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Shaun's FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and bidding guide for Week 24 (September 8 - September 14). His recommended FAAB dollars to spend on waiver wire adds.
The fantasy baseball playoffs are here, and every lineup decision matters more than ever. At this stage of the season, there’s no time to wait on struggling veterans or stash speculative players with uncertain roles. Instead, success comes from finding the hottest bats and most favorable matchups to squeeze out every possible edge. Fortunately, several under-rostered hitters are peaking at just the right time to help managers advance.
Catcher remains one of the thinnest positions in fantasy, yet two intriguing options—Luis Torrens of the Mets and Kyle Teel of the White Sox—are delivering power and run production when managers need it most. Meanwhile, corner infielders like Ryan Mountcastle and Kyle Manzardo have surged at the plate, offering a mix of power upside and streaming value. These are the types of players who can swing a playoff round with one big weekend.
Beyond the corner bats, there’s sneaky depth across the diamond. Otto Lopez and Caleb Durbin are versatile middle infielders providing balanced contributions, while Colson Montgomery and Jeremiah Jackson offer high-upside power at shallow positions. Outfielders like Luis Matos, Daulton Varsho, and Gavin Sheets bring late-season hot streaks and favorable matchups that can decide close categories. If you’re searching for the next impact bat to push your team deeper into the playoffs, these waiver-wire targets deserve a close look.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters to Target
Luis Torrens, C, New York Mets
1% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10% if you need a catcher
Luis Torrens has quickly established himself as the Mets’ everyday catcher and is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. Over the past two weeks, Torrens is slashing .357 with three home runs and 13 RBI, giving New York a much-needed boost of offense behind the plate. That kind of production at catcher is rare and has solidified his role in the Mets’ lineup.
Gary and Keith on the call for Luis Torrens' home run in the fourth inning! 🎙️
Keith signaled home run from the booth 😂 pic.twitter.com/i5r4v62br3
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 3, 2025
For fantasy managers, Torrens provides excellent short-term value, particularly for teams in need of HR and RBI. While his long-term consistency remains uncertain, his volume of at-bats and current hot streak make him a must-grab for teams seeking immediate production.
Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox
18% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15% if you need a catcher
Last week, we highlighted Kyle Teel’s rise as a breakout star for the White Sox, and his fantasy value only continues to grow. Despite his strong production, Teel remains available in a large percentage of leagues, making him one of the most glaring pickups on the wire. The young catcher has added a pair of home runs this week and remains a focal point in Chicago’s improving lineup.
Through 191 at-bats this season, Teel has tallied six home runs, three stolen bases, and an impressive slash line of .293/.390/.440. For a position that often struggles to provide consistent offense, Teel’s blend of power, speed, and on-base ability makes him a must-add before it’s too late.
Other C to consider: Patrick Bailey, SF
Ryan Mountcastle, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
26% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
Ryan Mountcastle has been locked in at the plate, riding a six-game hitting streak that has produced a .407 average over that span. During this run, he has added one home run, seven RBI, and six runs scored while holding down first base for the Orioles. That production has made him one of the hottest under-the-radar hitters in fantasy formats.
Despite the surge, Mountcastle remains rostered in just 26% of leagues, giving fantasy managers an immediate opportunity to capitalize. His bat should stay hot this weekend as Baltimore faces Toronto’s rotation of Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and Max Scherzer—all of whom currently sport ERAs over four.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Cleveland Guardians
17% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo has caught fire at the plate, launching four home runs over the past week and cementing himself as one of the top waiver wire adds heading into Week 24. With 25 long balls on the season, Manzardo brings as much raw power as any bat still available in most leagues.
Despite his upside, managers should be mindful of the trade-off. Manzardo is hitting just .232 and carries a 25.7% strikeout rate, making him a volatile play if you need to boost your batting average. Still, for fantasy teams in need of a boost at first base, his power makes him worth the gamble.
Other 1B to consider: Dominic Smith SF, Oswald Peraza LAA
Otto Lopez, 2B/SS, Miami Marlins
19% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
Miami Marlins infielder Otto Lopez continues to provide sneaky value for fantasy managers in need of middle infield depth. Over his last six games, Lopez has gone 8-for-22 with one home run, a stolen base, and four RBI, showing his ability to contribute across multiple categories. That production has earned him a steady role in Miami’s lineup.
