The first month of the 2025 fantasy baseball season has already passed. Teams are sending struggling rookie/sophomore hitters to the minor leagues. Furthermore, early-season injuries are piling up. Managers, it is time to go on the waiver wire to find replacements. Who should your fantasy team be looking to pick up? The options are the flash-in-the-pan hot bat or veterans having early spring success. It is easy to track the hot bats on the waiver wire. Every fantasy format allows managers to track player performance weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly. However, searching the last seven and fourteen-day stats is only necessary.
A variety of injuries are knocking out fantasy stars each week. Jazz Chisholm, 2B/3B/OF for the New York Yankees, is out 4-t0-6 weeks with a high-grade right oblique strain. The Boston Red Sox placed first baseman Triston Casas on the 10-day injured list with a ruptured left patellar tendon. Other injured players forcing managers to the waiver wire include the Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout on the 10-day injured list with a left knee contusion. In addition, the Baltimore Orioles‘ 2B/3B Jordan Westburg is out with a left hamstring strain.
Many teams waited for the younger players, like Arizona Diamondbacks SS Jordan Lawler and outfielder Evan Carter of the Texas Rangers, to be recalled from the minors. Also, a rookie phenom like third baseman Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs made the club. But the Cubs sent Shaw down to the minors after a slow start, hitting just .172 with 1 homerun in 58 at-bats.
Waiver Wire Hot Bats
Outfielders
Florida Marlins outfielder Dane Myers is a great hot bat pickup on the waiver wire. Although Myers started only five of the last 10 games in April. He batted .435 (10-for-23) with two homers, two steals, six runs, and eight RBI. Going forward, Myers’ recent performance has opened the door for increased playing time. Especially with Derek Hill (wrist) still on the injured list and Griffin Conine (shoulder) going down with a season-ending injury.
Another excellent addition to your line-up is Jake Meyers, OF for the Houston Astros. Recently, Jake Meyers homered twice, tripled, doubled, and drove in seven runs to power the Astros past the Chicago White Sox 8-3. Consequently, he raised his OPS an incredible 163 points (.617 to .780), and is batting .295 for the season with seven stolen bases.
Infielders
This is for managers looking for infield help on the waiver wire. Leo Rivas, SS/2B for the Seattle Mariners, is the answer. Rivas is hitting .382 with three stolen bases since being given the everyday role due to injured regulars Dylan Moore and Ryan Bliss. As a result, he may earn a full-time role even after Moore returns from the injured list. Note: Rivas’ time as a regular in the Seattle lineup appears to be over as Moore (hip) returned from the injured list on May 6th. Watch his lineup status daily.
Taylor Walls SS, Tampa Bay Rays reached base 10 times in his last five games in May, raising his OPS from .439 to .554. Walls’ hot streak allows the Rays to move José Caballero to the outfield due to the team’s injury issues. Although he’s a little light on the batting average, .211, Walls’ speed brings 15 runs scored and eight stolen bases to the lineup.
Waiver Wire Veterans
Outfielders
Tyrone Taylor OF, New York Mets, has been playing well of late, going 7-for-15 with three extra-base knocks and 2 stolen bases over his last five games. He has started 14 of 17 games since Jose Siri went on the injured list. Also, his competition for an OF spot, Jeff McNeil, is returning to 2nd base. The Mets should continue to give playing time to the veteran while he is swinging a hot bat. Moreover, Taylor can be a useful fantasy waiver wire tool coming off the bench.
Harrison Bader OF has provided surprising offensive punch for the Minnesota Twins this season, sporting an .825 OPS. Bader could be a sneaky source of power and speed for fantasy managers in a more consistent role, as he’s batting .284 with four home runs, 16 RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases through 95 at-bats. An eight-year veteran, he continues to find an opportunity to play.
Infielders
The Cincinnati Reds’ 2B/3B Santiago Espinal is fantasy relevant once again. So, strike while the iron is hot, Espinal made a fourth straight start, filling in for Noelvi Marte at third base. He also started in left field (twice) due to Austin Hays‘ hamstring injury and at second base, during which he’s 9-for-15 with two doubles, five RBI, and two runs scored. The utility fielder is slashing .347/.402/.413 through 25 games and is playing against both left and right-handed pitchers.
The King of the veterans is first baseman Carlos Santana for the Cleveland Guardians. Santana brings a low batting average, .229, but adds two stolen bases, 13 runs scored, and nine RBI in 124 plate appearances to your fantasy team. And with the early-season injury factor and lack of decent replacements, he remains a decent fantasy first base option on the waiver wire.
Hot Pick Pitcher
The hot pick pitcher is starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins of the Boston Red Sox. Dobbins struck out six and walked none on Friday, May 9th. He is one of Boston’s top five starters with a 2.78 ERA and a 19/4 K/BB in 22 2/3 innings. But with Walker Buehler eligible to return on May 14 from the injured list, his starting opportunities may be short-lived.
