Austin Lowell | Sun, Aug 3rd 2025, 8:11am EDT

Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (2025)

Welcome back to another edition of the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. This week, we’ll be covering the fallout of the trade deadline. Tons of players were on the move leading up to this year’s deadline, which led to a vast increase for a certain few. The most significant impact in terms of fantasy production came at the closer position. A whole handful of new names should be garnering save chances in the coming days, and you’re gonna want to get your hands on them.

There are also a few hitters who have caught fire recently, returned from injury or have moved into better situations. There should be something for everyone once again this week, so let’s get right to it. All players listed are rostered in 55% or fewer of Yahoo leagues and can help immediately improve your roster.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets

Tyler O’Neill (OF – BAL): 51%

Tyler O’Neill wasn’t traded this week, but his bat did come to life after an injury-riddled couple of months. O’Neil found his timing once again this week and launched four home runs in four consecutive starts. He also registered four multi-hit games.

The former Cardinal was scratched on Saturday due to an illness, but the slugging outfielder should be back starting by Monday. Few can match O’Neil’s power streaks, and he looks to be in the midst of one right now. He’s worth adding in most leagues.

Josh Jung (3B – TEX): 30%

After a short stint in the Minors, Josh Jung returned with a bang, hitting safely in nine straight games. During that stretch, the power-hitting third baseman crushed two homers while also driving in five runs.

Jung was excellent in his rookie campaign, launching 25 doubles and 23 home runs while playing in just 122 games. Injuries have slowed the former prospect down, but when he’s active, he can provide plenty of output for your squad.

Unfortunately, Jung is dealing with a bit of a calf strain at the moment, but the fact that the Rangers haven’t placed him on the injured list (IL) yet means he should be back soon. The Rangers are a popular pick to have a big final two months of the season, and Jung could very easily be a part of why.

Ryan McMahon (3B – NYY): 38%

Ryan McMahon loses Coors Field as his home park, but as a lefty, he gains the short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium. He also gains a better supporting cast. With better hitters around him and more traffic on the base paths, McMahon should be able to assemble a pretty consistent outpouring of RBI and runs scored. He’ll also punch a few out into the seats while hitting for, at the very least, a satisfactory batting average.

McMahon is 9-for-25 (.360 batting average) since joining the Yankees and has looked comfortable since day one. He’s hit over 20 home runs in every full season of his career, and he’s well on his way once again with 16. The new corner man in New York is worth considering in most leagues.

Colson Montgomery (3B, SS – CWS): 25%

Colson Montgomery was called up last month. After a few weeks of getting comfortable at the big league level, the Sox’s former top prospect went off. It wasn’t quite at the level of the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz, but it has still been massively impressive.

Montgomery mashed six home runs over the last nine days and drove in 15 runs since July 20th (11 games). He is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now and is hitting everything thrown his way. The Southsiders have a tough road matchup to kick off the week in Seattle, but the former first-rounder is still worth adding in all leagues.

Tommy Pham (OF – PIT): 31%

Tommy Pham got his eyes fixed, and he’s produced an OPS above 1.000 ever since. Seeing the ball has made all the difference in Pham’s game, which has suddenly made him an interesting commodity.

Pham’s seen decent stretches in the past before and hasn’t been more than a fringe fantasy player in quite some time. That said, he is hitting .471 for the week and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Ride the wave for as long as it lasts.

Shane Bieber (SP – TOR): 45%

Shane Bieber is still available in 55% of Yahoo leagues despite only being three weeks (or thereabouts) away from a return. Yes, he’ll likely be limited in his first couple of starts back, but the upside is tremendous, and the move to Toronto helps.

While his home park is fairly neutral, the offensive support and bullpen protection he’ll receive are excellent. The Blue Jays have been on fire, now leading the American League East by four games. Bieber’s worth adding immediately if you can spare the space.

Carlos Correa (SS – HOU): 23%

Carlos Correa will be motivated to perform for his old mates in Houston. Is he a must-add in shallow leagues? Probably not. But he could be a solid four-category contributor over the final two months of the season.

Correa hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with his production lately, but as recently as last season, he posted a fine .310 average and .905 OPS when the Twins were in contention. Back playing in meaningful games, Correa will likely do all he can to be at his best. He’s not a bad option in leagues of 12+ teams. He’ll also gain third base eligibility soon, which will further push his value.

Andrew Vaughn (1B – MIL): 38%

I highlighted Andrew Vaughn in a previous piece, but he keeps raking and is still only rostered in 38% of leagues. Vaughn’s production decreased considerably over the last two seasons, but since moving to Milwaukee, the former third overall draft pick is hitting like those in Chicago had hoped.

Since joining the Brew Crew, Vaughn has produced a monstrous 1.156 OPS with a whopping 24 RBI. That team leading production has come over just 18 games, which has helped lead the Brewers to the best record in baseball. Vaughn is unstoppable at the moment and deserves to start in all league types.

Ramon Laureano (OF – SD): 36%

Ramon Laureano caught my eye as a potential waiver wire pickup earlier in the week before he was moved to San Diego. Now in the Padres lineup, Laureano’s value slightly increases with all the highly rated talent around him.

The journeyman outfielder has been extremely productive this year, registering a .285 average with 15 home runs and 47 RBI. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but he’s accomplished them in just 255 at-bats. He won’t steal many bags, but as a regular in the revamped Padres lineup, Laureano’s worth picking up.

Jesus Sanchez (OF – HOU): 7%

Jesus Sanchez is also on the rise with his move to Houston. Not only did his surrounding cast greatly increase, but his new home ballpark should push his production to greater heights.

Sanchez’s RBI and run totals should increase as well. He’s also still capable of hitting a few out of the ballpark or stealing the occasional bag. He won’t hurt your average and could end up as a diamond in the rough for the Astros. He’s not a bad addition in deeper leagues.

Now on to stoppers. There are more detailed articles out there covering the new closers and their depth charts, but here are a few solid names to consider.

JoJo Romero (RP – STL): 21%

Riley O’Brien could be thrown into the mix with a heavy right-handed lineup due up, but my money’s on JoJo Romero to take over the closer job in St. Louis.

Romero is a lefty, but he has the best stuff of any reliever left on the team. The 28-year-old has pitched in high-leverage situations before and has posted above-average numbers for the last two seasons. He’s a solid pickup for those in need of saves.

Randy Rodriguez (RP – SF): 44%

Randy Rodriguez will act as the Giants’ closer for the foreseeable future. The second-year pro has been downright nasty on the bump, posting a minuscule 1.17 ERA while striking out 37% of batters. Rodriguez is a must-add in leagues he’s still available.

Cole Sands (RP – MIN): 7%

Cole Sands is likely the closer now in Minnesota after the team gutted their roster. They probably won’t win a ton of games, and I wouldn’t exactly feel comfortable starting Sands on my fantasy roster. But desperate times call for desperate measures. If you need saves, he’s worth considering.

Sean Newcomb (SP, RP – ATH): 1%

The Athletics are looking to their future, and who can blame them at this point? Las Vegas is all that matters to the club’s brass, and in the meantime, player development is at the front and center. That said, saves are saves, and if one of these ragtag few can grant you a couple of them, so be it. I was ready to put down Jack Perkins as the potential replacement for Mason Miller, but as of today, he seems to have joined the rotation.

That leaves Sean Newcomb and Michael Kelly. Yuck. While Newcomb seems to be the front runner, I would probably stay away from the entire situation unless one of them runs away with the job. At the moment, Newcomb’s only worth stashing in AL-Only leagues.

Dennis Santana (RP – PIT): 36%

Dennis Santana is an obvious pickup with David Bednar shipped off to New York. Santana was a trade candidate as well, but managed to stay put and is now the full-time stopper in Pittsburgh. The hard-throwing righty isn’t without flaws, but he’s worth adding anywhere saves matter.

Jose A. Ferrer (RP – WSH): 9%

The Nationals’ bullpen contains no one you’ve ever heard of, but if you’re desperate enough for saves, Jose Ferrer should be your target. His greatest strength is all the worm burners he produces, racking up a whopping 61% of ground balls.

Ferrer also rarely walks a batter (1.88/9) or gives up a homer (0.51/9). Ferrer throws in the high 90s but doesn’t strike out as many as you’d like, and he gives up too many hits. They don’t have anyone else to turn to, so he should be the closer in Washington.

Kevin Ginkel (RP – ARI): 12%

Kevin Ginkel is also an option with Shelby Miller sent packing. Ginkel hasn’t looked like himself this year with an ugly ERA north of seven. The Diamondbacks don’t exactly have anyone else capable of closing, so he’s your best bet.

Blake Treinen (RP – LAD): 8%

Blake Treinen (Alex Vesia was featured last week) is also a viable option for saves with Tanner Scott on the IL. His age and durability are factors, but few have been as consistent as Treinen over the last three seasons. He’s worth adding in most leagues.

Hunter Gaddis (RP – CLE): 18%

With Emmanuel Clase on the restricted list, the Guardians turned to Hunter Gaddis for their most recent save opportunity.

While many thought it would be Cade Smith taking over ninth-inning duties, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt seems to favor Smith whenever the opponent’s core hitters are up in any high-leverage situation. While Smith may earn a few saves, Gaddis seems like the safer pick in the interim.

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

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