Fresh off a week in which several high-profile prospects arrived in the major leagues, we had perhaps the biggest fish of the season make his MLB debut this week.
As a result, fantasy baseball managers have seen a wealth of new talent to sort out as they look to improve their rosters.
Chandler Simpson, Caleb Durbin, Luke Keaschall and Agustin Ramirez have all gotten off to hot starts in their first week in the majors, so it should come as no surprise that excitement for slugging Athletics prospect Nick Kurtz could surpass them all in leagues where he becomes available this week.
Fantasy baseball waiver wire targets: Week 5
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the highest to lowest roster rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values for standard 5×5 Mixed Roto leagues in parentheses based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
1B Nick Kurtz, Athletics (78% rostered)
In fantasy leagues where players must be active major leaguers, this is the first opportunity to pick up the A’s slugger. The fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Kurtz, 22, got the call despite only 32 games of minor league experience. He was hitting .321/.385/.655 with seven homers and 24 RBI in 20 games at Class AAA Las Vegas so the power should play in Sacramento. Perhaps the only possible downside is that he doesn’t have any positional flexibility so first baseman Tyler Soderstrom or DH Brent Rooker will have to move elsewhere to get all of them in the lineup. It’s a small price to pay, though, with Kurtz potentially becoming the next Matt Olson. (FAAB bid: $60, if available)
RP Cade Smith, Guardians (69%)
It may be nothing … or it may be something. But Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has not been his dominant self in the early going (7.84 ERA, two blown saves). And he has been unavailable to start the week with shoulder discomfort. Smith stepped in to save back-to-back wins over the Yankees after serving as the primary setup man. The 26-year-old was almost as unhittable as Clase last year (1.91 ERA, 12.3 K/9) and has been just as effective this year. (FAAB bid: $8)
SP Landen Roupp, Giants (66%)
Starting pitching is always a hot commodity during the regular season. (Just ask the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have already resorted to bullpen games despite having perhaps the deepest rotation in the majors.) Roupp could further solidify his spot on this list — and raise his roster percentage — with a solid start on Thursday vs. the Brewers. He allowed two runs in seven innings, struck out nine and walked just one in his previous start against the Angels. (FAAB bid: $7, subject to Thursday results)
1B Pavin Smith, Diamondbacks (64%)
He only starts against right-handed pitchers, but no one in the National League with at least 60 at-bats has a higher on-base percentage than Smith’s .500. Among his 23 hits, 13 of them have gone for extra bases (nine doubles, four homers), which is good for a 1.233 OPS. In leagues with daily lineup changes, Smith could be pavin’ the way to a championship. (FAAB bid: $12)
3B Noelvi Marte, Reds (59%)
Once a highly rated prospect, Marte’s stock dropped appreciably last year following a PED suspension and a .210/.248/.301 slash line in 66 games after he returned. But the thing is, he’s still only 23 − and he plays his home games in Cincinnati. After going 8-for-14 with two homers and eight RBI in his last three games, (OK, the grand slam was off a position player …) Marte now looks like an everyday player for the Reds. (FAAB bid: $12)
Deeper league waiver wire targets
SP Logan Allen, Guardians 38%
After an impressive MLB debut in 2023, Allen regressed considerably last season with a 5.73 ERA in 20 starts. His first four this season more closely resemble those he had as a rookie. Allen, 26, hasn’t yet made it through six innings, but he’s been effective, allowing a total of one earned run in his last three outings. The 2.11 ERA seems a bit low for his 1.31 WHIP, but there’s untapped potential here. (FAAB bid: $6)
1B Eric Wagaman, Marlins (29%)
A longtime minor leaguer, Wagaman finally seems to be getting a shot in Miami at age 27. He’s playing most every day and is displaying solid skills. His .274/.329/.466 slash line doesn’t jump out (especially among a crowded group of breakout first basemen), but he has a .316 expected batting average and .599 expected slugging based on his quality of contact. (FAAB bid: $2)
SP Ryan Gusto, Astros (25%)
Limiting the Blue Jays to a run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday night and picking up his third win of the season should make Gusto more likable for fantasy managers. He’s fanned 23 batters in 22 2/3 innings as a starter and reliever this season, but seems to have found a spot in the Astros rotation with his recent work. Go for all the Gusto you can get … at a reasonable price, of course. (FAAB bid: $6)
RP Will Vest, Tigers (15%)
Will the real Tigers closer please stand up? Before the season, Jason Foley was the incumbent. Then Tommy Kahnle inherited the job. Most recently, Vest has recorded a pair of saves. If you’re willing to speculate on closers, Vest is a better choice than Boston’s Justin Slaten. (FAAB bid: $3)
OF Oscar Gonzalez, Padres (4%)
More of a short-term play while the Padres deal with myriad injuries, the former Guardian is playing every day in San Diego. He doesn’t have a whole lot of pop, but he could hit for a decent average. (FAAB bid: $1)
Prospects on the verge
If your league allows minor-league pickups, you can gain a considerable advantage (and save a nice chunk of your free-agent budget) by adding top prospects before they’re promoted. The ones with the highest ceiling and the highest likelihood of getting the call soon:
OF Roman Anthony, Red Sox
He’s battling some shoulder soreness, but still able to DH. Anthony, 20, is hitting .297/.436/.554 with four HR and two SB in 21 games at Class AAA Worcester.
SP Zebby Matthews, Twins
David Festa was first in line for a call-up, but he’s been sent back to the minors. Matthews, 24, has a higher ceiling with a ridiculous 24/3 strikeout-to-walk rate in 18 2/3 innings (four starts) with Class AAA St. Paul.
SS Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks
It seems like only a matter of time before Lawlar, 22, gets promoted for good. He’s raking (.333/.426/.632) at Class AAA Reno and is playing several different positions to enhance his versatility.
