Josh Jung Emerging as a Waiver Wire Target with Altered Plate Approach
Across 211 plate appearances so far this season, Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is hitting .307/.365/.474 with six home runs, 22 RBI, 24 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 28-year-old's biggest barrier to success to this point in his career has been health, as he's never played more than 131 games or logged more than 515 plate appearances in a season. However, Jung has managed to stay on the field in 2026 and has established himself as a fixture in the heart of the Rangers' lineup. Jung has also drastically altered his approach at the plate, cutting his strikeout rate from 25.2% in 2025 to 14.7% so far this year. While Jung's improved contact rate makes his .307 batting average more believable, he's seemingly willingly sacrificing power. His current barrel rate of 6.2% is the worst mark of his career and may make it difficult for him to reach 20 homers, even if he stays healthy the rest of the way. Still, Jung has been an impact bat in 2026 and should continue to rack up counting stats as long as he stays on the field. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Jung profiles as a viable waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gregory Soto a Must-Add Closer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has emerged as his team's best relief option so far in 2026, pitching to a 2.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and six saves across 25 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old owns a 32% strikeout rate, and his 2.15 xERA and 2.55 FIP back up his strong results to open the year. Soto appears to have taken full control of the closer role in Pittsburgh, as he's logged five saves since the start of May. The veteran lefty also has prior experience as a closer, having racked up 48 saves over two seasons with the Detroit Tigers in 2021 and 2022. Given his performance so far and his clear runway to hold the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh for the remainder of 2026, Soto profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers across all league sizes.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Jackson Holliday Still Carry Waiver Wire Appeal Despite Slow Start?
After suffering a fractured hamate bone in February and then suffering multiple setbacks during his rehab, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday missed almost 50 games to start the 2026 season. Since making his return from the injured list on May 19, Holliday has hit .217/.296/.348 with one home run, four RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases across 27 plate appearances. While the 22-year-old hasn't exactly lit up the stat sheet yet, he's working his way back from an extended absence and should be given some time to settle in. It's also a good sign that Holliday is three-for-three on the bases after he was caught stealing 11 times in 28 attempts in 2025. Holliday may never fully live up to the hype he received as a prospect, but he still profiles as a useful compiler with the ability to provide average-or-better production across all five traditional rotisserie scoring categories. Particularly in deeper league formats, Holliday is worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryan Baker: Must-Add Closer Off the Waiver Wire
With roughly a third of the 2026 season in the books, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Bryan Baker has emerged as his team's preferred option in the ninth inning. Across 24 appearances (22 1/3 innings) so far this year, Baker has pitched to a 2.42 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and 14 saves. The 31-year-old has been deployed in the ninth inning in five consecutive outings and has not entered a game before the eighth inning in 2026. Baker is also averaging a career-best 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a stellar 29.1% strikeout rate. The veteran reliever has had some issues with command (10.1% walk rate), and his 0.40 HR/9 is considerably better than the 1.70 HR/9 he posted in 2025. If his home run rate regresses a bit and he continues issuing free passes, Baker's ERA could rise over the course of the year. Still, he has a stranglehold on the closer role in Tampa Bay for the time being, making him a must-add off the waiver wire across all fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Waldschmidt Emerging as a High-End Speed Option on the Waiver Wire
Since being called up for his MLB debut in early May, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt has made an immediate impact at the big-league level. Across 70 plate appearances, the 23-year-old is hitting .302/.362/.413 with zero home runs, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, and five stolen bases. There are a few worrying signs in Waldschmidt's profile that point to potential regression. He's struck out in 30% of his plate appearances, and his batting average has been buoyed by an unsustainably high .452 batting average on balls in play. Still, Waldschmidt stole 29 bases in the minor leagues in Triple-A and has been aggressive on the basepaths early in his MLB career. He also consistently ran double-digit walk rates in the minors, which should help him get on base consistently and stay in the lineup even if his batting average tails off. Particularly for fantasy managers in need of speed, Waldschmidt is a viable waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott Remains a Priority Waiver Wire Target Despite Scattered Usage
After logging 23 saves in 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott began the 2026 season in a setup role. However, with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) currently on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from elbow surgery, Scott has re-emerged as a ninth-inning option for Los Angeles. The 31-year-old's overall production has been excellent as well, as he's pitched to a 1.19 ERA and 0.62 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and four saves across 22 2/3 innings. Scott has seen some usage in the seventh and eighth innings even since Diaz hit the injured list, so fantasy managers should not expect a full-on closer workload. Still, Scott is a dominant reliever and the most likely option in the Dodgers bullpen to log saves for the time being, making him a priority waiver wire target across all league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Kaelen Culpepper the No. 1 Hitting Prospect to Stash?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper has continued to showcase high upside at Triple-A St. Paul and enters Week 10 as the primary hitting prospect to stash. Culpepper spent his 2025 season splitting time between High-A and Double-A, which earned him a ticket to the top cub to open the 2026 campaign. However, despite not taking a single Triple-A at-bat prior to the 2026 campaign, Culpepper has done more than hold his own, posting a .246/.349/.462 line with an .811 OPS over his first 48 contests. During this stretch, Culpepper has tallied nine doubles, gone deep 11 times, and swiped 12 bags. Currently, the Twins have lacked much consistent production in parts of their infield, especially at the shortstop position. Given how comfortable Culpepper has looked at the top club, fantasy managers should expect the Twins to call his name in the immediate future. His five-category potential makes him a must-stash candidate in all formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
River Ryan on the Verge of MLB Promotion Following Eight-Strikeout Effort
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan turned in another stellar effort at Triple-A Oklahoma City and is on the verge of joining the MLB roster. On Thursday evening, Ryan turned in his best showing of the campaign, tossing a season-high six frames with one run (unearned run) with only four hits, no walks, and a season-high eight punchouts. Since returning from the 7-day injured list, Ryan has made three starts and logged 15 innings with a 0.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, and a 19:1 K:BB. With both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the injured list on the MLB roster, Ryan could provide some much-needed depth to this pitching staff. Given his current production and clear path to a role, Ryan should be viewed as the top pitching prospect to stash in all formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Charlie Condon Sees Stash Value Soar During Nine-Game Hitting Streak
Colorado Rockies top prospect Charlie Condon has seen his stash upside soar over the past week amid his incredible performance at the plate. Over his last nine games, Condon has tallied at least one hit in all these games while carrying an overall .333/.436/.667 line with a 1.103 OPS. During this nine-game stretch, the former George standout has hit five doubles and gone deep twice. This is worth noting as Condon was in the midst of a lengthy power drought at Triple-A, as he posted a modest .592 OPS with no long balls over his last 26 games prior to this skid. Overall, Condon sits with a solid .251/.384/.427 line through his first 45 games at the top club. While the team's current first baseman, TJ Rumfield, avoided a potentially serious injury earlier in the week, Condon could still find an easy path to joining the roster, as the team lacks many proven hitters. Given his power upside and recent surge, Condon is a top stash target in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 10.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Cole Carrigg Remains Elite Stash Target for Stolen Base Upside
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Cole Carrigg remains a priority stash target for managers needing stolen-base production. Carrigg was in the mix to potentially break camp with the MLB roster but was assigned to Triple-A to begin the 2026 regular season. However, during his first stint with the top club, the former 65th overall pick has done more than hold his own and appears to be the top option for those needing a boost in stolen bases. Through his first 50 games with Albuquerque, Carrigg has swiped an eye-catching 27 bags while holding a .345/.408/.530 line. He has gone deep five times while holding a 34:20 K:BB. While he is not the top source for power, Carrigg could immediately emerge as a must-start option in standard category leagues given his raw speed. With Colorado lacking many options in their outfield and Mickey Moniak on the injured list, Carrigg could be in the mix to debut much sooner than previously anticipated.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Braden Montgomery Still Worth Stashing Amid Triple-A Skid?
Chicago White Sox top hitting prospect Braden Montgomery has hit a bit of a skid at the top club in the minor leagues over the past week. After putting together a dominant start to his time at Triple-A, the former first-round pick has gone 0-for-13 over his last five games while holding a 7:3 K:BB. However, prior to this, Montgomery carried a much higher .283/.348/.467 slash line with five doubles, two home runs, and one stolen base over his first taste of Triple-A earlier in May. Montgomery began the regular season with Double-A, but needed only another 27 gams at that level to prove he was ready to join the top ranks. If Montgomery can snap out of this skid in the immediate future, the young slugger should firmly be back on the stash radar, given Chicago's lack of depth in the outfield.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kade Anderson Remains Elite Stash Target Amid Incredible Start to Professional Career
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson continues to hold must-stash value heading into Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season. Since joining the Mariners with the third overall pick in last year's MLB Draft, the former LSU standout has looked more than comfortable in the minor leagues. The Mariners opted to send the left-hander to Double-A to make his professional debut, and he has flashed incredible potential, striking out 58 hitters over his first 38 2/3 innings. During this stretch, Anderson has posted a 1.63 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP and has allowed just seven total free passes. Removing his lone five-run outlier showing, Anderson would carry a 0.52 ERA over the first two months of the season. Even though there is no clear spot in the rotation for the left-hander, he remains on the verge of a call-up and may not need to wait long if the MLB roster needs additional depth.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kyle Finnegan a Good Short-Term Source for Saves?
Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan should have a chance to be a good source of save opportunities in the short-term, with 38-year-old Kenley Jansen (groin) landing on the injured list on Thursday with a lower-body injury. Although Finnegan's 1.75 ERA looks good on the surface, his ERA estimators all support that he has been very lucky, as evidenced by his 4.38 xERA, 5.13 FIP, and 5.99 SIERA. The discrepancy between his underlying data and surface stats is too wide to assume that regression isn't coming. He also owns a 1.56 WHIP, which is not good, and he is walking batters at a 17.6 percent clip with a 13.9 percent strikeout rate. All that to say, he does have a lot of closing experience with 113 career saves over seven MLB seasons, and all fantasy managers need from him is to lock down those saves in the ninth inning to get a point in that category. During a season where saves have been hard to come by, fantasy managers in formats where they are desperate for saves will want to take a look at Finnegan, only while Jansen is sidelined.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Is Jared Jones a Must-Add off the Waiver-Wire Ahead of his Season Debut?
Jared Jones (elbow), a 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will make his season debut Friday at home against the Minnesota Twins, which will be Jones' first start at the big-league level since he underwent UCL surgery last May. Through five rehab starts this season, Jones has dominated the MiLB with a 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He also had an outstanding 32.9 percent strikeout rate and a 15.5 percent SwStr rate. Jones has demonstrated elite bat-missing upside in the past. During his first turn with the Pirates back in 2024, he started 22 games and posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings. His arsenal is led by an elite four-seamer that averages 97.3 mph and a great slider that generated a 37.3 percent whiff rate in 2024. Jones, if available on your waiver wire, is a must-add starting pitcher in leagues of 12 teams or more, simply based on his swing and miss upside alone. He has the ability to be a strong contributor in all the important starting pitcher categories.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Paul Sewald Remains Top Option For Saves on the Waiver Wire
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed closer Paul Sewald has converted on 14 of his 15 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.80 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 21 1/3 innings pitched. The 14 saves on the season are tied for third in MLB behind Cade Smith and Mason Miller, and the 15 opportunities are tied for fifth. While Sewald's velocity isn't elite (91.4 mph average fastball velocity), he has still demonstrated solid control and high strikeout upside. In fact, hitters are hitting .146 of his four-seamer, and he has a solid 21.4 percent whiff rate on his fastball, even though the velocity isn't there. During a season where the closer situation has been difficult to navigate because of injuries and some of the top arms underperforming, Sewald continues to be one of the top options for saves, and is a must-add if available on the waiver wire.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
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