The proliferation of all of the newfangled knowledge is definitely thrilling, however in relation to profitable waiver wire pickups, it may be data overload. Take a step again and perceive that generally easy minds — as in, “Do not You (Neglect About Me)” — are simpler than launch angles and Barrel charges. The highest fantasy baseball pickups in Week 10 seemingly fell off the radar however are doubtlessly extra productive than gamers with a lot increased ESPN rosterships.
Matt Shaw, 2B/3B/SS, Chicago Cubs (out there in 74% of ESPN leagues): Shaw is not the primary heralded prospect to battle initially within the majors after which quiet down after a minor league reset. The 23-year-old broke camp with the membership, however after placing up a .172/.294/.241 line over 18 video games, Shaw was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. After batting .286/.409/.560 with 5 steals in 5 tries over 24 video games on the farm, Shaw returned to the bigs. In six video games since returning, he’s hitting .360/.385/.560 with two swipes. Most telling is that Shaw struck out at a 26.5% clip in his preliminary foray within the majors, however he has solely 4 punchouts in 26 plate appearances (16.5%) since his return. He is earmarked to be the Cubs’ common third baseman, however primarily based on his 2024 positions performed within the minors, he is additionally eligible at second base and third base in ESPN leagues.
Zach Neto, SS, Los Angeles Angels (out there in 70%): Neto loved a breakthrough sophomore season, however he injured his proper shoulder sliding through the last week final September and required offseason surgical procedure. Rehab prolonged by the spring and into the early portion of this season. Since energy is commonly gradual to return following a shoulder damage, Neto’s draft inventory tumbled heading into the 2025 marketing campaign. However in 34 video games since debuting in mid-April, Neto is batting .284/.326/.537 with eight steals. He is hanging out at a better price, with the tradeoff being that he is hitting the ball with far more authority. Neto has gained 5.0 mph of common exit velocity, fueling a leap from a 38.2% HardHit% final season to 50% up to now this 12 months. Whereas Neto’s present degree may not be sustainable for the ultimate 4 months, it is obvious that he is experiencing no unwell results from the shoulder surgical procedure. Moreover, the actual fact he was injured whereas operating hasn’t curbed his aggressiveness on the basepaths.
Spencer Horwitz, 1B/2B, Pittsburgh Pirates (out there in 90%): Horwitz’s calling card is plate endurance and placing the ball in play. Whereas not fully devoid of energy and pace, Horwitz’s willingness to coax walks and restrict strikeouts performs higher in a factors format than rotisserie scoring. Whereas there’s nonetheless is time for the left-handed swinger to reveal he can deal with southpaw pitching, the 27-year-old is at risk of being pigeonholed as a platoon participant. However his attract stems from an enormous spike in exit velocity and HardHit%. It has solely been 9 video games spanning 34 plate appearances, and the improved high quality of contact has not translated to manufacturing, however fantasy managers can now not watch for additional proof. Somebody will be aware of Horwitz’s 5 mph common exit velocity acquire and 60.2% HardHit% (in comparison with 36.6% final season) and take the possibility. Twin eligibility at middle- and corner-infield helps assuage lacking a sport or two every week in opposition to a left-handed starter.
Rotisserie-style participant so as to add
Robert Hassell III, OF, Washington Nationals (out there in 98%): At simply 23 years outdated, Hassell is a bit younger for post-hype standing, however this once-bright prospect’s star dimmed significantly since being a centerpiece of the haul the Nationals acquired from the San Diego Padres within the Juan Soto deal. He was batting an encouraging .288/.337/.405 with 9 pilfers in 10 makes an attempt for Triple-A Rochester earlier than being summoned for his MLB debut final week. The membership wanted outfield assist with Dylan Crews sidelined with an indirect damage and Jacob Younger coping with a shoulder problem. Hassell may not proceed to play day-after-day, however he has began all 4 video games since his promotion. His rotisserie enchantment stems from the Nationals’ propensity to run (tied for sixth for essentially the most steals in MLB). Hassell is way from a slugger, however he has extra pop than Athletics OF Denzel Clarke, one other current call-up whose major asset is stolen bases.
Nearer so as to add
Daniel Palencia, RP, Chicago Cubs (out there in 98%): With Porter Hodge on the IL and Ryan Pressly fanning solely 10 with 9 walks by 18 1/3 frames, Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell has tasked Palencia with sealing the deal these days. Palencia has the final two Cubs saves, together with 5 holds. He’ll have to show higher management (seven walks in 16 2/3 innings), however Palencia has an opportunity to function the nearer for a group destined to generate a bevy of probabilities.
Two-start worth pickup
Jameson Taillon, SP, Chicago Cubs (out there in 72%): Pickings are slim with a lightweight 91-game Week 10 schedule, together with solely 4 video games on Thursday, however Taillon has points-league attraction with a pair of house begins in opposition to susceptible lineups. The 33-year-old veteran has rung up solely 44 batters in 56 2/3 innings, however he has registered a top quality begin six instances in 10 outings, so what Taillon lacks in strikeouts, he provides in innings pitched. He is slated for a pair of house begins, first in opposition to the Colorado Rockies after which a weekend tilt with the Cincinnati Reds. The temperatures are nonetheless gentle within the Windy Metropolis, serving to Wrigley Subject to play large. The Rockies sport the worst lineup within the league when dealing with righties. The Reds are extra harmful, however they will be experiencing a park downgrade and supply some strikeout upside.
Deeper league pickup
Hayden Birdsong, SP, San Francisco Giants (out there in 92%): Birdsong was so dominant in reduction that it was honest to surprise if he’d transition again to the rotation. With Justin Verlander on the IL with a proper pectoral pressure and Jordan Hicks demoted to the bullpen, the Giants tabbed Birdsong and Kyle Harrison as their rotation additions. Birdsong must outpitch Harrison to stay as soon as Verlander returns. Week 10 would not supply the best schedule with a pair of highway tilts, together with a Memorial Day go to to Motown, however Birdsong’s 96-mph four-seamer heads a four-pitch repertoire producing a 12.6% swinging strike price, which might rank seventeenth if Birdsong compiled sufficient innings to qualify. If Birdsong can deal with the Detroit Tigers in his first begin this week, he has a extra favorable follow-up in Florida in opposition to the Miami Marlins.
