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Mike's 2025 fantasy baseball category boosters waiver wire hitters to add. He goes category by category and picks out hitters for HR, RBI, SB, AVG, and runs for Week 5.
Welcome back to our Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters - Category Boosters column for Week 5 of the 2025 MLB season. There are some interesting player names here this week, guys who looked like washouts who are finding new life this season with new opportunities: Gavin Lux, Jordan Beck, and yes, Javier Baez.
Injuries have decimated many of our fake teams. How are you going to attack your dearth of stats? You need to comb the waiver wire to find guys who can help you in the short and long term. Each week, we will help you do that chore.
We will aim to give you three options for each of the five offensive categories in a standard five-by-five league. Our rule: All hitters will be listed according to their percentage of rostered players on Yahoo!, with a maximum of 50 percent. Let's look at some names that might be under the radar, but who can help you now.
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Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Gavin Lux, OF, Cincinnati Reds (33% rostered)
Lux continues to be low-rostered, and I wonder if that is because people do not realize he is playing daily, or if they think he's a bust. Whatever the reason, let other people's errors in judgment lead you to a helpful player. Lux has scored 12 runs this month while hitting .341 and playing all over the field. He is still only 27 and is doing some good things in Cincinnati. Give him a look.
Trevor Larnach, OF, Minnesota Twins (7% rostered)
This is purely a play for the at-bats while other players are out due to injury. Larnach racked up 112 plate appearances in April, hitting four home runs while scoring a very nice 15 runs. Runs scored are often a forgotten stat category in fantasy baseball, but Larnach can help you while you wait for the return of other outfielders.
Connor Norby, 2B/3B, Miami Marlins (15% rostered)
One of these days, Norby is going to get an extended chance to perform in the big leagues. He is going to hit one day, and while he is hitting .262 with a homer and three RBI, he has scored 10 runs in two weeks. Norby is worth adding in most leagues at this time.
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Agustin Ramirez, C, Miami Marlins (51% rostered)
I cheated a little bit on this one as Ramirez is rostered in 51 percent of leagues. But Ramirez is a hot addition, and you can see why. He is hitting the cover off the baseball since his recall to the major leagues. He has three home runs in 33 plate appearances, and he also has a stolen base, bringing a unique power and speed combination to the table at a spot that often has neither. Ramirez will be rostered in most leagues after this weekend; jump in and get him while you can.
Hunter Goodman, C/OF, Colorado Rockies (31% rostered)
Goodman is a pure power play, and that is why you add him. The catcher eligibility is a bonus, especially in two-catcher leagues. He's hitting .268 and has smacked five home runs so far. The bat speed is above the major league average; see below. This is the best he has looked in limited sample sizes in his major league career.
Jordan Beck, OF, Colorado Rockies (23% rostered)
Beck is another Colorado Rockie who makes the list this week. Beck initially made the roster out of spring training but was sent back down to Triple-A when he struggled out of the gate. Since his recall on April 19, Beck has slugged five home runs and knocked in 10 and even stolen two bases. He should get an extended run on a moribund Colorado squad, so give Beck a chance if you are looking for outfield help.
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Sean Murphy, C, Atlanta Braves (44% rostered)
Murphy seemed to be forgotten about due to being injured to start the season, but the veteran backstop has come back with a vengeance. Murphy has seven home runs in only 70 plate appearances this year and has an 18.9 percent barrel percentage in 2025. He is also hitting .250 and has knocked in 14 runs, all since April 8. Grab him now while you can.
Ty France, 1B, Minnesota Twins (6% rostered)
I know many fantasy players will view France as a retread, but he's been playing well in the Minnesota lineup. He's got 18 RBI in 30 games with three home runs and a .267 average. These are usable stats, and 10 of those RBI have come in the last two weeks. Why not Ty France? If you need corner infield help, he could be your guy.
Javier Baez, SS/3B/OF, Detroit Tigers (3% rostered)
Raise your hand if you knew that Baez is hitting .467 over the last week and has knocked in seven runs. On the season, he is hitting .296 with a home run, a stolen base, and 11 RBI. Is Baez coming back to life in Detroit while playing multiple positions? It won't cost you too much to find out.
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
TJ Friedl, OF, Cincinnati Reds (41% rostered)
Many players shy away from Friedl because of a perceived logjam in the Cincinnati outfield. But he is a very useful player on the right roster. Friedl is hitting .271 this month with four stolen bases and 12 runs. He is not going to hit for much power, as he has only one home run, but could easily get 20 bags this season.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (35% rostered)
Surprisingly, Simpson is still floating on the waiver wire in most Yahoo! leagues, and that should not be the case. Below is the metric you need to know for Simpson: sprint speed is elite, which means he will be in the lineup and stealing bases as much as he can.
Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (17% rostered)
Rumors of Lawlar's arrival to the big league roster in Arizona are growing by the week, and now would be a good time to stash him if you have a roster spot. His recall to the major leagues feels imminent as he is lighting up Triple-A pitching right now. When he arrives, he brings an elite 99th percentile sprint speed to The Show with the potential ability to add some power to the mix. If you have space on your bench, grab Lawlar now.
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Austin Hays, OF, Cincinnati Reds (46% rostered)
Hays continues to hit and play, although he is currently day-to-day with .... he hit .365 in April and is playing daily. Add in five home runs, 13 RBI, and a steal, and you have an outfielder helper flying under the radar. Hays should be rostered more with this current playing time boost.
Andy Pages, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (28% rostered)
Pages is a forgotten fantasy asset in Los Angeles, but is making the most of his current opportunity. Pages has four home runs in the last 10 days, and has four three-hit games over the last week. Hot is an understatement. Grab him for this short-term burst right now.
Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF, New York Mets (5% rostered)
The veteran McNeil just came off the IL and looks like he is assured of daily playing time in New York. The last couple of seasons have been up-and-down for him, but he still has enough presence to be considered for a fantasy roster. Having eligibility at both second base and outfield gives him an extra piece of versatility for your roster.
I hope this helps you out! Good luck and happy hunting, RotoBallers! You can always message me @mdrc0508 on X to complain about picks or make other suggestions!
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