👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


Digging Deeper: Week 9 NL Waiver Wire Targets

Welcome back to our Week 9 edition of Digging Deeper, our weekly column where we will focus on deep league waiver wire options. My counterpart Tom Bellucco will be handling the American League while I focus on the National League.

For those that have played in limited size leagues, you are well aware that at-bats and innings are the precious commodities. You are not going to find a top-100 player on the wire at any point this season. In fact, top-150 is a stretch. And as the year goes on, the options are going to get uglier and uglier.

Players in shallow standard formats who are here because they love fantasy baseball (thanks for reading!) will find some of these players apprehensive. But at the end of the day at-bats and innings are key, and that's where our attention will be.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

Digging Deeper: Week 9 Pickups - NL

Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is known as the tipping point for fantasy, in which hot starts begin to turn into breakthrough seasons and distinguished players who haven't put it together get sent to the waiver wire.

 

Arodys Vizcaino (SP, SD) - 12% owned in Y! Leagues

There is no standout pitcher to begin this week, so let's shift to the closer carousal. As the month turns to June the hot stove should begin to warm up, and closers/standout relievers are worth a pretty penny. The Braves are not contending this year and Jim Johnson (1 year/$2.5M) is going to be a prime candidate given his closer and set-up experience. This will open the door for last year's closer, Arodys Vizcaino, to take his role back. Vizcaino has been excellent in the set-up role, compiling a 2.11 ERA and 24/7 K/BB in 21.1 innings. He's a two-pitch reliever, featuring a fastball that sits at 98 mph and a heavy curveball. He's an excellent add for save-needy owners.

Trevor Williams (SP, PIT) - 0% owned in Y! Leagues

Williams is one of the pitchers where his stuff doesn't equal his stats. Williams has a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP while his soft ball contact is up and his line drive rate is down. He also has been doing well at limiting base runners since stepping into a starting role. In his past four starts (21.2 IP) Williams has a 3.32 ERA and 13/3 K/BB. He's worth a start his next time out versus the struggling Mets.

Randall Delgado (SP/RP, ARI) - 1% owned in Y! Leagues

This is a one-time buy, but it's worth investing. Delgado started in place of Taijuan Walker on Memorial Day and was fantastic, pitching 5.2 innings and limited the Pirates to one run. He struck out eight and walked none. Delgado has been excellent out of the Diamondbacks bullpen, posting a 35/6 K/BB through 36 innings. Keep in mind Delgado was originally a Braves starter when he was a central piece to the Justin Upton trade. Delgado gets the Marlins on Saturday and will be worth holding onto should Walker experience another setback.

Allen Cordoba (OF, SD) - 1% owned in Y! Leagues

Yes, the Padres are a wasteland for offense. BUT -- everyone likes at-bats, and that's what we get from Cordoba. Cordoba has settled into the leadoff role with Manuel Margot (calf) on the disabled list and been a hitting machine. In his past 43 at-bats, he is hitting .349. The issue -- he only has three runs, one RBI, and a steal. He's purely an average play, but at-bats are scarce in NL-leagues so give him a shot.

Chase Utley (2B/3B, LAD) - 2% owned in Y! Leagues

What year is it? Utley, 38, looks like the MVP-version recently, providing a spark for the NL-West leading Dodgers. In his past five games, Utley is hitting 7-for-20 (.350) with three home runs, six RBI, and a steal for good measure. Dave Roberts has gotten creative with his lineup, inserting Utley, Chris Taylor, and Logan Forsythe at various positions to keep their bats in the lineup. Whatever he's doing, it's working. Utley is a good short-term add while he stays hot.

Chase d'Arnaud (2B/SS/3B/OF, SD) - 0% owned in Y! Leagues

Another Padre? It may look unappealing but NL-only leagues take what we can get, and it looks like d'Arnaud just got the shortstop job in San Diego. d'Arnaud, 30, has been a swiss-army bench weapon at each MLB stop but given Erick Aybar's struggles (.196/.273/.311) he may have a full-time role. d'Arnaud isn't a MLB-bat, but he does have speed including two steals this past week.  He's now started four of the past five games and should see playing time going forward. If you need speed, this is a good option.

 

Previously Discussed Players

Tim Adleman (SP, CIN)

Aaron Altherr (OF, PHI)

Christian Arroyo (SS/3B, SFG)

Jacob Barnes (RP, MIL)

Cody Bellinger (1B/OF, LAD)

Joaquin Benoit (RP, PHI)

Ty Blach (SP, SFG)

Eddie Butler (SP, CHC)

Gregor Blanco (OF, ARI)

Archie Bradley (SP/RP, ARI)

Jarred Cosart (SP, SD)

Jorge De La Rosa (SP/RP, ARI)

Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, NYM)

Adam Frazier (2B/3B/SS/OF, PIT)

Amir Garrett (SP, CIN)

Zack Godley (SP, ARI)

Austin Hedges (C, SD)

Gorkys Hernandez (OF, SFG)

Kike Hernandez (SS/OF, LAD)

John Jaso (1B/OF, PIT)

Corey Kneubel (RP, MIL)

Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD)

Michael Lorenzen (SP/RP, CIN)

Jose Martinez (1B/OF , STL)

Tommy Pham (OF, STL)

Felipe Rivero (RP, PIT)

Miguel Rojas (2B/SS, MIA)

Joe Ross (SP, WAS)

Rio Ruiz (3B, ATL)

Antonio Senzatela (SP, COL)

Eric Sogard (2B/3B, MIL)

Cory Spangenberg (2B/3B/OF, SD)

Ross Stripling (SP, LAD)

Michael Taylor (OF, WAS)

Alex Wood (SP, LA)

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jonathon Brooks

a Dynasty RB to Target Despite Injury History?
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Tyler Allgeier

Currently in a Dynasty Buy Window Amid Rollercoaster Offseason
A.J. Brown

Timing Becoming Key to Acquiring A.J. Brown in Dynasty
Quentin Johnston

Is Quentin Johnston on the Verge of a Dynasty Breakout?
Jahmyr Gibbs

Is Jahmyr Gibbs the Dynasty RB1?
Isaiah Likely

The Long-Called-For Isaiah Likely Breakout Could Finally Arrive in 2026
Duncan Robinson

Nets 14 Points With Four Triples
Cade Cunningham

Contributes 21 Points in Game 6 Win
Jalen Duren

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Anthony Edwards

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 24 Points
Victor Wembanyama

Tallies 19 Points in Friday's Win
De'Aaron Fox

Highly Effective in Blowout Win
Stephon Castle

Shines in Series-Clincher
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
Austin Reaves

Could Command $40M Per Year With New Contract
Jalen Duren

Available to Finish Game 6
Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Not Expected to Be Ready for Start of Next Season
Jalen Williams

Declares Himself Healthy for Conference Finals
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Will Play Friday Night
Kevin Huerter

is Available for Game 6
Duncan Robinson

is Returning for Game 6
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 6 on Friday
OG Anunoby

Practices in Full on Friday
Terrence Shannon Jr.

is Tagged as Questionable for Friday
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Luther Burden III

Does Luther Burden III Have WR1 Dynasty Upside in Chicago?
MarShawn Lloyd

Can MarShawn Lloyd Emerge as a Top Dynasty Handcuff Option?
Emanuel Wilson

Can Emanuel Wilson Carve Out a Consistent Role in Seattle?
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
Jaylin Noel

Playing-Time Outlook in Houston Remains Unclear
Dylan Sampson

Role in Cleveland Looks Secure Heading into 2026
Kirk Cousins

' Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Las Vegas
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
George Holani

Dynasty Outlook Remains Cloudy
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kendre Miller

Quickly Fading From Fantasy Relevance
Keon Coleman

Is Keon Coleman a Hopeless Dynasty Asset?
Marvin Harrison Jr.

a Buy-Low Candidate in Dynasty Formats
Hollywood Brown

a Cut Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?
Darnell Mooney

Barely Inside Top-100 WR Dynasty Rankings
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Christian Kirk

Can Christian Kirk Revive his Career in Bay Area?
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
Brashard Smith

Destined to Become Special Teams Player?
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Ben Sinnott

Dynasty Value Hindered by Free-Agent TE Addition
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Karl-Anthony Towns

Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
Jalen Duren

Determined to Improve
Kevin Huerter

Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Caris LeVert

Considered Questionable for Friday
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Matt Boldy

Posts Two Assists in Season-Ending Loss
Scott Wedgewood

Perfect in Relief Effort
Martin Necas

Records Another Multi-Point Game
Brett Kulak

Sends Avalanche Into Conference Finals
Brayden McNabb

Suspended for One Game
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
Juan Soto

Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury
Pete Fairbanks

Returns From Injured List
Christian Yelich

Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night
Nathan MacKinnon

Chasing History Wednesday
Ryan Poehling

Won't Be an Option for Game 6
Robby Snelling

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
Francisco Alvarez

Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
Max Fried

Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF