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Mike's fantasy baseball waiver wire hitters to add as category boosters for Week 8 of 2025. His top hitters to pick up or stream for HR, RBI, SB, AVG, and runs.
Welcome back to our Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters - Category Boosters column for Week 8 of the 2025 MLB season. I don't know anyone who has not been impacted by player injuries this year. Now we are also dealing with ineffective players; those guys we drafted who may not be coming through for us.
There are always players who can help you on the waiver wire. Looking for young guys who might give you some pop? Check out Jordan Beck or Will Benson. Need a stable veteran who can help across categories? How about Ryan McMahon? These are just a few examples of how to help your teams.
We will aim to give you three options for each of the five offensive categories in a standard five-by-five league. Our rule: All hitters will be listed according to their percentage of rostered players on Yahoo!, with a maximum of 50 percent. Let's look at names that might be under the radar, but who can help you now.
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Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies (33% rostered)
The veteran third baseman is playing on the worst team in baseball, yet he's having a productive May. McMahon has four home runs and is hitting .298 this month, but what gets your attention is that he has scored 13 runs. He will play daily as the Rockies try to build a market to trade him this summer, ostensibly. This trend line below is going in the right direction.
Tyler Fitzgerald, 2B/SS/OF, San Francisco Giants (29% rostered)
This is more of a speculative pick based on his past performance. Fitzgerald is back in the lineup for San Francisco and should score runs aplenty; he scored 12 in 67 April at-bats before missing two weeks with injury in early May. He should also chip in with some stolen bases and maybe a few home runs, too. The multiple position eligibility will help your team as well.
Daulton Varsho, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (11% rostered)
Varsho is back after beginning the season on the IL. He has played in about two weeks' worth of games for the Blue Jays and scored nine runs while chipping in an unexpected six home runs. Many players have likely forgotten about him and moved on, but this is a skill set that will give you daily playing time and produce counting stats, despite what should be a lower batting average.
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Jordan Beck, OF, Colorado Rockies (24% rostered)
Yes, I am aware that Beck plays for the worst team in the game. But are you aware of his Statcast page, which is colored blood red? See below. Beck is hitting .261 despite the slightly higher strikeout rate, and has three home runs in the last 1o days. Playing time seems assured on such a bad team, and Beck should continue to provide cheap power for your team if you roster him.
Will Benson, OF, Cincinnati Reds (17% rostered)
Benson has slugged five home runs since his recall from Triple-A, and he shows no signs of letting up yet. Even better, he has struck out only six times in 30 at-bats. If he can keep the strikeout rate within a more normal range, he has a chance to keep playing in a very busy Cincinnati outfield. Last year, he was sent down repeatedly due to his whopping 39.7% strikeout rate. The power is real, and he will chip in stolen bases too; he has 19 and 16 in limited action over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Grab him if you are looking for cheap power.
Trevor Larnach, OF, Minnesota Twins (15% rostered)
Larnach has playing time on a hot Twins team right now, and he has three home runs to boot this month. Last season in 400 plate appearances, Larnach walloped 15 home runs. There is no reason to think he cannot surpass those numbers, especially if he keeps earning time in the outfield. He's cheap right now at only 15% rostered in Yahoo. Consider Larnach if you need home runs, especially to avoid batting average drag.
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Wilmer Flores, 1B, San Francisco Giants (44% rostered)
The veteran is hitting .310 in 58 May at-bats and has knocked in 14 runs as well. Flores now has 42 RBI this season after having only 26 in 2024. He is second in baseball with that RBI total. Add in 10 home runs, and you have a guy who looks to have a career year at age 33. Take a look if you need corner infield help and RBI counting stats.
Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers (35% rostered)
I feel like Muncy is perpetually underrated. He will never hit for a high batting average, but Muncy is usually a good source of power and RBI. Muncy has 1 R4BI this month despite only hitting two home runs. With the paucity of good third basemen available right now, Muncy could fit your team.
Miguel Vargas, 3B/OF, Chicago White Sox (9% rostered)
Vargas was a guy I was touting before the season, for three reasons: he has prospect pedigree, is only 25, and will get a full chance with the moribund Chicago White Sox. He rewarded that faithfulness by hitting .217 with one home run in April. But a swing change in early May yielded usable results: a .274 batting average, five home runs, 12 RBI, and nine runs scored. Four of those homers have been over the last week. With eligibility at third base, where injuries have hurt the player pool in recent weeks, Vargas is an interesting add in deep leagues.
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (27% rostered)
Simpson was all the rage when he came up, but fantasy players have cooled on him. But for those who think he is a one-tricky pony, Simpson has scored 10 runs this month and is hitting .283. The downside: There is zero power in this profile. But if you need speed, Simpson has eight steals this season, and 11 in 100 plate appearances. He's worth an addition if you need batting average or stolen base help.
Jose Caballero, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Tampa Bay Rays (11% rostered)
People do not roster Caballero, mostly because he seems to have only one trick: stealing bases. But it is a good trick; he leads all of baseball with seven steals over the last 15 days. The .252 batting average is higher than you might think based on his 30.6% K%. Caballero plays all over the field with eligibility at four positions, and he is hitting .269 in May. He won't help you with power, but he could score some runs while he continues to steal bases.
Chase Meidroth, 2B/3B/SS, Chicago White Sox (4% rostered)
Meidroth was seen as one of the lesser prospects in the Garrett Crochet trade to the Boston Red Sox. But the White Sox brass saw a player who could fit their mold when they return to mediocrity, but also a player who could help them now. The Sox called him up in April, and he played immediately. Installed as their primary shortstop (he is probably best served at second base), Meidroth is hitting .306 in May with six stolen bases, four of those in the last week. Playing time should be a certainty as the Sox try to figure out who can play on this team. Meidroth can, and he has eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop.
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Hyeseong Kim, 2B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (36% rostered)
The biggest uncertainty with Kim will be consistent playing time. Recalled in the first week of May, Kim is hitting a robust .378 with a homer, five RBI, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases. He is splitting time between the outfield and second base. He can play, but one word of caution: The Dodgers just welcomed Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman back to the roster, and Andy Pages continues to slug. However, one thing we know for sure in the major leagues: if you can hit, teams will find a place for you. Kim is worth an add in deeper leagues.
Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves (16% rostered)
Raise your hand if you thought drafting Sean Murphy would be a boon this year. I did. But Baldwin loudly inserted himself into the plan by hitting a video game-like .531 in May with three home runs and nine RBI. His torrid hitting has turned the Atlanta catching job into a timeshare with Murphy, who is also hitting well. Baldwin would be a great addition while he is this hot.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (11% rostered)
Look, I have heard the complaints about Schanuel. The power is lacking, and he is just a compiler, etc. Ok, I get it. But raise your hand if you know he is hitting .317 in May, and has a home run, five RBI, and 12 runs scored, too. If you are looking for a low-rostered corner infielder who can hit, help with batting average, and score runs, Schanuel could be a fit. He is hitting second in the Angels' lineup right now. He's 23, and there could be room for more. See his Statcast below. This guy can hit.
I hope this helps you out! Good luck and happy hunting, RotoBallers! You can always message me @mdrc0508 on X to complain about picks or make other suggestions!
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