Must-Add Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2 Fantasy Baseball (2026)

April 5, 2026

Andy breaks down his must add fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 2 of the 2026 MLB season. Add these players now off the waiver wire and win more.

With the first full week of the 2026 MLB campaign in the books, it's time to turn our attention to the waiver wire. Even though we are only just over a week into the season, many players have kick-started their breakout campaign and are showcasing league-winning upside.

In this piece, we will highlight seven players who are must-adds across all formats and league types for Week 2 of the fantasy baseball season. All players referenced are rostered below 50% in all Yahoo leagues.

Be sure to follow RotoBallerMLB on X for all of our league-winning content and me, @A_Smith_FS, for any questions! Additionally, be sure to use code SMITH at checkout for 30% off on all premium packages. Let's dive in!

2026 Fantasy Baseball: Week 2 Waiver Wire Adds

Liam Hicks, C/1B, Miami Marlins

The breakout catcher of the early season has been Liam Hicks of the Miami Marlins. Through six games, the second-year backstop has been playing at an elite level, posting a .368/.435/.895 slash line with an NL-leading three home runs, 12 RBI, and six runs (eighth-most in the NL). In his debut season, Hicks showed promise at times and finished his campaign with a .247/.346/.346 line over a 112-game stint.

While the sample size is small, Hicks is pulling the ball at a much higher rate compared to his rookie campaign. While his incredible 46.7% Pull AIR% will be unsuitable over the full summer, even if this number falls within the 25%-30% range, the backstop could easily hit the 20-HR plateau by the end of the campaign. He is also a strong target in points leagues, as he is striking out at a low 5.3% rate.

LIAM HICKS IS SCORCHING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7hgBHASqye

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 1, 2026

Andres Gimenez, 2B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays

When looking for a middle infielder, managers should target Toronto's Andres Gimenez. After a disappointing campaign in 2025, where he posted a low .210/.285/.313 line with just seven home runs and 12 stolen bases, the 27-year-old is set to smash these metrics in his first season in Toronto. Over his first seven games, Gimenez has posted a .346 AVG with two home runs and two stolen bases.

Back in 2024, Gimenez held a solid .252 AVG with nine home runs and an impressive 30 stolen bases. Gimenez possesses nearly 10/30 upside and should continue to enjoy stable counting stats, batting in one of the game's most potent lineups.

Joey Wiemer, OF, Washington Nationals

Like Hicks, the breakout outfielder has come out of nowhere and emerged as a must- roster player. Former Milwaukee Brewers prospect Joey Wiemer has carved out a lead role in D.C. and has been one of the game's top hitters over the first full week. Through five games, Wiemer has had a .588/.682/1.059 slash line with two home runs and a 4:5 K:BB.

Over his first 180 games in the majors (shared between 2023-2025), the outfielder carried a much lower .205/.279/.359 line. While he should see some regression, Wiemer may have found his footing and should face a little competition for everyday at-bats on a rebuilding Nationals team. Managers looking for an outfielder with 20+ HR upside should look to grab the hottest hitter in the game.

Parker Messick, SP, Cleveland Guardians

Parker Messick was in stiff competition for the final job in the rotation throughout the camp and was able to claim it. However, he faced a tall task in his season, beating the reigning two-time World Series Champions. The 25-year-old was up to the task as he tossed six shutout frames with just five hits and no walks. He struck out five.

Over his first taste of the majors last summer, the southpaw logged 39 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 38:6 K:BB. The young left-hander has an effective fastball (.220 xwOBA in his debut) and a high-whiff changeup (44.4% whiff rate against Los Angeles).

Parker Messick, Nasty 86mph Changeup...and is fired up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ca9crDKopt

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 31, 2026

He is a top target on the waiver wire as he could carry must-start upside for most of this season.

Taj Bradley, SP, Minnesota Twins

The other starting pitcher we will spotlight this week is Taj Bradley, a former well-regarded prospect. During his time in the Tampa Bay system, Bradley flashed high-end upside at times, but was never able to enjoy it over a lengthy period. In 2025, Bradley logged a career-high 142 2/3 innings with the Rays and Twins but struggled, posting a 5.05 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

As a result, the young right-hander was off the fantasy radar in most formats heading into 2026. However, Bradley has turned in two dominant outings to begin the season, tossing 10/3 combined innings (facing the Orioles and Royals) and has held a 0.87 ERA (one earned run) with a 12:4 K:BB. He has allowed just eight hits and has yet to surrender a home run.

His four-seamer velocity is up nearly one MPH, and he has begun to deploy his split-finger more often (15.1% usage - 19.8% usage). It has led the way in generating strikeouts, posting an impressive 52.9% whiff rate over his first two outings which is a very positive sign for his rest-of-season outlook.

Taj Bradley's cutter is up 2.3 MPH.

It induced a 42% whiff rate today against the Royals.

Last year, the pitch had a 31.9% whiff rate.

Bradley has allowed a combined 1 ER across 10.1 IP in his two starts.

Both were in tough environments in Camden Yards and Kauffman Stadium.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) April 2, 2026

Lucas Erceg, RP, Kansas City Royals

The final two players we will spotlight are closers who sit just at the 50%-roster mark on Yahoo. With Carlos Estevez (foot) hitting the 15-day injured list, Lucas Erceg is set to operate as the primary closer in Kansas City. Through the early going, Erceg has lived up to the task, logging 2 2/3 innings (three outings) while going 2-for-2 on save opportunities.

Erceg has struck out just one hitter but has yet to allow a run and holds a solid 1.13 WHIP. In 2025, he served as the primary setup man for Estevez and posted a 2.64 ERA with a below-average 1.93% K% over 61 1/3 innings. While his strikeout upside is not as high as the elite closers, he has the path to earning 25+ saves on a competing Royals team.

Last season, Estevez led the sport in saves (42) while pitching for this club.

Lucas Erceg Tallies Second Save, Emerging as Must-Roster Closer https://t.co/buoR7Xs2Ym

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) April 2, 2026

Paul Sewald, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Rounding out our Week 2 waiver-wire list will be Arizona's Paul Sewald. Similar to Erceg, with A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martine (Elbow) both on the 60-day IL and listed to miss at least the first half of the season, Sewald should remain the primary closer for the foreseeable future. While Sewald was not guaranteed this role in camp, as Drey Jameson and Kevin Ginkel were in the mix, the team's current bullpen usage suggests it is Sewald's job to lose.

Over his first three outings (2 1/3 innings), the 35-year-old right-hander did not surrender a run, hit, or walk while striking out four hitters and tallying two saves. While his fourth outing resulted in his first loss of the season, allowing two hits and two runs in a non-save situation, this should remain Sewald's job for the time being.

Unlike Jameson or Ginkel, Sewald has prior experience operating as a closer. From 2021 through 2024, Sewald averaged 20.3 saves per season and totaled a career-best 34 during the 2023 season. While Erceg should see more stable save opportunities pitching for a better club, Sewald carries similar 20-save upside and should provide higher strikeout totals than him.

Other Waiver Wire Targets

• Justin Crawford, OF
• Miguel Vargas, 1B/3B
• Emerson Hancock, SP
• Eric Lauer, SP
• Carson Benge, OF

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