I’m going to start the article in an unusual fashion, by talking about someone who you shouldn’t pick up in fantasy baseball. Bubba Chandler, who is arguably baseball’s best pitching prospect, could make his Major League debut on Friday.
Sounds like an easy player to add, right? Not so fast. Chandler struggled with his control skills in Triple-A this year, which resulted in a 4.05 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. I could look past those numbers and add the youngster on the basis of his elite skill set, but I can’t look past the Pirates’ plans to use him as a bulk reliever. That role will leave Chandler without the necessary volume to rack up large strikeout totals. And he will have low odds of earning wins in that role, especially since he’s playing for baseball’s lowest scoring team. In late August, I want pitchers who can help me right now. Unfortunately, that’s not Chandler.
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Now, let’s look at some players who you should add.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
Miguel Andujar, 3B/OF, Reds, 37%: Andujar was quietly one of the biggest winners of the trade deadline, as an under-the-radar deal with the Athletics has resulted in the 30-year-old emerging as the Reds cleanup hitter. He has been excellent in August (.383 BA, 3 HR, 1.102 OPS) and should be active in most leagues while he has such a key role on a team with postseason aspirations and a hitter-friendly home park.
Jo Adell, OF, Angels, 37%: The roster rate for Adell is perplexing. After all, we are talking about someone who has recorded 21 homers and 54 RBI since June 1, which places him seventh in each of those categories over that stretch. Sure, Adell isn’t an on-base machine, but he is a premium power hitter who should be rostered in twice as many leagues.
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Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles, 27%: Basallo was one of the best Triple-A hitters this season, producing 23 homers and a .966 OPS in 76 games. He has recently joined the Orioles and should play regularly down the stretch, especially with Adley Rutschman going to the injured list with an oblique strain. Although 2025 has been an excellent year for fantasy managers to find production from catchers, Basallo is so talented that he could dent lineups in one-catcher leagues.
Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles, 6%: Although Basallo was the headliner of Baltimore’s recent prospect promotions, Beavers could also make significant contributions down the stretch. The 24-year-old has the diverse skill set that fantasy managers covet, having hit .304 with 18 homers and 23 steals in 94 games at the Triple-A level this year. As is the case with Basallo, Beavers is in line to play everyday while the Orioles plan for 2026 during the stretch run.
Ben Rice, C/1B, Yankees, 51%: New York has arguably the best schedule for offense next week with three games against the Nationals (29th in ERA) and four vs. the White Sox (19th in ERA). Five of the seven contests will come against right-handers, which will suit Rice, who has recorded an .849 OPS against righties this year. Outfielder Trent Grisham (21%) is another Yankee to add, as he is working as the team’s leadoff hitter.
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Carson Williams, SS, Rays, 6%: A top-50 prospect in virtually every publication, Williams was promoted by the Rays on Thursday when Ha-Seong Kim was placed on the IL. Although the youngster deserves attention in deeper fantasy leagues, managers need to know that he is not yet a complete hitter and much of his prospect ranking comes from his outstanding fielding ability. Williams has an exciting blend of power and speed, having produced 23 homers and 22 steals in 111 games this year. But he could struggle to make contact in the Majors, as he has hit .213 in Triple-A while striking out 154 times. He’s the ultimate boom-or-bust option from this list, and if I was filling a utility spot, I would prefer to add every other hitter in this article.
Cam Schlittler, SP, Yankees, 23%: Schlittler is a terrific two-start pitcher to add for next week, as he will draw matchups against the Nats and White Sox. Facing two teams that sit in last place in their respective divisions gives the rookie excellent win potential, especially since the Yankees offense has emerged from an early August slump. And Schlittler has been effective of late, allowing five runs while racking up 23 strikeouts across 21.2 innings during his past four starts.
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Sean Manaea, SP, Mets, 45%: Manaea has produced a mixed bag of results in 36.2 innings since returning from a season-opening IL stint. His 5.15 ERA is keeping him on waivers in many leagues, but his 45:8 K:BB ratio and 1.12 WHIP suggest that the left-hander should soon have more success in preventing runs. Manaea could produce 12-15 strikeouts next week, when he makes appearances at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Phillies and Marlins.
Michael McGreevy, SP, Cardinals, 11%: McGreevy has an awful 5.2 K/9 rate, but his lack of expected strikeouts is less of an issue during a two-start week, which is the case next week. The right-hander opens the week with a favorable matchup against the Pirates, who are the lowest-scoring team in baseball. He wraps things up with a tougher matchup in Cincinnati, but McGreevy has rarely allowed homers this year, which should help his chances at Great American Ball Park. Those who are chasing wins will want to pick him up for the Pirates start alone.
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Randy Rodriguez, RP, Giants, 44%: Rodriguez is undoubtedly the most under-rostered pitcher in Yahoo leagues. The right-hander has pitched as well as virtually any reliever this year, logging a 1.63 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 66:11 K:BB ratio. And he has had a firm grip on the closer’s role since Camilo Doval was traded at the deadline. Rodriguez has lacked save chances during the Giants’ recent slump, but San Francisco is a decent team and can play .500 baseball the rest of the way. He’s a top-10 closer option for the remainder of the season.
