2025 NFBC 15-Team Waiver Wire (6/8 – Hitters)

Every Sunday, the free-agent pool has a moving range of value based on each player's success and any injury news. For late updates, I will post them in the notes area on my Substack site.

Note: If I’m in a league with someone, I will be aware of what I've written and pay closer attention to your bids if I believe you may be looking for a similar player in a particular week. At the same time, our free agent spending during the year will have different paths. If I’m aggressive early and a competitor is not, they will have the advantage of buying power as the season progresses, and vice versa. I’ll do my best to list all players of interest, but there will be times when waiver thread lines are backfilled with low-dollar players to ensure an unwanted or injured player is released and replaced.

Note: I’ll add the starting pitchers on Sunday afternoon.

Catchers

Kyle Teel, CWS (0.0%)

Despite winning success over his last 36 games at AAA, the White Sox have yet to call up Teel. He’s played in 36 games behind the plate while DHing in 17 matchups. The White Sox started working him out at first base in June, but Teel has yet to appear in a game at that position.

He went 45-for-134 (.336) over his hot streak with 27 runs, six home runs, 21 RBIs, and six stolen bases. Currently, Teel has a four-game hitting streak (six hits over 16 at-bats with three runs, one home run, two RBIs, and two steals). His bat is major league ready, and Chicago is getting no production at catcher this season (24 runs, one home run, and 19 RBIs over 209 at-bats).

The White Sox gave Teel starting at-bats over his first two games. He went 3-for-7 with a run while hitting sixth and fifth in the batting order.

Rating: Many teams in the main event will be looking for an upgrade at catcher, putting a lot of eyes on Teel's aisle this draft agent period. I expect C-class market value bids ($90) in many leagues, and some teams will fight for him.

There were 52 winning bids (High – $493/Low – $153) for Agustin Ramirez. The average of the winners was $263 and $211 for the runners-up swings. I can’t put Teel in the same range of bidding due to more teams having free agent dollars in late April.

Henry Davis, PIT (35.0%)

The path for Davis to get full-time at-bats is getting better by the week, after the Pirates placed Endy Rodriguez back on the injured list with an elbow injury. Joey Bart is improving, but he won’t return to Pittsburgh this week. In addition, Davis has a home run in back-to-back games (4-for-7 with two runs and three RBIs), with most of his production this year coming over his last eight matchups (.276 with five runs, three home runs, and six RBIs).

Rating: Last week, Davis was added to 20 main events with a high of $70 and one other must-have bid ($59). There were 15 winning bids of $4 or lower, but only three teams placed runner-up bids ($5, $2, and $1). This week, I could see more teams bidding in the D-class token range ($35) while being the backup options for the Kyle Teel investors.

First Basemen

Jac Caglianone, KC (39.0%)

Caglianone shouldn’t be a secret to anyone in the baseball market, as his swing has been making waves all year. Over his 38 games at AA, he hit .316 with 29 runs, nine home runs, 44 RBIs, and two stolen bases over 152 at-bats. His strikeout rate (21.3) and walk rate (10.3) were in winning areas, especially for a player with his ceiling in power.

Over his first five games with the Royals, he went 2-for-21 with an RBI and five strikeouts. His lack of success at the plate should lead to some fantasy managers not fighting so hard for Caglianone.

Rating: For fantasy teams down in the dumps in home runs and RBIs, Caglianone is the right kind of swing. I consider him an A-class player, but expect him to draw B-class bids across the board unless he has an impact game on Sunday.

Tim Elko, CWS (4.0%)

Chicago gave Elko a 10-game ride earlier in May, leading to three home runs and five RBIs over 31 at-bats, but he only hit .161 with 10 strikeouts. His bat was much better after his trip back to AAA (7-for-34 with one home run, three RBIs, no walks, and 12 strikeouts), but the White Sox called him back up this week. Elko had a splash game on Saturday (2-for-3 with a run, a home run, and two RBIs).

Rating: His major league window will be in question, making Elko only a bottom-tier flier this week in the main event.

Second Basemen

Nick Gonzales, PIT (11.0%)

An ankle issue knocked Gonzales to the injured list for 60 days to start this season. From 2022 to 2024, between AA and AAA, he hit .288 with 159 runs, 26 home runs, 102 RBIs, and nine stolen bases over 771 at-bats. Last season, Pittsburgh gave him 359 at-bats in the majors, leading to 42 runs, seven home runs, 49 RBIs, and five steals.

