The waiver wire is where fantasy baseball championships are won. Unless you are a psychic and have a perfect draft, the waiver wire is the key to getting those players who will push your team over your opponent each week. Whether it’s a high-upside arm or a forgotten hitter putting on a power show, here are four perfect waiver wire pickups for your fantasy baseball team in the fifth week of the regular season.
This is the third article in a weekly waiver wire series. Check back throughout the season for the latest players to target as fantasy baseball league-winners.
Waiver Wire Targets for Week Five
Abner Uribe
(RP, Milwaukee)
Uribe has been excellent in 9.2 innings so far in 2025. Equipped with a fastball that averages 98.4 MPH (per Baseball Savant), he’s struck out 11 batters and allowed just one earned run this season. While he won’t get many save opportunities – Trevor Megill and Joel Payamps are the only two players on the Brewers with saves so far this season – Uribe is an excellent choice for managers in leagues using Holds.
His ability to get whiffs (35.3%, 92nd percentile) gives him a lot of strikeout upside, which enables him to get points despite not being in a closer role in Milwaukee. Perhaps the biggest reason to believe in Uribe so far? His walk rate, which was a sky-high 18.2% in 2024, has dropped to 8.1% in an admittedly small sample size this season.
Kameron Misner
(OF, Tampa Bay)
Percent Rostered (Fantrax): 54%
The Rays outfielder – who has played all three outfield positions in Tampa Bay so far this season – has been outstanding in 57 plate appearances so far. He has a .360 batting average, a .404 on-base percentage, and a .660 slugging percentage. Those numbers are backed up by excellent expected stats and an average exit velocity of 93.2 MPH, which is 88th percentile among big leaguers.
Another advantage to picking up Misner? He can swipe a base. Per his 2024 MLB Pipeline scouting report, Misner is “a long strider who runs the bases well, recording at least 21 steals in each of his three full seasons.” That type of base-stealing ability – on top of his power potential – makes him a great waiver wire pickup in week five.
Robert Garcia
(RP, Texas)
Percent Rostered (Fantrax): 28%
Garcia, who was taken in the 15th round of the draft by the Royals in 2017, is beginning to make a name for himself in MLB. He has three effective pitches – his fastball, breaking ball, and offspeed pitches all have at least an 80th-percentile Run Value so far in 2025. Those three offerings helped him post remarkable numbers last season. In 72 games, he posted an ERA of 4.22.
Alone, that doesn’t seem impressive; however, his expected stats tell a different story. His 2.53 xERA was in the 97th percentile and – like Uribe – hitters tend to chase pitches outside the zone against Garcia. Last season, his Chase Rate, xERA, Strikeout Rate, Barrel Rate, and Hard-Hit Rate were all in the top 10% of qualified MLB pitchers.
Uncommonly for a pitcher with elite stuff, Garcia has never had control issues. His walk rate last season was just 6.4%, and this year it has risen slightly to 8.8%.
Garcia’s combination of control and stuff – as well as a great 2024 season – makes him a perfect option for fantasy managers looking for strikeouts. While he isn’t the closer – that role belongs to Luke Jackson, who already has six saves for Texas this season – his strikeout prowess and control make him a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Rangers and for fantasy managers.
Jonathan Aranda
(1B, Tampa Bay)
Percent Rostered (Fantrax): 79%
Perhaps we should have seen Jonathan Aranda coming from a mile away. Despite having a .738 OPS last season in 128 at-bats, his xSLG was .518. Aranda has continued his success from 2024 this season; he has a 1.135 OPS and his xwOBA trails only Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso.
One of the many reasons to have confidence in Aranda’s performance this year? He’s hitting the ball ridiculously hard. While his 95.3 MPH average exit velocity will certainly fall as the season progresses, the four hitters with that high an average exit velocity last season through April 19th all finished the year in the top five of MVP voting.
Gunnar Henderson: .281/.364/.529, All-Star, 4th in AL MVP
Juan Soto: .288/.419/.569, All-Star, Silver Slugger, 3rd in AL MVP
William Contreras: .281/.365/.466, All-Star, Silver Slugger, 5th in NL MVP
Bobby Witt Jr: .332/.389/.588, All-Star, Silver Slugger, 2nd in AL MVP
On top of his outstanding numbers last season, Aranda has improved in a variety of categories. He added 3.4 MPH of exit velocity and – perhaps most importantly – started lifting the ball more. His launch angle has increased by 3.9 degrees, which has helped him make greater use of his raw power. Aranda knocked six home runs in 143 plate appearances last season.
This year, he’s already got four in just 69 trips to the plate. At his current pace, he’s on track to hit 29 home runs this season. That type of production would be invaluable for any fantasy manager, especially one in need of doubles and home runs. Want to check out other players whose exit velocities indicate a big 2025 season is on the way? Click here.
In week five of the fantasy baseball season, there are a variety of great options available on the waiver wire.
Abner Uribe’s improved control and whiff rate are the keys to his success early in 2025. In Tampa Bay, Kameron Miser and Jonathan Aranda are both making names for themselves – albeit through different routes. Miser has a very high stolen base ceiling, and Aranda’s ability to hit the ball hard in the air has placed him among MLB’s elite to start the season.
In the Lone Star state, Robert Garcia is off to a great start despite not being the closer for the Rangers. His all-around ability and track record from last season also make him a must-have for fantasy managers this season.