Kev Mahserejian | Sun, May 17th 2026, 8:29pm EDT

Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 8 (2026)

The waiver wire is often loaded in May. Everyone is excited for the shiny new thing or the hot old thing that might finally have its year. We have you covered from all angles with our top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.

Injuries and FOMO (fear of missing out) are real factors when it comes to making lineup decisions. You are often not harming your fantasy team by dropping a steady, boring vet for a league-ready prospect or post-hype player.

Typically, the boring vet you drop can be attained soon after letting go (either via waivers or trade), while that new thing is often a hot commodity. Here are the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the week.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

All players listed are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.

Colt Emerson (SS – SEA): 16% Rostered

The Mariners called up top prospect Colt Emerson, and you should pounce if he is available on the waiver wire in your league.

Emerson is an advanced hitter with a mature approach and good power. He does not yet have his “grown man” strength, but with his mix of current power and speed, he is a quality fantasy asset at 20.

While Emerson’s Triple-A stats this season leave a lot to be desired, he is hitting above league average despite nagging wrist soreness earlier in the season. Emerson should play every day to start his MLB career, while hitting towards the middle of a solid Mariners’ lineup.

A.J. Ewing (OF – NYM): 30% Rostered

The Mets set the tone this past week with their promotion of A.J. Ewing. Ewing is an exciting young outfielder with speed and incredible plate discipline. He had nearly as many walks (61) as strikeouts (76) between A-Ball and High-A last season, and then more walks than strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A this year.

Ewing could play every day because of his centerfield defense and plate discipline alone, yet he also provides elite speed (70 Grade) and some power. With Luis Robert Jr. likely shelved for the next few months, Ewing should have the runway necessary to produce quality counting stats and a good on-base percentage (OBP). He should be added in 10-team OBP leagues, while 12+ team leagues should add him universally.

Henry Bolte (OF – ATH): 8% Rostered

The Athletics called up Henry Bolte earlier this week, following the injury to Jacob Wilson (shoulder). Bolte is a fascinating prospect because of his upside. He has immense raw power and elite-elite speed (80 Grade). However, Bolte has a fatal flaw with strikeouts.

Bolte in his first stint at every level:

A-Ball: 33.4% strikeout rate
High-A: 31.8% strikeout rate
Double-A: 38.8% strikeout rate
Triple-A: 32.6% strikeout rate

There is a silver lining to this season in Triple-A. Bolte’s 22% strikeout rate is a notable improvement, especially doing so at 22 years old. He should be a quality player in the Majors with a manageable strikeout rate eventually, but this first stint may be a learning experience. Bolte’s five hits in 15 plate appearances thus far are encouraging, yet too small a sample to take anything away from.

With Lawrence Butler struggling, Bolte could stay up for a few weeks, even if he begins struggling. He is worth a shot in deeper formats where speed is a necessity, but Bolte is better left on benches/waivers until he shows real progress. This week is lined with multiple right-handed pitchers, making his presence in the lineup spotty.

Brayan Rocchio (2B, SS – CLE): 25% Rostered

The Guardians’ youth movement is exciting. Between Brayan Rocchio, Travis Bazzana, Angel Martinez and Chase DeLauter, there is an excellent group of youngsters surrounding veterans Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan. This lineup is still not clicking at the same time, but recent trends from Rocchio offer promise.

Rocchio cut his strikeout rate in half this season (9.8%) and is one home run away from matching his 2025 total (five) in 189 fewer plate appearances. His eight stolen bases have already tied his 2025 total, with five coming since May 7th.

The only issue for Rocchio is his place in the order. He has hit from the nine-hole for the majority of this season. Some opportunities have come from higher spots, but not consistently or recently.

Rocchio should be rostered in 12+ team leagues with a need at the middle infield slots, but until he gets a better place in the lineup, there is no rush to add him.

Zebby Matthews (SP – MIN): 7% Rostered

Zebby Matthews’ first start was excellent. He threw seven shutout innings, with four hits, one walk and five strikeouts. While this start came against a struggling Marlins’ offense, it was positive to see his new pitch mix. Increased secondary usage is a welcome change.

The big concern for Matthews in the minors this season was velocity. There were lingering injury concerns due to his downtick in velocity in early starts. Nevertheless, his average fastball was at 2024 levels. If Matthews can sustain his current fastball levels, there should be some excitement about a potential post-hype breakout.

Matthews will be tested in a matchup against the Astros this week, but with Jose Altuve out, Matthews should not be benched if added. His two starts next week against the White Sox and Pirates should be valuable if he can get through this coming Astros start unscathed.

Walbert Urena (SP – LAA): 6% Rostered

Speaking of two-start opportunities, Walbert Urena will face the Athletics and Rangers at home in Anaheim.

Urena has been a welcome addition to the Angels’ rotation. He has a 3.51 ERA backed by a 2.61 xERA and a 4.34 xFIP as a starter. Urena does not blow by hitters, despite averaging 97.8 miles per hour (MPH) on his fastball, but he does generate weak contact and easy outs with his 49.2% groundball rate.

A 9.6% K-BB rate as a starter does not scream ace, yet we should start Urena with confidence against two struggling/hurt offenses this week. If he can continue his quality start to the season after this week, holding Urena is recommended.

Tejay Antone (RP – CIN): 0% Rostered

The Reds have gone through a carousel of closers since Emilio Pagan‘s injury. They cannot commit to one because no one has proven worthy in high-leverage situations. Tony Santillan has a 16.62 ERA in May, with at least one earned run allowed in five of his six appearances. Graham Ashcraft has allowed six runs across his past four innings.

Meanwhile, Tejay Antone has allowed three earned runs in six innings this season, but his peripherals are the best of the bunch. Antone’s 3.52 xERA, 2.27 xFIP and 1.93 SIERA are stellar. He has given up an earned run in each of his past two appearances, yet there may be no choice but to give him ninth-inning opportunities.

Deeper leagues should consider Antone immediately if a relief pitcher is needed, while shallower leagues can hold off until their closer situation becomes murky.

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