The key to winning your fantasy baseball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent and call-ups could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!
Hitters
Kyle Farmer, SS/2B/3B, Cincinnati Reds
Despite spending most of his career as a utility player, Kyle Farmer has put together one of the best seasons in his career. Especially as of late, Farmer has shown he can be an everyday hitter for the Reds. In his last 10 games, he’s hit .475/.523//.825 with an insane 1.348 OPS. With that, he’s hit three homers, five RBIs, and nine runs scored. Another major advantage for Farmer is his qualification for three infield positions, making him an important filler especially this late into the season. Farmer is a must now pick up in all formats.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS, Colorado Rockies
A former top prospect in the organization, Brendan Rodgers has taken longer than expected to develop into a cornerstone for the Rockies. But 2021, has by far been his best season and as of late, he’s been great. In his last 10 games, Rodgers has hit .275/.310/.625 along with four homers, six RBIs, and six runs scored. Rodgers does need to drastically improve managing his strikeouts, as he has 11 in those 10 games. But Rodger’s upside makes him a quality player on the waiver wire while he continues to make improvements.
Abraham Toro, 3B/DH, Seattle Mariners
After being moved during the trade deadline for Kendall Graveman, Abraham Toro now has the opportunity to make a significant impact with the Seattle Mariners, who have been trending up this season. Since the move, Toro has already shown that the move was very beneficial. In his first four games with the Mariners, Toro has hit .429/.467/.929 and an insane 1.395 OPS. He’s also already two homers, four RBIs, and four runs. Toro is a perfect rising prospect to pick up now as he’s only 24 years old.
Aledmys Diaz, 2B/3B/ OF, Houston Astros
Aledmys Diaz has been an underrated hitter since his entrance to the majors in 2016. He was an all-star in 2016 for the Cardinals. He has continued to remain a consistent hitter since then. Since his return from injury, Diaz has hit .421/.450/1.000 with an insane 1.450 OPS. He’s also hit three homers, eight RBIs, and six runs scored in only four games. His flexibility of eligible positions also gives him a major advantage in fantasy. Diaz is also a quality pickup on the waiver wire as long as his hitting remains consistent.
Pitchers
Johnny Cueto, SP, San Fransisco Giants
Johnny Cueto has performed consistently good all season long but continues to be overlooked on the fantasy waiver wire. Cueto currently has a 3.84 ERA with a 7-5 record, not bad for a 35-year-old. He’s been even better in his handful of starts. Over his last three, Cueto has managed a 2.30 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 17 innings of work. He didn’t lose any of those starts either. Cueto is a must-now pick on the fantasy wire as he continues to help the Giants surprise everyone with their impressive season.
Kendall Graveman, RP, Houston Astros
Kendall Graveman was the centerpiece of a controversial trade that saw the Mariners selling their best reliever despite being in the playoff picture. Nonetheless, Graveman now enters a bullpen that is dramatically improved and hence will help his overall performance, earning wins. Graveman has already managed 0.79 ERA all season long, but will have the opportunity to earn some saves with the winning Astros. He’s a quality reliever pickup that is still available in almost 60 percent of leagues.
Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
After a strong 2020 campaign, Merrill Kelly was bound was an even stronger 2021 season. That hasn’t been the case. Kelly has been unable to maintain his consistent outings. Since the trade deadline, Kelly has found some of his 2020 magic. In his last two starts, Kelly has managed a 3.65 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings of work. Kelly is a solid last-minute replacement when need be. But he still has a long way to go if he wants to return to any form he had during the 2020 season.
Matt Harvey, SP, Baltimore Orioles
After being an all-star in 2013, Matt Harvey has basically fallen off the deep end. Bouncing around from franchise to franchise, Harvey was never able to regain his consistency. Now with the Baltimore Orioles, Matt Harvey has put together three solid starts that show flash from his all-star year. In those three starts, he has yet to allow a run over 18 innings. He only had 11 strikeouts but earning wins in all three. Harvey’s outlook is tough to see. But for now, he’s performing well and is worth a pickup in fantasy.
Ethan Hartley 