RotoBaller Staff Roundtable - Waiver Wire Pickups: Fantasy Baseball Week 22

August 22, 2026

RotoBaller staff's fantasy baseball Week 22 waiver wire pickups for 2026. Expert advice for waiver wire hitter, pitcher, and closer targets from Andy, Eric, Marty, and Mike

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our Staff Roundtable. This week, we will highlight some of the top waiver wire suggestions from Eric Cross, Andy Smith, Marty Tallman, and Mike Carter.

Below, we will look at this week's top waiver wire targets, including some surging veteran bats and one of the top prospects in the sport who just earned the call.

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

Hitter Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Matt McClain, 2B/SS, Cincinnati Reds

Look who it is! It's our old pal Matt McLain, who I'm sure has burned plenty of you reading this article right now. I'm certainly included in that, as I had McLain on my home keeper league a couple of years ago. Well, despite all the inconsistencies over the years, McLain has given us some glimpses of the upside that made him so intriguing for fantasy back in his rookie season, and we're seeing that version of McLain again recently.

In 68 August plate appearances, McLain has already racked up four home runs and four steals with a .237/.324/.508 slash line. On top of that, McLain has managed a 42.9% hard-hit rate and 16.7% barrel rate this month, and has an xBA of .272.

Matt McLain GRAND SLAM ‼️@Reds lead! pic.twitter.com/xWqn9e7Lfe

— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2026

Yes, there are still flaws in his game, and I have my doubts about him all of a sudden becoming a consistent player in the batter's box. But the upside is also intriguing due to McLain's power/speed blend, and his zone and overall contact rates aren't bad. He's also walking at a career-best 11.2% clip this season. If you need a middle infielder, I'd consider giving McLain a look to see if he can keep this production going over the final five weeks of the season.

- Eric Cross

Rafael Flores Jr., C/1B, Pittsburgh Pirates

There may not be a hitter who has been as hot as Rafael Flores Jr. Over his last seven contests, the young backup has launched an eye-catching five home runs while holding a .435/.480/1.130 slash line. During this noted surge, he has tallied 10 RBI while scoring eight runs.

While the sample size of his success in the majors is very small, his current production has already pushed him into the top of the waiver wire target at this position. Under the hood, Flores has generated a .413 xwOBA with a .604 xSLG and a 51.5% hard-hit rate, all of which would place him among the top percentile of qualified hitters.

The rookie catcher has spent most of the 2026 season at the Triple-A level (65 games), where he has posted a .228/.365/.377 slash line with just 11 home runs and a modest .742 OPS. However, he has begun to see an everyday role in Pittsburgh with Endy Rodriguez on the shelf and Henry Davis carrying a low .212/.312/.287 slash line since the start of July.

Flores has also seen occasional starts at first base, and if he maintains this current pace, he should remain a key contributor in this lineup.

Those needing a catcher in 12+ team leagues or additional corner infield depth should target one of the hottest hitters in the sport.

Rafael Flores Jr. ties the game with his second homer of the day! pic.twitter.com/YOL71hAMDo

— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2026

- Andy Smith

Jeff McNeil, 1B/2B/OF, Athletics

While McNeil may not possess the raw power potential of Flores, he is a top asset for those needing a late-season batting-average boost.

Since July 18 (his last 27 games), McNeil has posted an elite .364/.387/.523 slash line with five doubles, three home runs, and five stolen bases. Additionally, during this noted stretch, McNeil has been an elite asset in the post-points leagues, as evidenced by his minuscule 8.6% K%.

On the season, the veteran infielder carries a .261/.313/.357 line, but his underlying marks suggest he could continue to see his batting average rise down the stretch. Per Baseball Savant, the 34-year-old sits in the 86th percentile in xBA (.277), which is nearly 20 points higher than his face-value average.

As shown below, his xBA against all three pitch types has also steadily improved over the past two months, suggesting his recent surge is not a fluke and could be usable over the back half of the campaign.

Those falling behind in batting average should view McNeil as a priority target.

