The fantasy baseball season is in full swing, which means wavier wire adds are more important than ever. Injuries are all around us, and many fantasy teams are in desperate need of a spark. That being said, let's dive into the ten best week five wavier wire pickups for your 2024 fantasy baseball team.
10. Wilyer Abreu - OF
Boston Red Sox
After a huge series last week, Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu raised his season average from .184 to .280 following a 7-12 stretch with 3 walks. Abreu's slashline over the last 7 days sits at .364/.481/.636 with an OPS of 1.117.
Abreu will start against righties a majority of the time and will have a higher spot in the lineup at least until Rafael Devers and Tyler O'Neill return. He should be a good depth option in deep team leagues as he currently sits around 6% rostered.
9. Reed Garrett - P
New York Mets
New York Mets reliever Reed Garrett has quietly been elite through the first few weeks of the season. Garrett through 10.2 innings so far has 21 Ks and only 3 walks while posting a 0.75 ERA and 0.57 WHIP.
The Mets have options in the pen with Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino but if Garrett keeps performing well he could see himself as the Mets 7th or 8th inning setup man down the line. Garrett was around 6% rostered last week but now sits at 19% owned.
8. Miguel Sano - 1B/3B
Los Angeles Angels
After almost 2 years sidelined following knee surgery, Los Angeles Angels veteran Miguel Sano has seemingly returned to form. Sano posted a slashline of .353/.400/.588 over the last week and with teammate Anthony Rendon suffering another injury, looks to be in line for some solid playing time.
Sano currently ranks 12th among all DH's with an .810 OPS and sits around 3% rostered, he's worth a look in deeper leagues but time will tell if he can be a long term option for teams this season.
7. Mitchell Parker - P
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals 24 year old starter Mitchell Parker has looked dominant through his first two starts. Parker stands with a 2-0 record, 1.50 ERA, and 0.58 WHIP after facing a tough Los Angeles Dodgers lineup and solid Houston Astros core.
Parker has more than likely played himself into a full time rotation spot and with teammate Josiah Gray dealing with injury, could be in line for a large workload throughout the season. He'll have a very favorable matchup this week against the Miami Marlins, and at only 18% rostered, should be a no-brainer streaming option.
6. Harrison Bader - OF
New York Mets
Mets outfielder Harrison Bader has a slashline of .308/.338/.385 over 65 ABs this season. Bader is usually known for his defense but has emerged so far as a very solid option at the bottom of the Mets lineup.
Over the last week, Bader has really come alive posting a .876 OPS and now has a hit in 11 of his last 13 games. He still sits at 7% rostered and looks to be a solid everyday option for deeper leagues.
5. Ben Brown - P
Chicago Cubs
After a rough first outing against the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown has been steadily solid. Brown has only given up one run over his last 12.2 innings but with the return of Jameson Taillon, has been moved to the bullpen.
Brown may take some time to produce consistent fantasy numbers but with it looking like he'll be the go to guy for spot starts, should be worth a look at only 6% rostered.
4. Nick Ahmed - SS
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants shortstop Nick Ahmed has had a solid year so far but really turned it on over his last 15 games now. Ahmed's season average sits at .284 but he now carries a slashline of .304/.347/.391 over the last two weeks.
Ahmed is only 1% rostered and could be a good option for injury help or super deep leagues while he's hot.
3. Tyler Alexander - P
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Alexander is coming off of two very solid starts against the Giants and New York Yankees. Alexander has posted alright numbers so far with a 4.79 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts to 6 walks.
He'll be at home next start with a good matchup against the Detroit Tigers. If he has another good outing, look for not only Alexander to lock down a spot in the Tampa rotation full time, but his 1% rostered rate to start creeping up.
2. Tyler Nevin - UTIL
Oakland Athletics
Another 1% rostered player, Oakland Athletics utility man Tyler Nevin is finally starting to heat up. Nevin has a decent .279/.367/.302 slashline over his last 15 games and while there's certainly better options, Nevin could prove to be some decent depth for fantasy teams.
Nevin should really only get some run in deep leagues but who knows what the future holds for the 26 year old.
1. Cole Sands - P
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins reliever Cole Sands has been very solid in his limited amount of work this year. Sands has 12 strikeouts to 1 walk over 7.2 innings and has only allowed one run.
Sands just earned his first save of the year and could play himself into more opportunities with continued success. At only 1% rostered, don't expect Sands to get many save chances this year with Jhoan Duran eventually returning to hold down the closer role, but look for him to become a solid innings eater for a Twins team that could use the help.