Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 3 relievers to target with saves at a premium — plus more early-season pickups
For essentially the most half, fantasy baseball managers ought to add gamers with important long-term upside at this level within the season. After all, the advantages of a potential six-month asset far outweigh these of a participant who will solely be in your roster for a few days. That being stated, victories in head-to-head leagues in April depend simply as a lot as these in August. For that motive, this text will all the time function some long-term and short-term choices.
The majority of engaging early-season choices have a tendency to come from the mound, as a few starters will present thrilling ability developments and a handful of relievers will slide into ninth-inning roles. On the hitting aspect, we should always often train persistence with the gamers who we deemed match to draft.
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Pitchers to add
Parker Messick, SP, Guardians, 29%: When Messick made the rotation, I labeled him as my FOMO player for 2026. But the left-hander even exceeded my expectations after I posted a 5:0 Ok:BB ratio over six scoreless innings throughout a street begin in opposition to the mighty Dodgers on Monday. I’m all-in on Messick and would discover a means to add him in each 12-team league and loads of 10-team codecs forward of his upcoming Sunday begin in opposition to the Cubs.
Eric Lauer, SP, Blue Jays, 30%: Lauer, who was eighth on Toronto’s rotation depth chart at one level in spring coaching, is now the crew’s No. 4 starter. Sure, accidents to others have aided his climb, however he additionally fared properly within the rotation final yr (3.77 ERA, 9.0 Ok/9 fee) and appeared nice when he struck out 9 over 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his preliminary 2026 begin. The schedule makes me even more bullish on Lauer, as his subsequent two begins come in opposition to the White Sox and Twins.
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Paul Sewald, PR, Diamondbacks, 45%: With so many unsettled nearer conditions throughout March, it is not shocking that new save choices are constantly rising throughout the preliminary days of the season. Sewald could be the prime choice to add, as he has appeared nice up to now (0.00 ERA, 4:0 Ok:BB ratio) en route to incomes two saves. The 35-year-old has loads of nearer expertise (88 profession saves), and though the D-backs aren’t World Series contenders, they’re higher than many of the groups who’ve an unsettled nearer image.
Jordan Romano, RP, Angels, 42%: Everything that was stated about Sewald additionally applies to Romano, who has been wonderful (0.00 ERA, 4:2 Ok:BB ratio) whereas incomes two saves. Like Sewald, Romano struggled final yr however has loads of ninth-inning expertise (115 profession saves) and a agency grip on his crew’s nearer position.
Lucas Erceg, RP, Royals, 48%: In comparability to Sewald and Romano, Erceg is much less of a positive factor however has more upside, making him a more fascinating choice general. The right-hander is the heavy favourite to assume nearer obligations from Carlos Estévez, who has misplaced an excessive amount of velocity to be utilized in high-leverage conditions. Erceg is a high quality reliever (2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP in 2025), who could possibly be thought to be a top-15 nearer by the top of April. Of course, there may be additionally a likelihood that Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro opts to break up up ninth-inning duties.
Hitters to add
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B/OF, Pirates, 28%: So far, the addition of O’Hearn his paying dividends for a Pirates offense that wanted a spark. The slugger is persistently batting out of premium lineup spots, has more walks (4) than whiffs (3) and has proven some energy (.737 SLG). Although O’Hearn will not dominate in any class, he needs to be useful in each space aside from steals.
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Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Angels, 24%: Slowly however absolutely, Schanuel is turning into a high quality main leaguer. The Angels promoted him prematurely means again in 2023, however he has made strides with his common exit velocity and has all the time had a superb capacity to management the strike zone. As the Angels’ common No. 3 hitter, the 24-year-old needs to be concerned in loads of run scoring.
Andrés Giménez, 2B/SS, Blue Jays, 32%: Managers who want a pace enhance in class leagues can think about Giménez, who’s displaying indicators of bouncing again from a down yr that was impacted by accidents. The slick fielder’s glove will preserve him within the lineup, and he has a pair of 30-steal seasons on his resume (2023-24). He simply wants to restrict strikeouts, which he has executed to this point (12.5%).
Carson Benge, OF, Mets, 33%: Benge has been a combined bag to this point. He’s drawing loads of walks (9.5%) however putting out too usually (33.3%). He’s making wonderful contact (50% hard-hit fee) however hitting too many grounders (58.3%). The child has been within the majors for a week – let’s add him and provides him time to clean out the tough spots.
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Hitters with favorable weekend matchups
Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers, 38%
The Dodgers will face three below-average starters on a Nationals crew that won’t have any dependable relievers. With seven Los Angeles hitters rostered in 90% of leagues, Muncy stands out because the one common who’s each obtainable and has important upside.
Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies, 22%
A visit to Coors Field makes the Phillies the highest offense to target this weekend. There are six Philadelphia regulars who’re rostered within the majority of leagues, though Bryson Stott and Adolis García will likely be obtainable in some shallow codecs. Crawford, who’s batting .412, is more extensively obtainable and has the pace and phone abilities to thrive at Coors Field.
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Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked so as of choice)
Parker Messick vs. CHC (Sunday, 29%)
Ryan Weathers vs. MIA (Saturday, 30%)
Eric Lauer @ CWS (Sunday, 30%)
Jack Leiter vs. CIN (Sunday, 48%)
Brandon Ashcraft vs. BAL (Sunday, 48%)
Kyle Harrison @ KC (Sunday, 30%)
Chris Bassitt @ PIT (Sunday, 29%)
Tyler Mahle vs. NYM (Friday, 9%)
Clay Holmes @ SF (Saturday, 45%)
Chad Patrick @ KC (Friday, 18%)
Michael Wacha vs. THOUSAND (Friday, 32%)
Carmen Mlodzinski vs. BAL (Saturday, 3%)
Grant Holmes @ ARI (Friday, 17%)