- Andy Smith

Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins

With Baez finally up in the majors, Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins is now my No. 1 prospect to stash in redraft leagues. Jenkins has been on a tear lately, showing a fantasy-friendly mix of hitting, plate discipline, developing power, and speed.

Walker Jenkins has gone yard for the second straight day... in the same game (Was suspended yesterday).

Jenkins has the tools to be a high-impact fantasy outfielder if he can just stay healthy.

Where have we heard that before?#MNTwinspic.twitter.com/LpPPbejeJK

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) August 20, 2026

Jenkins has always shown a good approach at the plate, with the ability to control the strike zone and make plenty of contact. In 63 Triple-A games this season, the 2023 fifth overall pick has a 15.8% strikeout rate, 14% walk rate, and 84% contact rate while rarely chasing.

The 21-year-old left-handed hitter is also young for the level and has battled through several injuries to establish himself as the Twins' No. 1 prospect.

Across 244 Triple-A plate at-bats, Jenkins is slashing .295/.392/.500 with nine home runs and 13 stolen bases. The numbers are impressive, but his underlying metrics are just as encouraging.

Jenkins has posted a .344 xwOBA at Triple-A, ranking in the 80th percentile, along with a 112.3 mph max exit velocity that ranks in the 89th percentile.

For some perspective, Jenkins has hit a ball harder this season than Manny Machado, Gunnar Henderson, and Matt Olson. Max exit velocity isn't everything, but it gives us a good idea of the power Jenkins could develop as he gets stronger.

Over a full season, Jenkins could hit around 25 home runs with 20 stolen bases, a .280 batting average, and an excellent on-base percentage. In other words, he will be a top-20 fantasy outfielder very soon.

For the rest of the season, Jenkins is a must-stash in 12-team leagues and could get the call when rosters expand in September. Once he's in the majors, he should be rostered in all formats.

- Marty Tallman

Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics

Bolte looked like a potential league-winner over his first month of MLB action. Through his first 21 games with the Athletics, the rookie outfielder posted a dominant .328/.397/.391 line with a .788 OPS. During this stretch, Bolte did not hit a home run, but hit four doubles and chipped in four stolen bases.

However, following this hot start, he endured some serious growing pains. From June 6 through July 30, Bolte would carry a pedestrian .208/.294/.292 line with three doubles and his first three MLB home runs. However, his stark drop in batting average likely sent him to the waiver wire in most formats.

Despite the near two-month slump, Bolte has quickly begun to find his swing. Over his last 19 games, Bolte has seen his average return to a much-higher .333 with three home runs and two stolen bases. While the hefty 25.0% K% does lower his floor in points leagues, Bolte is one of the few outliers widely available who can contribute in both power and speed categories.

Prior to his MLB debut, Bolte posted a strong .348 AVG with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 37 Triple-A games. Bolte may endure some inconsistencies, but he has the upside to finish the season with near 15 home runs and over 20 stolen bases.

- Andy Smith

Griffin Conine, 1B/OF, Miami Marlins

Another hitter that has been rolling here in August is Miami's Griffin Conine. In 63 plate appearances so far this month, Conine has slashed .278/.381/.574 with five home runs. He enjoyed a nice July as well, cranking six home runs with a .257/.342/.543 slash line across 79 plate appearances.

Griffin Conine crushes a solo HR 109.4 MPH off the bat to tie it!

His 1.049 OPS in August is the 4th-best mark in the NL 🐠 pic.twitter.com/gkNLbAif8c

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 18, 2026

When you look under the hood at Conine’s profile, his quality of contact metric will immediately pop off the page. He's recorded an impressive 16.8% barrel rate, 92.7 mph AVG EV, and 54.9% hard-hit rate this season, all of which are new career-best marks for him here in his third Major League season. If he had enough batted balls to qualify, Conine would be near the top of the leaderboards in those metrics, along with xSLG, xBA, and xwOBA as well.

However, there's a downside in terms of his contact and strikeout rate. While Conine has been pounding the you know what out of the ball when he makes contact, we've also seen him post a 30.3% strikeout rate, 75% zone contact rate, and a 61.9% overall contact rate. I'm not expecting the AVG to remain overly high, but if you need power, Conine is a great target this week.

