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Andy's FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and bidding guide for Week 2 (April 7 - April 13). His recommended FAAB dollars to spend on waiver wire adds.
The baseball season is officially underway, and there is no better time to look to the waiver wire to improve your team. Our series about FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups continues as we head into Week 2 of the 2025 MLB season -- April 7th through April 13th. This waiver wire article will recommend free agents to target, and how much FAAB you should allocate for them.
Even though the season has just begun, being aggressive on the waiver wire is critical. Throughout the early weeks, several managers will drop players out of frustration due to poor performance or even injury that could still hold value later on. This week, we will look at a must-add breakout pitcher and a catcher who has begun to flash high-upside power.
Each week, I will break down at least one player from each position with ownership percentages under 40% in Yahoo! leagues who could improve your roster and provide you with an added boost in several categories. Let's get to it!
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Waiver Wire Hitters To Target
Hunter Goodman C/OF, Colorado Rockies
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15% if needing a No. 2 catcher, <10% for others
Hunter Goodman has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign. Through his first five contests, he has tallied at least one hit in each and has tallied three doubles and two round-trippers. During this stretch, he has tallied three RBI and three runs.
Even though he has seen four of his stats behind the plate, given how well he has hit the ball, do not be surprised if the Rockies begin to find opportunities to play the outfield during his "rest day" from catching. He is a must-target even if you have a stable No. 1 catcher. If Goodman is available in your two-catcher league, do not be afraid to spend.
Other C to consider: Sean Murphy, ATL
Ben Rice, 1B, New York Yankees
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <9%
Ben Rice was featured in my piece last week, and I hope you were able to acquire him at a discount because his price is certainly higher this week. After tallying a hit on Opening Day, Rice has gone on two starts in each of their previous three games (March 30 - April 2) and has tallied four total hits with two long balls.
Rice should continue to have an everyday role on the strong side of a platoon, seeing time at either first base or as a designated hitter. His swing is well suited for Yankee Stadium, given the short porch in right field.
Ben Rice did homer though so that's nice pic.twitter.com/paBIjj74Eq
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 2, 2025
Other 1B to consider: Andrew Vaughn, CWS
Jonathan Aranda, 1B/2B, Tampa Bay Rays
7% rostered
FAAB Bid: <5%
Similar to Rice, Jonathan Aranda will likely be riding pine when the Rays are facing southpaws. However, given how well he hits right-handed pitching, that should not deter you from targeting him this weekend. Through his first five games, Aranda has posted an impressive .417/.500/.750 slash line with four doubles and a 2:4 BB:K.
Last summer, Aranda posted a strong .450 SLG when facing right-handed pitching. He generated a stellar .362 xwOBA and a .518 xSLG. The 26-year-old also carries additional lineup flexibility given his ability to slot in at first and second base.
Max Muncy, 2B/SS, Athletics
1% rostered
FAAB Bid: <1%
While another Athletics infield prospect may be stealing the headlines (more on him later), Max Muncy has continued to see consistent time in the starting nine. With Zack Gelof (wrist) on the 10-day IL and expected to miss several weeks, Muncy has become the top second baseman for the Athletics.
Even though he has only tallied three hits over his first seven games, he will continue to see everyday opportunities that are valuable in deeper formats. In addition, last summer, Muny was productive at Triple-A (.277/.374/.491) and may need a few more weeks to truly turn the corner in the big leagues.
Other 2B to consider: Gavin Lux, CIN
Jose Miranda, 1B/3B, Minnesota Twins
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <1%
Due to the several injuries in the Minnesota infield, primarily to Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back), Jose Miranda has seen starting opportunities at both corners of the infield. He has had a slow start to the campaign, tallying just three hits in five contests. This is a great opportunity to acquire him at a low bid.
Last summer, Miranda was dominant against right-handed pitching, posting a stellar .313/.356/.600 slash line. Expect the 26-year-old to break out of his skid very soon.
Other 3B to consider: Jorge Polanco, SEA and Joey Ortiz, MIL
Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
8% rostered
FAAB Bid: <19% if needing AVG, <15% for others
Another name that is repeated from last week is Jacob Wilson. I am surprised at how widely available Wilson is. All he has done in his hit during his second taste of the big leagues. Wilson has tallied at least one hit in each of his first seven games of the regular season.
