4 Hitters to Add Now: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (2026)

The fantasy baseball waiver wire gets a lot more interesting when prospects start arriving.

After a brief lull in prospect promotions, several intriguing names are either already making an impact in the majors or appear to be on the doorstep. For fantasy managers looking to gain an edge, now is the time to get ahead of the next wave before the rest of your league catches on.

4 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters to Add Now

This week’s group features a mix of speed, power, lineup opportunity, and prospect upside. Whether you’re searching for stolen bases, looking for a hot bat, or stashing a player before a promotion, these four hitters deserve attention.

Cole Carrigg (OF – COL)

Cole Carrigg is one of the more interesting waiver wire additions for managers looking to add speed.

Recently called up by Colorado, Carrigg initially received his opportunity after Tyler Freeman landed on the concussion injured list. However, the path to playing time may be wider than it first appeared due to other injuries in the Rockies’ outfield and the organization’s need to evaluate younger talent.

The fantasy appeal starts with versatility. Carrigg can move around the diamond, offering eligibility flexibility while bringing a skill set that translates well across multiple formats.

At Triple-A, he posted six home runs and 30 stolen bases in just 57 games while slashing .338 with an on-base percentage north of .400 and a slugging percentage above .500. That’s the type of profile that immediately grabs the attention of fantasy managers.

The power isn’t necessarily the main attraction. Carrigg’s value comes from his speed, ability to put the ball in play, and strong on-base skills. He profiles as a player who could pile up doubles, steal bases, and provide useful production in OBP and points leagues.

For managers chasing steals, Carrigg may be one of the most readily available options worth adding right now.

Matt McLain (2B, SS – CIN)

It’s been a frustrating season for Matt McLain managers, but there are signs that things may finally be turning around.

The surface numbers still look rough, highlighted by a batting average hovering around .209. Dig a little deeper, though, and the underlying indicators tell a much different story.

McLain has been heating up in June, hitting .333 while adding multiple home runs and a multi-steal performance. More importantly, many of his foundational metrics have improved compared to previous seasons.

He’s making more zone contact, walking more frequently, striking out less, and hitting the ball in the air more often. His strikeout rate has dropped significantly, and his barrel rate has improved.

The biggest issue appears to be results rather than process.

According to the discussion, McLain’s BABIP sits roughly 60 points below his career norm, suggesting some positive regression could be on the way. Even modest improvement in batting average could unlock more value considering he’s already contributed eight home runs and 10 stolen bases despite his struggles.

McLain has always been a streaky player, and right now he appears to be trending in the right direction. Fantasy managers looking for middle infield help should take notice.

Luis Lara (OF – MIL)

If you’re searching for a stash candidate before the next prospect promotion, Luis Lara fits the bill.

Although he’s still in Triple-A, the expectation discussed on the podcast is that Lara could be in line for a major league opportunity sooner rather than later. Following a recent extension that requires him to be added to the 40-man roster, the path to a call-up appears much clearer.

The production has certainly earned attention.

Lara is slashing .338/.447/.500 with seven home runs and 18 stolen bases. Even more impressive, he’s walking more often than he’s striking out.

That type of plate discipline stands out.

The profile checks several fantasy boxes. Lara offers speed, strong on-base skills, and enough offensive ability to contribute in multiple categories. His .447 OBP makes him particularly appealing in OBP and points formats, while the stolen base production adds value in roto leagues.

Because he’s still widely available, Lara is the type of speculative add that can pay off if a promotion arrives in the coming weeks.

Managers with bench flexibility should strongly consider getting ahead of the crowd.

Braden Montgomery (OF – CWS)

Few prospects could have asked for a better introduction to the major leagues than Braden Montgomery.

In his debut, Montgomery launched a walk-off home run and immediately put himself on the radar of fantasy managers everywhere.

The performance wasn’t just about one swing, either.

Both of his hits came to the opposite field, showcasing the approach and natural power that have made him a highly regarded prospect. As discussed on the podcast, Montgomery is a switch hitter with impressive bat speed and the ability to let the ball travel before driving it with authority.

The raw power is real.

When Montgomery makes contact, the ball jumps off his bat. His debut featured elite quality of contact metrics, reinforcing the belief that his power can play immediately at the major league level.

There may be some strikeout-related growing pains along the way, but the overall fantasy package is intriguing. He can hit for power, contribute some speed, and appears positioned to receive consistent playing time.

The discussion even suggested that Montgomery could quickly become unavailable in many fantasy leagues if he continues producing over the next few weeks.

For fantasy managers in deeper formats, he may be the most aggressive waiver target of the group.

Why This Prospect Wave Matters

Fantasy baseball is often won by managers who react before everyone else.

Carrigg offers immediate stolen-base upside. McLain looks like a potential buy-low candidate whose underlying metrics are improving. Lara is an appealing stash with a potential promotion on the horizon. Montgomery already appears ready to force his way into fantasy relevance.

The common thread is opportunity.

As organizations begin giving younger players more chances, fantasy managers should be prepared to act quickly. Waiting for a player to become a household waiver wire name often means paying a much steeper acquisition cost.

Fantasy Baseball Takeaways

Cole Carrigg (OF – COL) offers speed, positional flexibility, and strong OBP potential, making him especially attractive in roto, points, and OBP leagues.
Matt McLain (2B, SS – CIN) is showing signs of life thanks to improving underlying metrics and a recent hot streak.
Luis Lara (OF – MIL) is one of the better stash candidates available, with a possible promotion appearing closer than ever.
Braden Montgomery (OF – CWS) brings legitimate power upside and could become unavailable in many leagues if his strong debut momentum continues.
Carrigg and Lara stand out as valuable sources of stolen bases.
McLain is a strong buy-low target for managers looking to capitalize on positive regression.
Montgomery carries arguably the highest ceiling of the group and is worth aggressively targeting in deeper formats.