The first half of the 2024 MLB season is almost over so it’s time to check in with the fantasy baseball waiver wire for top pickups heading into MLB Week 16.

As we head into the final week before the MLB All-Star break, it’s important to stock up that roster help and get your team prepared for a second-half push. With so many teams in contention for the MLB playoffs and needing to keep everyone as healthy as possible, you need to track the current MLB injuries and see which players might be held out this week. You should also be tracking which players are on the mend and could provide you with some much-needed help. We give you everything right here on Fantasy Alarm.

 

 

Don’t forget to go back and look at the most recent fantasy baseball waiver wire articles, my weekly Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch and your league add/drops to be sure you haven’t missed any key names. Every league is different, so you never know which hitters might be available or which starting pitchers might look good for streaming purposes. Leave no stone unturned!

**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

Kyle Higashioka, San Diego Padres

Obviously, you want to check in on the availability of Luis Campusano because, if he was dropped in your league, he’s back from the injured list and should resume regular catching duties. However, who’s to say he won’t be splitting the work with Higashioka who has been a fairly solid play in Campusano’s absence. The 34-year-old veteran has hit safely in seven of his last nine starts with a .355 average, one double, four home runs and 15 RBI over that span. If the Padres are being careful with Campusano, we should see enough Higashioka this week to make him a worthwhile add. FAAB: 2-4%

Eric Haase, Milwaukee Brewers

This is a deeper play for two-catcher leagues, but with Gary Sanchez landing on the IL with a calf injury, the Brewers brought up Haase to serve as William Contreras’ back-up and he could have some short-term value if he continues to get some at-bats. He’s made two starts here in July and went 3-for-7 with one RBI. If you’re just looking to grab a couple of at-bats, he should definitely be available. FAAB: 1-2%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: First Basemen

Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles

He still sits against the tougher lefties, but O’Hearn bats in the middle of a strong Orioles lineup and he’s been heating up again lately, posting three multi-hit games over his last four starts. He’s got 10 hits over his last 10 games with a .303 average, two doubles, two home runs and six RBI during that stretch. If he’s still available in your league, chances are you don’t need a big bid to land him. Deeper leagues, probably, but again, he’s been around all season. FAAB: 6-8%

Keston Hiura, Los Angeles Angels

It’s Retro Night here at Club Waiver Wire and we’re suddenly eyeballing Hiura should you need help at first base. How much playing time he’ll be seeing is entirely up to him because, if he hits, the Angels have no choice but to get him into their banged-up, anemic lineup. Hiura slashed .270/.346/.536 with 18 home runs and 45 RBI over 68 games at Triple-A this season and could work his way into the regular lineup. There’s definitely competition for at-bats so keep your bidding sensible. FAAB: 4-6%

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Second Basemen

Richie Palacios, Tampa Bay Rays

Not only is Palacios seeing more playing time, he’s also been spotted in the leadoff spot against righthanded pitching. He’s 11-for-29 (.379) with two doubles, five RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases over his last 10 games and he’s been pushing both Brandon Lowe and Jose Caballero aside in recent weeks. He should finish this first half strong and then we can re-evaluate after the All-Star break. FAAB: 6-8%

Luis Garcia Jr., Washington Nationals

Look whose bat is starting to wake up again. Garcia has hit safely in six of his last eight starts and has three multi-hit performances over his last five. He’s definitely a “strike while the iron is hot” guy, so the quick, cheap add could be a surprising help. Over his last nine games, Garcia has two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases. He’s probably been added and dropped in your league a dozen times, so why not once more? FAAB: 5-7%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Third Basemen

Jose Miranda, Minnesota Twins

How in the world is this guy only rostered in 20-percent of leagues on ESPN and Yahoo? If you’ve watched any of the recent MLB DFS Shows, you know what Miranda has been doing, so why not grab him in season-long formats as well? If you haven’t been watching, allow me to help you along. Miranda is currently riding a nine-game hit streak with four multi-hit performances, six doubles, one home run, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored. He even kicked in a stolen base! The batting average and OBP are fire as well, so get in while you can. FAAB: 10-12% 

Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels

I’m not really sure about this one, but I thought it would be worthwhile to mention given the rash of injuries and the lack of depth at the hot corner. Rendon is eligible to be activated from the injured list on Monday and whether you like the guy or not – he definitely doesn’t like you or your fantasy team or baseball even for that matter – the Angels are going to try and get some of their money’s worth and play him. FAAB: 5-7%

