RotoBaller Staff Roundtable - Waiver Wire Pickups: Fantasy Baseball Week 13

June 20, 2026

RotoBaller staff's fantasy baseball Week 13 waiver wire pickups for 2026. Expert advice for waiver wire hitter, pitcher, and closer targets from Nick, Eric, Andy, and Frank.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to another Staff roundtable ahead of Week 13 of the fantasy season. Below, you will see some of our top wiaver wire picks for the week, including suggestions from Nick Mariano, Andy Smith, Eric Cross, and Frank Ammirante.

This week, we will showcase many emerging outfielders, including a recently-promoted Rockies prospect and several options for those chasing Dave.

Who should we look to pick up this week? Let's dive in!

Hitter Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Kody Clemens, 1B/2B/OF, Minnesota Twins

Kody Clemens was a reliable source of home runs during the 2025 season when he enjoyed a breakout campaign, launching 19 home runs. However, he was all liability in batting average, carrying a low .213 BA. Through the early going in 2026, Clemens has shown further progress on the mound and is emerging as a far more stable fantasy option.

Across 63 games in Minnesota, Clemens has held a .250/.313/.486 line with 13 doubles, 11 home runs, and has even swiped six bags. His stolen bases have already reached a career high and further raised his fantasy ceiling. However, when looking at his underlying hitting metrics, managers can begin to spot a potential Year 5 breakout.

The 30-year-old has posted a solid .337 xwOBA, .257 xBA, and a high-end .455 xSLG, suggesting his current projection is sustainable. Additionally, Clemens has generated a 93rd-percentile average exit velocity, a 13.1% barrel rate (82nd percentile), and an above-average hard-hit rate.

When looking at his marks in the 2025 campaign, Clemens' barrel rate has increased by 1.1% and his xBA by 14 points. While his Pull AIR% has dropped slightly (18.9% - 23.2%), his previous product suggests there is room for positive regression in those statistics.

For those in points leagues, even though Clemens is enjoying more sustained power, he has lowered his K% by three points (24.1% - 21.8%) over the past year.

With a clear path to at-bats and a more stable profile, Clemens could push for a 25-HR campaign while holding a reliable batting average (in the .250 range) with double-digit stolen bases.

- Andy Smith

Dominic Canzone, OF, Seattle Mariners

After enjoying a mini breakout season in 2025, Dominic Canzone has carried that momentum over to this season. In 193 plate appearances, Canzone is slashing .288/.363/.565 with 27 runs, 11 home runs, and 31 RBI.

His stats this season are eerily similar to his 2025 stats, but he's reached these numbers in 76 fewer plate appearances. Canzone is also running a career-high .565 slugging percentage, which is 84 points higher than last season.

SEA - Dominic Canzone Solo HR (11)

📏 374 ft | 💨 101.9 mph | 📐 39°
⚾️ 98.3 mph four-seam fastball (BAL - RHP Ryan Helsley)
🏟️ Out in 30/30 parks 💣

BAL (5) @ SEA (2)
🔻 9th#TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/xCb5pqzoNZ

— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) June 18, 2026

Canzone's metrics under the hood might be even more impressive. On top of having a .291 xBA and .536 xSLG, Canzone ranks among the league leaders with his 92.8 mph AVG EV, 15.6% barrel rate, and 48.9% hard-hit rate.

All five of those metrics rank in the Top-8% of hitters this season. Canzone also has a 79th percentile bat speed and a solid 9.3% walk rate and 19.2% strikeout rate. Both the zone and overall contact rates are a bit below average, but they work due to Canzone's impressive quality of contact.

With all of that said, you have to do your homework when deciding when you want to plug Canzone into your starting lineup. Why? Well, he's only recorded 17 plate appearances against southpaws this season. In daily leagues, he's safe to sit when Seattle is facing a lefty. In weekly or twice-weekly lineup leagues, make sure you check which pitchers Seattle is facing for that period or week.

- Eric Cross

Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox

Kyle Teel has yet to step on the MLB diamond this season after suffering a hamstring injury during the World Baseball Classic. While his recovery has been lengthy, managers needing a spark at their catcher position should not wait long to pick up this former top prospect.

Teel recently began his rehab assistance with Triple-A Charlotte and is on the verge of making his 2026 season debut. Throughout his rehab assignment with Charlotte, Teel is looking like his former self, posting a .318/.375/.591 slash line with two home runs and a 5:2 K:BB. During this short six-game stint, Teel has tallied at least one hit in every game and held a .966 OPS.

