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RotoBaller staff's fantasy baseball Week 8 waiver wire pickups for 2026. Expert advice for waiver wire hitter, pitcher, and closer targets from Andy, Eric, and Joey.
Welcome, RotoBallers, to another Staff roundtable. Below, you will see some of our top wiaver wire picks for the week, including suggestions from Eric Cross, Andy Smith, and Joey Pollizze.
This week, we will look at some potential post-hype breakouts, including an interior on the Athletics and an outfielder on the Reds who has begun to tap into his raw power.
Who should we look to pick up this week? Let's dive in!
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Hitter Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Zack Gelof, 2B/OF, Athletics
Welcome back to fantasy relevance, Zack Gelof. After a rough 2025 season dropped him off the fantasy map entirely, Gelof has taken advantage of his opportunity to play regularly over the last few weeks. In 81 plate appearances, Gelof is slashing .270/.316/.527 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a pair of stolen bases.
But after all the headaches Gelof caused fantasy managers over the last two seasons, should we believe in this performance enough to consider adding him in fantasy leagues?
Obviously, I'm at least somewhat intrigued given his inclusion this week. Gelof has been hitting the ball hard since returning to the Athletics lineup, posting a 9.4% barrel rate, 90.9 mph AVG EV, and 41.5% hard-hit rate. He's also been leaning into his pull power with a 50.9% pull rate and 26.4% pull-air rate.
However, what I'm most encouraged by are the improvements Gelof has made in the contact and approach departments. He's improved his zone contact rate by 8.7% from last season while cutting his strikeout rate down to 24.7%.
Gelof has also trimmed his chase rate to an impressive 21.3% and improved his overall contact rate to a serviceable 71.2%. He's still a below-average contact hitter, even with the improvements, so I'm not banking on a high batting average. However, Gelof has shown in the past that he can be a solid power/speed threat while bringing dual eligibility at second and third base.
- Eric Cross
A.J. Ewing, 2B/OF, New York Mets
A.J. Ewing has proved to be a much-needed spark to a struggling Mets team and appears to have already earned a full-time role in their starting nine. Over his first three MLB games, Ewing has gotten the starting nod in center field and looked quite comfortable, going 3-for-9 with a triple, a home run, a single, and a 3:4 K:BB.
The 21-year-old has wasted little time beginning to showcase his five-category potential, which makes him a priority target this weekend on the waiver wire. With Luis Robert Jr. not progressing as well as the team has hoped, and Jorge Polanco and Francisco Lindor all on the shelf as well, Ewing should continue to see everyday at-bats, especially if he continues this current reactor.
Earlier in the campaign, like Henry Bolte, Ewing was among the most productive hitters in the upper minors. He opened the campaign at the Double-A level, but needed only 18 more games to show he was ready to make his Triple-A debut. During this short stint, Ewing held a .349/.481/.571 line with two home runs and 12 stolen bases.
Then during his first 12 games at Triple-A, Ewing maintained this level of play, posting a similar .326/.392/.435 line with three doubles and four stolen bases. Even though the Springboro HS product has little experience against high-level pitching, Ewing has not looked overmatched. While he may face some eventual growing pains, for now, he is looking like a near-lineup lock in all standard formats, given his five-category potential.
A.J. Ewing launches his first career home run! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/8hRcuVsIs4
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2026
- Andy Smith
Luke Raley, OF, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley has been absolutely lacing the ball in his sixth Major League season. He ranks in the 88th percentile in expected batting average (.286), 99th percentile in expected slugging (.621), 99th percentile in barrel rate (24.3%), 98th percentile in hard-hit rate (57.1%), and 97th percentile in launch angle sweet-spot rate (44.3%). Those metrics have led Raley to post solid all-around numbers in the early going.
The 31-year-old is currently slashing .268/.333/.589 with 10 home runs, four doubles, and 27 RBI across 39 games. While Raley won't start many games against left-handed pitching, he will almost always be in the lineup with a righty on the mound. As a result, the Mariners slugger is a nice add this weekend. He's on pace for over 30 home runs this year.
- Joey Pollizze
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
The first hitter we will spotlight was a waiver-wire wonder during the 2025 campaign and could carry similar upside again in 2026. After joining the Brewers near the halfway point of the 2025 campaign, Vaughn saw production take a massive turn for the better. With Milwaukee, the former third overall pick posted a .308/.375/.493 line with 14 doubles, nine home runs, and 46 RBI over a short 64-game stint.
However, his 2026 campaign got off to a lower start as he hit the injured list early in the season due to a hand injury. Since returning, Vaughn has quickly begun to show signs of his 2025 self, making him a priority target on the waiver wire this week ahead of a potential full return to form. Over the last six games post-injury, Vaughn has tallied five RBI, hit his first home run, and hit for a .300 AVG.
Last summer, Vaughn carried a strong .276 xBA under the hood with a high-end 47.3% hard-hit rate and .479 xSLG. While the Brewers could keep Vaughn in a somewhat limited role, sharing time at first base and as DH with Jake Bauers and Christian Yelich, if he can quickly regain his footing, they will have a hard time keeping him out of the starting nine.
