Fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups featuring Ben Rice, Kyren Paris and more

Even though it’s very early into the 2025 fantasy baseball season, many of you might be looking at a roster that only partially resembles the team you drafted. Since roster churn is the name of the game, I’m running it back with your favorite speculator piece with my patented data-backed, formulaic approach to discover next week’s waiver wire headliners … today.

Going position by position, I mine my favorite obscure player statistics regarding control, batted ball quality and swing-and-miss ability. Then I mash them together to identify some cheap gems to grab before the squares figure it out next week. At the bottom, I rank my favorite available players around the diamond, two-start pitchers and speculative adds.

Access The Athletic’s guide for abbreviations used in fantasy baseball. 

Hitters

When it comes to hitting, opportunity may be king, but we still need production — which comes from underlying skills. Scores of studies have proven the impact of exit velocity and its direct relationship with slugging percentage, so raw power is always a great place to start. The list below utilizes contact quality, paired with advanced statistics and, last but not least, pulled fly balls/line drives — because staying on-brand matters.

Hitters in this table have +86% zone-contact, +43% hard-hit, a +.345 expected weighted on-base average and a minimum of 20 plate appearances. 

You’d think all the hubbub surrounding torpedo bats in the Bronx would’ve vaulted New York’s designated hitter Ben Rice into universal rostership, but that’s not the case thus far. Still just 40% rostered on Yahoo, Rice offers more than just power, and his balanced 5×5 production thus far  — .305 BA/9 R/4 RBI/3 HR/2 SB — could be foretelling a monster breakout on the horizon.

For starters, he’s penciled in the lineup every day, and he even played his way into a top-two lineup spot in six of the past seven games. Rice represents your prototypical Bronx Bomber — he’s patient (16.3% BB), doesn’t chase (19.0% O-Swing) and possesses tons of pop (72.75 HH%, 28.0 Barrel%, .622 xwOBAcon). I’m not sure what’s stopping fantasy managers from adding Rice, but just make sure you’re not one of them.

What waiver wire article would be complete without mentioning Earth’s hottest hitter, Kyren Paris? The 23-year-old former second-round pick finally finds himself in a full-time role for the Angels after playing terribly through two short cups of coffee since 2023 — 105 PA, .110 BA, .378 OPS, 32.4% K, 10 wRC+. Yikes. Apparently, all it takes to turn your entire career around is a trip to see Aaron Judge’s swing doctor, Richard Schenck.

Better known as “Teacherman,” the unorthodox hitting coach must be doing something right if his pupil’s production is any indication — Paris is the first player in American League history with 5 HR and 4 SB in his first 10 games played of a season. Wow. This type of potential breakout should never be ignored, so check if he’s available before reading another word. That said, temper expectations before betting on an Ohtani-esque 50 HR/50 SB season — there are still some holes in his disciplinary metrics (17.0% SwStr, 78.6% Zone-Contact) that could be taken advantage of as scouting reports develop.

Unfortunately, injuries are a major, yet inevitable, part of fantasy baseball — and it’s a fantasy manager’s ability to respond to their subsequent effects that separates the wheat from the chaff. When Arizona signed infielder Geraldo Perdomo to a one-year, $2.25M deal this offseason, it felt more like an afterthought in fantasy circles than anything. Perdomo has never eclipsed 500 PA in a season, nor consistently cracked the bottom third of the Diamondbacks lineup.

Well, that all changed when superstar Ketel Marte hurt his hamstring and is now set to miss “significant time.” Perdomo, who was already playing every game, now slides into the two-hole for the D-backs. Do not underestimate the impact of a significant lineup boost, people. Not only are plate appearances the universal commodity in this game of ours, but he’s now set to see a huge boost in counting stats, given his profile. The 25-year-old shortstop boasts an elite plate approach (3.4% SwStr, 17.3% O-Swing, 95.0% Zone-Contact), which should provide a nice batting average in the middle of a good lineup with just enough power and speed to move the needle.

