It’s not the loudest week on the fantasy baseball waiver wire for hitters, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found. In fact, this is the type of week where sharp fantasy managers can get ahead of the market by targeting underlying metrics, short-term opportunity, and stash candidates before they become obvious adds.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets: Undervalued Bats to Add Right Now
Based on this week’s discussion, here are four hitters worth your attention across a variety of fantasy baseball league formats.
Jake Bauers (OF – MIL)
Jake Bauers might not jump off the page with a .240 batting average, but the underlying data tells a very different story.
He’s already popped five home runs and chipped in a couple of steals, making him quietly useful in multiple categories. More importantly, his expected batting average sits closer to .278, suggesting positive regression is coming. The quality of contact backs that up. Bauers is running a 15 percent barrel rate and a 56 percent hard-hit rate, both well above his career norms.
There’s also a clear path to playing time with injuries opening up opportunities in Milwaukee’s lineup. He’s pulling the ball more and getting it in the air, which is exactly what you want from a power-focused waiver add.
If you need pop with some sneaky upside, Bauers is one of the better speculative adds available in most leagues.
Dominic Smith (1B – ATL)
Dominic Smith is the definition of a short-term hot bat worth riding.
Through his first stretch of games, he’s hitting an eye-popping .395 with three homers and 15 RBI. No, that average isn’t going to stick, but the role and lineup context matter here. With injuries creating at-bats in Atlanta, Smith has taken full advantage.
He’s been especially productive recently, driving in runs consistently and showing strong contact skills. Even if this turns into a platoon situation long term, Smith is currently on the favorable side as a left-handed hitter.
For managers dealing with injuries or looking to stream offense, Smith is widely available and producing right now. That’s often enough in April.
Angel Martinez (OF – CLE)
Angel Martinez is one of the more interesting all-around pickups this week.
He’s hitting .314 with a blend of power and speed, already contributing two home runs and four stolen bases. What stands out most is his approach. Martinez owns elite contact rates, including a strikeout rate around 10 percent and excellent zone contact numbers.
While his raw power metrics aren’t elite, he’s maximizing what he has by elevating and pulling the ball consistently. That combination can lead to surprising fantasy production, especially when paired with his speed.
Think of Martinez as a category filler who won’t hurt you anywhere. He’s particularly valuable in points leagues and formats that reward contact skills.
Sam Antonacci (2B – CWS)
He just got called up, so you have to move quickly. But there is a clear path to playing time now that he’s up.
The White Sox infield has struggled to produce. At Triple-A, he’s hitting .313 with a .500 on-base percentage and nearly a 1.000 OPS. The most impressive part of his profile is plate discipline. Antonacci has more walks than strikeouts, a rare trait in today’s game. He also brings some speed, already swiping multiple bases, which adds to his fantasy appeal.
In deeper leagues or OBP formats, he’s the type of add that can pay off quickly.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
- Jake Bauers offers legitimate power upside with improving underlying metrics and increased opportunity
- Dominic Smith is a classic short-term add while he’s hot and getting regular at-bats in a strong lineup
- Angel Martinez provides balanced production with elite contact skills and stolen base upside
- Sam Antonacci has strong plate discipline and a clear path to playing time
- This week favors proactive managers targeting skills and opportunity over surface-level stats
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