There are some terrific options on the fantasy baseball waiver wire right now, but the trend continues where the options from the mound are better than those at the dish. And there are plenty of weekend streamers for those who are trying to close out a tight weekly matchup.
Pitchers to add
Kyle Harrison, SP/RP, Brewers (43%): In most leagues, this is the last chance to add Harrison, who was quickly gaining momentum throughout spring training and the outset of the season before suffering a minor injury on April 11. He certainly got back on track last time out, when he struck out 12 batters over six shutout innings. The lefty has posted a 2.28 ERA and 1.06 WHIP that are well-supported by a 30:8 K:BB rate. He may be a set-and-forget starter.
Spencer Arrighetti, Astros (44%): Among the waiver wire options, Arrighetti has rare strikeout skills. The right-hander has a career 10.1 K/9 rate, which includes a 10.5 mark in his three starts this season. Arrighetti has a favorable start on Saturday against a slumping Red Sox lineup that ranks 21st in runs scored and 29th in OPS against righties. His mediocre control skills give the 26-year-old a boom-or-bust long-term profile, but he is worth the risk in the short term.
Nick Martinez, Rays (31%): Managers who are looking for a high strikeout total from their starting pitcher can move along, as Martinez has logged a 16.3% whiff rate this season that is nearly identical to his lifetime 16.8% mark. The 35-year-old has overcome the lack of strikeout skills to have effective stretches in his career, and this season he has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his six starts en route to producing a 1.70 ERA (3.61 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP. The Rays are off to a good start (18-12), and Martinez could remain useful in 12-team leagues.
Bryan Baker, RP, Rays, (47%): Given the closer carnage across baseball, Baker may already be a top-12 reliever option. And with a 13:3 K:BB ratio, he is not only working the ninth inning but has also been his team’s most reliable reliever. The right-hander has earned seven of the Rays’ 12 saves and could be the first Tampa Bay reliever to reach the 30-save plateau since Alex Colome had 47 in 2017.
Jack Perkins, SP/RP, Athletics (12%): I’m not sure how to explain Perkins’ role, but whatever it is, he’s doing it well. The 26-year-old earned saves on April 21, 26 and 30, throwing two innings in two of the three appearances. He has thrown more than an inning in five of his eight appearances, while showing excellent skills (17:3 K:BB ratio) and overcoming an unfortunate .333 BABIP. Perkins could soon be deployed as a traditional closer, or he could continue to earn some wins and saves while racking up whiffs in a multi-inning role.
Hitters to add
Carlos Cortes, OF, Athletics (27%): Cortes is the ultimate boom-or-bust option. At the dish, he has been terrific. His 9.0% strikeout rate and 91.9 mph average exit velocity are outstanding marks, and his .362 xBA shows that his .391 average has mostly been earned. The slugger is not a skilled fielder, and with Brent Rooker back from the IL, there is a question of how the Athletics will fit him into their lineup. For now, that’s a problem for another day, as any MLB team will find space for someone who is hitting this well.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (32%): I’ll admit that I have more trepidation for Bazzana than I normally do for a former No. 1 overall pick. After all, his power skills are a work in progress, and he may not hit for a high average (career 14 HR, .252 in 135 MiLB games). But the 23-year-old can swipe bases and draw plenty of walks, and his draft pedigree makes him hard to ignore until we get an extended look at him. In some 12-team leagues, he’s worth a look.
Nasim Nuñez, 2B/SS, Nationals (7%): Nuñez isn’t a good hitter. His .202 average is well-deserved (.216 xBA) and his 84.5 average exit velocity is an awful mark. Plus, in points leagues, he’s a non-factor. But in category formats, Nuñez can make an impact. He leads the majors with 14 steals, and with his impressive 12.6% walk rate, he has proven that he knows how to get on base without collecting many hits.
Hitters with favorable weekend matchups
Brett Baty, 1B/2B/3B/OF, Mets (6%): Like most Mets, Baty has not turned heads this season. But he could have a productive weekend when he faces three mediocre Angels starters and a bullpen that lacks reliable options. He should be in the Mets lineup for all three games, and with four eligible positions, he is easy to fit into a fantasy lineup.
Angel Martínez 2B/OF, Guardians (33%): Like Baty, Martínez is more appealing due to his multi-position eligibility. Overall, Martínez should be rostered in more leagues, as he sits 130th among overall fantasy assets to this point in the season. He will bring his diverse skill set (5 HR, 5 SB) into a series against three unreliable starters at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park.
Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference)
Kyle Harrison @ WSH (Saturday, 43%)
Spencer Arrighetti @ BOS (Saturday, 44%)
Noah Schultz @ SD (Friday, 44%)
Max Meyer vs. PHI (Saturday, 22%)
Andrew Painter vs. SF (Friday, 27%)
Rhett Lowder @ PIT (Saturday, 28%)
Sean Burke @ SD (Saturday, 7%)
Steven Matz vs. SF (Sunday, 24%)
Connor Prielipp vs. TOR (Saturday, 10%)
Carmen Mlodzinski vs. CIN (Saturday, 10%)
Foster Griffin vs. MIL (Saturday, 32%)
Chase Dollander vs. ATL (Saturday, 47%)
Joey Cantillo @ ATH (Friday, 43%)
Keider Montero vs. TEX (Saturday, 8%)
Chad Patrick @ WSH (Sunday, 16%)