Top hitter waiver wire adds, by position

Catcher

1. Hunter Goodman (COL): 10+ teams
2. Sean Murphy (ATL): 12+ teams
3. Carson Kelly (CHC): 12/15 teams
4. Ryan Jeffers (MIN): 12/15 teams
5. Dillon Dingler (DET): 15+ teams
6. Pedro Pagés (STL): 15+ teams
7. Matt Thaiss (CHW): AL only
8. Austin Wynns (CIN): NL only

First Base

1. Ben Rice (NYY): 10+ teams
2. Jonathan Aranda (TB): 12+ teams
3. Andrew Vaughn (CHW): 12/15 teams
4. Ryan O’Hearn (BAL): 12/15 teams
5. Ty France (MIN): 12/15 teams
6. Kyle Manzardo (CLE): 15+ teams
7. Donovan Solano (SEA): AL only
8. Enmanuel Valdéz (PIT): NL only

Second Base

1. Kyren Paris (LAA): 10+ teams
2. Gavin Lux (CIN): 12+ teams
3. Colt Keith (DET): 12/15 teams
4. Max Muncy (ATH): 12/15 teams
5. Michael Massey (KC): 15+ teams
6. Tim Tawa (ARI): 15+ teams
7. Tsung-Che Cheng (PIT): 15+ teams
8. Will Wagner (TOR): AL only
9. Thomas Saggese (STL): NL only

Shortstop

1. Geraldo Perdomo (ARI): 10+ teams
2. Jacob Wilson (ATH): 12+ teams
3. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (PIT): 12+ teams ***
4. Tyler Fitzgerald (SF): 12/15 teams
5. Trey Sweeney (DET): 15+ teams
6. Taylor Walls (TB): 15+ teams
7. Jacob Amaya (CHW): AL only
8. Edmundo Sosa (PHI): NL only
9. Nick Allen (ATL): NL only

Third Base

1. Ke’Bryan Hayes (PIT): 10+ teams
2. Jorge Polanco (SEA): 10/12 teams
3. Ramón Urías (BAL): 12+ teams
4. Gabriel Arias (CLE): 12/15 teams
5. Joey Ortiz (MIL): 12/15 teams
6. Miguel Vargas (CHW): 15+ teams
7. Graham Pauley (MIA): 15+ teams
8. Oswaldo Cabrera (NYY): AL only
9. Santiago Espinal (CIN): NL only

Outfield, 10/12 teams

1. Jung Hoo Lee (SF) ***
2. Heston Kjerstad (BAL)
3. Pavin Smith (ARI)
4. Jordan Walker (STL)
5. Zac Veen (COL)

Outfield, 12/15 teams

1. Sal Frelick (MIL)
2. Kameron Misner (TB)
3. Trent Grisham (NYY)
4. Jake Mangum (TB) ***
5. Kyle Stowers (MIA)

Outfield 15+ teams only

1. Leody Taveras (TEX)
2. Trevor Larnach (MIN)
3. Alek Thomas (ARI)
4. Gavin Sheets (SD)
5. Alan Roden (TOR)
6. Mickey Moniak (COL)
7. Zach McKinstry (DET)
8. Harrison Bader (MIN)
9. Mike Yastrzemski (SF)
10. Jake Meyers (HOU) ***
11. Ryan Kreidler (DET) – AL only
12. Davis Schneider (TOR) – AL only
13. Oscar Gonzalez (SD) – NL only
14. Dane Myers (MIA) – NL only

*** = Prioritize for speed

Graduating class 

Players from previous articles no longer under 50% rostered (Yahoo) who should be rostered first

• Keibert Ruiz (C, WAS)
• Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET)
• Tyler Soderstrom (1B, ATH)
• Willi Castro (2B/SS/3B, MIN)
• Victor Scott (OF, STL)

Hitter stash candidates

• Nick Kurtz (1B, ATH) — Depending on Tyler Soderstrom’s injury, Kurtz’s call-up could be imminent.
• Austin Hays (OF, CIN) — He’s on a rehab assignment, and the Reds desperately need his bat.
• Roman Anthony (OF, BOS)
• Marcelo Mayer (SS, BOS)
• Nick Yorke (2B, PIT)

Hitter drop candidates

• Cam Smith (3B, HOU)
• Victor Robles (OF, SEA)
• Jose Miranda (3B, MIN)
• Jordan Beck (OF, COL)
• Orlando Arcia (SS, ATL)

Pitchers

As far as pitching goes, the thesis couldn’t be simpler — do our best to avoid any bias attached to surface stats (outputs) by instead focusing on underlying metrics (inputs). The most important SP skills are suppressing runs by keeping runners off base and striking out batters. Though simply showing up on this list so early may be noise, there’s an argument that this combination of skills signals an immediate call to action.

Pitchers in this table have a ≤3.75 expected earned run average, ≤1.20 WHIP, +20.0% strikeout minus walk rate, with a minimum of five innings pitched.

Similar to hitters, the season’s opening month provides an opportunity to front-run players with tremendous ceiling potential before they become household names. Enter Landen Roupp, San Francisco’s right-handed hurler, who won an opening day rotation spot against tough competition.

File this next speculation under “better to be a week early than a day late.” The recent injury tsunami just swallowed Minnesota’s ace starter Pablo López, leaving a rotation spot open in the Twin City. While it hasn’t been announced yet, I’m guessing it could be 24-year-old Zebby Matthews, who is next in line — and his potential is massive. Why churn through mediocre free agents when you can aim high on ceiling outcomes that could single-handedly swing your fantasy team’s trajectory?

Matthews doesn’t have much left to prove after dominating the minors over 96 IP in 2024 (2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 28.6% K-BB) and following it up with just as sharp an encore this season in Triple A (1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 33.3% K-BB). Matthews has an excellent four-seam fastball with two devastating secondaries — slider and changeup. Sure, he struggled in his first taste of MLB action last season. Who cares? If anything, I hope that small sample will deter your league mates from scooping up Matthews before you get a chance.

There’s also a chance the Twinkies turn to righty David Festa, who has some upside. I’m more worried about his command than Matthews’, plus Festa just got hit around by the Columbus Clippers last time out (3.1 IP, 10 Hits, 5 ER). Even if Matthews doesn’t get the first crack, the price suppression to add him could be worth it. He’s the guy I want for the rest of the season, and I don’t mind playing the long game — it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Top waiver wire pitcher adds

Finding Mr. Right: Starters who could stick all year

1. Jack Leiter (TEX)
2. Landen Roupp (SF)
3. Max Meyer (MIA) ^^^
4. Matthew Boyd (CHC)
5. Tyler Mahle (TEX) ^^^
6. Cade Povich (BAL)
7. Jackson Jobe (DET)
8. Griffin Canning (NYM)
9. Hayden Wesneski (HOU)
10. Easton Lucas (TOR) ^^^
11. Matthew Liberatore (STL)

Team Streamers: Hold and deploy from the bench

1. Edward Cabrera (MIA) — He could start as soon as Friday, April 11.
2. Sean Burke (CHW)
3. Jordan Hicks (SF)
4. Shane Smith (CHW)
5. Kumar Rocker (TEX)
6. Will Warren (NYY)
7. Nick Martinez (CIN)
8. José Soriano (LAA)
9. AJ Smith-Shawver (ATL)
10. Martín Pérez (CHW)
11. Osvaldo Bido (ATH)
12. Mitchell Parker (WAS)
13. Landon Knack (LAD)
14. Ben Brown (CHC)

One-and-done: Pitch-and-ditch desperation plays

1. Richard Fitts (BOS)
2. Zack Littell (TB)
3. JP Sears (ATH)
4. Kyle Hart (SD)
5. Kyle Hendricks (LAA)
6. Davis Martin (CHW)
7. Jack Kochanowicz (LAA)
8. Carson Spiers (CIN)
9. Taijuan Walker (PHI)
10. Germán Márquez (COL)
11. Randy Vasquez (SD)
12. Brad Lord (WAS)
13. Andrew Heaney (PIT)

^^^ = Riser

Pitcher stash candidates

• Zebby Matthews (MIN)
• Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) — Like David Festa, Ashcraft could get the first shot over Bubba Chandler even if he’s my close second choice for the long haul.
• Lucas Giolito (BOS) — He looked sharp in a 3.1 IP rehab outing for the Woo Sox.
• David Festa (MIN)
• Bubba Chandler (PIT)
• Hayden Birdsong (SF)
• Kyle Gibson (BAL)

Pitcher drop candidates

• Reynaldo López (SP, ATL)
• Thomas Harrington (SP, PIT)
• Mike Clevinger (RP, CHW)
• Calvin Faucher (RP, MIA)

Relievers

1. Luke Jackson (TEX)
2. Dennis Santana (PIT)
3. José Alvarado (PHI)
4. Tommy Kahnle (DET)
5. Seth Halvorsen (COL)
6. Emilio Pagán, (CIN)
7. Tony Santillan (CIN)
8. Anthony Bender (MIA)
9. Camilo Doval (SF)
10. Victor Vodnik (COL)
11. Jordan Leasure (CHW)

Graduating class

Players from previous articles no longer under 50% rostered (Yahoo) who should be rostered first

• Kris Bubic (SP, KC)

Ranking next week’s available two-start pitchers

That’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed the second speculative piece on the 2025 season.

For more MLB news, follow me on X @JohnLaghezza. 

(Top photo of Ben Rice: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)

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