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AL-Only Leagues: Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups For Week Eight

As May comes to an end, we are about to close the chapter on the first third of the season. No fantasy team is a lost cause at this point, but if your team is floundering, the time to pick up the pace and still have a reasonable shot at competitiveness is beginning to wane. Fantasy rosters are often like boats: they can stay afloat longer with some quick reflexes and plugging as many holes as possible.

One of the easiest paths to keeping a roster afloat on the fantasy high seas is improvement through the waiver wire. While determining who is a lost cause and who could still come around on one's roster is another matter entirely, who to target to fill those potential spots is not. That's precisely why we are digitally gathered here, sirs and madams of the fantasy world: to plunder for riches!

So pull out your best knapsack, fannypack or other "-ack" device and take a handful of these potential plugs to seal your leaks. These aren't guaranteed to last, but they can help owners get to the next roster port. All players are owned in 25% or less of Flea Flicker leagues.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

American League Targets - Hitters

Leonys Martin (OF, SEA) - 13% Owned

Long living under the weight of only glimpsed fantasy potential, outfielder Leonys Martin is starting to shows signs of it again. He enters Tuesday night on a seven-game hitting streak that also includes three home runs, five runs scored and five RBI. For the month of May, Martin is hitting .319 with four home runs, seven RBI and five steals, easily making him a must-start in all AL-only leagues. His ability to do this long-term is still questionable, but with stats that sizzling, try not to worry about that until he stops hitting.

Jarrod Dyson (OF, KC) - 4% Owned & Paulo Orlando (OF, KC) - 3% Owned

Fellow owners of outfielder Alex Gordon, and those looking to take advantage of his injury, huddle up. The Royals are looking to fill his spot in the lineup with outfielders Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando. Both outfielders bring a different skill set to the table, but neither has established themselves as a reliable fantasy option, hence the current low ownership rates. Which one fantasy owners should pick up will likely come down to the need (or lack there of) for speed.

Dyson is the safer pickup as he has more of a track record and has averaged one stolen base for every seven at-bats over his career (154 in 1,147 at-bats). He already has eight this year. But Dyson's career marks of six home runs and a .255 average are what have historically held his value down. Orlando is more of the unknown, debuting last year as a 29-year-old who hit 14 doubles, six triples and seven home runs in only 241 at-bats. He has followed that up this season by hitting .400 with one home run, 10 RBI and two stolen bases. With the lion's share of Gordon's at-bats going to Orlando, he has an ample opportunity to strut his stuff.

Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX) - 10% Owned & Ryan Rua (1B/OF, TEX) - 2% Owned

Texas received bad news this week on three of their outfielders, Josh Hamilton, Drew Stubbs and Shin-Soo Choo, losing the former all season and latter two to the disabled list. Now the Rangers will be looking to use both outfielder Ryan Rua and, more importantly, top outfield prospect Joey Gallo to solidify their outfield going forward. Rua once looked like a major offensive threat in the minors not unlike Gallo, but even with those hopes since diminished, he has shown enough this season to believe he could be an average fantasy outfielder, which in AL-only ain't half bad.

Joey Gallo and his big-time power bat have the might to put up All-Star numbers right away. He already has two 40-homer seasons in the minors, and had eight this year before the call up. How patient he can be at the plate will likely determine just how valuable he can be overall. But if Gallo's gains in that department this year (24 strikeouts versus 22 walks) hold up, he'll help wins leagues.

Johnny Giavotella (2B, LAA) - 5% Owned

I don't want to alarm anyone--especially any jumpy Royals fans--but second baseman Johnny Giavotella might have actually, finally unlocked his potential. He has followed up his successful debut with the Angels last season--one that saw him set a career high in batting average with .272--by hitting .279 so far this season. There isn't much in the ways of counting stats in this package, but AL-only owners could do far worse than an average-only middle infielder riding a 12-game hitting streak.

Didi Gregorius (SS, NYY) - 9% Owned

Shortstop Didi Gregorius brings to the table a fantasy package quite similar to Giavotella: an okay batting average with a sprinkle of counting stats. He is also amidst a hitting streak, though his is only at six games. After a tough April, Gregorius has put together a great May, hitting .294 with one home run, eight runs scored and 11 RBI. Normally a weaker hitter against lefties than righties, he is experiencing a platoon reversal this season. If he can raise the right back to his norm while keeping at least some of the gains in the left, Gregorius will easily top his current career-high in batting average of .265, much to the delight of his fantasy owners.

 

American League Targets - Pitchers

Michael Fulmer (SP, DET) - 5% Owned

After the failure of the hyped Twins and Athetics pitching prospects earlier this month, it is nice to see an AL pitching prospect experience some Major League success, even if it's just two starts. After his second through fourth starts of his career were duds, starting pitcher Michael Fulmer showed up in a big way in his last start against the Majors' current home run leaders, the Rays. Over seven innings, he limited them to one run on four hits and a walk, striking out 11. Consistency isn't his strong suit at the moment, but Fulmer brings enough potential as the Tigers' top prospect to be worth a roster space.

Ivan Nova (SP, NYY) - 5% Owned

Starting pitcher Ivan Nova has been great since taking over the rotation spot of oft-injured starter C.C. Sabathia. In his three starts so far, he has given up one run in each, walking two and striking out eight along the way. Other than in walks--where he is allowing far less--Nova is producing right along his career norms and appears primed to return to the land of double digit wins. But with an ERA of 5.65 in the past two seasons, he'll have his work cut out for him to stay near his 4.28 career mark or produce his third season under 4.00. Current results say he's up for the task.

Sam Dyson (RP, TEX) - 10% Owned

Texas' new closer Sam Dyson has not missed a beat since inheriting the role from Shawn Tolleson earlier this month. He already has four saves since his first on May 11th. Houston gave him a headache during one of those saves, scoring a run off of two hits, but he was still able to close the door. As Tolleson was simply a pleasant surprise and not an established closer, the Rangers have no obligation to reinstall him when he recovers. Look for Dyson to run with this gig all season, putting up average closer stats.

Michael Feliz (RP, HOU) - 1% Owned

Relief pitcher Michael Feliz makes the list week despite having a 5.29 ERA on the season. But outside of two disasterous appearances in April that saw him allow nine runs in 5.1 innings, he has been absolutely bonkers. In 11.2 innings in May, Feliz has a 0.77 ERA, 0.26 WHIP and 19 strikeouts. He should be used in all AL-only leagues while he's hot, especially on teams with ERA and WHIP bloat from bad starters.

Luke Hochevar (RP, KC) - 2% Owned

Since opening May with a terrible appearance against the Nationals, relief pitcher Luke Hochevar has pitched eight scoreless innings in a row, picking up five holds and 13 strikeouts along the way. He's now sitting at 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 24 strikeouts on the season. Since fizzling out as a starter, Hochevar has been a fantastic reliever for AL-only teams. With so many struggling starters out there, don't be afraid to seek some relief.

 

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Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
P.J. Washington

Doubtful Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Questionable Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Available Thursday
Corey Kispert

Hawks Land Corey Kispert
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

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