The former 14th overall pick (drafted by the Boston Red Sox) made his MLB debut last summer, on the South Side, and held his own on his first taste. Through 78 games with the White Sox, Teel held a .273/.375/.411 slash line with 11 doubles, eight home runs, and three swiped bags. He generated an above-average .337 xwOBA with a stellar 47.8% LA Sweet-Spot%.

Even though Teel did not generate the loudest contact (37.6% hard-hit rate and a 9.6% barrel rate), he posted a high 20.8% Pull AIR%, which allowed him to tap into his home run upside.

When active, Teel should see the majority of starts in a Chicago lineup that has shown some progress on offense with the emergence of Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas. Teel should push for double-digit home runs and steals over the remainder of the campaign and could finish as a borderline top-12 option at the position, once he returns to the diamond.

KYLE TEEL!! VERY. FIRST. PITCH. 💣 pic.twitter.com/5V9XHgC8Pw

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) June 16, 2026

- Andy Smith

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, New York Yankees

While he plays for my favorite team's rival, the baseball fan in me has enjoyed this late-career resurgence from Paul Goldschmidt this season.

With Giancarlo Stanton spending most of the season on the IL, Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have been alternating starts at first base and DH, with both players playing every day. For the most part, Goldschmidt has been hitting in the top half of the Yankees lineup, especially since Aaron Judge hit the IL.

After an underwhelming couple of seasons, Goldschmidt has bounced back nicely here in 2026 in his age-38 season. In 189 plate appearances, Goldy is slashing .300/.365/.553 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored.

Most of this damage has come since the beginning of May, as Goldschmidt slashed .289/.372/.518 with five home runs in 94 May plate appearances and .373/.387/.661 with five home runs in 62 June plate appearances so far.

While Goldschmidt's AVG EV and hard-hit rate have actually ticked down this season, he's increased his barrel rate from 8% to 11.8% and his pull-air rate from 17.9% to 20.6%. Goldy is also hitting at least .290 with a slugging percentage north of .450 and a contact rate of at least 75% against all three pitch types. If you need a corner infielder, this could be a golden move for your fantasy teams.

- Eric Cross

Cole Carrigg, OF, Colorado Rockies

Carrigg was spotlighted in last week's edition, but the young outfielder is still widely available on Yahoo and has begun to flash high-end upsd upside in his first taste of MLB action. Carrigg joined the Rockies last week with many outfielders on the shelf (Mickey Moniak, Brenton Doyle, and Jordan Beck), which has given him ample at-bats.

Over his first nine contests in Colorado, the outfielder has posted a .212/.316/.545 line with one triple, three home runs, a stolen base, and a 9:5 K:BB. Over these nine contests, Carrigg went hitless in four of them and tallied multiple hits in two of them.

While the sample is small, Carrigg is showcasing high-end five-category potential, which makes it a priority target for those in standard leagues. In the early going of his MLB career, the 24-year-old has generated an impressive 74.3 mph average bat speed with a 12.5% barrel rate. He also draws walks at an elite 13.2% barrel rate, which will open the door for ample stolen-base opportunities, given his dominant 95th-percentile sprint speed.

Earlier this season, Carrigg was showcasing high-end upside at the Triple-A level. With Albuquerque, Carrigg held a .338/.414/.529 slash line with a .943 OPS, 15 doubles, six home runs, and 30 stolen bases. While he has only swiped one bag so far in the majors, given that he has already drawn walks at a high rate, managers should expect this number to surge over the coming weeks.

With a clear path to at-bats in the short-term, Carrigg is one of the few players on the waiver wire who possess true five-category potential.

Cole Carrigg has three home runs in his first seven games.

Not too bad for your first week in the Majors.#Rockiespic.twitter.com/ZFmNxQnUpJ

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) June 16, 2026

- Andy Smith

Joshua Baez, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

We continue to eagerly await the day when Baez is called up to the Cardinals, as we've highlighted him quite often throughout the season. But it's always good to check back in on how a prospect is doing.

Right now, Baez came into Thursday's action slashing .277/.343/.621 with 23 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 286 plate appearances. While strikeouts remain an issue (30.8%), that kind of power and speed upside is tantalizing in fantasy baseball.

The Cardinals' outfielder has been absolutely mashing at the plate lately, homering four times in a recent game and five times for the full week.

111.1 mph off the bat on Joshua Báez's fifth homer this week 🔥

MLB's No. 64 prospect ranks second in all of @MiLB with 24 roundtrippers this season for the Triple-A @memphisredbirds.@Cardinals | @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/fev8aIrljj

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 19, 2026

The Cardinals came into the year projected by many to finish last in the NL Central, but they're currently in 2nd with a 40-33 record, showing no signs of slowing down. This is a rebuilding team that has wildly exceeded expectations. On the one hand, that could mean that they may be patient with Baez. On the other hand, you could argue that Baez has the type of upside that would immediately add to this offense.

I'm on the more optimistic side of the argument. I'm expecting Baez to be called up soon, especially since he's been red-hot in the minors. We're starting to see the Cardinals bring up their young players from the minors, with Jimmy Crooks and Jordan called up recently.

If I have to put a date on it, I'd say that we'd see Baez called up by the All-Star break at the latest. When that happens, he'll immediately become a priority pickup in all formats.

- Frank Ammirante

Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics

Unlike Carrigg, Bolte earned the call to the majora much earlier but still remains quite under-rosterted, sitting on the waiver wire in nearly 90% of current Yahoo leagues. Since joining the MLB roster (33 games), Bolte has held his own, carrying a .314/.385/.422 line with five doubles, two home runs, and six stolen bases.

While he has only totaled 11 runs and nine RBI, he has been a plus asset for batting average and speed.

Earlier in the season, Bolte was flashing immense five-category upside at the Triple-A level, which made him an intriguing stash target. At Triple-A Las Vegas, Bolte held a dominant .348/.418/.658 slash line with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

While this high-end five-category profile has yet to show up in the box score in Sacramento, the 22-year-old does have some very positive underlying marks. So far, the team's No. 5-ranked prospect sits in the 100th percentile in sprint speed and has generated an eye-catching 77.1 mph average bat speed. Playing in a favorable park for hitters will bolster his power totals, even if his 5.8% barrel rate and .340 xSLG remain low.

His 29.1% K% lowers his floor in points leagues, but those needing a high-end stolen base option with a high-floor batting average should look to target Bolte this weekend.

ATH - Henry Bolte Solo HR (2)

📏 410 ft | 💨 102.6 mph | 📐 23°
⚾️ 92.1 mph four-seam fastball (PIT - LHP Evan Sisk)
🏟️ Out in 19/30 parks

PIT (12) @ ATH (3)
🔻 7th#Athletics pic.twitter.com/mHvo65wjp8

— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) June 18, 2026

- Andy Smith

Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Javier Assad, SP, Chicago Cubs

Javier Assad was pushed into a starting role due to Chicago's numerous injuries and has done more than hold his own. Over his last three outings (with two of them being starts and the other being a long-relief showing), Assad has logged 18 innings to the tune of a 1.00 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP. During this stretch, the right-hander has struck out 11 hitters and allowed just two free passes.

Prior to this stretch, Assad held a 5.88 ERA over his first 26 innings of the campaign, but much of this was inflated by a six-run effort on April 25 and a nine-run effort on April 13.

While the 28-year-old is not the target for strikeouts, he could provide strong ratio support while he remains in the starting rotation. Assad relies on a kitchen-sink approach, deploying three pitchers more than 17.0% of the time and mixing in three more at least 7.0% of the time each.

The primary pitch in his arsenal is his sinker, which he has thrown 38.7% of the time this season, and 32% of the time in June. This month, this pitch has performed exceptionally well, generating a .171 xwOBA, compared to the overall .307 xwOBa it holds on the season.

While his four-seamer has not been overly effective, the pitch to watch is his sweeper. In June, it has generated a stellar 33.3% whiff rate with a .043 xwOBA. If this pitch can continue to remain his primary breaking ball, he could see his strikeout numbers keep growing.

The other component of his price that makes him a worthy target in standard leagues is his high-end command. Assad has generated an eltie 5.2% walk rate, which has kept his WHIP on the season at a low 1.00 mark.

The strikeout potential will be limited, but those looking to target a hot pitcher to boost their ratios should pick up Assad amid this impressive stretch.

