Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Heaters for Week 5
NEW YORK – As the Major League Baseball season marches toward May, fantasy baseball managers are scrambling to optimize their rosters. injuries,shifting skill sets,and evolving team roles demand quick reactions and strategic additions. This week, several pitchers and hitters are emerging as must-add players, offering immediate value across various fantasy formats.
According to numerous fantasy analysts, streaming hot pitchers is a viable fantasy strategy, “in the hopes that one might stick.”
Pitching Power Surge
Max Meyer, SP, miami Marlins (Available in 38.7% of ESPN leagues): Meyer represents a high-risk, high-reward addition.His promising career has been marred by injuries, including Tommy john surgery in 2022, sidelining him for the entire 2023 season, and right shoulder bursitis that cut short his 2024 campaign in september. However, early returns this season are encouraging.
“So far this season, however, Meyer has looked excellent — in particular his slider,” notes fantasy experts. Statcast grades his slider as the fourth most-valuable pitch overall thus far, boasting a 7.0 Run Value, a 50.0% whiff rate, and a .123 batting average against. Improving the command of his four-seam fastball, against which opponents have hit .400 and slugged .800,coudl elevate Meyer into the upper echelons of starting pitchers. “Considering he’s already fifth in the majors with his 33.1% strikeout rate, he’s well worth the pickup taking the chance that he might,” insiders say.
Andrew Heaney, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Available in 52.1%): Heaney is riding a wave of momentum, highlighted by a recent nine-strikeout, one-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels. He has exceeded 20 fantasy points in three consecutive outings. Heaney’s success is particularly noteworthy given his fastball averaging just 90.0 mph. He is “doing it with a mere 90.0 mph average fastball (although his changeup has been as excellent as ever), thanks to a combination of mixing up his pitches, hitting his spots and varying his arm slot.”
Heaney’s fantasy outlook is further bolstered by his home ballpark. The Pirates play in one of the game’s most home run-suppressing environments, a meaningful advantage considering home runs have historically been a problem for Heaney. With 25 of their next 40 games at PNC Park, and with Heaney slated to be a two-start Week 6 pitcher, “with both turns at PNC Park (CHC, SD),” he is a valuable addition.
Luke Weaver, RP, New York Yankees (Available in 53.8%): A change in the Yankees’ bullpen dynamics has thrust Weaver back into a prominent role. With Devin Williams removed from the closer position, weaver, who served as the Yankees’ closer late in 2024, once again has the opportunity to rack up saves. “From the date of his first save last sept. 6 through the conclusion of the World Series, Weaver had eight saves, two holds, a 1.03 ERA and a 41.7% strikeout rate.”
Weaver has carried that momentum into this season, posting 14 shutout innings, two saves, and six holds, accumulating the 11th-most fantasy points among pure relief pitchers. Even if Williams eventually reclaims the closer role, “Weaver is an easy top-10 closer for our purposes for provided that he’s asked to fill-in. Frankly, he’s a top-20 fantasy reliever of any type even in a setup role.”
Rotisserie Gem
David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Available in 71.4%): After a rocky spring training and season start, Bednar was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis.However, he quickly regained his form, posting five scoreless appearances with a 43.8% strikeout rate.since his April 19 recall, he has continued his strong performance, culminating in a save on Friday. The uptick in his fastball velocity suggests a return to his 2023 form, when he saved 39 games and finished fourth at his position in fantasy points.
deeper League Sleepers
Jordan Beck, OF, Colorado Rockies (Available in 93.1%): beck is generating buzz after homering in three consecutive games, including two multi-homer performances. His power/speed combination makes him a worthwhile addition in deeper leagues.”beck’s skill set is good enough to justify the add in any league at least as deep as 12-team mixed.He’s a power/speed type who had 25 homers and 20 steals combined in the minors in 2023, while averaging 30/22 numbers per 162 career minor league games.” Playing in Coors Field further enhances his offensive potential.
Andy Pages, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Available in 95.5%): Pages has solidified his role as the Dodgers’ everyday center fielder, batting .500 (15-for-30) with three home runs over his last eight games. Playing in one of baseball’s most potent offenses makes him an enticing fantasy option.
While his hard-hit rate needs advancement, “power was his calling card in the minors (see his .266 career ISO), however, making him well worth the pickup in the hopes he’ll boost his quality of contact,” experts say.
Fernando Cruz, RP, cincinnati reds (Available in 94.2%): Despite the yankees’ bullpen struggles, they remain one of the league’s best in terms of ERA, strikeout rate, and BAA, thanks largely to Cruz. With a 1.80 ERA, a 39.7% K rate, and a .154 BAA,Cruz has been a reliable setup man. his splitter has generated a 53.4% whiff rate. “Weaver is the guy to get first, but Cruz shoudl also be stashed everywhere.”
