If you’re competing for a fantasy baseball championship, then you need to find the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for this week. Fantasy Alarm has you covered!

The march to the end of the regular season continues and it is incredibly important to remain vigilant with regard to your waiver wire right now. These next few weeks are going to be crucial as the teams vying for a championship should be making very category-specific claims, whether it’s for a standard roto league or a head-to-head competition. All of this, in preparation for MLB rosters to expand and we get an influx of September call-ups.

 

 

Don’t forget to check in with last week’s waiver article as some of those players may have slipped through the cracks, depending on the depth of your league and number of teams still in contention. And make sure you’ve looked at this week’s Two Start Pitchers & Streaming Starters article as well.

**Please keep in mind, these FAAB bids are a guideline, not the gospel. You should be keeping track of how everyone in your league is bidding, so you understand that if you really need the player, you should raise your bid accordingly.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Catchers

Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds

Look at who finally woke up! After an entire season of disappointment, Stephenson has finally turned things around and could be a spectacular asset behind the plate. He’s hit safely in each of his last four games and in five of his last six. Over that span, he’s batting .348 (8-for-23) with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI. If your catcher(s) aren’t producing, he’s worth the look. FAAB: 4-6%

Joey Bart, Pittsburgh Pirates

It looks like Bart has found a nice home here in Pittsburgh and is starting to catch the majority of playing time behind the dish. Back-to-back games with a home run will definitely put you more on the radar, but it goes beyond that here. He’s hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games and is batting .341 (15-for-44) with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI over that span. Another solid option behind the plate if looking to upgrade. FAAB: 3-5%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: First Basemen

Josh Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks

We covered him last week as a “strike while the iron is hot” type of guy and he continues to produce for his new team. He’s hit safely in four of his last five and enjoyed another two-homer game just the other day. If looking to beef up the power a little, he makes for a decent corner infielder. FAAB: 8-10%

Juan Yepez, Washington Nationals

Another guy we’ve discussed in the past, so if he’s available still, you may not have to pay too high a price. I like the fact that he has eligibility at both first base and in the outfield and while th power isn’t massive, he’s definitely contributing in the batting average department having hit safely in four straight and in six of his last eight games. FAAB: 7-9%

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Second Basemen

Michael Stefanic, Los Angeles Angels

There’s not a lot to love about the middle infield on the waiver wire, so if you’re hurting, you’re going to have to dig deep. Stefanic has actually posted three-straight multi-hit games and actually has five over his last six, so he’s turning a couple of heads. There’s no power and there hasn’t been much in the way of speed, but the batting average is pumped up and he’s crossing the plate more than just a few times. FAAB: 4-6%

Nicky Lopez, Chicago White Sox

More scraping of the bottom of the barrel here, but Lopez seems to be getting the majority of the playing time at second base in what has been a lost season for the White Sox. But these guys are all auditioning for roles next season so if they’re out there, you may as well accumulate at-bats. Not a lot of power or speed, but he’s got five hits over his last four games, including a pair of doubles. FAAB: 2-4%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Third Basemen

Jake Burger, Miami Marlins

Remember this guy? After months of bleh, Burger has seemingly woken up and is actually hitting, having raised his batting average almost 30 points since the beginning of July. He’s hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games and is batting .321 (18-for-56) with two doubles, eight home runs, 12 RBI and nine runs scored over that span. If you’re looking for power and can withstand some batting average difficulties, lock him up. FAAB: 10-12%

Jonah Bride, Miami Marlins

With the departure of Josh Bell, Bride and Burger have been handling the corners for Miami and Bride is definitely worth the look. He’s 28-years-old so the moment isn’t too big for him like you see with other call-ups. But remember, he’s been stuck in the minors for a reason. For now, you may as well give him a look if you need the corner infield help because he’s swinging a hot bat and he’s got four home runs over his last 10 games. FAAB: 8-10% 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Shortstops

Brooks Baldwin, Chicago White Sox

The 23-year-old is getting the opportunity to show what he can do at the big-league level and while he’s still finding his feet, if you need middle infield help, he’s getting the at-bats. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but seven hits over his last six games with one home runs and a few runs scored and RBI can certainly help. FAAB: 3-5%

Leo Jimenez, Toronto Blue Jays

Again, low-budget middle infield help here. Jimenez is seeing the bulk of the playing time at short while Bo Bichette is out and should remain in the mix for at-bats even when he returns. He’s got four hits, all doubles, over his last three games with a couple of runs scored. We’re not fooling ourselves into thinking he’s going to be special, but he did show a little bit of pop and a bit of speed during his ascension through the minors. FAAB: 1-3%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Outfielders

Joc Pederson, Arizona Diamondbacks

No secret as to who Pederson is or what he is capable of producing. He’s a streaky hitter who is in the middle of a solid run right now, hitting four home runs over his last eight games. He sits against most lefties, so keep that in mind, but if you’re able to make daily lineup adjustments and can find a righthanded platoon partner for him, you can probably get a little bit of a power boost. FAAB: 8-10%

Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers

Another guy who sits against the tougher lefties, but now healthy, Meadows should get a look for those who are in need of some runs scored and speed. He was riding a quick three-game hit streak before getting hurt and has now hit safely in four-straight since returning, all of which have been multi-hit games. He’s got a little but of pop and some speed, so as long as he’s in the lineup, he should be worth the attention. FAAB: 6-8%

Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees

Here’s your stash play for right now, especially with the way Alex Verdugo has been struggling at the plate lately. Dominguez hasn’t exactly ben tearing it up at Triple-A lately, but we know there’s a strong power/speed combo here, capable of giving you a huge boost once he comes up. No specific word yet, so keep your bid sensible and keep watching Verdugo’s performance. FAAB: 6-8%

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers

Paul Blackburn, New York Mets

Since joining the Mets, Blackburn has tossed two quality starts, allowing just two earned runs over 12 innings with a 12:4 K:BB, and that includes a start in Coors Field. He’s a solid innings-eater who should definitely take the mound every fifth game and his next two starts come against Oakland and Miami. If that’s not enough of a reason to add and start him, I don’t know what is. FAAB: 6-8%

David Festa, Minnesota Twins

Since rejoining the team in late July, Festa has made three starts with just three earned runs allowed over 13.1 innings. He’s also posted a 22:5 K:BB ration in that span and should remain a fixture in the rotation while Joe Ryan and Chris Paddack are on the injured list. He’ll face Cleveland on Sunday and then he’s on the road in Texas next week, but after that he should see starts against the likes of either St. Louis or Toronto, neither of which is a potent offense. FAAB: 4-6%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Closers/Relief Pitchers

If you’re looking for saves, these are the guys you want to add this week:

As always, be sure to check in with the Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid to help guide you through all of your bullpen needs.