Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Bryan Abreu is a must-add for saves with Josh Hader injured for Astros

Yahoo

a day ago

There is an abundance of riches in the outfield right now, as most fantasy baseball managers will be able to find multiple outfielders on the waiver wire who can be streamed into their lineup. There is also a surprising source of infield production and a couple hurlers who can make a big difference.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Jakob Marsee, OF, Marlins, 45%: When Marsee debuted on Aug. 1, he instantly became one of the league's fastest players. After all, we are talking about someone who stole 47 bases in 98 Triple-A games this year. But Marsee has shown the potential to be much more than a one-category speedster. The 24-year-old is hitting the ball hard (94.1 mph average exit velocity) and showing tremendous plate discipline (9:11 BB:K ratio), and on Wednesday he posted one of the best stat lines of any player this season when he went 4-for-5 with two homers, seven RBI and a steal. He should be rostered in all roto leagues and some points formats.
Isaac Collins, OF, Brewers, 43%: The Brewers are the hottest team in baseball, which means that fantasy managers should want a piece of their lineup. Adding Collins is the best way to make that happen, as he is regularly hitting second on this high-scoring team, thanks to his outstanding on-base skills (.384 OBP). And with eight homers and 13 steals in 281 at-bats, the 28-year-old has provided some category juice as well. Collins needs to be rostered in both roto and points formats until he or the Brewers cool off.
Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies, 15%: This is the perfect time to add Moniak, as the Rockies opened an eight-game homestand on Thursday. Their next six contests will come against right-handed starters, which is great news for Moniak, who has logged an .857 OPS against righties and a .975 OPS at Coors Field this season. Colorado plays 16 of the next 22 games at home, before playing 13 of the final 19 games on the road. The smart move with Moniak and his lineup mates is to roster them until Sept. 7 before shipping them to waivers for the rest of the season.
Blaze Alexander, 2B/3B/SS, Diamondbacks, 29%: Managers who need a boost this weekend should add Alexander, who has hit the cover off the ball (1.111 OPS) during August while serving as the third base replacement for traded slugger Eugenio Suarez. Arizona is playing at Coors Field until Sunday, which should lead to plenty of runs against a pitching staff that has logged a 6.64 ERA at their home park. And with three eligible positions, Alexander is easy to fit into a lineup.
Drake Baldwin, C, Braves, 28%: The low roster rate of Baldwin looks worse each week. The Braves are putting the 24-year-old in the lineup on a regular basis, and they will continue to do so down the stretch as they prepare their roster for 2026. Baldwin has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball this season, and he now ranks 10th among fantasy catchers. More importantly, in the past 30 days, he places sixth at his premium position. In every league, there are at least three managers who need to replace their catcher with Baldwin.
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Jacob Lopez, SP, Athletics, 52%: Lopez is on his second hot streak of the season, and during this one he has tossed 26 scoreless innings across his past four starts. And the lefty hasn't been lucky during those scoreless frames, as he has logged an outstanding 28:6 K:BB ratio. Those in weekly leagues should be willing to cut a key roster member to add Lopez for next week, as he lines up for two starts (Twins, Mariners). After all, this is the time of year when streaming becomes crucial to victory.
Jack Leiter, SP, Rangers, 33%: I'm much less excited about Leiter than Lopez, but those who need to stash a two-start pitcher for next week should consider Leiter as well. The right-hander has struggled with his control of late, which has led to some short starts. But he has still allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his past eight outings, and he struck out at least five batters in six of those starts. Leiter has favorable matchups next week against the Royals (28th in runs scored) and Guardians (26th in runs scored).
Nolan McLean, SP, Mets, 15%: McLean is someone to add in deep leagues and monitor in 12-team formats. The 24-year-old will be called up for his MLB debut on Saturday, when he will face the Mariners. McLean has logged a 2.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 127 batters in 113.2 innings this season. Like many young pitchers, he will need to focus on limiting walks, but there is an opportunity to stay in New York's rotation for the remainder of the season.
Bryan Abreu, RP, Astros, 47%: Josh Hader was placed on the injured list on Tuesday, and is expected to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Hader's absence opens the door for Abreu, who is one of the best relievers in baseball, to work the ninth inning. To compare Abreu to the current group of closers, his 81 strikeouts are more than anyone who has more than one save, and his 1.64 ERA trails only Edwin Diaz, Aroldis Chapman and Andres Munoz among those who rank within the top 20 in saves. Abreu earned a save on Wednesday and could be a top-10 reliever while Hader is out.
Justin Topa, RP, Twins, 4%: Managers in deep leagues can target Topa as a saves source. He has earned the Twins' past two saves, while Cole Sands, who was expected to serve as closer after the trade deadline, has yet to get a ninth-inning opportunity. Topa has a solid 44:13 K:BB ratio and 2.72 FIP, and should be effective enough to hold the role.