If you are in need of RBI, Vaughn should be a priority target as he could bring in 50+ runners over the remainder of the campaign.
Andrew Vaughn goes yard in the 1st for the @Brewers!
(MLB x @BudweiserUSA) pic.twitter.com/CrWqTvNDd7
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2026
- Andy Smith
JJ Bleday, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Outside of a decent 2024 season with the Athletics, it's been a rough major league career for the 2019 fourth overall selection. However, JJ Bleday seems to have found a home with the Cincinnati Reds this season, and his surface-level performance and underlying metrics are highly intriguing right now. In his 66 plate appearances for the Reds this season, Bleday has slashed an impressive .321/.455/.755 with 10 extra-base hits, six home runs, 18 RBI, 10 runs, and more walks (13) than strikeouts (10).
JJ Bleday goes yard AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/4UULXExwrh
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2026
Having more walks than strikeouts is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bleday's profile right now. He's currently running a 15.4% barrel rate, 94 mph AVG EV, and a 56.4% hard-hit rate with his usual elite batted ball angles. And while his contact rates don't stand out, Bleday is around average both in zone and overall, while only chasing at a 21.6% clip.
Forget about the name and the previous struggles and focus on the underlying metrics here. This is a hitter you should want to pick up if he's available in your fantasy leagues.
- Eric Cross
Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics
Ahead of his MLB promotion, Bolte was nearly the best hitter in the entire minor leagues. At Triple-A, Bolte was on a historic pace, which led to his much earlier-than-anticipated promotion.
With the Las Vegas Aviators, Bolte was flashing elite high-end five-category upside, which makes him a top stash option in all 12-team formats. Through 37 games with Las Vegas, Bolte posted a dominant .348/.418/.658 line with an eye-catching 1.078 OPS. He went deep 12 times while swiping 17 bags. This is even more impressive as during his first stint at Triple-A (34 games last summer), Bolte hit only two home runs and swiped 13 bags with a much lower .873 OPS.
Seeing Bolte quickly adjust to this high-quality level of pitching and tap into more of his raw power makes him an intriguing pickup ahead of Week 8. While Bolte has not immediately been given a full-time role with the Athletics, Bolte has started each of the past two games and has gone 3-for-7 with an RBI and a walk.
For now, he figures to share time in center field with Lawrence Butler, but given that the 25-year-old has carried a weak .175 AVG over the first two months of play, Bolte may claim the larger share of opportunities sooner rather than later.
- Andy Smith
Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets
Ewing isn't the only Mets rookie outfielder to consider grabbing this week. Carson Benge has been finding his stride over the last week or so, and the underlying metrics have screamed buy-low all season. This is why we can't make 100% of our fantasy baseball decisions based on surface stats alone. Yes, those are what cause us to succeed or fail in leagues, but sometimes those surface stats don't paint the full picture, as was the case here with Benge.
Despite having three straight multi-hit games and a .341/.400/.488 slash line this month, Benge is still slashing just .237/.296/.344 in 142 plate appearances this season. But when you pop the hood, you'll find a 90 mph AVG EV, 42.7% hard-hit rate, 85.2% zone contact rate, 78.8% overall contact rate, and a chase, walk, and strikeout rate right around league-average.
Benge also has an 83rd percentile sprint speed, and his strong defense has helped him stay in the lineup through his offensive struggles. I'm still quite high on Benge for 2026 and beyond. If you need an outfielder, I'd give Benge a look.
- Eric Cross
Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Bailey Ober, SP, Minnesota Twins
Listen, I know Bailey Ober burned fantasy managers last season while he basically served up batting practice in most of his outings. But sometimes we need to have short memories when it comes to fantasy baseball. Ober's terrible 2025 season is in the rear-view mirror, and he's back to being a serviceable fantasy starting pitcher.
In nine starts this season, Ober has posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 3.15 xERA and 7.2% walk rate. He's allowing far fewer hard-hit batted balls as well, dropping his hard-hit rate allowed from 39.1% to 30.1%, along with a lower barrel rate and AVG EV allowed.
Ober has been able to turn things around without premium velocity. In fact, his velocity is down from last season, with his average fastball velocity sitting at just 88.6 mph. But what helps Ober succeed is solid command and a deep arsenal that he mixes well. Sure, the upside is limited here, especially with a below-average strikeout rate, but Ober is back to being a usable arm in fantasy leagues.
- Eric Cross
Jared Jones, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The other starting pitcher to target is a priority "injury stash." Jones has not picked up a win in an MLB game since the 2024 campaign, his debut season. Jones underwent elbow surgery last March but remains on track to return to the Steel City in the coming weeks.
During his 2024 debut season, the right-hander has been very effective, posting a 4.14 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 121 2/3 innings. He struck out 132 hitters while carrying impressive metrics under the hood. Jones generated a 3.97 xERA while drawing whiffs at a 30.2%, which places him in the 84th percentile among qualified pitchers. His 26.2% K% placed him in the 73rd percentile, while his walk rate (7.7%) was also above average.
