Another week, another edition of the weekly waiver wire. This coming week, there are a ton of guys I like. We’re still at the point of the season where you can find viable choices in even deep leagues. Admittedly, catcher has been a bit thin on the waiver wire as of late. Outside of that, you shouldn’t have much of an issue finding at least serviceable performance on the wire. With that in mind, let’s cut this intro short and get right into it. Here are our top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups to target for Week 5.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets (Week 5)
CBS: 37%, Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 12%
Speaking of the hottest hitters in baseball, another person adding their hat to that ring is Bryan De La Cruz. While the other De La Cruz (Elly) has been lighting the world on fire in historic ways, Bryan has found ways to be just as exciting. He’s traditionally known as a guy who hits for a good average with a little pop in his bat. De La Cruz is now a guy who hits for average with great pop in his bat. He’s hit four home runs and driven in 13 in his last eight games. And it’s been against respectable teams.
His barrel rate, hard-hit rate and xwOBA are all at career highs right now, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. This power shouldn’t come to be expected from him, but he has a real shot at 25 home runs this year with 80 RBI. That’ll play in plenty of leagues.
CBS: 19%, Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 3%
The Mariners’ top prospect has quickly shown that his minor-league numbers weren’t a fluke. Last season he was the first player in minor league history to have a 20/70 season. The power may not fully translate, but Jonatan Clase is already showing the speed. He’s stolen one base, hit a double, driven in four and came about two steps shy of hitting a little league home run on Saturday night. He’s electric and has proven he can and will contribute in just about every category. The almost 30% strikeout rate does worry me a bit in points leagues, but he’s flirting with “Must Add” territory with all other 12+ team leagues.
CBS: 22%, Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 8%
Jameson Taillon has been a fantasy asset in the past, someone who typically was drafted previously, but injuries changed that this season. He started the season on the IL due to a strained back, something I know all too well. The good news for Taillon and those who roster him is he returned to the rotation on Friday. Not only that, he looked great. He generated 12 whiffs on just 73 pitches. All of his pitch repertoire looked like it was capable of striking someone out. And he gave up just one run and three hits in five innings against a middling Marlins team. Next up is a struggling Astros team. If Taillon can get back to his 2022 self we’re in for a treat this season.
CBS: 75%, Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 14%
Much like Taillon, Luis Severino is a guy who was traditionally drafted in years past. Many thought a move away from Yankee Stadium and into the more pitcher-friendly Citi Field would benefit him. And it has. In his last two starts, he’s allowed six hits, one run and struck out eight in 11 innings. He’s added a sweeper as an out pitch against right-handers, which has certainly helped. Severino also made his cutter his go-to secondary pitch while throwing it almost three miles per hour harder. He’s made real changes this season and the success shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s moved into the tier of guys who aren’t just a streaming option. Severino is proving he makes for a great addition to your starting rotation in slightly deeper leagues.
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