- Eric Cross

Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Kade Anderson, SP, Seattle Mariners

Do yourself a favor and go check if he's available right now before you read this article. If he is available, add him immediately. Go ahead, I'll wait...

Kade Anderson doesn’t allow a run for the 13th time in 18 starts. He was awesome tonight. Final line: 5.2IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 7K, 8 groundouts, 12 whiffs, 79 pitches, 53 strikes. pic.twitter.com/aOhwCLI9Lo

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) August 15, 2026

Anderson put together one of the best seasons by a pitching prospect in the history of baseball this season in Double-A. In his 18 starts for Arkansas, Anderson recorded a pristine 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, 3.9% walk rate, and a 40.5% strikeout rate across 93.1 innings. He only allowed 11 earned runs total in those 18 starts, with five of those coming in one outing. A whopping 13 of his 18 starts yielded zero earned runs, and Anderson had at least six strikeouts in all but three outings.

Listen, I know rookies are always a tricky and risky investment in redraft leagues, but Anderson is no ordinary rookie. This is the best pitching prospect in the game with future ace upside. And that's not a term I throw around lightly. I'm not overly concerned about any innings limit or shutdown for Anderson either, as he's still 25.2 innings under what he had at LSU last spring (119 innings). So Anderson getting 6-7 starts and another 30 or so innings with Seattle is reasonable.

- Eric Cross

Geoge Klassen, SP, Los Angeles Angels

The Angels promoted Klassen to the majors back in April, but his first stint did not go as planned as he allowed six earned runs over his first 4 2/3 innings. However, after spending some time at Triple-A, Klassen has since returned to the big leagues and has looked far more competent against the sport's top hitters.

Over his last three outings since rejoining the MLB roster (since August 4), Klassen has logged 17 innings to the tune of a 1.59 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. During this three-start stretch, Klassen struck out 15 hitters while walking eight. While the sample is small, like the previously noted Flores, Klassen did flash upside in the minor leagues and could hold viable fantasy value down the stretch.

In July, Klassen was near unhittable at Triple-A Salt Lake, logging 36 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.48 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. In June (20 1/3 innings), the right-hander held a similar 2.66 ERA.

So far, Klassen has generated a high-end 52.5% ground-ball rate in the majors with an impressive 33.3% whiff rate.

- Andy Smith

Gage Wood, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies' window to win a championship is just about to close. With an aging roster, this could be their last real opportunity to make a deep playoff run, which is why the Phillies' No. 1 prospect, Gage Wood, has a chance to make his major league debut soon.

Wood has been dominant in the minors this season, posting a 3.14 xFIP, 35% strikeout rate, and 7.8% walk rate across 76 innings between Low-A and Double-A.

All six strikeouts tonight from the @Phillies top prospect Gage Wood! #GoFightins pic.twitter.com/9N5XwFJbFc

— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) August 15, 2026

The 22-year-old was selected 26th overall in the 2025 draft and has already made his way up to Double-A.

The biggest weapon in Wood's arsenal is a 70-grade fastball, which gives him the kind of velocity that can miss bats at any level. He also has a 55-grade curveball, 50-grade slider, and 40-grade changeup, while continuing to work on his command.

There isn't an obvious opening in Philadelphia's rotation right now, but that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't a path for Wood.

I could see him eventually taking over for veteran starter Aaron Nola or rookie hurler Andrew Painter.

Nola has struggled this season, posting a 5.33 ERA and career-low 16.2% K-BB% over 130 innings, while Painter has been dreadful. The rookie right-hander owns a 6.43 ERA, 9.7% K-BB%, and 1.55 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings.

Even if Wood doesn't immediately join the rotation, the Phillies could use him to piggyback Nola or Painter when they inevitably get into trouble.

If that's the case and Wood is allowed to throw four or more innings, he'd have plenty of opportunities to rack up strikeouts and potentially pick up wins.

Wood is worth stashing in 15-team leagues with a minor-league roster spot. If he does get the call, his strikeout upside makes him rosterable in all 12-team leagues.