Coby Mayo, Baltimore Orioles

This just might be your last chance to stash Mayo at a discounted rate. He won’t be called up until after the All-Star break, but expect to see him in the Futures Game which will put him onto mainstream radar. He’s an elite-level prospect who is currently slashing .300/.381/.614 with 18 home runs, 54 RBI, 44 runs scored and even three stolen bases at Triple-A Norfolk and he is VERY MUCH in the plans for the Orioles in the second half. FAAB: 10-15%

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Shortstops

Brooks Lee, Minnesota Twins

Welp, I told you he was on his way. I wasn’t expecting a Royce Lewis injury to make it happen, but these are the cards we are dealt. Lee was hitting .329 with seven homers and 21 RBI upon his promotion to Triple-A and has seen action in three games since his call-up, batting .545 with four RBI and one run scored. His plate discipline already appears to be translating and he’s got multi-position eligibility on the way. He’s a natural shortstop playing third base and once Lewis does come back, the Twins will likely shift Lee over to second base to finally get some consistency at the keystone. FAAB: 15-18%

Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays

It was a sad day for Fantasy Alarm’s Jon Impemba when Isiah Kiner-Falefa landed on the 10-day IL as he lost one of his favorite DFS spend-downs, but that, plus a few more injuries and one suspension, has opened the door for Clement to see some regular at-bats. The bat lacks some consistency right now, but he’s played the last seven-straight games and chipped in with a double and a solo home run. The Jays lineup, overall, has heated up, so if you need to patch a hole for this week, he’s likely available. FAAB: 3-5%

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Outfielders

Heston Kjerstad, Baltimore Orioles

Still considered a top prospect in the organization, the second time around on Kjerstad’s call-up has fared a little better than the first. He’s batting .333 (8-for-24) with to doubles, two home runs and eight RBI over his last eight games. He’s still not playing every game, but he could end up staying a full-timer if he continues to hit well here. FAAB: 8-10%

Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers

I was hoping we would see Meadows again after his horrendous start and subsequent demotion and it’s finally here. After slashing .298/.394/.511 with eight home runs, 24 RBI, 38 runs scored and 19 stolen bases over 47 games at Triple-A Toledo, Meadows is back and homered in his return on Friday. The early-season plan was to have Meadows as the Tigers’ starting centerfielder and as long as he continues to hit, we should see him stick throughout the rest of the season. He’s a great source for stolen bases, so add him if you’re in need. FAAB: 6-8%

Derek Hill, Texas Rangers

You could also look at Leody Taveras if you’re trying to augment maybe a little speed, but Hill is the righthanded power of this platoon and should continue to see time in the outfield and at DH over the next week. He’s batting .400 (6-for-15) over his last seven starts with three home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. He also stole a base, but not really his forte. Just a quick patch-job for you. FAAB: 5-7%

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers

Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals

We know exactly who Lynn is and what we can expect from him, so if you’re in need of starting pitching, he’s worth the look with a home start against the Cubs this week. Obviously watch him on Saturday, but he’s tossed back-to-back quality starts with just one earned run allowed and a 11:1 K:BB over 12.2 innings. FAAB: 6-8%

Drew Thorpe, Chicago White Sox

After a rocky start in Arizona, Scott has been fantastic for fantasy owners over the last two weeks. He’s thrown three-straight quality starts with three earned runs and 14 strikeouts over 18.1 innings. He tends to issue a few too many free passes, but he’s been able to get away with it against softer competition. He’ll get one more start before the break and while it’s a tough one against the Twins, you have to strike while the iron is hot. FAAB: 5-7%

Christian Scott, New York Mets

Despite a hiccup against the Nationals on Wednesday, the Mets have stated that Scott will stay in the rotation and get a two-start week to close out the first half. Even better is that one start is on the road in Pittsburgh and the other is a start against the Rockies at CitiField. You’re not looking at a great strikeout rate, but he’s shown he can minimize damage and give you between five and six innings. FAAB: 5-7%

Michael Mercado, Philadelphia Phillies

Is Taijuan Walker in danger of getting Wally Pipped here? While Walker sits idle on the injured list, Mercado tossed five innings of one-run (two-hit) ball on the road in Wrigley and is getting another look in the rotation, this time against the Oakland Athletics. Yes, please! Sign me up. Even if Mercado isn’t a big strikeout guy, his stat line should get padded nicely with this outing. Stream him on in if you can and keep a watchful eye on things after the break. FAAB: 4-6%

Pitchers on the Mend for Stash Considerations:

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Closers/Relief Pitchers

Check out the availability of guys like Reed Garrett, Chad Green, Aroldis Chapman an Jeff Hoffman, but as always, I encourage you to check out our Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid and the Bullpen Report for all your saves and holds needs. My man Joe Gallina updates this stuff almost every day.