RADIO
Andy's FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and bidding guide for Week 22 (August 25 - August 31). His recommended FAAB dollars to spend on waiver wire adds.
Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! This past week, we have seen many top prospects not only get the call to the big leagues but also make a massive impact, including two budding talents in Baltimore. On the pitching side, we also saw a top prospect get the call, but in a surprising role.
Our series about FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups continues as we head into Week 22 of the 2025 MLB season -- August 25 through August 31. This waiver wire article will recommend free agents to target and how much FAAB you should allocate for them.
Each week, I will break down at least one player from each position with ownership percentages under 40 percent in Yahoo! leagues who could improve your roster and provide you with an added boost in several categories. Be sure to follow RotoBaller MLB and me on X for all your fantasy baseball needs this season. Let's get to it!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
- Daily MLB starting lineups
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
- Fantasy baseball injury reports
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters to Target
Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Baltimore Orioles
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <25%
Fresh off an eight-year contract extension, the top catching prospect in the game has a clear path to an everyday role in Baltimore with Adley Rutschman (oblique) hitting the 10-day injured list. Over his first five games in the majors, Basallo has held a .250 AVG with a modest .607 OPS.
However, if available, he should be a prime target given his elite .270/.377/.589 line he held through 76 games with the Norfolk Tides in the first half.
See any similarities between Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo and Salvador Perez? 👀 pic.twitter.com/WlzhZtxsIv
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 22, 2025
Adrian Del Castillo, C, Arizona Diamondbacks
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5% in two-catcher leagues
Del Castillo made my column last week, and even with Gabriel Moreno back in action, he has continued to hit, which has kept him in the starting nine. Over his last 12 games, the young backstop has held a strong .278/.333/.556 line with four doubles and two home runs.
While it appears the 25-year-old could be an intriguing breakout pick for the second half, he could even be in danger of losing playing time to Moreno if he were to hit a slump. For now, he is a solid target in two-catcher leagues but should remain on the waiver wire in one-catcher leagues.
Other C to consider: Dillon Dingler DET, Kyle Teel CWS
Warming Bernabel, 1B/3B, Colorado Rockies
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8%
Warming Bernabel made a big splash when he made his MLB debut earlier in July, launching three home runs with a 1.553 OPS. However, after going 6-for-41 over 11 games at the start of the month, many managers cut ties with the 23-year-old.
However, Bernabel has begun to turn the corner, holding a .364/.440/.545 line with an impressive. 985 OPS over his last eight games. He carries an elite .300 xBA under the hood, which suggests his recent production can be sustainable over the final month of the regular season.
C.J. Kayfus, 1B/OF, Cleveland Guardians
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12%
The 23-year-old has continued to impress during his first stint in the major leagues. Through 17 games, the first baseman/outfielder has held a solid .770 OPS with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, and two stolen bases.
Earlier in the season at Triple-A, Kayfus posted a .283/.367/.526 line 14 doubles, 13 home runs, and two stolen bases. Given his everyday role in the starting nine, he is a solid target at corner infield and outfield to produce in multiple categories.
Other 1B to consider: Ryan O'Hearn SD, Lenyn Sosa CWS, Samuel Basallo BAL
Brett Baty, 2B/3B, New York Mets
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Brett Baty has been one of the most productive hitters in the majors over the past two weeks. In his last 10 games, Baty has posted an elite .405/.450/.757 line with four round-trippers and a stolen base.
Overall, Baty sits with a .249/.307/.443 line. However, his 84th percentile barrel rate and 83rd percentile bat speed suggest his power production should continue to surge in the second half.
Other 2Bs to consider: Lenyn Sosa CWS, Brooks Lee MIN
Brooks Lee, 2B/3B/SS, Minnesota Twins
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <6%
Entering Saturday, Lee has only gone hitless once over his last nine games. During this dominant run, the former top prospect has held a .323/.432/.677 line with three doubles, two home runs, and a 4:6 K:BB.
However, unlike Baty's surge, Lee may not have the most sustainable production. Under the hood, the Cal Poly product carries a .205 xwOBA with a .250 xBA, both of which are well below the average marks. While he is worth a look to ride the hot hand, do not blow your budget here.
Lenyn Sosa, 1B/2B/3B, Chicago White Sox
20% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15%
Lenyn Sosa is shaping up to be the top waiver wire pick for the stretch run. Over his last 22 games, Sosa has been swinging an awfully hot bat, posting a .302/.344/.581 line with eight home runs. While Sosa is not a target for stolen base production, he is a legit option when looking to boost the other four standard categories.
The 25-year-old currently carries a .284 xBA with an elite 39.3% LA sweet-spot%. With a clear role typically batting at the top of the lineup and above-average metrics, Sosa is a must-add this weekend.