Jones began his rehab stint with Low-A on April 29 and has continued to show similar upside while increasing his workload. With Low-A, he made one start (three innings) and allowed a single baserunner while striking out five. He then moved up to Double-A, where he made one start (three innings) and allowed just one run while posting a 2:1 K:BB.
On May 12, Jones moved his rehab to Triple-A Indianapolis and continued to look sharp, logging four shutout frames with just three hits and four punchouts. The 24-year-old may only need one more rehab outing before being cleared to rejoin the Pirates. Once active, Jones should average more than a strikeout per inning while producing above-average ratios.
Jared Jones picks up his first strikeout of the night on an absolutely filthy curveball.
He’s touched 99 so far here in the first inning as well. pic.twitter.com/EENzGeeZS3
— Jay Staph (@jmstaph24) May 12, 2026
- Andy Smith
Ben Brown, SP, Chicago Cubs
With the Cubs' rotation suffering a few injuries, Ben Brown has been thrust into a more prominent role lately, and he's been impressive so far. For the season, Brown has a pristine 1.60 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 14 outings. And in two starts since entering the Chicago rotation, Brown has combined for eight shutout innings with 10 strikeouts while allowing just one hit and two walks.
7 Ks in 4 innings 🔥
Ben Brown was DEALIN' 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/DboWZKX3dR
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 15, 2026
While Brown is still predominantly a fastball/knuckle curve guy, he's mixed in a sinker and changeup semi-consistently this season, giving him a more well-rounded arsenal. The changeup has generated a 30.8% whiff rate this season, to go along with Brown's 44.9% whiff rate on his knuckle curve. Overall, Brown is running a 26.4% whiff rate and a 30.2% chase rate while allowing considerably less hard contact.
The upside is there, and I'm certainly encouraged by the arsenal development this season and additional innings Brown is stepping into.
- Eric Cross
Rico Garcia, RP, Baltimore Orioles
The first relief pitcher we will spotlight is Rico Garcia of the Baltimore Orioles. Garcia was already a high-end option in saves + holds leagues given his role as the primary setup man, but has since seen his value surge in standard leagues. With Ryan Helsley now on the injured list, Garcia has taken over the primary ninth-inning role in Baltimore and has looked just as dominant.
Since Helsley's last outing (April 28), Garcia has gone 2-for-2 on both of his save opportunities and added two holds during this stretch. Across these 5 2/3 innings, the right-hander has not allowed a run or a hit while posting a 7:3 K:BB. Overall, Garcia has logged 19 frames with a 0.47 ERA and a 0.42 WHIP.
His 34.4% K% places him in the 96th percentile, and his 98th and 99th percentile xERA and xBA suggest that his incredible ratios are quite sustainable. While he has walked batters at a rather high 10.9% rate, he has limited hard contact and generated a high total of whiffs to avoid any damage.
Even when Helsley returns, Garcia is showing immense upside as a ratio stabilizer and should remain rostered in all 12-team leagues. For the time being, Garcia has top-5 upside among true "closers" as he should see nearly all of the save opportunities while posting near-perfect ratios.
Rico Garcia a High-End, Short-Term Option for Saves https://t.co/SqZMEK6rWq
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 8, 2026
- Andy Smith
Jack Perkins, RP, Athletics
The final player we will post is our second relief pitcher. While Jack Perkins is coming off a shaky outing on Thursday, the right-hander appears to have settled in as the primary loser for the Athletics, which makes him worth adding in all 12-team formats. Across 17 innings pitched, Perkins has posted a modest 4.76 ERA but has also had high-end strikeout upside, which has put him into the ninth-inning role for the Athletics.
He has struck out 22 batters (30.6% K%) while showing high-end command, walking only 6.9% of the batters he has faced.
Prior to Thursday's blown save, Perkins carried a dominant 2.19 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP over his previous 12 1/3 frames. During this stretch, the 26-year-old struck out 15 hitters, while earning three saves and one hold. Given that the Athletics have yet to find another reliable option in the late innings, Perkins will be given a longer leash to work out any struggles in the high-leverage situations.
His elite strikeout potential also significantly raises his floor and ceiling for fantasy. Perkins has 15+ save upside and could push for a 20-save season if the Athletics were to turn to him on a consistent basis. Managers should not be overly concerned with his recent slump. His 3.13 xERA suggests far better days are ahead, making him a top waiver wire option.
- Andy Smith
Caleb Kilian, RP, San Francisco Giants
Ryan Walker started the season as the San Francisco Giants' closer, but his recent demotion to Triple-A puts the Giants' closer job up for grabs. The favorite to earn this job right now appears to be Caleb Kilian. He has a 1.40 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 18 appearances and was the pitcher that manager Tony Vitello went to in a save situation on Tuesday night against the Dodgers.
Kilian earned that save by tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout. If you are in need of some saves, it's worth grabbing the Giants reliever in 12-plus team leagues. He has thrown the ball well recently and continues to miss bats at a high level. The tall right-hander has a 29% whiff rate and a 24.1% strikeout rate this season.
- Joey Pollizze
