Top 12 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (2025)

Welcome to the designated for assignment (DFA) weekend. The end of May is typically when teams begin to cut ties with a few veterans, and this is no different. Countless moves were made yesterday, as MLB clubs look to clean house and advance toward a better future. Just like in Major League Baseball, we fantasy managers are looking to do the same.

Now is the time to consider moving on from that slow-starting veteran or prospect who just hasn’t figured it out yet. With June right around the corner, it’s time to get serious. No longer can you accept modest production; it’s time for some results. Fortunately, for you, I’ve discovered another 12 waiver wire pickups for this week. Keep reading and we’ll get right to them.

All players mentioned are rostered in 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues and have never been mentioned in this weekly piece before. Some standouts previously discussed are still available in the majority of leagues, so it may be a good idea to read my previous articles and see if any of those guys fit your needs.

Without further ado, here are this week’s top fantasy baseball waiver wire adds.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets (2025)

Matt Shaw (2B, 3B, SS – CHC): 47%

Matt Shaw began his Major League career by going 10-for-58 with one double and one home run. He also struck out 18 times. After a stint in the Minors to clear his head and get his mechanics back, Shaw returned with a bang.

Since his reinstatement, the Cubs third baseman has gone 5-for-11 with three doubles, two runs scored, two RBI and two stolen bases. Shaw also performed well in his short stay back in the Minors. Furthermore, he qualifies all over the infield.

There was a reason why Shaw was so highly regarded coming into the season, and now it’s beginning to show. He’s a five-tool player who should be added back to rosters in all league types.

Mick Abel (SP – PHI): 17%

The Phillies have a surplus of starting pitching. They also have one of the top prospects (Andrew Painter) on the farm awaiting the call. That said, Mick Abel made quite the impression in his Major League debut. Albeit it was against the Pirates, he fired six shutout innings while striking out eight.

The Phillies’ first-round draft pick from 2020 garnered similar results in Triple-A this season as well. The 6-foot-5 righty has been lights out, recording a 2.53 ERA over eight starts. He’s also averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

Unfortunately, Aaron Nola‘s return is imminent. While he’s been dismal to begin the year, it’s highly doubtful they move him to the pen any time soon. The club is shopping Taijuan Walker, however, and with Nola likely to miss another start, Abel could get one more start. With another chance to prove his worth, the club will have no choice but to find a way to keep his arm in the rotation if Abel can replicate the success of his debut.

Abel’s not for everyone, but for those in deeper leagues looking to add a prospective quality pitcher, he’s a solid option.

Parker Meadows (OF – DET): 10%

Parker Meadows is a couple of weeks away from coming off the injured list (IL), but if he can contribute like he did last year, now may be the time to add him. Meadows excelled after his call-up last season, doing a bit of everything over the final two months of the year. In 186 at-bats, Meadows produced a .842 OPS with 28 runs, 23 RBI and a .295 batting average. He also stole five bases and was a catalyst for Detroit in the playoffs.

With the Tigers pacing the league in wins and their offense firing on all cylinders, Meadows’s production could improve drastically. Especially if he returns to the leadoff spot. You could wait a few more days to add him (his rehab assignment just began), but I wouldn’t delay too long, or else he’ll likely be unavailable.

Jeffrey Springs (SP – ATH): 38%

After a string of disastrous starts, Jeffrey Springs seems to have put his struggles behind him. Once the calendar flipped to May, the change-up specialist has been as good as it gets, limiting runs and base runners.

Over his last four starts, including road games against the Dodgers and Giants, Springs has allowed just four earned runs (1.35 ERA). He’s also limited opponents to an impressive 0.811 WHIP. The strikeouts have left a bit to be desired, but the southpaw from North Carolina did secure two victories.

He’s on tap to face the Phillies on Saturday. While I wouldn’t start him in that matchup, he’s set to take on the Blue Jays and Twins in his next two starts. Both teams rank outside the top 10 in OPS versus left-handed pitching, and the Twins rank outside the top 20.

Jordan Beck (OF – COL): 34%

I saw Jordan Beck hit his first career home run in San Diego last year, and he looked like an excited kid who was just happy to be there. This season, Beck has an entirely different aura and demeanor about him.

After being sent down to the Minors for two weeks in April, Beck returned with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and suddenly became one of the Rockies’ best hitters. He’s been on a tear lately, ranking in the top 8% of barrel rate and sweet spot percentage, according to Statcast. He’s also running the bases well with a sprint speed in the top 14%.

Examining his standard production, Beck’s done a bit of everything. He’s blasted eight home runs to go along with seven doubles and four triples. He also stole six bases and has scored 26 times. He’s done all that in just 40 games.

Beck was one of the Rockies’ top prospects just two years ago, and he’s already starting to show why. He’s been mashing balls all over the yard and has now become the Rockies’ everyday leadoff hitter. Beck’s an excellent fourth outfielder for those in need.

Gavin Williams (SP – CLE): 40%

Gavin Williams is scheduled to face the Dodgers on Monday, which is always a bit daunting. However, the Boys in Blue haven’t exactly been hitting the cover off the ball lately, so Williams may be worth starting for the two-start week. That said, if you waited until after Monday to add him, I wouldn’t fault you. But if he tosses another gem, he’ll likely cost you a pretty penny.

Williams was wild over the first month of the season. He would miss his target too often, leading to too many home runs and too many walks. While he did continue to rack up strikeouts, the rest of his numbers were quite poor.

Over his last three starts, however, Williams appears to have found his rhythm. He began by shutting out the Phillies over five innings while striking out eight. In his next outing, he limited the Brewers to just two runs, then followed that with arguably his best performance yet, holding Minnesota to two hits and one run over six innings. Cumulatively, Williams has posted a 1.69 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over those three starts, while recording 20 strikeouts.

Williams was excellent in his rookie season but took a step back in his sophomore campaign. Now in his third year, with 57 strikeouts to his credit already, the towering righty looks to be a strong fantasy contributor once again.

Daulton Varsho (OF – TOR): 14%

Daulton Varsho has been a menace since returning from the injured list (IL). In just 17 games, the former backstop has launched seven home runs, three doubles and a triple. He’s knocked in 19 runs and even stole a base.

Arguably the best defensive outfielder in the game, Varsho is finally proving his worth with the bat as well as the glove. He’s currently hitting third for the Jays, where the RBIs should continue to come in bunches. Varsho is an excellent addition while he’s hot in all league types.

Brandon Walter (SP – HOU): 1%

Pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League (PCL) this season, Brandon Walter allowed just 17 hits and seven walks over 35.2 innings, and he did more of the same Tuesday night. Walter got the call to fill in for the injury-ridden Astros, firing five shutout innings while allowing just three hits and one walk. The 28-year-old from Delaware should see plenty more starts in the future, considering the Astros just placed another starter, Ronel Blanco, on the IL.

Walter averaged nearly a strikeout per inning this year in Triple-A, and while his stuff in the Majors may not create as many whiffs, he’s still a strong candidate to rack up zeros with plenty of soft contact. Seek out the crafty southpaw’s services in the deepest of leagues.

Daniel Palencia (RP – CHC): 10%

Everyone thought it would be Porter Hodge to replace Ryan Pressly at closer, but after the third-year reliever went down with an oblique injury, the club seems to have turned to Daniel Palencia. Standing at barely 5-foot-10 and weighing only 160 pounds, Palencia hardly fits the mold of your typical closer. That said, Palencia has produced closer-type numbers.

After securing his first save Wednesday night, the Venezuelan righty has now registered a 2.16 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP and 16 strikeouts over 15 appearances. Opponents are hitting for just a .138 average against him, and he’s only allowed a single home run.

With no one else a strong candidate to close in Chicago, Palencia could be the guy for a while if he’s able to hold onto the job.

Robert Hassell III (OF – WSH): 6%

Robert Hassell isn’t for everyone, but he does possess some nice sleeper potential. There isn’t much power to his game, but he does run well and has decent contact skills. The former Padre was hitting for a .288 average in Triple-A this season with nine steals and four bombs. If he plays like he did in the opener (2-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base), he’ll be a nice addition for deep league teams.

Hassell will get every opportunity with Dylan Crews and Jacob Young placed on the IL. He was once thought of as a top-50 prospect, so Hassell could surprise with ample playing time. He’s worth a look in 14+ leagues.

Dylan Moore (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF – SEA): 50%

Despite his defensive struggles, it seems Mariners manager Dan Wilson has come to his senses and is finally playing Dylan Moore nearly every day. Hopefully, Miles Mastrobuoni and his .519 OPS and 57 OPS+ are on the bench to stay. Moore already has eight home runs and eight stolen bases this year despite sporadic playing time. He’s also scored 20 times, has 16 RBI to his credit and is sporting a .279 batting average.

While the power is a fine bonus, speed is Moore’s calling card. He’s been extremely aggressive on the base paths, having attempted 12 steals already. The Mariners’ utility man historically hits lefties better than righties, but he tends to run a lot more against righties. For those in daily leagues thinking about sitting him versus righties, it’s worth noting that his eight successful swipes this year have all come against right-handers.

Moore stole 32 bags last year in a little more than half a season but had a dismal batting average. This year, he’s adjusted his swing to slightly reduce his launch angle, which has helped improve his expected and real average. Moore is also connecting with more authority, with a 12.5% barrel rate and a 37.5% sweet spot rate.

If the manager grants Moore enough playing time, he could easily produce a 20/30 season. Qualifying at every position, Moore’s worth a look in a majority of leagues.

Kody Clemens (1B, 2B, 3B – MIN): 3%

Kody Clemens has had a rough go of it in his Major League career. Entering the year, Clemens’ career OPS was under .600, as he struggled to reach base despite showing the occasional flash of power. Now part of the Twins’ organization, the son of Roger Clemens seems to have found his footing.

In 50 plate appearances for the Twinkies, the recently turned 29-year-old has registered a .318 batting average and nine extra-base hits. He’s slugging .682 and is finally reaching base at a .388 clip.

Clemens has started the last six games versus a righty and even batted fourth in his latest start. The hot hitting likely won’t continue, but as long as his confidence is sky-high and he’s batting in the middle of the order, Clemens is worthy of your attention.

Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.

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Austin Lowell

Fantasy baseball is life! I run a site that focuses solely on fantasy baseball. We cover all things such as rankings, projections, updates, strategies, one on one advice, etc. I played baseball growing up, never made it to pro ball, but always had a knack for spotting talent and was always pretty successful betting on games. I am constantly keeping tabs on all things baseball, looking for anything to gain that competitive edge.