Weekend Waiver Wire Rankings: Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 17

July 25, 2026

Weekend fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings for Week 17 (2026). Free-agent hitters and pitchers to add include Luke Weaver, Jake Mangum, Dalton Rushing, Lane Thomas, and Clayton Beeter.

Welcome back to another weekend edition of our MLB waiver wire rankings. The MLB trade deadline is a week away, and as trade rumors swirl around for the upcoming week, we could see some big names traded up until then. At RotoBaller HQ, for leagues that allow daily moves, we have updated our weekend fantasy baseball waiver rankings for Week 17 -- July 20  through July 26. The rankings provide which hitters and pitchers to target off the waiver wire. 

Recently, we saw the Cubs call up second base/outfielder prospect James Triantos from Triple-A Iowa, and he made his MLB debut on Thursday. Some key injuries to monitor include Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte scratched from Thursday's lineup vs. the Cardinals due to back stiffness. However, reinforcements are on the way as Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is set to return this weekend after being sidelined since early June with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. 

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 later-week rankings list should help you keep track of players emerging in the weekend before we reach Sunday night waivers. 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 Clayton Beeter, Luke Weaver, Dalton Rushing, Jake Mangum, and Lane Thomas. Read some of the waiver wire outlooks below:

Clayton Beeter, Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Clayton Beeter gave up the deciding solo home run in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to Colorado, taking his third loss of the season. Two days earlier, he worked 1 1/3 innings for his eighth save against the Athletics. That swing captures the appeal and the risk.

Beeter now has a 3.94 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. The saves are useful. The role is not settled. Beeter has also walked 19 batters and blown five save chances, while Washington has used him before the ninth when the matchup called for it. RotoBaller keeps him in the 15-team range, which fits. Managers chasing saves in deeper formats can take the volatility, but Beeter should not be treated like a secure closer.

Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing snapped a nine-game hitless streak Wednesday, July 22, with a 438-foot homer and a two-run double in a 9-5 win over Philadelphia. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, giving him a .247 average, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 32 runs across 194 at-bats. It was his fifth game this season with at least three RBI. The hot and cold stretches are real, but so is the opportunity.

Will Smith (neck) is not expected back before mid-August, leaving Rushing in the starting role for the foreseeable future. Yahoo managers have rostered him in only 17% of leagues despite the power he brings at a thin position. RotoBaller lists Rushing in the 15-team range. He is not an automatic add in every one-catcher league, but the regular at-bats and 11-homer pop make him a strong pickup in deeper and two-catcher formats.

Jake Mangum, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum (foot) collected two hits, stole his 19th base, and knocked in an insurance run during Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Yankees. He also fouled a ball off his right foot. Mangum finished the opener but was scratched from the second game of the doubleheader so Pittsburgh could examine the injury. The Pirates hope to have him back Friday.

Mangum is batting .303 with two home runs, 35 runs, 21 RBI, and 19 steals across 251 at-bats. There is almost no power here, but that is not why fantasy managers are looking his way. He can help in average and make a real difference in stolen bases. His name appears on just 11% of Yahoo rosters, while RotoBaller ranks him in the 15-team range. Mangum is worth adding there once the foot checks out.

Luke Weaver, New York Mets

New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has arguably been his team's top reliever in 2026, recording a 1.98 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 43 strikeouts, 14 holds, two wins, and one save across 41 innings (39 games). The 32-year-old owns a stellar 20.4% K-BB rate, and opposing batters are hitting just .152 against him. Weaver's path to saves with the Mets is currently blocked off by established closer Devin Williams.

However, Williams has struggled to a 4.54 ERA this season and has allowed four earned runs across his first 5 1/3 innings pitched in July. The Mets may also be looking to move Williams at the upcoming trade deadline if they can find an interested buyer. If Williams is removed from New York's closer role for either reason, Weaver profiles as a logical choice to assume the job.

He has experience in the ninth inning, recording eight saves as a member of the New York Yankees in 2025. Particularly in deeper leagues, Weaver could be worth stashing off the waiver wire.

Lane Thomas, Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas is no longer just a platoon bat. Since Kyle Isbel (foot) landed on the injured list June 10, Thomas has hit .262/.331/.524 with seven home runs and 12 doubles across 126 plate appearances. He is playing against righties and lefties now, usually in a prominent lineup spot.

The full-season line sits at .240 with nine homers, 34 RBI, 29 runs, and five steals over 250 at-bats. Only 11% of Yahoo leagues have Thomas rostered. That is still low for an everyday outfielder offering some power, a little speed, and enough on-base ability to keep the counting stats moving.

Isbel began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so the outfield will get crowded again. Thomas has done too much with the opportunity to simply fall back into a strict platoon. He is a worthwhile mixed-league pickup while the role and production are both working.

First Base Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Second Base Waiver Wire Rankings

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Third Base Waiver Wire Rankings

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Shortstop Waiver Wire Rankings

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Outfield Waiver Wire Rankings

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Catcher Waiver Wire Rankings

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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Rankings

Closer/Reliever Waiver Wire Rankings

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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?

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2026 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players such as Heliot Ramos, Caleb Durbin, A.J. Ewing, Mickey Moniak, Ian Seymour, Grant Taylor, Kyle Karros, Heriberto Hernandez, Cole Carrigg, Tommy Edman, Yoendrys Gomez, Jacob Webb, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters, Francisco Alvarez, Lane Thomas, Nolan Arenado, Kyle Leahy, Reynaldo Lopez, Clayton Beeter, and Max Clark. 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 Heliot Ramos, Caleb Durbin, A.J. Ewing, Mickey Moniak, Ian Seymour, Grant Taylor, Kyle Karros, Heriberto Hernandez, Cole Carrigg, Tommy Edman, Yoendrys Gomez, Jacob Webb, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters, Francisco Alvarez, Lane Thomas, Nolan Arenado, Kyle Leahy, Reynaldo Lopez, Clayton Beeter, and Max Clark: