Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Heriberto Hernández leads a list with someone for everyone
This week's list of potential waiver wire heroes has a balanced mix of hitters, starters and possible save sources. And there is something for every league size, with players ranging for 5%-40% in terms of roster rate.
Hitters to add
Heriberto Hernández, OF, Marlins, 18%: Although the Marlins have slumped to a 9-15 record in July, Hernández certainly isn't the man to blame. The second-year pro has hit .276 with eight homers and a .973 OPS this month, and his excellent July production comes on the heels of a successful month of June (849 OPS). In fact, since June 1, only seven players have topped Hernández's homer total of 14. The 26-year-old crushes baseballs (92.2 mph average exit velocity) and has earned expected stats that are slightly better than his actual marks. He's the top player to add this week.
Cole Carrigg, OF, Rockies, 23%: Frankly, I'm not sure what more fantasy managers need to see before adding Carrigg. Despite having hit .324 with a .927 OPS during July, the speedster has barely been able to move his roster rate. Admittedly, Carrigg is not crushing the ball in the majors and has outperformed his expected stats. But he's one of the fastest players in baseball (70 steals in 2025) and is performing well in a full-time role in a productive lineup. The advice here is to add Carrigg for a week-long stint at Coors Field that starts today and then decide on his long-term value in seven days.
Max Clark, Tigers, 21%: The No. 13 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, Clark will make his Major League debut against the Athletics on Friday. The outfielder should be a regular for the Tigers from this point forward, and although he may not be ready to help those in three-outfielder leagues, he is someone to add in all five-outfielder formats. Clark has strong plate discipline and plus speed, having logged a 50:66 BB:K ratio and 21 steals in Triple-A this season. His power skills, though, are a work in progress (11 HR in 2026).
Garrett Mitchell, OF, Brewers, 17%: Mitchell isn't getting enough credit for being an across-the-board contributor in a quality lineup. A proven high-BABIP player, Mitchell is batting .266 with eight homers and seven steals, and he has done his best work of late (.873 OPS in July). The main reason to add Mitchell right now is that the Brewers are set to face only right-handed starters for the next week, and the lefty hitter has logged an .829 OPS in those matchups this season.
Ty France, 1B, Padres, 37%: Although France appears to be a boring veteran, he is playing the best baseball of his eight-year career right now. The 32-year-old has been on fire in July (6 HR, .940 OPS), and he has the batted-ball data to back up his surge. His fly ball rate (44.8%) and hard-hit rate (52.2%) have skyrocketed this month, which is driving his power surge. And as part of a Padres team that ranks 24th in runs scored, France or anyone else who is swinging a hot bat are going to get all the playing time they can handle.
Dalton Rushing, C, Dodgers, 20%: Francisco Alvarez was mentioned in this space last week, and he remains a viable option for those who have recently been deserted by an injured catcher. But with Shea Langeliers, Adley Rutschman, Will Smith and Samuel Basallo on the injured list, there are multiple teams in each league who need a catcher. Rushing has cooled since a torrid stretch way back in April, but he still fares better at the dish than most catchers, logging an .820 OPS that includes an .884 mark this month. Smith is nowhere near his return, which cements Rushing as the No. 1 catcher in one of baseball's best lineups.
Pitchers to add
Kyle Leahy, SP, Cardinals, 39%: Leahy has taken a step forward in his first season as a starter by lowering his walk rate in recent starts after enduring some control issues earlier in the season. The results have been terrific, with the right-hander posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB ratio over his past six starts. Leahy is a terrific option for a start against a low-scoring Blue Jays lineup on Friday and could stay on rosters beyond that outing.
Zac Thornton, SP, Mets, 35%: I was initially hesitant to recommend Thornton, who wasn't especially successful in Triple-A this season. But his career numbers in the minors are solid, and he has logged a quality start in all four of his outings since June 26. The rookie has posted a 1.42 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB ratio over that stretch, and should have plenty of future opportunities in a Mets rotation that figures to lose one or two veterans at the trade deadline.
Quinn Mathews, SP, Cardinals, 8%: Mathews is set to make his long-awaited MLB debut in Toronto on Saturday. The right-hander was considered one of baseball's premier pitching prospects at the outset of the 2025 season before injuries and control issues derailed his progress. He finally got back on track in June (2.05 ERA) and July (1.04 ERA), and he is known as a workhorse, which includes logging at least six innings in all four of his July starts. Those in deep leagues can add Mathews now, while managers in standard formats monitor his progress.
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Luke Weaver, RP, Mets, 16%: Managers who wish to stash a possible saves source in advance of the MLB trade deadline should have Weaver atop their list. The right-hander has been terrific this season (1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), while Mets closer Devin Williams has struggled (4.17 ERA, 1.58 WHIP). New York could find a taker for Williams and move Weaver to the ninth inning. But the most-likely scenario is that Weaver himself is dealt, preferably to a team that lacks a quality closer, such as the White Sox or Pirates. If handed a ninth-inning role, Weaver would instantly become a top-15 reliever.
Adrian Morejón, RP, Padres, 17%: Morejón is in a similar situation to Weaver, as the Padres could either trade him or closer Mason Miller. I would rather stash Weaver than Morejón, as the Mets are more obvious sellers than the Padres. But those with roster space over the weekend would be wise to stash both relievers, as Morejón (3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) would also become a top-15 reliever if he finds a way into the ninth inning in San Diego or a different city.
Hitters with favorable weekend matchups
Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies, 36%: While trade rumors swirl around Moniak, fantasy managers can get at least one more productive weekend out of him. The outfielder has massive splits in multiple areas, with his strengths coming against right-handers (.952 OPS) and at his hitter-friendly home park (1.033 OPS). Moniak will spend the weekend at Coors Field against a trio of beatable right-handed Royals starters and an underwhelming relief corps.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Tigers, 42%: A notable slugger, Torkelson should enjoy his weekend at homer-happy Sutter Health Park. He will also be happy to face an Athletics pitching staff that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.28 ERA. The icing on the cake for the right-handed hitter is that he will face two southpaw starters, and in his career, he has logged a .795 OPS against lefties (.697 OPS vs. RHP).
Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference)
Kyle Leahy @ TOR (Friday, 39%)
Shane Drohan @ LAA (Friday, 42%)
Robert Gasser @ LAA (Saturday, 14%)
Quinn Mathews @ TOR (Saturday, 8%)
Brandon Young vs. PHI (Friday, 40%)
Walbert Ureña vs. MIL (Sunday, 37%)
Tyler Mahle @ SD (Saturday, 5%)
Kumar Rocker @ HOU (Sunday, 14%)
Gage Jump vs. DET (Sunday, 17%)
Merrill Kelly @ CLE (Sunday, 40%)
Keider Montero @ ATH (Sunday, 33%)
Jansen Junk @ NYM (Friday, 4%)
