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Andy's FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and bidding guide for Week 4 (April 21 - April 27). His recommended FAAB dollars to spend on waiver wire adds.
The baseball season is in full swing, and it's time to make our next rounds of FAAB claims. Our series about FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups continues as we head into Week 4 of the 2025 MLB season -- April 21 through April 27. This waiver wire article will recommend free agents to target and how much FAAB you should allocate for them.
This week, we'll look at a few post-hype prospects who have started earning full-time roles with their respective major league teams.
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. Let's get to it!
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters to Target
Dillon Dingler, C, Detroit Tigers
9% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15% if needing a No. 2 catcher, <2% for others
Dillon Dingler made his MLB debut last summer but held a modest .167 AVG across his first 87 plate appearances. However, the 26-year-old has begun to turn the corner and is emerging as a legitimate major league catcher.
Over his past eight games, Dingler has posted a strong .300/.300/.467 line with two doubles and one long ball. During this eight-game stretch, he was only held out of the lineup once, which suggests he is the top backstop in Detroit for the time being, with Jake Rogers on the injured list (IL). Even when Rogers returns, Dingler could still operate as the No. 1 option.
Dillon Dingler is having an amazing start to 2025.
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) April 15, 2025
Other C to consider: Edgar Quero CWS, Joey Bart PIT
Matt Mervis, 1B, Miami Marlins
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <9%
A former top prospect in the Cubs system has earned a full-time role in Miami and is finally showing his true potential. Through 14 games this season, Mervis has held a .262/.319/.690 slash line with six round-trippers. This production is no fluke as he is generating an impressive 20.9 percent barrel rate and a 58.3 percent hard-hit rate.
Even though he sits against southpaws, he carries high power upside.
Pavin Smith, 1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
13% rostered
FAAB Bid: <15%
Joc Pederson enjoyed an impressive campaign last summer operating as the strong side of a platoon in the DH spot in the desert. With Pederson now in Texas, Pavin Smith has filled in quite nicely in this role.
Through his first 14 games, Smith has posted an incredible .404/.491/.745 line with three long balls and seven doubles. The Diamondbacks continue to put Smith in favorable positions in a platoon, making him almost matchup-proof. Even though he may have somewhat limited opportunities, when in the lineup, Smith carries high power upside and typically bats in the three-hole.
He is a must-roster in daily lineup formats.
People really told me Pavin Smith couldn’t play baseball this offseason…
3 HR, 6 RBI, 13 hits in 10 games, 1.200 OPS. Insane.
This guy has been on a heater since September.
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) April 17, 2025
Other 1B to consider: Luke Keaschall MIN
Luisangel Acuna, 2B, New York Mets
7% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8% if needing steals, <4% for others
Since starting the season holding a .118/.211/.176 line through the first nine games of the campaign, Luisangel Acuna has flipped the script. Over his last six contests, Acuna has held a .381/.458/.476 with two doubles and four stolen bases.
In addition, during this surge, Acuna has overstepped Brett Baty and become the "1A" option at the keystone. If you are looking for speed in your middle infield, target Acuna as he is nearing an everyday role in the Mets' starting nine.
Connor Norby, 2B/3B, Miami Marlins
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8%
Connor Norby made his season debut on Thursday afternoon as he missed the first three weeks of the campaign due to an oblique injury. Going forward, Norby is expected to have a regular role in the Miami starting nine, typically playing the hot corner (although he also holds 2B eligibility on most websites).
His early-season injury caused many fantasy managers to cut ties with him. However, this may be your last chance to add a starting-caliber infielder for a cheap price. During the second half of the 2024 season, Norby flashed decent power upside as he hit eight long balls and held a .739 OPS.
Other 2Bs to consider: Jorge Polanco SEA
Chase Meidroth, 3B, Chicago White Sox
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <3%
Chase Meidroth was included in the package that sent Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox during the offseason. Meidroth got the call to the big leagues last week and has wasted little time finding success in the majors.
Through his first six contests, Meidroth has held a .235 AVG. However, he has recently moved up to the leadoff spot against southpaws, which gives him a counting stats boost. He is a viable depth infielder in deeper formats.
Other 3B to consider: Jorge Polanco SEA
Gabriel Arias, SS/2B/3B, Cleveland Guardians
13% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8%
Gabriel Arias has been one of the most productive hitters over the past week. In his last six contests, Arias has held an impressive .381/.435/.810 slash line with three home runs and one stolen base. This power surge is surprising as Arias hit just three long balls across 153 at-bats last summer.
However, this power production could be relatively stable, as he has generated an above-average 47.4 percent hard-hit rate and an elite 75.6 mph bat speed. Both of these marks are significant increases compared to his 2024 metrics.
