Mid-Week Waiver Wire Rankings: Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 20

August 13, 2026

Mid-week fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings for Week 20 (2026). Free-agent hitters and pitchers to add include Zack Gelof, Jacob Webb, Joshua Baez, Walker Jenkins, and Kade Anderson.

Amazingly, we are already halfway through August and Week 20. There is about a month and a half left in the season, giving us plenty of time to make that final push. At RotoBaller HQ, we return with more waiver wire advice with our mid-week fantasy baseball waiver rankings for Week 20—August 10 through August 16 — in leagues that allow daily moves. Our waiver wire list has been updated to include the top hitters and pitchers to add off the waiver wire.

This week we saw the Nationals promote lefty Jackson Kent from Triple-A Rochester, and he will make his MLB debut on Wednesday. The Yankees also called up reliever Bradley Hanner from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. Injuries continue to pile up as the Mets placed closer Devin Williams on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, while the Rangers put Nathan Eovaldi on the IL with elbow inflammation.

Stay on top of our weekly waiver wire rankings and turn on MLB news alerts in our free mobile app to stay ahead of the curve. Once you're done here, check out our fantasy baseball prospects articles for the latest names to stash and pick up.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups List

Since many fantasy baseball leagues have daily waiver-wire moves or multiple waiver-wire runs per week for adding players, this early-week rankings list should help you keep track of players emerging in the middle of the week before we reach Sunday. This article will guide you through our weekly ranking of the relevant waiver-wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league (depending on the league size).

Waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league - depending on the league size:

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Outlooks

Some of the top waiver wire names include Jacob Webb, Kade Anderson, Zack Gelof, Joshua Baez, Walker Jenkins, and more. Read some of the waiver wire outlooks below:

Jacob Webb, Chicago Cubs

Across 51 2/3 innings (52 games) in 2026, Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb has recorded a 4-2 record with a 2.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and seven saves. With closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the injured list, the Cubs have largely taken a committee approach to the ninth inning.

Still, Webb has now earned saves in each of his last two appearances, both of which came after Chicago acquired right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. Even with another high-leverage arm in the mix for the Cubs, Webb may be the team's preferred option.

The 32-year-old has posted a stellar 27.1% strikeout rate and has been one of Chicago's more reliable bullpen arms all season long. In deeper leagues, Webb carries waiver wire appeal for fantasy managers in need of stable ratios and some saves upside.

Zack Gelof, Athletics

Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (knee) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gelof is ready to play after being sidelined since July 10 due to a right knee laceration. He'll cover third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday.

Gelof figures to be the everyday third baseman down the stretch of the season. This season, Gelof is slashing .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and eight steals in 67 games. He could be an interesting deep league option given his power and speed upside.

Kade Anderson, Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners starting pitching prospect Kade Anderson tossed another shutout in his most recent outing at Double-A and remains the most dominant pitcher in the minor leagues. On August 7, Anderson tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits, with no walks, no runs, and nine punchouts. This extended his current shutout streak to 15 innings (three starts).

During this stretch, the former LSU star has posted a 0.47 WHIP with a near-perfect 20:2 K:BB. On the season, the southpaw has held a 1.13 ERA with a 0.65 WHIP across his first 87 2/3 professional innings.

While Luis Castillo's move to Chicago did make Anderson's path to the majors clearer, the team has indicated he will remain a starter once promoted, so he may need to wait for another injury, as Seattle currently has a full staff. However, his upside on a per-game basis remains elite, and managers should continue to view him as a priority stash option across all league types.

Walker Jenkins, Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins turned in another dominant effort at Triple-A St. Paul as his MLB debut continues to loom closer. On August 8 (Saturday), Jenkins went 2-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base. Over his last 10 games at the top club in the Minnesota system, the former fifth overall selection has posted a .333/.391/.595 slash line with three doubles, two home runs and two stolen bases.

During this noted stretch, Jenkins has posted five multi-hit efforts and only gone hitless three times. On the season, Jenkins has appeared in just 57 Triple-A contests (due to injury), but has posted a sharp .838 OPS with six home runs and 11 stolen bases.

With the Twins competing for a Wild Card, expect them to turn to their top-ranked prospect in the near future to add another spark to the lineup, especially with Byron Buxton still on the shelf.

Joshua Baez, St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez enters Week 20 as a top stash target, with a clear path to the major leagues. Ahead of the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals parted ways with veteran corner outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

As a result, Baez faces even less competition for a spot on the MLB roster down the stretch. Additionally, the young outfielder has seen his production take another step forward, suggesting he could be on the verge of a call-up.

Over his last 15 games at the top club in the system (since July 21), Baez has posted a dominant .293/.354/.603 slash line with six doubles, four home runs and three stolen bases. On the season, he has gone deep 33 times and swiped 18 bags. His five-category upside makes him a must-stash ahead of Week 20.

