Fantasy Baseball Top 10 Week 5 Waiver Wire Picks

Here’s a stacked waiver wire list for the players you should add to your fantasy baseball team for Week 5.

Once the draft is over, the waiver wire is the only tool you have to improve your roster throughout the season. You can make trades, but you need an active league for that to happen. With Week 5 almost here, here are the latest group of players you need to add to your fantasy baseball team

Unlike my other waiver wire posts where I list three to five players, I’m going to list a few more. There will be 10 players mentioned as potential waiver wire adds. There will be five hitters and five pitchers listed. This gives fantasy owners a greater chance to add someone to their team.

As usual, all players listed will be owned in less than 40 percent of ESPN leagues. It’s the most-used site and 40 percent is a good cutoff for available players, especially for owners in AL/NL-only or deep leagues.

Without further ado, here are my top-10 waiver wire picks for Week 5.

Yandy Diaz, 38.0 percent owned

Diaz is hitting .294 with two home runs and five RBIs over the last week. The Rays have put up runs, despite not having much star power. Diaz is seeing the ball well with 19 strikeouts and 16 walks. If you play with on-base percentage, Diaz has a .333 OBP in his last seven games.

Carter Kieboom, 14.8 percent

Kieboom is taking over shortstop duties until Trea Turner returns. The 21-year-old went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in his first game. He went 1-for-6 in the next two games. With the built-in playing time, Kieboom will get used to MLB pitching. It also helps that he has a solid lineup around him. Shortstop is a shallow position, so Kieboom is worth a stash.

Gregory Polanco, 29.7 percent

Polanco returned from injury on April 22 and has hit well since. He’s 6-for-17 in that span. The lack of home runs shouldn’t concern anyone right away. The lack of RBIs is more about his teammates not getting on base. Though, his playing time is being monitored with two games on, one game off pattern so far.

Eric Sogard, 3.9 percent

The Blue Jays are in the headlines for (finally) calling up Vlad Guerrero Jr. Though, Sogard should not go unnoticed. He has a .385 average with two homers, three RBIs and five runs scored in his last seven games. The Blue Jays don’t have many options for a leadoff hitter, giving Sogard a lot of at-bats. He’ll move over to second base when Freddy Galvis is healthy. He is also eligible at shortstop.

Eric Thames, 5.9 percent

Thames is getting more playing time at first base due to the early struggles of Jesus Aguilar. He’s hitting .400 with two home runs, eight RBIs and six runs over the last week. After facing lefty Kyle Freeland, the Brewers face a string of righties. If Aguilar continues to struggle then, we’ll see more of Thames.

Luke Weaver, 31.7 percent

Weaver has settled down after allowing four runs in 4.1 innings to the Dodgers. He has two wins, two quality starts and a 24:2 K:BB ratio in his last three games. Weaver faces the Cubs at home on Sunday, but I predict another solid start for him. He’s showing good control by limiting walks but his hit count is a bit too high.

Sonny Gray, 30.1 percent

Gray is a completely different pitcher since joining the Reds. Ignore his 0-3 record, he has a 3.65 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 31:6 K:BB ratio. As of this writing, he’s given up two runs on four innings with three hits, two walks and four strikeouts against the Cardinals. He faces the lowly Giants on May 3.

Hector Neris, 21.3 percent

With David Robertson on the IL, Gabe Kapler has been mixing and matching the relievers. Neris has been getting more looks in the ninth innings, recording three saves in his last five appearances. Neris has 11 strikeouts and one walk in that span. If you need help with saves or strikeouts, Neris is my top reliever target.

Sergio Romo, 9.0 percent

If you miss out on Neris, Romo is the next best option. I know, save your hate. In his last three games, Romo has recorded a save in all of them with two strikeouts in three shutout innings. The Marlins don’t have a lot to play for, so giving Romo the ball in the ninth inning can’t do much damage. He may not get a lot of opportunities but he’ll convert when needed.

Taylor Rogers, 9.3 percent

Rogers is a solid reliever if you use holds in some fashion. Blake Parker has the Twins closer role locked up and Rogers is doing a good job setting him up. Over the last week, Rogers has recorded two saves and three holds with 13 strikeouts, one walk and two earned runs in six innings. The offense is hitting well enough to provide save and hold chances.

dark. Next. Fantasy Baseball Week 4 Waiver Wire Adds

The waiver wire has value but it depends on what you’re looking for. You’re not going to find players like Mike Trout or Christian Yelich sitting there. But, finding a few extra home runs or a high-contact hitter could help you win a matchup or two.

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MLB Fantasy Top 10 Week 5 Waiver Wire Picks

By Bill Pivetz | Apr 28, 2019