sleep on this one.

Cade Cavalli – SP – Washington Nationals (23%)

2026 Stats: 90.1 IP, 3.69 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 10.16 K/9, 2.89 BB/9

Cavalli has been a great story this season. Injuries stunted his development and dropped him off prospect lists, but he is now showing the talent that once made him a top prospect.

A heavy fastball/curveball repertoire, each carrying plus whiff rates, with four other pitches all performing well makes for a starter that should be an answer for the Nationals well into the future.

Command and strikeout stuff on the waiver wire this late in the season can be rare. The Nationals are in the thick of a playoff hunt and should not treat Cavalli as anything other than an ace in their rotation. I expect him to continue getting starts without major inning restrictions the rest of the way.