Just when it appeared the parade of prospects being called up would slow down, more were called up to add to the fantasy baseball waiver wire frenzy. Last week it was Marlins right-handed pitcher Eury Perez, who has been added in most leagues. The latest is Reds shortstop Matt McLain, who made his debut Monday night. Even Dominic Fletcher, a 25-year old rookie outfielder for Arizona, has made an impact in a short period of the 2023 MLB season. Drew Rasmussen, Anthony Rendon, C.J. Cron, A.J. Puk and Nick Lodolo are some of the players that recently landed on the injured list making it imperative to add players off the waiver wire. Make sure you keep track of all the latest fantasy baseball injuries. When making pickups or free agent additions, consider whether you need a short-term or long-term replacement. Some of the recommendations can be streamers for a short period. As always, continue to hit the waiver wire and consider adding some of the players below.

Also, don't forget to listen to this week's episode of the Cash It podcast with Howard Bender and Adam Ronis while you're scrolling down!

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters

Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF, Minnesota Twins (23% – Yahoo, 5.4% – ESPN)

It's all about health for Kirilloff. Injuries have held him back, especially his wrist. For now, he's healthy and hitting. In his minor league career, Kirilloff has a .322 average and .522 slugging percentage. He had three home runs and 12 RBIs in 10 games at Triple-A before being called up and he will get playing time. He is 9-for-22 (.409) with six runs, two doubles, two home runs and three RBIs with six walks and five strikeouts since coming off the injured list and has hit second recently.

Matt McLain, SS, Cincinnati Reds (29% – Yahoo, 4% – ESPN)

McLain, a 2021 first-round pick, was called up on Monday and hit second for his debut in Colorado. He went 1-for-4 with two runs and one walk. He is expected to play every day at shortstop in a hitter-friendly home park. McLain slashed .348/.474/.710 with 30 runs, 12 home runs, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases at Triple-A. 

Jake Fraley, OF, Cincinnati Reds (25% – Yahoo, 5.4% – ESPN)

Fraley might have been dropped in some shallow leagues after a slow start, but the power is starting to emerge. Fraley gets a series at Coors Field this week and plays in one of the most-friendly parks in Cincinnati. Fraley is slashing .267/.366/.457 with 15 runs, five home runs, 28 RBIs and four stolen bases. In the last 10 games, Fraley is hitting .357 with three home runs and 12 RBIs.

Nick Pratto, 1B, Kansas City Royals (23% – Yahoo, 4.8% – ESPN)

Pratto has made some positive changes since last season and it has resulted in good stats. He is chasing fewer pitches out of the strike zone and has increased his hard hit rate. He is slashing .333.417/.508 with 11 runs, two home runs and 13 RBIs. With a 31.9% strikeout rate and .500 BABIP the average will decrease, but Pratto gets six right-handed pitchers this week.

Dominic Fletcher, OF,  Arizona Diamondbacks (18% – Yahoo, 4.4% – ESPN)

Since being called up at the end of April, Fletcher has played almost every day. In his first 42 at-bats, Fletcher is slashing .429/.455/.690 with five runs, two home runs and 13 RBIs. Fletcher is striking out only 15.2% of the time and while this level won't last, he's a solid play for now.

Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, New York Yankees (2% – Yahoo, 0.3% – ESPN)

Bauers is a good streamer for this week. He led off for the second straight game on Monday and the Yankees will get seven games this week against right-handed pitchers, meaning a lot of playing time for Bauers. In 24 at-bats, Bauers is slashing .292/.357/.542 with five runs, two home runs and four RBIs. Bauers is making a lot of hard contact and can help short-term.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Dylan Floro, RP, Miami Marlins (24% – Yahoo, 6.8% ESPN)

A.J. Puk was placed on the injured list with nerve irritation in his left elbow. Floro and Tanner Scott are expected to get most of the save chances with Floro likely getting the priority. Floro got the first one with Puk out and pitched a scoreless inning with one walk and one strikeout. Floro has a 2.95 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, a 24.7% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate. 

Louie Varland, SP, Minnesota Twins, (29% – Yahoo, 9.3% – ESPN)

Varland has three quality starts in his four outings. He has a 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 28.4% strikeout rate, and 6.3% walk rate. Varland has pitched at least six innings in three starts and has at least six strikeouts in every start. Varland has a 14.9% swinging strike rate.

James Paxton, SP, Boston Red Sox (19% – Yahoo, 5.8% ESPN)

Paxton didn't pitch in the majors last season and 1.1 innings in 2021 and had Tommy John surgery. He pitched 20.1 innings in 2020 and is 34 years old. Being skeptical of Paxton makes sense based on this. Paxton is still an injury risk, but he pitched well in his first start of the season. He pitched five innings and allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out nine against the Cardinals. He had 12 swinging strikes and showed he can miss bats. He averaged 96.3 miles per hour on his fastball, the highest since 2016.

Ranger Suarez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies (20% – Yahoo, 25.9% – ESPN)

Suarez started the season on the injured list and made his first start on Saturday at Coors Field in Colorado. He pitched four innings and allowed seven hits, three runs, one walk and struck out four. Suarez has a 2.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 236:91 K:BB ratio over 261.1 innings in the last two seasons. Suarez's next start is at home against the Cubs.

Miguel Castro, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks (4% – Yahoo, 0.5% – ESPN)

If you're speculating for saves, consider Castro. He picked up a save on Friday and a win on Sunday. Andrew Chafin is the favorite for saves, but he's struggled in a few of his last few appearances. In 17.2 innings, Castro has allowed 13 hits, walked five and stuck out 15. Castro is in the 96th percentile of hard hit percentage. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Monday, while Chafin did the same in the ninth for the save. It might take some time for Castro to get consistent saves, but he looks to be next in line.

 

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