Other 3B to consider: Brett Baty NYM
Carson Williams, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
The top prospect Tampa Bay wasted little time making an impact as he launched a home run in his MLB debut on Friday evening. While Williams has struggled at times at Triple-A, especially in terms of his strikeout rate, the shortstop possesses elite power upside.
Through his final 10 games with Durham before earning the call to the majors, Williams launched five long balls but held a 28.6% K rate. He is an excellent option if you need power in your middle infield spot in roto leagues, but he is best to add with caution in points formats.
Other SS to consider: Blaze Alexander ARI, Brooks Lee MIN
Dylan Beavers, OF, Baltimore Orioles
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12%
Another prospect who was recently promoted to the majors was Dylan Beavers of the Baltimore Orioles. Over his first six games in Baltimore, the outfielder has posted a .300/.481/.500 line with a double and a home run.
With Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano both being traded to San Diego before the trade deadline, Beavers should face minimal competition for an everyday role in the starting nine.
Dylan Beavers' first career homer was a no-doubter 😮 pic.twitter.com/QynZNczxBx
— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2025
Mike Yastrzemski, OF, Kansas City Royals
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <7% in five-outfielder leagues
The 35-year-old was a quiet acquisition by the Royals at the deadline but has made a surprisingly significant impact. The left-handed hitter has started in every game against right-handed pitching since joining Kansas City and has typically been found at the top of the lineup, in front of Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez.
During these 16 games, Yastrzemski has held a .246/.348/.579 line with four doubles and five home runs. Since he is in a strict platoon, he will carry the most value in daily lineup formats.
Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, Boston Red Sox
8% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
The 22-year-old made his MLB debut on Friday evening and went 0-for-3 with a walk. Despite the quiet debut, fantasy managers should look to scoop up Garcia off the waiver wire in deeper five-outfielder leagues.
With Wilyer Abreu (calf) shifting to the 10-day IL, Garcia should have a clear role for the time being. Earlier this season, Garcia flashed high upside at Triple-A, holding a .303/.367/.564 line with 17 home runs in just 66 games.
Other OFs to consider: Ryan O'Hearn SD, Owen Caissie CHC
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers to Target
Mick Abel, SP, Minnesota Twins
20% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
Mick Abel received a call from St. Paul before their Saturday contest against the Chicago White Sox. In this outing, Abel stumbled, serving up six runs through his first three innings.
Before this promotion, Abel looked nothing short of dominant during his first taste of action at Triple-A, with Minnesota. Through three starts in St. Paul, Abel held a 1.76 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP. Despite his rough outing on Saturday, Abel has shown significant growth at Triple-A and is worth adding in deeper formats.
Ryan Bergert, SP, Kansas City Royals
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Since joining the Royals at the start of the month, Bergert has quietly put together a strong stretch on the bump. Through four outings, the right-hander has posted an impressive 2.82 ERA with a stellar 0.94 WHIP. During these 22 1/3 innings, Bergert has struck out 22 hitters and only walked six.
While his 4.21 xERA suggests he should take a bit of a step back, he remains a solid depth starting pitcher to add to your rotation for the stretch run.
Other SPs to consider: Chris Paddack DET
Jose A. Ferrer, RP, Washington Nationals
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15% if needing saves
The target for saves is quite clear this week. The 25-year-old locked down three saves in his last three outings (entering Saturday) and has gone 4-for-4 on save opportunities and added a hold over his previous 8 1/3 innings. During this stretch, Ferrer has held a 1.08 WHIP and not allowed a run.
While his 39th percentile K% is not overly impressive, he will continue to be the clear ninth-inning option in D.C. for the remainder of the season.
Bubba Chandler, SP/RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
35% rostered
FAAB Bid: <13%
After months of waiting, the top right-handed pitching prospect in the sport finally made his MLB debut this past week. On Friday, Chandler entered the game as a long reliever and tossed four shutout innings en route to earning a save. He allowed only two hits to the Rockies and struck out three hitters. More importantly, he did not allow a walk.
While his production at Triple-A in the second half was concerning, he appears to have found a second gear. He is a top target despite not having a defined role in the starting rotation.
Since saves became an official stat in 1969, Bubba Chandler is the first Pirate to earn a save in his MLB debut.
He is also one of just four Major League pitchers to earn a 4.0-inning save in his debut. pic.twitter.com/qCWCZxvWsP
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 23, 2025
Other RP to consider for saves Dennis Santana PIT
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Monitor
Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Boston Red Sox
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <3%
With names like Beavers, Garcia, Basallo, and Chandler earning the call, this section is suddenly looking quite empty. However, two names are still worth closely monitoring: Kristian Campbell and Andrew Painter.
Campbell has continued to stay hot at Triple-A and remains in the mix to join Boston for the stretch run. Since August 1, Campbell has posted a .268/.358/.408 line with four doubles, two home runs, and two stolen bases.
Other prospects to monitor: Andrew Painter PHI
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
