FantasyPros Staff | Thu, May 7th 2026, 9:32am EDT

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Hitters to Add (Week 6)

Fantasy baseball managers looking for offense on the waiver wire have a few intriguing names to target this week. Some bring long-term upside, while others are simply riding hot streaks that can help in the short term. Either way, these are the types of hitters who can stabilize a roster during the grind of the season. Here are a few of our favorite fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Hitters to Add Now (Week 6)

From multi-position flexibility to improving quality of contact, these four hitters stand out as potential fantasy contributors in a wide range of formats. Top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and hitters to add now.

Sam Antonacci (2B, OF – CWS)

Sam Antonacci continues to look like one of the more underrated young hitters available in fantasy leagues. The profile has always been fantasy-friendly. He makes consistent contact, draws walks, adds speed, and has enough developing power to matter in roto and points formats alike.

The biggest recent development is lineup placement. The White Sox have moved Antonacci into the leadoff spot, which significantly boosts his fantasy outlook. More plate appearances mean more opportunities for runs, steals, and overall counting stats.

Over his recent stretch, Antonacci has started making noticeably stronger contact while hitting over .380 across his last several games. Even though the home run totals have not exploded yet, the underlying skill set points toward a player who can contribute across categories rather than relying solely on power.

The positional flexibility also matters. Eligibility at both second base and outfield makes him easier to fit into fantasy lineups, especially during injury-heavy stretches.

For managers in points leagues or deeper category leagues, Antonacci looks like the type of player who can quietly become a long-term roster piece instead of a temporary streamer.

Brooks Lee (SS – MIN)

Brooks Lee may not have the loudest Statcast profile, but fantasy managers do not always need perfection from a waiver pickup. Sometimes the right move is simply riding the hot hand.

Lee has been one of the hotter bats in baseball lately, posting solid production with improved power numbers during May. The batting average has remained useful, and his ability to avoid strikeouts gives him a relatively stable fantasy floor.

There are legitimate reasons for caution. His hard-hit rates and expected metrics suggest some regression could eventually arrive. Still, there are elements of his profile that support short-term success. Lee elevates the baseball well and pulls the ball consistently, which can create fantasy value even without elite exit velocity.

This feels like a classic “ride it while it lasts” situation. Fantasy managers searching for middle infield help, especially in daily lineup leagues, should take advantage while the production continues.

Lee may not be a full-season breakout candidate, but he absolutely belongs on fantasy rosters while he remains productive.

Casey Schmitt (INF – SF)

Casey Schmitt continues to fly under the radar despite putting together a productive start offensively for the Giants.

The profile itself is not especially flashy. The strikeout rate remains elevated, and the walk numbers are not ideal. But fantasy baseball is ultimately about production, and Schmitt has delivered enough power and RBI output to deserve attention.

Through the opening stretch of the season, Schmitt has already chipped in multiple home runs while hitting above .300. He has also added a bit of speed, which only increases his value in deeper formats.

One of the biggest reasons to consider Schmitt is roster flexibility. Multi-position infield eligibility gives fantasy managers options when injuries pile up or schedules get crowded. He works particularly well as a short-term corner infield or middle infield replacement.

The Giants lineup has also shown signs of improvement around him, which could help sustain the RBI opportunities moving forward.

Schmitt may not profile as a league winner, but he looks like a very usable plug-and-play option in deeper leagues and NFBC-style formats.

Nathaniel Lowe (1B – CIN)

Nathaniel Lowe might be the most interesting waiver target of the group because the underlying metrics strongly support the breakout.

The surface numbers already look solid. Lowe is hitting for average, getting on base consistently, and showing improved power production. But the advanced profile is what really jumps off the page.

He is currently posting the best barrel rate and hard-hit rate of his career while simultaneously lowering his strikeout percentage. That combination is extremely encouraging for fantasy managers searching for sustainable power.

Even more importantly, Lowe is pulling the baseball more frequently while elevating it at a higher rate. Those changes often lead directly to home run growth, especially in a favorable offensive environment.

Fantasy managers desperate for corner infield help should be paying close attention. First base has been surprisingly volatile this season, and Lowe offers a chance to secure legitimate 25-home run upside off waivers.

Compared to some of the bigger-name struggling first basemen, Lowe may simply be the better fantasy play right now.

Fantasy Baseball Takeaways

Sam Antonacci (2B, OF – CWS) offers strong multi-category upside with leadoff opportunity and multi-position eligibility.
Brooks Lee (SS – MIN) is a worthwhile short-term add while his hot streak continues, especially in middle infield spots.
Casey Schmitt (INF – SF) remains an underrated source of power and lineup flexibility in deeper fantasy leagues.
Nathaniel Lowe (1B – CIN) has the strongest underlying metrics of this group and could emerge as a legitimate breakout power bat.
Managers in competitive leagues should prioritize players gaining lineup promotion and improved batted-ball quality rather than chasing only recent box-score production.
Multi-position eligibility from Antonacci and Schmitt adds valuable roster flexibility during injury-heavy portions of the season.
Lowe profiles as the best long-term investment, while Lee looks more like a productive short-term streaming option.

NFL

MLB

NBA

NHL