Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Nelson Velazquez, Jonatan Clase, Masyn Winn (2024)

This is not the time for dipping toes in the water. It’s the time to dive in head first, without checking the temperature. As Rocky Balboa told Clubber Lang in Rocky III, “Go for it.” Sorry for going borderline boomer on that one.

April may be a time for settling into baseball season for some, but for the sharp fantasy manager, it’s time to pounce on players who could be difference-makers throughout the summer months. Let’s get into the Deep Sleepers for this week.

Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleepers & Waiver Wire Pickups

Nelson Velazquez (OF – KC): 13%

Nelson Velazquez has a hit in nine of the last 13 games, hitting .319 with a .830 OPS, including a home run with seven runs and six RBI. He’s been batting in the middle of a surprising Royals lineup that is 11th in runs scored with 92. He’s worth the pickup for fantasy managers dealing with injuries or players with prolonged slumps.

Jonatan Clase (OF – SEA): 12%

When a player steals 79 bases across two levels of the minor leagues, as Jonathan Clase did last year, and that player then hits the big leagues, fantasy managers need to take notice. Clase got that call on April 15. In his third game, he recorded a hit, a walk, a stolen base and a run to help fuel a 5-1 Mariners victory.

Clase has game-changing speed, though getting on base is going to be a question. While he did walk 82 times in 129 games last season in the minors, he also struck out 165 times. He’s hitting ninth in the order and needs to flip the lineup over so he can use that 70-grade speed.

Masyn Winn (SS – STL): 8%

Hitting .347, Masyn Winn is showing out in his first full season in the big leagues. Even though he’s batting in the bottom third of the lineup, the Cardinals could use any kind of spark. They’re tied for 23rd in the big leagues in runs scored.

Winn has speed, having stolen 43 bases across two levels in 2022. He snagged another 17 bags in 105 games at Triple-A last year and already has three in his first 17 games this season. He could be a cheap source of steals for the rest of the season.