On the season, Lopez owns a .245/.316/.363 slash line with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases, giving him useful pop and speed for deeper formats. Gradually heating up over the past month, Lopez makes for a strong plug-in option if you’re replacing injured players or underperforming starters.
Other 2Bs to consider: Brett Baty NYM, Blaze Alexander AZ
Colson Montgomery, 3B/SS, Chicago White Sox
40% rostered
FAAB Bid: 20%
Chicago White Sox third baseman Colson Montgomery continues to be one of the most under-rostered power bats in fantasy baseball. Despite being owned in just 40% of leagues, Montgomery boasts an 8.5% home run rate and a slash line of .227/.288/.547. In just over two months since his call-up, he’s already launched 17 home runs, an impressive feat considering he didn’t hit his first until July 22.
Montgomery’s rapid adjustment to big-league pitching and steady power output make him a difference-maker at a shallow third base position. He should be rostered universally and started in all formats as a reliable source of power down the stretch.
.@WhiteSox rookie Colson Montgomery is tied for the most homers in the AL since the All-Star break 😤
(MLB x @PureLifeUS) pic.twitter.com/8GIAgquZbm
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2025
Caleb Durbin, 2B/3B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin has quietly developed into a useful fantasy piece, providing balanced production across multiple categories. On the season, he has tallied 10 home runs, 12 stolen bases, 52 runs scored, and 47 RBI, giving managers steady contributions without excelling in just one area. That versatility makes him an appealing depth option for rosters battling injuries or inconsistency.
Durbin is currently rostered in only 15% of leagues, leaving him widely available as a sneaky plug-and-play add. A weekend matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals gives him a chance to close out the week strong and continue delivering underrated value.
Other 3B to consider: Jared Triolo PIT, Blaze Alexander AZ
Jeremiah Jackson, 3B/SS/OF, Baltimore Orioles
34% rostered
FAAB Bid: 15%
Jeremiah Jackson has quickly emerged as a fantasy asset, swatting three home runs across his last five games while carving out a prominent role in Baltimore’s lineup. The 25-year-old recently saw his 13-game hit streak snapped, but he now finds himself batting second in a surging lineup, giving him steady run and RBI opportunities. His multi-category production makes him one of the most appealing under-rostered hitters in fantasy.
Jeremiah Jackson = absolute hitting machine.
The 25-year-old's 3rd home run of his 27-game MLB career gives the #Orioles a 3-2 lead over Padres in 5th.
Jackson is hitting .333 (32-for-96) with an .875 OPS. pic.twitter.com/i5mP3Aca4w
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) September 2, 2025
Through his first 29 big-league games, Jackson owns a .321/.351/.519 slash line, and his fantasy value is boosted by positional flexibility—he currently qualifies at shortstop and outfield, with third base eligibility coming soon. Rostered in just 34% of leagues, Jackson is a must-add before he’s gone.
Other SS to consider: Andruw Monasterio MIL, Caleb Durbin MIL, Blaze Alexander ARI
Luis Matos, OF, San Francisco Giants
11% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Matos has been on a tear, launching three home runs over the past two weeks to bring his season total to eight. During his last 12 games, Matos has posted a scorching .400 average while adding 11 runs, eight RBI, and two stolen bases. That level of across-the-board production makes him a valuable waiver wire option for fantasy managers seeking a late-season boost.
Matos has bounced between the majors and Triple-A this year, but he appears to have finally carved out a consistent role in San Francisco’s lineup, starting 12 of the team’s last 14 games. Rostered in just 11% of leagues, he’s a strong add before his availability disappears.
Daulton Varsho, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
18% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho has caught fire, homering in three straight games while going 5-for-12 at the plate during that span. The surge comes at a perfect time for fantasy managers, as Varsho looks poised to provide late-season value in deeper formats. His recent run of power has re-established him as a viable streaming option, especially given his role against right-handed pitchers in a first-place lineup.
Looking ahead, Varsho draws favorable matchups against Houston right-handers Cristian Javier and Jason Alexander, with Alexander allowing a 4.2% home run rate this season. He’ll then face Orioles arms Dean Kremer (4.52 ERA) and Tomoyuki Sugano (4.41 ERA), giving him a chance to extend his hot streak.
Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF, San Diego Padres
24% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15%
San Diego Padres slugger Sheets is one of the hottest waiver-wire bats available, and his timing could not be better for fantasy managers battling through the playoffs. Over the past month, Sheets has been locked in, hitting .368 with three home runs while providing steady run production in the middle of San Diego’s lineup. That momentum sets the stage for a juicy late-week matchup against the Colorado Rockies, a pitching staff he has already demolished this season.
In five games versus Colorado, Sheets owns a blistering .450/.500/.900 slash line with three doubles and two home runs across just 20 at-bats. Few players sitting on waivers can match that level of production, especially in a playoff environment where one hot streak can decide a matchup. Rostered in just 24% of leagues, Sheets is a must-add across all formats and has the potential to carry teams toward a championship.
Other OFs to consider: Drew Gilbert SF, Andrew Benintendi CHW, Trevor Larnach MIN
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers to Target
Jose Soriano, SP, Los Angeles Angels
53% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15%
José Soriano is quietly emerging as one of the best streaming options available for fantasy playoff lineups. The 26-year-old right-hander has been nearly untouchable in his last two outings, tossing 12 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rangers and Astros. His recent form shows improved command and the ability to generate swings and misses, making him a legitimate asset down the stretch.
On Wednesday, Soriano draws a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Twins, a club currently in the bottom third of MLB in runs scored. The Twins have dropped four straight games and have just won three of their last 10, highlighting an offense that can be exploited by hot pitching. For managers in need of a playoff streamer, Soriano offers both floor and ceiling in this spot. He should be rostered wherever available and started with confidence against Minnesota.
Kyle Bradish, SP, Baltimore Orioles
35% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12%
Kyle Bradish has quickly worked his way back into fantasy relevance and offers strong streaming appeal for playoff managers this week. The Orioles right-hander has looked sharp in his two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, striking out 15 batters across 10 innings while posting a 3.60 ERA. That strikeout upside alone makes him a valuable spot starter in competitive playoff matchups.
Bradish’s next outing comes Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, one of the weakest lineups in baseball. The Pirates rank near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories and provide a soft landing spot for Bradish to continue building momentum. While Baltimore does not plan to give him a second turn through the rotation next week, this single start could be enough to tilt a fantasy playoff matchup. For managers streaming pitchers, Bradish is a worthwhile gamble in a premium matchup.
Other SPs to consider: Matthew Liberatore STL, Justin Verlander SF, Brandon Ashcraft PIT
Fernando Cruz, RP, New York Yankees
9% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10%
Fernando Cruz has quietly emerged as a valuable late-inning option for the Yankees and a sneaky add for fantasy playoff matchups. Since returning from the injured list on August 26, Cruz has been dominant, recording four holds with 10 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings while posting a 1.35 ERA. His high-velocity and swing-and-miss arsenal has given New York another trusted bullpen weapon at a time when every game matters for playoff positioning.
For fantasy managers in leagues that count holds, Cruz should be on the radar as a high-impact reliever capable of stabilizing ratios while chipping in strikeouts. Even in standard formats, his strong run prevention and ability to work in high-leverage spots can provide sneaky value down the stretch. With the Yankees leaning on him heavily in late innings, Cruz is worth a speculative pickup in deeper leagues for managers searching for bullpen help during the fantasy playoffs.
Other RP to consider for saves: Dennis Santana PIT, Jose A. Ferrer WAS
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Monitor
Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Boston Red Sox
156% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Kristian Campbell remains a strong stash option in deeper formats and dynasty leagues, and his September performance has only strengthened the case. The versatile 2B/OF is 5-for-13 this month with a double, a triple, and a home run, continuing to show his blend of gap power and sneaky pop at the plate. His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him an intriguing candidate for late-season playing time in Boston.
While Nathaniel Lowe’s emergence had clouded Campbell’s short-term outlook, recent developments may push him back into the picture. With top prospect Roman Anthony sidelined by an oblique injury, the Red Sox have a natural opportunity to give Campbell another chance in the lineup as they push toward the postseason. He may not hold immediate redraft value unless promoted, but in dynasty and keeper formats, Campbell’s offensive upside and improving role make him a worthwhile speculative add at minimal cost.
Other prospects to monitor: J.J. Wetherholt STL
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
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