Counterargument: Some fantasy managers might hesitate to add these players due to concerns about their long-term consistency or injury history. While these concerns are valid, the potential upside these players offer outweighs the risks, especially in deeper leagues or for managers seeking immediate roster upgrades.
FAQ: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire
What is a waiver wire in fantasy baseball? The waiver wire is a pool of players who are not currently on any team’s roster in your fantasy league. These players are available to be added to your team.
How do I claim a player from the waiver wire? Typically, you submit a waiver claim for a player you want to add. If multiple teams claim the same player, the team with the higher waiver priority gets the player. Waiver priority is often determined by league standings or a rotating system.
How frequently enough does the waiver wire reset? The waiver wire reset frequency varies by league settings. It can be a rolling process, where after each successful claim your waiver priority drops to the bottom, or a set schedule.
Should I always use my waiver priority on the best available player? Not necessarily. Consider your team’s needs and the player’s potential impact. Sometimes, its better to save your waiver priority for a player who fills a specific need or has a higher long-term upside.
What is the difference between waivers and free agency in fantasy baseball? Waiver claims involve a priority system, while free agency allows teams to immediately add available players on a first-come, first-served basis.Players typically enter free agency after clearing waivers.
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Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Heaters for Week 5 – an Interview wiht Rex “The Stat Guru” Maxwell
Archyde News – As fantasy baseball managers navigate the ever-shifting landscape of the MLB season, the waiver wire becomes their primary battleground. We spoke with Rex “The Stat Guru” Maxwell, a leading fantasy analyst, to get his insights on the hottest pickups for Week 5.
Pitching Power Surge with Max “Slider King” Meyer
Archyde: Rex, let’s start with pitching.Max meyer of the Miami Marlins has piqued interest. What’s the buzz about him?
Rex Maxwell: Absolutely! Max Meyer represents a high-risk, high-reward proposition.His history with injuries is a concern, but the early returns this season are promising. His slider is a dominant pitch. The potential for strikeouts, with that slider and a decent fastball, makes him worth the gamble.
Archyde: Andrew Heaney and Luke Weaver also made the list. Are they legitimate pickups?
Rex Maxwell: Heaney is riding a wave of momentum. That recent shutout against the Angels, despite a low fastball velocity, is remarkable. He’s mixing his pitches well,and the Pirates’ home park suppresses home runs,which is a massive advantage. Weaver, with the Yankees, is benefiting from a changing bullpen. He might be available for saves. Weaver’s track record is solid, even in a setup role. He’s definitely a must-add.
Rotating the Rotiserrie gems
Archyde: Let’s talk about David Bednar. What’s the story there?
Rex maxwell: Bednar is back! After a rough start and a demotion, he’s regained his form, and his fastball velocity is up, which is key. If he’s available,grab him. It looks like he’s returning to his form from the previous year.
Deeper League Sleepers & power Out of the Outfield
Archyde: Shifting gears, who should deep league players be targeting?
Rex Maxwell: Jordan Beck, Colorado Rockies, in deep leagues because of his combination of power and speed. Andy Pages of the Dodgers, is a great option too. He’s batting .500 and playing in a potent offense. It doesn’t get much better then this.
Archyde: Any other sneaky adds for those deeper leagues?
Rex Maxwell: Fernando Cruz, Cincinnati Reds. He’s a reliable setup man with a killer splitter. He may not get saves, but his strikeout rate is excellent. If you’re desperate for strikeouts and don’t mind a setup man,give him a shot.
waiver Wire Strategy
Archyde: How should fantasy managers approach the waiver wire in general?
Rex Maxwell: Don’t be afraid to drop underperforming players, and be proactive. Monitor news and injury updates. Staying ahead of the curve is the key to winning.Always be ready to pull the trigger when a player is performing.
Archyde: What’s your advice on using waiver priority?
Rex Maxwell: don’t always burn it. Assess your team’s needs. Weigh the long-term upside. sometimes, a mid-tier player filling a specific need is more valuable than a flash-in-the-pan with superstar potential. Look and see what your team needs, now, and next year simultaneously occurring.
A Final Thought
Archyde: Any final thoughts or insight?
Rex Maxwell: Remember, fantasy baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. While these waiver wire picks could change the landscape of your season, a smart manager should always be looking ahead and adjusting their roster to best suit your team’s strategy. Consider the impact player can have!
Archyde: Splendid insights, Rex! Thanks for shedding some light on these potential waiver wire gems.
Rex Maxwell: You’re welcome.Good luck to all the fantasy managers out there!