Other SS to consider: Jose Caballero TB
Austin Hays, OF, Cincinnati Reds
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <16% if needing an OF, <10% for others
Similar to the previously mentioned Norby, Hays was recently activated off the injured list and made his season debut. Through his first three games of the campaign, Hays has hit two long balls and tallied at least one hit in each contest.
Earlier in camp, there were reports that Hays could be the cleanup hitter, and he has already been placed in that spot in both of his last two games (entering Friday). Playing in a favorable hitter's park and in a great spot in the lineup for counting stats, Hays is a must-add in all five outfielder leagues.
Austin Hays heating up just in time to return to Camden Yards this weekend pic.twitter.com/RHV0wApRoW
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) April 17, 2025
Mike Yastrzemski, OF, San Francisco Giants
20% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12% in daily lineup leagues, <7% in standard leagues
Mike Yastrzemski has flashed power upside at times in his career, especially during the pandemic-shortened season, but has struggled to remain productive over an extended period. However, the 34-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, holding a .302/.439/.566 line with three home runs and two steals in 17 games.
He has rarely seen time against southpaws, but that should not deter fantasy managers from targeting him as similar to Pavin Smith, who is only given opportunities in favorable matchups. He has generated a promising .390 xwOBA, which is well above the average marks.
Fantasy managers in daily lineup leagues should not be afraid to raise their bid on Yaz this weekend.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: <18% if needing speed, <12% for others
My final outfielder to highlight is the No. 7-ranked prospect in Tampa Bay. On Friday evening, the Rays gave the Georgia Tech product the call to the big leagues. While Simpson does not carry high power upside, he could very well be the fastest player in baseball.
Across time in High-A and Double-A last summer (110 games), Simpson swiped 104 bags while holding a .355/.410/.397 line. Through his first 17 games at Triple-A this summer, Simpson has swiped eight bags while holding a .301 AVG.
His elite speed makes him a must-add in category formats. If you are lacking speed, don't be afraid to place a hefty bid.
Other OFs to consider: Pavin Smith ARI, Kameron Misner TB, JJ Bleday ATH
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers to Target
Jose Quintana, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
11% rostered
FAAB Bid: <12%
The 36-year-old journeyman has found a role in a Milwaukee rotation that has been decimated by injuries. Through his first two outings as a Brewer, Quintana has logged 12 2/3 innings to the tune of a near-perfect 0.71 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP. He has tallied just six punchouts but has generated groundballs at an elite 56.8 percent rate.
While the veteran is not a source for punchouts, he should be a viable asset to boost your ratios.
Andrew Heaney SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: <7%
Andrew Heaney is the other starting pitcher to target this weekend. Unlike Quintana, this southpaw carries much higher strikeout upside. Through 25 1/3 innings this season, Heaney has tallied 22 punchouts and held a strong 2.13 ERA with a strong 0.91 WHIP.
Last season, Heaney struggled in Texas, but he appears to have found some early-season success in Pittsburgh. Given his lack of previous career success, do not overbid on Heaney, but it is important not to dismiss his current production.
Andrew Heaney in two home starts this season:
14.1 IP
10 H
1 ER
3 BB
14 K2.13 ERA on the season👀 pic.twitter.com/bN2wmj5tmF
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 17, 2025
Other SPs to consider: Osvaldo Bido ATH, Matthew Boyd CHC, Andre Pallante STL
Justin Slaten, RP, Boston Red Sox
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: <8% if needing saves
Before targeting Justin Slaten, make sure Dennis Santana and Luke Jackson are no longer on your waiver wire. I have highlighted both of them in previous editions, but they could still be available in shallower formats.
However, if both are rostered, Slaten is a good pivot. While Aroldis Chapman has been the "go-to" option for saves in Boston, Slaten has tallied two saves as well. In his most recent save situation on April 16, Slaten was given the call to face three right-handed batters.
Since allowing four runs on March 31, Slaten has tossed five shutout frames with a 0.20 WHIP. If the Red Sox are set to face high-powered right-handed hitters in the ninth inning, do not be surprised if they turn to Slaten to lock down the save.
Other RP to consider for saves: Blake Treinen LAD, Calvin Faucher MIA
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Monitor
Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
20% rostered
FAAB Bid: <9%
Our prospect to stash this week is Bubba Chandler of Pittsburgh. Chandler has made three starts with Triple-A Indianapolis and held an impressive 1.69 ERA with 0.84 WHIP. He has struck out 18 batters and served up just five free passes.
Given Carmen Mlodzinski's struggles as a starter this season, Chandler could be just days away from taking his spot in the rotation.
Other prospects to monitor: Zebby Matthews MIN, Roman Anthony BOS
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