Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters - Category Boosters for HR, SB, RBI, AVG, Runs (Week 3)

April 18, 2025

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 3.

Welcome back to our Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters - Category Boosters column for Week 3 of the 2025 MLB season. Today, we look at some names like Matt Mervis, Ty France, Michael Busch, Geraldo Perdomo, and more. Injuries have mounted, and you might find yourself in need of category boosts this week.

You should take stock each week of where you are finding good counting statistics and where you might need to start making some additions. Do not be afraid to churn those guys who are not playing well. The bottom part of your roster should have already seen three or four replacements in many leagues.

We will aim to give you the three options for each of the five offensive categories in a standard five-by-five league. Our rule: All hitters will be listed in order of their percentage of rostered players on Yahoo!, with a minimum of 50 percent. Let's look at some names that might be under the radar, but who can help you out now.

Runs Scored (R) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Zach McKinstry 2B/3B/SS/OF, Detroit Tigers (38% rostered)

McKinstry is a jack of all trades, playing multiple positions for the Detroit Tigers daily. We love that he plays every position other than first base, pitcher, and catcher. You can plug and play McKinstry literally everywhere, and he will contribute to your fantasy team. More players are catching on to his usefulness in our game.

Mike Yastrzemski OF, San Francisco Giants (14% rostered)

Yastrzemski is the kind of guy who usually resides on the waiver wire in most leagues. The outfielder usually hits for a low average and has only moderate power. But the veteran is playing daily in a rejuvenated San Francisco lineup, and he's been playing well, scoring many runs lately to help out. Check out his Statcast below.

Ty France 1B, Minnesota Twins (8% rostered)

Look who is back on the radar. After moving from Seattle to Cincinnati last season, France signed in the offseason with the Minnesota Twins. Thus far, it appears to be a match as France continues to hit and support the Twins' struggling offense. Here's hoping that France is back after two seasons staring into the abyss.

Home Runs (HR) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Jonah Heim C, Texas Rangers (17% rostered)

I never understand why fantasy players seem to shy away from Heim. He's valuable in the right team context, especially in two-catcher formats. Heim is off to a good start offensively and is playing more as a result.  He is even getting starts at DH when Kyle Higashioka is getting the time behind the plate. And he is hitting .275 with three home runs and has even chipped in two steals. Heim should be rostered in far more leagues, especially in those aforementioned two-catcher leagues. I feel like people forget that Heim hit 18 home runs and knocked in 95 runs two years ago.

Michael Busch, 1B/3B Chicago Cubs (46% rostered)

Busch has quietly put together a solid few weeks of play for the Cubs. The veteran first baseman is hitting .302 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs, and a stolen base. You can make an argument for him as a category booster with home runs, runs, or RBI at this point.  Busch has carved out a role for himself in Chicago and has three home runs over the last calendar week. He's about to become a popular addition this weekend, and get him on your radar. The Statcast is looking blood red right now, and he is a definite add in most leagues at this time.

Matt Mervis 1B, Miami Marlins (7% rostered)

Remember Mervis? I do. After two abbreviated runs with the Chicago Cubs, Mervis is getting an extended look at first base with the Marlins. Mervis is hitting .275 with six home runs thus far in 2025. Four of those home runs have come over the last week. In need of power? Why not give Mervis a look on your roster?

Runs Batted In (RBI) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Jonathan Aranda 1B/2B, Tampa Bay Rays (42% rostered)

I love that Aranda has gotten off to a hot start in Tampa Bay. An under-the-radar hitter for the Rays, he is batting cleanup, and he's hit well so far, hitting .404 with three home runs and 11 RBI. Aranda appears to be locked into daily playing time, which is something we look for in this weekly article.

Wilmer Flores 1B, San Francisco Giants (39% rostered)

Flores has been hot before, and he is again right now, despite the low batting average. Flores has six home runs, but he has also knocked in 21 runs and scored 10 more despite the .242 batting average. Not bad for a guy who hit four home runs and knocked in 26 total in 2024. Ride Flores while he is still productive and playing daily for the Giants.

Cam Smith 3B/OF, Houston Astros (29% rostered)

Every week so far in the 2025 season, I have put a player in for a category filler who is a speculative play. This week, that player is Smith, who is starting to show signs of life in Houston. Add in eligibility at third base and outfield, and you have a potential diamond in the rough who should be able to help you in redraft leagues this year. Smith had his first home run and has knocked in four runs this week. This could be your last chance to get him this cheaply.

Stolen Bases (SB) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies (26% rostered)

This is a pure speculative play, as Veen just got the call to the majors this week. He has stolen plenty of bases along the way in the minor leagues. Veen has struggled to hit thus far but seems assured of a good amount of playing time.

I think he is worth a speculative pick in deeper leagues based on his prospect pedigree and his stolen base ability; he has had two minor league seasons with over 50 stolen bases, and he should be running in Colorado.

Jake Meyers OF, Houston Astros (16% rostered)

Meyers is off to a .283 start and has chipped in six stolen bases, with all of them in the month of April. Meyers is playing center field for the Astros and holding a daily job. The veteran doesn't have any homers, but has stolen double-digit bases in the minor leagues and also stole 11 in limited time in 2024. If you need cheap speed, take a look at Meyers while he holds down the job in Houston.

Jose Caballero, 2B/3B/SS Tampa Bay Rays (15% rostered)

The middle infielder doesn't always hit much, but he is running again in 2025. Caballero has three steals in the last two games, and we should recall, he stole 26 in 2023 and 44 in 2024. Add in that he is hitting a robust .333 right now, which will regress back to his norm, most likely, and you have yourself a useful player at this moment.

Batting Average (AVG) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Boosters

Geraldo Perdomo, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (45% rostered)

Perdomo is a player I started watching closely when he played in Single-A Kane County, a local minor league team, a stone's throw from my home in suburban Chicago. I have followed him for years, and there are signs that his breakout might be happening right now.

Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (43% rostered)

Wilson is a good player, assured of everyday at-bats and thus an ongoing opportunity. He might not help with too many other stats, but Wilson should help your batting average with his great contact skills. He's a perfect complement on your team if you need someone to offset your power hitters with lower batting averages.  The xBA below is .338, and while he doesn't walk (literally zero bases on balls this season), Wilson is a guy who can help you if you hold reasonable expectations.

Jorge Polanco, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners (23% rostered)

I love that Polanco is on this list because he is almost always available on the waiver wire. He's hitting .346 with two home runs and eight RBI this month while earning playing time in Seattle after the team tried to move on from him this past winter. Add in the middle and corner infield eligibility, and you have a useful piece, especially in deep leagues.

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!

Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis