The fifth week of the fantasy baseball season breathes a fresh breath of air as many prospects have been called up and many more are on the cusp of joining. There are teams already looking for a spark and some names just plugging a hole left by injury, so deciding who the long-term options are is what we’ll do. There have also been some impressive arms that are available everywhere that are standing out above the rest. Let’s dive into the top fantasy baseball week 5 waiver wire additions.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Hayden Wesneski, SP, RP, Houston Astros

ESPN: 20% / Yahoo: 39%

FAAB: 8-10%

Sometimes players just indeed change of scenery and through the first couple of starts for Hayden Wesneski, he fits this mold. He’s missing a LOT of bats right now as he’s notched a 30% K-rate while his 4.00 ERA has been a bit unlucky as his xERA is 3.49, xFIP is 2.93, and SIERRA is 2.66. If he can keep up the strikeouts and a few other things break his way, we’re talking about a great waiver wire add, especially because you can slot him in a starters or relievers position.

 

Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

ESPN: 12% / Yahoo: 23%

FAAB: 8-10%

We haven’t seen this version of Eduardo Rodriguez in some time, but he’s had an awfully good start to his 2025. He’s been incredibly unlucky, too, allowing a .373 BABIP, and has a 4.09 ERA, and his xERA is 2.85 and xFIP is 2.36. He’s missing a LOT of bats notching a 11.8 K/9 and is generating over 10% swinging strike.

There is a LOT to like out of Rodriguez at this point despite his velocity being far below league average as seen below. It’s time to grab ERod off the waiver wire before it’s too late.

 

Luis L. Ortiz, SP, RP, Cleveland Guardians

ESPN: 6% / Yahoo: 20%

FAAB: 6-8%

After a rough opening start, Luis L. Ortiz has been great in three straight and has excelled in the strikeout department. He has 18 strikeouts in his last two outings and is well over a strikeout per inning through his first four starts. His xFIP is two runs lower than his ERA and has a 44% ground ball rate as well. As a fantasy owner, you hope the walks trend in the opposite direction as they are right now because he took a big leap in that department from 2023 to 2024. 

Above are Ortiz’s pitch mixes from this year. Less sliders and more changeups and per this graphic courtesy of Fangraphs, his changeup has been a plus pitch and his slider is once again a negative value. Change of scenery, new pitching coach, different mindset on pitching is working for Ortiz in a big way.

 

Tommy Kahnle, RP, Detroit Tigers

ESPN: 4% / Yahoo: 21

FAAB: 4-6%

It seemed like we were never going to have an answer as to who was going to close games in Detroit but that seems much more definitive these days as Tommy Kahnle has notched four saves and has accrued a save on back-to-back days. Four saves ties Kahnle for eighth in the league while he’s only allowed one earned run through his 7.2 innings. He’s a nice, cheap option for saves right now.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Infielders

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

ESPN: 7% / Yahoo: 23%

FAAB: 7-9%

I don’t think it’s a big kept secret that Brent Rooker has played the outfield in three of the last four games because Nick Kurtz is on the way to the Athletics sooner rather than later. Kurtz, a top-40 prospect across all platforms ranking prospects, mashed in college, mashed in 2024 (despite a limited sample) and is mashing in ‘25 at Triple-A, hitting seven homers across his first 17 games and pairing a .699 SLG% to go with it. It’s better to be ahead of the curve when it comes to prospects being called up and if you’re in need of power, Kurtz will provide you with just that when he gets his shot. 
 

Caleb Durbin, 2B, 3B, SS, Milwaukee Brewers

ESPN: 16% / Yahoo: 25%

FAAB: 6-8%

The 25-year old Caleb Durbin has been called up for the Brewers and will assume the position of their every day third baseman. The team has gotten essentially no production from third and Durbin, who they acquired from the Yankees in the Devin Williams trade, has spent the last couple of seasons doing nothing but raking. He also had a bit of a power surge in 2024, something that’s somewhat surprising for a guy that’s only 5’7”. He had a .482 SLG% at Triple-A this year before his call up, too. His positional eligibility is a big piece of his addition, but he’s a nice dual threat to boot. He has a lot of minor league stolen bases.

 

Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, OF, Baltimore Orioles

ESPN: 4% / Yahoo: 7%

FAAB: 2-4%

There are a LOT of things to like for Ryan O’Hearn this season. A LOT. 

The more red the better on Baseball Savant and as you can see, basically everything is red for O’Hearn to start the year. He’s been a great source of power, is hitting everything hard, and is making contact. He’s hovered around an .800 OPS in back-to-back seasons and is well on his way to being that again this year and in fact, is sitting around 1.000 this year. He can slot in the outfield and at first base.
 

Carson Kelly, C, Chicago Cubs

ESPN: / Yahoo: 29%

FAAB: 2-5%

Look, there aren’t going to be many catcher suggestions here but on the rare occasion there is one, take note. Carson Kelly has been absolutely insane this year and has six home runs and 18 RBI as a part-time player. He’s earning more playing time but it hasn’t even mattered considering he’s second in home runs and first in RBI at the position. Not to mention his .419/.578/1.097 splits are other worldly. He’s just a must-add at a bad catcher position.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Outfielders

Pavin Smith, 1B OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

ESPN: 9% / Yahoo: 17%

FAAB: 2-4%

We’ve seen this out of Pavin Smith before, at least big-time offensive stretches like this, but he’s been absolutely tearing the leather off of the ball. He’s in the 90th percentile in xwOBA, xSLG, Barrel%, and launch angle sweet spot. I like the ability to play Pavin Smith at 1B and the OF, but there’s obvious concern that he doesn't get many at-bats against lefties. He’s best suited for teams that are looking for some juice in the power department.
 

Heston Kjerstad, OF, Baltimore Orioles

ESPN: 3% / Yahoo: 6%

FAAB: 3-5%

Things are turning around for the young, talented outfielder, as there are a lot of things trending in the right direction. Heston Kjerstad’s expected numbers are quite nice sitting a .289 xBA, .367 xwOBA, and .560 xSLG. Kjerstad is still widely available in most formats and with what we’re seeing from him continues, he’s a diamond in the rough. Sometimes the young talented players just need everyday playing time.

 

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

ESPN: 8% / Yahoo: 17%

FAAB: 10-12%

If Chandler Simpson was racing a Ferreri, who would win? If Chandler Simpson was sprinting and Jeff Gordon was in his race car, would Simpson have a chance at outright beating him? Would Chandler Simpson beat Usain Bolt in a 100-yard dash? We’ll never know, but ESPNs Jeff Passan proclaimed him as the league’s fastest man in a tweet on Friday. Simpson, if you’re wondering how fast he is, stole 104 bases in 110 minor league games in 2024. He also hit .355 for those wondering if this is another Billy Hamilton situation. He’s been a career .324 minor league hitter and is once again over .300 this season. He doesn’t have a lot left to give and will immediately be the best base stealer on your fantasy team. He’s a must-own if he’s going to play a lot.