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Mike's 2025 fantasy baseball category boosters waiver wire hitters to add. He goes category by category and picks out hitters for HR, RBI, SB, AVG, and runs for Week 1.
Welcome back to our fantasy baseball waiver wire hitter - category boosters for Week 1 of the 2025 MLB season. My favorite free-agent hitters to consider adding to help boost your team in HR, SB, RBI, AVG, and runs include Kristian Campbell, Victor Scott II, Otto Lopez, Jonathan Aranda and more.
While it is only week 1, experienced fantasy players know that roster churn is a weekly need. The bottom two or three players on each roster should be guys that are useful in that small window when playing time meets results. Each week, we will look for these under-the-radar hitters that could give you a much-needed boost in a statistical category.
We will aim to give you the top options for each of the five offensive categories in a standard five-by-five league. Our rule: all hitters will be under 50% rostered on Yahoo! and listed in order of rostership and my preference. Bargains abound if we know where to look for them. Let's dive in and take a look.
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Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Kristian Campbell 2B, Boston Red Sox (47% rostered)
The rookie has taken the American League by storm after making the Boston Red Sox roster out of Spring Training. Players in every league are swapping down on Campbell, and this could be your last opportunity to get him cheaply. He looks like the kind of player who can help you across multiple categories, but I am listing him here for runs, of which he has scored four already in 2025.
A 20/20 season could be on the horizon for Campbell, but remember that young players often slump and might need extra seasoning in the minor leagues. Yet Campbell should be rostered in every fantasy league immediately. He swings the bat harder than most; check out the bat speed distribution below compared to the league average as he could be a budding superstar.
Jake Cronenworth 1B/2B San Diego Padres (30% rostered)
Some players are better baseball players in real life than they are for fantasy purposes, but Cronenworth is both. The talented Cronenworth has had noted struggles against left-handed pitching in his career, but manager Mike Shildt has vowed that the veteran will play daily and that includes facing lefties. Cronenworth had a big home run last week off lefty Dylan Lee, which could be a portend of things to come.
Even if he doesn't continually hit lefties well, expect double-digit home runs and a few steals. So far this year, he has scored five runs, and with the Padres rolling, Cronenworth may be a good player to roster.
Jung Hoo Lee OF, San Francisco Giants (26% rostered)
A small rant here: I do not understand why fantasy players avoid Lee. He's hitting third in a good lineup, recovered from a freak shoulder injury last season, and is assured everyday at-bats. He's hitting .286 with six runs scored already, knocked in two, and stolen a base. As your team's fifth outfielder, you could do much worse. The lack of home run power seems to turn people away, but don't miss out on what could be a handy bat in many fantasy lineups.
Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Tyler Soderstrom 1B, Athletics (49% rostered)
Soderstrom has light tower power and a legitimate job for the Athletics. The big first baseman has three home runs in the early going in 2025 and has played in every game thus far for the Athletics. There could be a 30-home run season here with that continued playing time. Grab him while you can. Obviously, it is very early, but look at Soderstrom so far in 2025.
Spencer Torkelson 1B, Detroit Tigers (33% rostered)
Torkelson was a forgotten man this spring who now seems to have access to a job. Torkelson hit 31 homers in 2023 before struggling so severely last year that he had to toil back in the minor leagues. Torkelson spent the winter making his swing more athletic, and the results have followed thus far, hitting .340 in Spring Training with five home runs. He's hitting .429 with a home run thus far in 2025. A small investment now could pay off largely this season. Look at Torkelson if you need power.
Matt Wallner OF, Minnesota Twins (25% rostered)
Wallner's calling card is power. It's that simple. He hit six home runs in Spring Training, even as contact remains an issue for the outfielder. If he could muster 450 at-bats, there are easily 25-30 levels of home run power here.
Jonathan Aranda 1B/2B, Tampa Bay Rays (6% rostered)
Aranda was a late-round lottery ticket this year for many players hoping for playing time and a potential 25-home run bat. A small bid could net you a great season with multiple-position eligibility in Yahoo.
Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Kyle Manzardo 1B, Cleveland Guardians (41% rostered)
The youngster is proving his mettle with the Guardians this spring. He has two home runs and six RBI in the early going and should continue to get at-bats in Cleveland, especially against right-handed pitching. Many players are scared off by the thought that he may be a platoon player, but the guy can hit and should get an opportunity to play daily if he continues hitting.
Lars Nootbaar OF, St. Louis Cardinals (35% rostered)
Nootbaar is back and healthy, hitting atop the St. Louis lineup. He has two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored to go with a robust .462 batting average. The veteran outfielder has never played more than 117 games in a season, but with continued health, he could take a step forward this season. It won't cost much to find out if he can do it. At the very least, ride this hot streak if you need outfield help. Nootbaar hammers the baseball when he is in the lineup. Below is his 2024 Statcast box with lots of blood red.
Gavin Sheets 1B/OF, San Diego Padres (5% rostered)
Free from the South Side of Chicago, Sheets made the San Diego Padres roster out of Spring Training. Sheets hit .315 with six home runs to secure his spot this spring. He has knocked in five runs thus far for the Padres, while also tallying a home run and a stolen base. Should he continue playing, Sheets could be a cheap source of production in the fantasy world.
Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Victor Scott II OF, St. Louis Cardinals (34% rostered)
This time last year, we discussed Scott as a possible mainstay on the St. Louis Cardinals' roster. But the speedy outfielder did not hit well enough to keep a roster spot. He's already got four stolen bases in 2025, with a home run and five RBI. Speed is why you roster Scott, and you hope the bat can keep up.
Joey Ortiz 3B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers (24% rostered)
Ortiz is overlooked because not one particular skill jumps out at you, but he is an everyday player on a good Milwaukee Brewers team. Add his 3B and SS eligibility, and you have a Swiss Army knife to help your squad in several ways. Last year, the versatile Ortiz hit .235 with 11 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and 60 RBI. This year, he has slid over to shortstop. Manager Pat Murphy has vowed that the Brewers will be aggressive on the basepaths, and I feel comfortable with the idea that Ortiz can steal 20 bases with a daily job here. It won't cost much to find out if he can.
Brandon Marsh OF, Philadelphia Phillies (9% rostered)
Marsh seems to be a constantly marginalized resource in fantasy baseball, maybe because players expect so much of him. But let's focus on what he is rather than what he could be: a cheap source of power and speed who can help fill a spot on your roster. The veteran outfielder is hitting .308 thus far, with a home run and three RBI in 2025. In 418 at-bats last season, the lefty-hitting Marsh hit a respectable .249 with 16 home runs, 60 RBI, and 19 stolen bases.
That is a decent production for a guy who doesn't always get to play against lefties. However, manager Rob Thomson said he will give Marsh chances against lefties this year. If Marsh proves up to the challenge, he could be a starter with a chance at higher-level production. A cheap bid now can get you a productive player.
Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters
Luis Rengifo 2B/3B, Los Angeles Angels (44% rostered)
Rengifo is a helpful player for fantasy purposes with a good hit tool, the potential for stolen bases, and multipositional eligibility. He should be rostered far more in most fantasy leagues. The veteran hasn't done much in 2025, but he should be rostered in far more leagues. Last year, he hit .300 with 24 stolen bases, even though he had a power outage with only six home runs. Hoping for a double-digit power and stolen base output feels reasonable. Rengifo is going to hit!
Maikel Garcia 2B/3B, Kansas City Royals (33% rostered)
The speedy infielder is off to a great start in Kansas City, with home runs in two of his first three games. While early, he os also hitting a robust .385. Known for his stolen base acumen (he stole 37 bases last season), Garcia has long been viewed as a player with breakout potential, and he could be starting to show that here. Invest this week and see what happens. He already has second base and third base eligibility and could add outfield to his repertoire. Is a breakout looming? Look at his batting box from Statcast for 2024. I am willing to take this small risk and find out.
Otto Lopez 2B/SS, Miami Marlins (31% rostered)
Lopez was a bit of a sleeper pick in many fantasy drafts this spring. Lopez hit .270 with eight home runs and 20 stolen bases in 2024. This year, he already has two home runs, six RBI, and a stolen base. He's going to help you most in batting average and stolen bases. With dual positional eligibility, Lopez can help solidify your middle infield spot.
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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