During this impressive start, the former first-round selection has posted a strong .375/.375/.542 slash line. While he has typically been placed in the nine-hole, the Athletics may begin to explore the idea of him batting earlier, especially if he continues this production. He has a career .423 across both Double-A and Triple-A. He is a must-add this weekend.
Jacob Wilson racks up the first three-hit game of his Major League career.
The @Athletics' top-ranked prospect has tallied a knock in all seven games this season. pic.twitter.com/lOYUksCLKT
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 2, 2025
Other SS to consider: Kike Hernandez, LAD
Gavin Sheets, OF, San Diego Padres
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <4% if needing a depth OF, <1% for others
Gavin Sheets has been in the San Diego starting nine in each game they have faced a right-handed pitcher. During the opening week, Sheets has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport, holding a .444/.474/.722 slash line with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI.
While Sheets only posted a modest .679 OPS against right-handed pitching last season, fantasy managers in deeper formats looking to ride the hot hand should put a relatively small bid on Sheets.
Jake Mangum, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
6% rostered
FAAB Bid: <6%
After sitting out in the first two games of the season, Jake Mangum has become an everyday player in the starting nine with Josh Lowe (oblique) on the injured list. Through four games, Mangum has swiped two bags and held an impressive .553/563/.667 slash line. He has tallied two doubles and brought in four runs.
Mangum spent the entire 2024 season at Triple-A, posting an impressive .317/.357/.442 line with 37 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases. Given his ability to steal bags and potentially larger share opportunities with Lowe sidelined, I would place a higher bid on him than the previously mentioned Sheets.
Other OF to consider: Alan Roden, TOR and JJ Bleday, ATH
Waiver Wire Pitchers To Target
Kris Bubic, SP, Kansas City Royals
25% rostered
FAAB Bid: <18%
Bubic made my column last week, and I really hope you were able to acquire it before his masterclass season debut. Even if you did not, he is still available in over 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues. In his season debut, Bubic tossed six shutout innings and allowed just three hits. He tallied eight punchouts and only served up two walks.
Last season, Bubic pitched out of the bullpen and tallied 37 punchouts across 30 1/3 innings to the tune of a strong 2.67 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. The 27-year-old carries immense strikeout upside as he appears to have taken a significant step forward in his development. Get ready to spend big!
Kris Bubic made his return to the rotation today in style as he struck out 8 in 6.0 scoreless IP
Bubic was an elite bullpen arm last season and his stuff translated well as a starter. His fastball was unhittable he included a lot of weak contact
His breakout season has started! pic.twitter.com/VZ5JVCfgY1
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 31, 2025
Jordan Hicks, SP, San Francisco Giants
12% rostered
FAAB Bid: <9%
My other starting pitcher to highlight is Jordan Hicks. Hicks showed flashes as a starting pitcher last season but could never find any extended stretches of success. However, Hicks proved many wrong in his season debut on March 31 when he tossed six innings of one-hit ball against the Houston Astros. He did not allow a run and posted a 2:6 BB:K.
In this outing, his primary pitch, his sinker, was up to 98 mph, an almost four mph increase compared to the 94.5 mph it averaged last summer. This could be the key to Hicks reaching the next level.
Other SP to consider: Tylor Megill, NYM
Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <10% if needing saves
With David Bednar heading to Triple-A to attempt to turn his career around, the Pirates have made Dennis Santana the new primary closer. In his first save opportunity on April 2, Santana tossed a clean inning to shut the door. He did not allow a hit but did serve up a free pass.
Through three 1/3 innings this campaign, Santana has allowed one run and two hits. If you punted saves, this is an opportunity to potentially acquire double-digit saves for your roster.
Other RP to consider for saves: Emilio Pagan, CIN
Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Monitor
Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <3%
Zebby Matthews was very productive in spring training but was sent to Triple-A St. Paul to continue his development. However, Chris Paddack stumbled in his first start of the season, allowing six hits and nine earned runs to the White Sox in just three 1/3 innings.
Matthews was the complete opposite in his season debut at Triple-A, tossing five shutout innings with just one hit and four strikeouts. If Paddack or Simeon Woods Richardson were to struggle in their next start, Matthews could rejoin the major league roster sooner rather than later.
Other prospects to monitor: Bubba Chandler, PIT
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