This is it, ladies and gents. The final week of the 2025 fantasy baseball season. I hope you all had as much fun as I did. It’s been quite the ride, just as it always is. We start writing every January, working on our draft prospectus, and conclude at the end of September. Of course, for us fanatics, the work doesn’t stop there; we follow all things baseball throughout the offseason, trying to gain an edge for the following year.
That said, I just want to thank you all for sticking with me all these months. Hopefully, I was able to guide you towards plenty of positive changes, and you’re now on the verge of winning a championship. Fantasy baseball is truly a marathon, and for those of you who are still in the fight, congratulations.
- Fantasy Baseball Research & Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Rest-of-Season Projections
If you are still in it and looking for a last-minute waiver wire addition, there are still a handful of players who are vastly under-appreciated and under-rostered. There’s a nice mix available this week, so there should be something for everyone. Again, thank you all for an incredible season, and I’ll see you again next season. Now let’s get to it.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
All players listed are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Trey Yesavage (SP – TOR): 32%
Let’s start with Trey Yesavage. Living up to his name, the Blue Jays pitcher was a savage in his debut, striking out nine batters in just five innings. The Blue Jays’ latest addition is on tap to face the Royals on Sunday, and then he’ll likely close out against Tampa Bay again, who he just silenced last week.
The Jays’ first-round pick in last year’s draft made quick work of the Minor Leagues. The uber-talented rookie mowed down 14.7 hitters per nine innings this year and maintained a WHIP below 1.00. He allowed just 54 hits over 98 innings and pretty much dominated all aspects of pitching. With Jose Berrios moving to the bullpen, Yesavage is a must-add everywhere.
Hurston Waldrep (SP – ATL): 47%
Hurston Waldrep was dropped in a few leagues after a pair of bad starts, but the promising young right-hander is set to face the Nationals again after defeating them earlier this week. Waldrep surrendered three runs in that outing, but he held them to just five base runners while striking out eight over five innings.
Their next matchup comes in Atlanta, which could very easily turn into back-to-back victories for the Atlanta youngster. The Nationals are 32-45 on the road this year and were just swept by Atlanta over a four-game series. Waldrep is worth the gamble in most leagues.
Parker Messick (SP – CLE): 39%
The Guardians have come roaring back and are set to face the front-running Tigers in a thrilling divisional matchup this week. The Guardians trail Detroit by just one game, so this week’s series will have massive implications. With the division at stake, Cleveland will once again turn to one of their best pitchers in Parker Messick. He has been a godsend for Cleveland, helping the club achieve a massive turnaround in the late second half.
The Guardian’s highest-rated pitching prospect was a beast in college, crushing it in the ACC. Messick then carved up the Minor Leagues on the back of a duo of filthy off-speed pitches and has now done well in six Major League starts.
Messick is currently sporting a 2.08 ERA with a minscule 3.5% walk rate and an impressive 18.3% K-BB%. He gets a hefty dose of ground balls (50%) and keeps the ball in the yard (3.8% barrel rate, 0.26 HR/9). The opposing pitcher he’ll match up against is Charlie Morton, who has been a mess lately. The Tigers also haven’t faced Messick yet, so that should also work to his advantage. I’m rolling the dice on Messick once again in his most meaningful start of his career.
Brad Keller (RP – CHC): 23%
If you need a save in the final week, Brad Keller or Andrew Kittredge aren’t bad options. They’ve split duties lately, with Keller securing the most recent two victories earlier in the week. Both relievers have three saves for the Cubs this season, and both have a shot to close during the final week. That said, my money’s on Keller.
After Kittredge gave up two runs in the eighth inning on Saturday, it’s likely Keller’s job from here on out. Keller’s been quietly excellent all season for the Cubbies, maintaining a 2.16 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.
Don’t let his previous seasons fool you; Keller has been transformed this year in Chicago as a full-time reliever and could help push you over the edge in the final week.
Ha-Seong Kim (2B, SS – ATL): 8%
I wrote about Ha-Seong Kim two weeks ago once he became a regular for the Braves. Now in the midst of a hot streak and a home date versus Washington on the brink, Kim is a must-add player in most league types.
The former Tampa Bay Ray is 12 for his last 23 (.522 batting average) with nine runs scored and six batted in. Kim also launched a home run on Friday. The infielder is no stranger to filling up the stat sheet, as he produced a fine 94/17/60/38/.260 fantasy stat line just two years ago as a member of the Padres.
Kim could have a field day against a weak slate of pitchers this week, so he’s worth starting in the majority of leagues.
Zach Cole (OF – HOU): 1%
Yordan Alvarez is out once again, paving the way for more playing for the youngster Zach Cole. Cole lit the league on fire in his debut, hitting over .400 for the week while launching two home runs and driving in seven. The 25-year-old has slowed down a bit over the last few days, but with a showdown coming against the Athletics inside their home ballpark, Cole could catch fire once again.
Only Colorado ranks higher as a hitters’ haven than the Athletics’ home stadium, and third place isn’t even close. Despite striking out a lot, Cole was excellent down on the farm this year, registering a robust 267/.363/.505 slash in 82 games in Double-A and .353/.459/.745 in 15 Triple-A games. He also stole 18 bases. With the favorable schedule coming up, Cole’s worth a look for those in deeper leagues.
Troy Johnston (1B, OF – MIA): 0%
Troy Johnston’s recent breakout could put him in competition for a starting job next season. Johnston toiled for six years in the Minor Leagues before finally getting his shot, and now he’s running with it. Over the past week, the Marlins outfielder mashed three home runs while hitting .400.
After a slow start, his triple slash is up to a promising .274/.330/.411. Johnston also stole 31 bases and launched 12 homers in just over half a season in Triple-A this year. With a bit of power and plenty of speed, Johnston could be a nice find for those in the deepest of leagues.
Austin Martin (2B, OF – MIN): 7%
Austin Martin’s been a nice find for Minnesota. The former fifth-overall pick in 2020 has regularly been hitting out of the two-hole for the Twins and has now scored eight times over the last 11 games. He also stole three bases this week and drove in four against the Yankees on Monday.
Martin likely won’t hit many home runs, but if you’re in search of steals and runs over the final week, Martin’s a solid addition. He also qualifies for the hardest position to fill, furthering his value.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.