- Andy Smith

Gage Jump, SP, Athletics

I guess this week has an Athletics theme, as this is the third Athletics player I'm recommending. After allowing four earned runs and nine hits in his Major League debut on May 26, Gage Jump has settled in nicely over his last four starts, posting a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 25.1 innings. Jump had his best outing so far on Thursday, allowing one hit and three walks over seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

One area where Jump has excelled in his five Major League starts has been limiting hard contact. Jump has allowed just a 29.6% hard-hit rate and two barrels (2.5%) in his first 81 batted balls allowed, both of which rank in the top 6% of pitchers this season.

While his overall 22% strikeout rate and 23.8% whiff rate don't stand out, Jump does have three pitches with a whiff rate above 30%. Those just happen to be his three least-used offerings. Jump also has an impressive 36.1% chase rate.

I'm usually a bit skeptical of going after a rookie pitcher, but Jump has impressed me so far, and I believe there's more strikeout upside in the tank.

- Eric Cross

Griffin Jax, SP/RP, Tampa Bay Rays

Jax was viewed as a popular bullpen target heading into the 2026 season, as he had a clear path to compete for saves in Tampa Bay. Without a clear closer on the roster and Edwin Uceta on the shelf, Jax (and his previous experience as a high-leverage pitcher) seems poised to emerge as a potential 20-save candidate with elite strikeout upside.

However, after Jax stumbled in the bullpen early on, the Rays opted to transition the right-hander into a starting role. While it took him some time, Jax was eventually cleared to begin pitching out of the team's starting rotation.

Through his first 25 innings (as a starter), Jax held a 3.60 ERA with a 22:9 K:BB. However, over the last two outings, Jax has looked far more comfortable, posting a perfect 0.00 ERA over 10 innings with a 9:2 K:BB. While his high-end strikeout upside has not transferred over from the bullpen, Jax is gradually seeing improvement, which has put him in a position to enjoy sustained success.

Since the start of June, Jax has begun to lean on his four-seamer far less and instead deploy his sinker, sweeper, and changeup as his top three options (as shown below).

Given that his four-seamer has posted a hefty .454 xwOBA through the opening two months, this change should put him in a great position to enjoy more sustained success. His new "primary" pitch, his changeup, has generated an eye-catching 35.6% whiff rate with a .272 wOBA (.293 xwOBA). His sweeper has generated a whiff at an even higher 41.1% clip and holds a similar .287 xwOBA under the hood.

While his sinker has still not found much success (.359 xwOBA), his primary whiff options are showcasing high-end upside. Managers should expect his low 22.3% K% to enjoy some prominent positive regression over the next few weeks, as his 30.8% whiff rate places him in the 89th percentile among all qualified pitchers.

Jax may see his innings limited, but his two high-upside whiff pitches make him a more worthy target if looking for upside at the starting pitcher position.

- Andy Smith

Elvis Alvarado, RP, Athletics

While their offense has been humming right along, the Athletics' bullpen has been a hot mess this season without Mason Miller anchoring the late innings. Hogan Harris currently leads the team with six saves, with Mark Leiter Jr. and Joel Kuhnel each picking up four saves, but none of the three have been consistent options. But this is where Elvis Alvarado enters the chat.

Elvis Alvarado gets the K for his first career save 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NSUrSDikq0

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) June 11, 2026

Alvarado himself has a 5.63 ERA for the season, but he's picked up each of the Athletics' last two saves, with the most recent coming last Saturday, June 13. While Alvarado's overall ERA doesn't look great, he's pitched much better since returning to the Athletics' bullpen on June 6. In his fine appearances since then, Alvarado has allowed just two hits and one earned run with zero walks and 11 strikeouts in 6.1 innings.

Alvarado works with a 98.7 mph 4-seamer, a 97.6 mph sinker, and an upper-80s slider while mixing in the occasional splitter. He possesses the elite velocity you like seeing from a ninth-inning guy, and both Alvarado's 4-seamer and slider can miss bats, currently sporting a 37.8% and 40% whiff rate, respectively. If you're hunting for saves, Alvarado is worth a look.

-Eric Cross

River Ryan, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Ryan missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in 2024, but has since returned to the bump and looks like his former self.

The right-hander was healthy in spring training, but the Dodgers opted to option him to Triple-A to further build up his workload. While he hit a brief roadblock early in the season with a brief stint on the 7-day injured list, Ryan is once again back in action at Triple-A and is looking sharper than ever before. He is now firmly knocking on the MLB door.

Since reappearing from the injured list on May 15, Ryan has made five starts for Oklahoma City (25 innings) and posted an elite 2.16 ERA with a stellar 1.00 WHIP. During this stint, Ryan has struck out 30 hitters while walking just five hitters.

What makes this stretch even more impressive is that a rough four-run effort during this stretch significantly inflated his ratios. Removing this lone outlier showing from his box score, the No. 77-ranked prospect on MLB.com would have allowed just two total runs over 19 innings of work.

While his current progression has already put him at the top of the stash list, his path to joining the reigning two-time World Series champions is also very clear. Currently, the Dodgers rotation is dealing with several injuries, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow both on the injured list.

In the short term, the Dodgers have turned to Eric Lauer to serve as their No. 6 option, but the 31-year-old does not have the longest track record of success this season. While he has a 3.22 ERA since joining the Dodgers, he carries a 5.37 ERA this season. If Lauer takes a step back (5.30 xERA), or if another Dodgers starter joins Snell or Glasnow on the shelf, Ryan will get the call.

His current production makes him a top option to stash in 12+ team leagues and in all formats that have N/A spots.

River Ryan is in Jumbo Jack territory as he gets his 7th strikeout confirmed by ABS 🍔 pic.twitter.com/Xyr1vN0EMs

— Hyeseong Kim Muse 김혜성 (@HyeseongKimMuse) June 10, 2026

- Andy Smith

Jacob Webb and Caleb Thielbar, RP, Chicago Cubs

Webb secured Wednesday’s save against the Rockies, giving him the first one after Daniel Palencia’s IL placement. He did allow a solo homer to Kyle Karros, which means he’s surrendered a run in three of his last four games. The 3.13 ERA/1.29 WHIP is still strong, and his 2.14 ERA (2.22 xERA) since May began is a step up.

The 39-year-old Thielbar saw saves during Palencia’s prior IL stint in mid-April, but then succumbed to a left hamstring strain and lost the moment. It’s been rocky since returning, as he’s allowed six runs over 11 IP (three holds). He did stabilize the eighth inning after Ethan Roberts got into trouble before Webb’s save, so he’s in the late-leverage conversation.

**Kudos to Ryan Rolison, who is another ex-Rockies pitcher finding success after leaving the altitude. He hasn’t yielded an earned run in 11 games, posting an 11:2 K:BB with only three hits allowed (all singles) in 8 ⅓ IP this June.

- Nick Mariano

Tony Santillan, RP, Cincinnati Reds

Santillan has had an awful year, but a recent nudge in velocity has come with two saves in his last two games. Three of his last four appearances have seen him average 95.9-96.3 mph on the heater after going anywhere between 93-95 for much of the year. That four-seamer has a .507 SLG against after .318 in 2025, yet his .426 xSLG actually trails last year’s .441. Funky!

Tony Santillan closed out last night's win.
His fastball averaged 96.3 mph, up from his season average of 94.5, and matching his 2025 average of 96.3

He got six misses on 11 swings (55%).
2 of 2 on slurve, 1 of 1 on slider.

That's six straight scoreless appearances, with 0… pic.twitter.com/K8rfyyhfeR

— LanceMcAlister (@LanceMcAlister) June 17, 2026

Pagan is increasing his rehab and is slated to throw live batting practice on Friday. If that goes well, then a rehab assignment should be on the horizon, meaning we could see him back in the saddle before July comes. Then we will have to reassess whether his early command troubles were rooted in that nagging hammy or not.

- Nick Mariano

Caleb Kilian, RP, San Francisco Giants

Caleb Kilian was recently given the seal of approval by his manager and will serve as the primary closer going forward. While the Giants could continue to sporadically use other options in the ninth inning (as they did on June 17), Kilian is now the clear favorite to earn saves.

Since serving up a season-worst five runs on May 29 at Coors Field, Kilian has logged 7 1/3 straight shutout frames with an 11:3 K:BB and one save. Overall on the season, Kilian holds a 3.06 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 32 1/3 innings, which is also greatly inflated by his showing at Coors Field.

Under the hood, the right-hander holds a 63rd-percentile xERA with an elite 28.6% K% and a strong .219 xBA. While the save opportunities may be hard to come by, Kilian should see the bulk of them and has a path to finish the campaign with around 15-20 saves.

- Andy Smith

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