After nine games at AAA (7-for-36 with three runs and RBI), the Pirates had him in the starting lineup in two of their past three games. He went 3-for-15 with two runs and four strikeouts while batting leadoff on Saturday.

Rating: Until his bat shows power, Gonzales is nothing more than a back-end filler in the main event who will draw short bids in the free agent pool this week.

Max Muncy, ATH (0.0%)

Injuries to Miguel Andujar and Gio Urshela prompted Muncy's call-up this week. He made the A’s opening day roster, but his bat was overmatched over his first 21 games (.176/4/1/4 over 68 at-bats with 21 strikeouts). After his demotion to AAA, Muncy hit .325 over 123 at-bats with 24 runs, three home runs, 22 RBIs, and one stolen base.

In his first three games back with the Athletics, Muncy has three hits over 13 at-bats with a run, a home run, and three RBIs, but he did strike out five times. His best tool in the minors over the past three seasons has been batting average (.304). Over 296 at-bats at AAA, Muncy hit .297 with 52 runs, 11 home runs, 55 RBIs, and five steals while striking out 23.8% of the time.

Rating: The free agent player pool lacks a second baseman with everyday at-bats, making Muncy only a fill-in player with minimal investment required to secure him. His ride could be only a week until a better option emerges in the free agent pool.

Third Basemen

Otto Kemp, PHI (0.0%)

After 56 games at AAA, Kemp hit .321 with 47 runs, 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 218 at-bats. His bat was on point over his last five games (7-for-20 with three runs, two home runs, nine RBIs, and one steal). He didn’t have a standout minor league resume (.259/164/23/121/44 over 879 at-bats) before this season.

The Phillies placed Bryce Harper on the injured list this weekend, giving Kemp his first chance in the majors. He went 0-for-3 in his major league debut on Saturday with a pair of strikeouts.

Rating: Based on AAA stats, Kemp will have a winning feel for fantasy teams looking for an upgrade at third base or corner infield. The length of his major league window should be short, and Philadelphia will give him some off days, so let’s put him in the $4 to $10 range. His success at the plate on Sunday will influence his bids.

Coby Mayo, BAL (47.0%)

Baltimore called him up last week, but he remains in the free-agent pool in 47% of 15-team leagues in the high-stakes market. The Orioles had him in their starting lineup in six of their last eight games, resulting in more empty stats (4-for-19 with three runs and one RBI). On the positive side, he only struck out four times.

His bat shined at AAA in 2023 and 2024, leading to a .283 batting average with 101 runs, 37 home runs, 128 RBIs, and five stolen bases over 575 at-bats. Unfortunately, Baltimore kept him back at AAA again this year, but Mayo had weaker results (.226/24/8/28/1 over 168 at-bats).

Mayo has talent and power, but he can’t succeed in the majors without making better contact. Over his 26 games with Baltimore, he has eight hits over 68 at-bats with seven runs, one RBI, and 31 strikeouts (ouch).

Rating: Mayo was added to 21 main events last week, with a high of $33 and a low of $2. Thirteen winning bids were at least $10, but only one team lost with a bid over that breakpoint ($21). His bat remains quiet, suggesting minimal change on the upside on his bids this week. Mayo has Saturday night and Sunday to create more fantasy value in his bids.

Shortstops

Ryan Ritter, COL

For the third week in a row, Ritter has delivered impact stats. His hitting streak sits at 18 games (35-for-79 with 20 runs, nine home runs, 29 RBIs) with winning command of the plate (eight walks and 14 strikeouts). He’s upped his batting average to .305 with 44 runs, 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, and three stolen bases over 203 at-bats.

The Rockies called Ritter up on Friday night, and he responded with a triple over four at-bats.

Rating: The direction of Ritter’s bat is up, and he is the best-looking free-agent shortstop this week. His unknown window and potential success put him in the E-class token bid category.

Cole Young, SEA (53.0%)

The Mariners gave him six consecutive starts heading into Saturday night, but Young only has one hit over 19 at-bats with eight strikeouts. Over his last 24 games at AAA before his call-up, he hit .402 over 92 at-bats with 28 runs, five home runs, 21 RBIs, and four steals. Young even had more walks (16) than strikeouts (7) over this span.

Rating: Last week, 30 teams in the main event took Young for a dance. His top bid was $38, while 19 other swings were $12 or higher. Five runner-up bids ($25, $14, $14, $12, and $12) had double-digit value. I could see just as many teams dropping Young this free agent period as adding him. Somewhere close to $10 should do the trick for the remaining believers.

Outfielders

Wenceel Perez, DET (44.0%)

There’s nothing better in fantasy baseball than picking up a player, and they have success at the plate right away. Perez missed the first 55 games for the Tigers with a back injury. Over his first 19 games, he went 10-for-34 with seven runs, three home runs, and four RBI, putting his name front and center of the outfield free agent pool this week.

In 2023, his bat flashed in April over 10 starts (.302/7/3/8/2 over 43 at-bats), but Perez didn’t hit a home run over his next 188 at-bats (.250/24/0/10/4). He’s only played in 52 games at AAA (.228 with 39 runs, five home runs, 27 RBIs, and 10 steals over 1933 at-bats), putting him in the “hot hand” category this week.

Rating: The Tigers will ride him until his power dries up, and they have overlapping players in the outfield and DH to block Perez from a long-term starting job. Perez was added to 25 main events last week, with a range between $30 and $1. There were only eight runner-up bids, all of which were below $7. I don’t like his long-term opportunity, putting him in the flier category this week.

JJ Bleday, ATH (19.0%)

After Bleday’s demotion to AAA, he went 10-for-27 over his six games with five runs, one home run, six RBIs, and two stolen bases. Bleday was only hitting .198 over his first 177 at-bats in the majors, but his direction in runs (26), home runs (6), and RBIs (18) weren’t far off in 2024 if tripled (78/18/54 – over 537 at-bats ~ 74/20/60 in 2024 over 572 at-bats.

Rating: Denzel Clarke had a collision with the outfield wall on Friday. If he lands on the injured list, Bleday will be rewarded with playing time. Last week, four teams ($21, $5, $3, and $2) added him while nine others kicked him into the free-agent pool. His bidding on Sunday will hinge on the health of Clarke and Bleday’s success at the plate.

Starling Marte, NYM (2.0%)

The Mets have had Marte in their starting lineup in five of their last eight games, leading to seven hits over 20 at-bats with eight runs, two home runs, two RBIs, and one steal. His stats for the season (.248/18/4/15/4 over 109 at-bats) would project well if given a starting job.

Rating: Other than a date in Colorado, there was no reason to add Marte over the past week, as showcased by no bids in the previous free agent period in the main event. His bat is trending, but there won’t be much fight for him in the free agent pool this week.

Jacob Melton, HOU (0.0%)

An early-season back issue (IL stint) and quiet stats over his 17 games at AAA (.254/11/2/7/3 over 59 at-bats) put Melton off the fantasy radar this year.

Over four years in the minors, he hit .251 with 164 runs, 44 home runs, 129 RBIs, and 84 stolen bases over 942 at-bats. His overall counting stats suggest he is a 20/40 type player, assuming his results are repeated at the major league level. Melton had a favorable walk rate (9.9), with some work needed to lower his strikeout rate (23.1).

With the Astros, he has three hits over 16 at-bats with two runs, two RBIs, and one stolen base while taking two walks and striking out six times. Melton has 232 at-bats of experience at AAA (.259 with 38 runs, seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and 14 steals), with a slight pullback in his strikeout rate (24.2). Houston called him up after placing Zach Dezenzo and Chas McCormick on the injured list.

Rating: A learning curve in the majors should be expected for Melton; his speed should be ahead of his power early in his career, but he can’t steal bases without more hits. His bids should fall into the E-class token area this week.

Jacob Young, WAS (32.0%)

After missing two weeks with a shoulder issue, Young returned to the Nationals' starting lineup this weekend. Washington gave him one start in two games, leading to one hit over three at-bats. He offers minimal power, but his speed total could help fantasy teams with success at the plate. At the very least, Young is a base stealer in waiting.

Rating: His play this year doesn’t warrant any starting fantasy value. At best, short bids for fantasy teams needing to make up ground in stolen bases.