- Marty Tallman

Mason Montgomery, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates

It's a bit surprising to see a locked-in closer who is pitching well available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues. But that's exactly the case with left-hander Mason Montgomery. Even after adding a few bullpen arms at the deadline who had closer experience, including Luke Weaver and Camilo Doval, Montgomery has been the man called upon to close out games for the Pirates this month, nabbing three saves in his six appearances.

Mason Montgomery, Wicked Elevated 100mph Two Seamer. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/8cm1mbHsNk

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 25, 2026

For the season, Montgomery has been a strikeout and groundball merchant, recording a 39% strikeout rate and 56.1% groundball rate. On top of that, he ranks highly with his 32.9% whiff rate, 86.9 mph AVG EV allowed, and .183 xBA.

On top of having a 4-seamer that averages 98.4 mph and a sinker at 98.9 mph with a 38.2% whiff rate, Montgomery will also mix in an upper 80s slider and a mid-80s curveball, both of which have a whiff rate closer to 40%. The slider has been an especially dominant offering, recording a .036 BAA, .036 SLG allowed, and a 37.5% whiff rate this season.

Montgomery is one of just three pitchers this season to have a strikeout rate north of 30% and a groundball rate above 50%, joining Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby and Toronto's Louis Varland.

- Eric Cross

Ben Joyce, RP, Los Angeles Angels

While it appeared Samy Natera Jr. was going to contend with Joyce on this committee, he re-entered the 15-day injured list with a back injury, paving the way for Joyce to operate as the clear-cut starting man in Los Angeles. Joyce had a delayed start to the regular season while recovering from labrum surgery but has since returned to them and is also feeling quite comfortable.

Joyce made his 2026 season debut with the Angels on August 5 and has made six near-perfect appearances. He has yet to allow a run and has held a sharp 0.33 WHIP. He has struck out eight hitters and allowed just one free pass. While he did not earn a save over his first three appearances, he has tallied in each of his last three outings and is in complete control of this bullpen.

Back in 2024, Joyce logged a career-high 34 2/3 innings for the Angels while carrying a 2.08 ERA with a 33:14 K:BB. Even though the Angels may not have the most save opportunities compared to most clubs, Joyce is expected to get the call for the bulk of them going forward.

Additionally, unlike the name below, Joyce has the upside to post high-end strikeout numbers while delivering elite ratios, and to help in double-digit saves by the end of the season.

103.4 MPH 🔥

Ben Joyce seals an Angels win with GAS! pic.twitter.com/pwFXrNFAfW

— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2026

- Andy Smith

Justin Martinez, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Martinez is back for the Diamondbacks and got into his first game of the season this week. He was inserted in the eighth inning, threw 19 pitches, 11 of which were four-seamers with a velocity over 100 MPH. So it is good to know that his velocity has clearly returned.

What we do not know is the role, as he returns to a committee featuring Juan Morillo and Barndyn Garcia, who earned the last save a week ago. Look for Garcia to get more save opportunities in the short term, with Martinez getting back into the mix when he gets his feet under him.

- Mike Carter

Tanner Scott, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Is there any better example of how quickly things can change in bullpens than the curious case of Tanner Scott? Scott was the closer essentially for the World Champions last year, and this winter, the Dodgers went out and signed Edwin Diaz, thus bumping Scott to a setup role. But an elbow injury to Diaz opened the closer spot back up for Scott, and he responded with 15 saves while Diaz was out recovering from the injury.

But wait, it gets better: Diaz came back and was lousy with an ERA over 10. Diaz went back to the IL with a neck issue, and Scott is back in the closer role in Los Angeles. And he has earned the last two saves this week for a first-place team. And get this: he is rostered in only 51% of Yahoo leagues, and plenty of people need saves. Get him back this weekend if you can.

I love pitchers who get lots of chase, and you can see that Scott has gotten that in abundance in his career, even more this season. Scott also adds a 32% K%, and has minimized his walks to a career-best 5.6%. There is nothing not to like here in this profile; if you need saves and have some FAAB left, it is a no-brainer to bid on Scott this weekend.

- Mike Carter

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