The fantasy baseball season began with many key fantasy players being placed on the injured list or sent to the minor leagues. Fantasy managers now have holes in their lineups with no replacements ready. It is time to scour the waiver wire for the best pickups for your fantasy baseball team. Firstly, will there only be slim pickings left on the waiver wire? Secondly, should fantasy managers look for mediocre veterans or talented rookies? Did a high-ranked prospect make the team? Let us check out the replacement player options available on the waiver wire with the hope of finding a hidden fantasy star.
The Replacements – Best Waiver Wire Pickups
Catcher Pickup
Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds, suffered a low-grade oblique strain in mid-March, and he started the season on the 10-day injured list. All fantasy teams sometimes need a short-term player pickup on the waiver wire. Stephenson’s 1032 plate appearances over the past two seasons are the seventh highest among catchers. ESPN projects him to match his 2024 with 16 home runs and close to 70 RBI. He is expected to return to Cincinnati’s lineup by the end of April. The draft-and-stash strategy may pay off in the long term.
The best waiver wire pickup to replace Tyler Stephenson is Miguel Amaya, Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old catcher has had a great spring, hitting .542 (13-for-24) with a pair of homers and four RBI. Amaya may look like a part-time player while sharing duties with veteran Carson Kelly. But the Cubs’ Manager penciled in Amaya to start four of the first six games. Most importantly, this waiver wire pick-up is batting .313 with seven RBI, which should keep him in the lineup.
Third Base Waiver Wire
Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins is a sleeper pick selection for the third base position in the 2025 draft. Unfortunately, Lewis was bitten by the injury bug at the start of the season. The Twins placed the third baseman on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, and there is no timetable for his return. A healthy Lewis hit 33 home runs and 104 RBI in 152 career games. As a result, fantasy managers must pick up a third baseman on the waiver wire sooner rather than later.
The best waiver wire pickup for Royce Lewis is Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers. Smith won the American League’s Silver Slugger Award for the utility position in 2024. However, in this waiver-wire pickup scenario, he is needed as a third base replacement. Smith’s eligibility at shortstop and outfield will give a manager added flexibility. There is the potential for Josh Smith to become your everyday third baseman, adding ESPN projections of 13 home runs, 60 RBI, and stolen base potential to your fantasy team.
Starting Pitcher
ESPN projected Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates, to win 10 games and join the 200k club for the 2025 season. However, the Pirates’ number two starting pitcher injured the UCL in his right elbow while throwing the ball in spring training. The Pirates immediately shut down Jones from throwing the ball for six weeks. Jones could be stashed on the injured list until his return in May or June or dropped altogether. For this reason, fantasy managers must immediately look for a starting pitcher pickup on the waiver wire.
MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals, is the starting pitcher flying off the waiver wire early in the 2025 season. Gore’s main drawback for fantasy managers in the initial draft was a high WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched). In the 2024 season, Gore posted a bloated WHIP of 1.42 in 166 innings. But, Gore dominated a loaded Philadelphia Phillies lineup in his first start, striking out 13 hitters in six innings. In addition, a minuscule WHIP of 0.17 makes him an early-season waiver-wire pickup. The 2025 season projections by ESPN for the third-year pitcher are double-digit wins and 180-plus Ks as the number one starter for the Nationals.
Relief Pitcher
Alexis Diaz is the number one closer for the Cincinnati Reds. Diaz moved to the 15-day injured list with a hamstring injury to start the season. The right-hander recorded 28 saves in 32 opportunities for the Reds in 2024. However, a 3.07 ERA and 1.30 WHIP were the worst marks of his career. The reliever is eligible to be activated from the injured list on April 8th, but there is no timetable for his return. Decidedly, with his struggles in 2024 and the hamstring issue in 2025, a waiver wire pickup is the only option at this point.
The are very few options for an established closer for pickup on the waiver wire, but an oldie and once a goodie may be available. Certainly, the fantasy manager must keep an eye on the waiver wire all season, but for now, the best option is Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox. A 3.79 ERA and 1.35 WHIP are hardly indicative of late-inning dominance, but Chapman still tallied 14 saves and 22 holds. However, he continues to showcase some of the best velocity in the league and posted a 37 percent strikeout rate and a .196 BAA.