First Base Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Second Base Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Third Base Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Shortstop Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Outfield Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Relief Pitcher/Closer Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool

Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:

Who Should I Pickup?

Roto Points

Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...

 

Player 1

 

Player 2

 

Player 3

 

Player 4

Who To Pickup?

Reset

Choose From The Top Ranked Players

Overall

C

1B

2B

3B

SS

OF

SP

RP

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

12.

 

 

13.

 

 

14.

 

 

15.

 

 

16.

 

 

17.

 

 

18.

 

 

19.

 

 

20.

 

 

21.

 

 

22.

 

 

23.

 

 

24.

 

 

25.

 

 

26.

 

 

27.

 

 

28.

 

 

29.

 

 

30.

 

 

Popular Searches

Overall

C

1B

2B

3B

SS

OF

SP

RP

vs

Walker Jenkins

 

A.J. Ewing

 

vs

Vinnie Pasquantino

 

Tim Tawa

 

vs

Ty France

 

Royce Lewis

 

vs

Jared Jones

 

Max Scherzer

 

vs

Isaac Paredes

 

Brooks Lee

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Alejandro Kirk

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Rafael Flores Jr.

 

vs

Ian Seymour

 

Elvis Alvarado

 

vs

Clay Holmes

 

Tyler Mahle

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Alejandro Kirk

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Rafael Flores Jr.

 

vs

Carter Jensen

 

Mickey Gasper

 

vs

Carter Jensen

 

Yainer Diaz

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Carter Jensen

 

vs

Adley Rutschman

 

Samuel Basallo

 

vs

Carter Jensen

 

Alejandro Kirk

 

vs

Carter Jensen

 

Samuel Basallo

 

vs

Alejandro Kirk

 

Samuel Basallo

 

vs

Vinnie Pasquantino

 

Tim Tawa

 

vs

Ty France

 

Royce Lewis

 

vs

Royce Lewis

 

Bryce Eldridge

 

vs

Bryce Eldridge

 

Tim Tawa

 

vs

Bryce Eldridge

 

Jake Burger

 

vs

Vinnie Pasquantino

 

Ty France

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

Willi Castro

 

Travis Bazzana

 

vs

Jeff McNeil

 

Ernie Clement

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

Isaac Paredes

 

Brooks Lee

 

vs

Nick Gonzales

 

Eugenio Suarez

 

vs

Caleb Durbin

 

Yohandy Morales

 

vs

Brooks Lee

 

Eugenio Suarez

 

vs

Alec Bohm

 

Eugenio Suarez

 

vs

Javier Sanoja

 

Eugenio Suarez

 

vs

Isaac Paredes

 

Yohandy Morales

 

vs

Brooks Lee

 

Yohandy Morales

 

vs

Zack Gelof

 

Yohandy Morales

 

vs

Kaelen Culpepper

 

George Lombard Jr.

 

vs

Trevor Story

 

George Lombard Jr.

 

vs

Kaelen Culpepper

 

Trevor Story

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

Jared Jones

 

Max Scherzer

 

vs

Clay Holmes

 

Tyler Mahle

 

vs

Clay Holmes

 

Jacob Lopez

 

vs

Kade Anderson

 

Grant Holmes

 

vs

Jacob Lopez

 

Zebby Matthews

 

vs

Walbert Urena

 

Andrew Painter

 

vs

Walbert Urena

 

Hayden Wesneski

 

vs

Andrew Painter

 

Hayden Wesneski

 

vs

Zebby Matthews

 

David Peterson

 

vs

Ian Seymour

 

Elvis Alvarado

 

vs

Mason Montgomery

 

Jordan Romano

 

vs

Tanner Scott

 

Grant Taylor

 

vs

Tanner Scott

 

Ben Joyce

 

vs

Grant Taylor

 

Jordan Romano

 

vs

Ben Joyce

 

Andrew Kittredge

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

vs

 

 

 

 

2026 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players, including Max Clark, Angel Genao, Kaelen Culpepper, Mickey Moniak, T.J. Rumfield, Jared Jones, Brandon Pfaadt, Zack Gelof, Cole Young, Kade Anderson, Joshua Baez, Walker Jenkins, Jacob Webb, Kyle Karros, Hogan Harris, Grant Taylor, Tommy Edman, A.J. Ewing, Jake Mangum, and Jackson Holliday. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.

Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.

Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!

How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.

Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup

Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Max Clark, Angel Genao, Kaelen Culpepper, Mickey Moniak, T.J. Rumfield, Jared Jones, Brandon Pfaadt, Zack Gelof, Cole Young, Kade Anderson, Joshua Baez, Walker Jenkins, Jacob Webb, Kyle Karros, Hogan Harris, Grant Taylor, Tommy Edman, A.J. Ewing, Jake Mangum, and Jackson Holliday: