Waiver Wire Wizards: Gearing up for Week 4

3/22. We have completed 3 out of the 22 weeks of the fantasy baseball regular season. In other words, almost 14% of the fantasy regular season is in the books. Still too early for over reaction theatre? I mean it is from a sample size perspective, right? Strikeout rates typically start to stabilize around 60-70 Plate Appearances (PAs), The walk rate takes about double the amount of PAs. But if you wait that long surely you will miss out on some will-be stud muffins from the waiver wire? On the flip side, you may be dropping some soon to be nail gun because of your impatience? There’s no golden rule about how long to wait and each league/situation is different. All I can tell you is inaction means you will miss out on guys like CHASE DELAUTER, PARKER MESSICK, & CAM SMITH. All guys that appear to be potential difference makers in the early goings of the marathon that is the fantasy baseball season.

If the super team you built just weeks ago looks like a collection of guys who met in the waiting room of an orthopaedic surgeon, then you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the dirty waiver wire bin and see what we can find. Could be a league winner. Could go ice cold the second this article drops. That’s the beauty of it all isn’t it? Nobody knows just yet.

Roster rates are from Yahoo as of Sunday evening

EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ (SP – ARI 24% rostered)

E-Rod has been one of the hottest pitchers on the planet this calendar year, so why don’t we put some respect on his name by picking up this effective hurler? It starts at the WBC where he was electric in shutting out a stacked USA team for 4.1 innings. He only allowed 1 hit, 1 walk and punched out 4 dudes. Now onto the regular season, where he has carried the momentum over. Through 3 starts he has pitched 18 innings, notching 1 win and 11Ks. He has a sparkling 0.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Now it’s been a minute since Eduardo was an effective fantasy starter. His last 2 seasons have been very underwhelming. An ERA over 5, strikeout percentage only about 20%. While the results from 2024 & 2025 are not pretty, this phoenix seems to have risen from the ashes of his burnt out former self. What has risen? A seemingly safe innings eater who likely won’t pile up Ks but will likely be very serviceable for the foreseeable future. Let’s look under the hood at his Savant profile (credit: Baseball Savant)

Every metric is pretty well above average with the exception of his K and whiff percentages, which may be somewhat explained by his pedestrian fastball velocity. E-Rod is worth a look in 12+ team mixed leagues so long as he can keep the walks in check and the strikeouts don’t decline much further.

JOSH BELL (1B – MIN 27% rostered)

For whom the Josh Bell tolls. Time marches on. They must be running a special on older veteran players down at the waiver wire boutique. You can pair your veteran E-Rod pitcher with an experienced Josh Bell. Now it’s been a bit since Bell has been a significant fantasy contributor. The 2022 season to be exact. He accrued 2.9 WAR that year with a 0.784 OPS. Bonus points if you remember his 2019 season where he slugged 37 HRs with a 0.936 OPS. I don’t think he will reach these heights ever again, but he’s hot outta the gates in 2026 with 12 runs, 12 RBIs, 3 HRs, and a 0.286 AVG. Not to mention he’s been slotted in prime positions in the Twins batting order, typically hitting in the 3, 4, or 5 spot. If you need help at first base or the corner infield, the Bell Cow could be the guy for you. He’s worth a look in 12+ team mixers.  

TJ RUMFIELD (1B – COL 18% rostered)

The Ol’ Rumfield runner has gotten off to a decent start at the dish. He’s at a 0.333 AVG with 2 HRs, 6 runs, & 8 RBIs. For the un-informed, Rumfield is a big lefty bat with some impressive physical traits (6’5”, 238 lbs). He was acquired from the Yankees this offseason and made the Rockies opening day roster. He’s started all but 2 games in the 5-hole, hopefully leading to ample run-producing opportunities. The Rockies have played all but 6 games on the road thus far so we have some Coors Homefield Cooking to look forward to. Rumfield doesn’t seem to be a huge HR guy (16 in 587PAs), but who knows maybe a couple of his doubles from last year (31) will go over the wall at Coors? Stranger things have happened. He’s definitely worth a look in deeper mixed leagues (14+ teams), but I’ll keep a close eye on him in 12 teamers as well, especially if he starts feasting at home once the weather warms up.

JEFFREY SPRINGS (SP – ATH 34% rostered)

Spring has sprung! Jeffrey Spring that is. He is on a heater to start the year. In 18.1 IP he has notched 2 wins, 1.47 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. Not to mention, he has 15 Ks thus far. Compare this to a 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 138Ks in 171 IP in 2025. The crazy thing is that his expected stats aren’t terribly far off from his actual ones. Check it out below, credit to Baseball Savant.

This clearly is a pitcher commanding his repertoire well who is effectively limiting hard contact. If he can maintain or increase his K-rate, there’s a real diamond in the rough to be had here. Act quick, I would be pouncing in 12-teamers and maybe even 10 team mixed leagues.

NOAH SCHULTZ (SP – CWS 24% rostered)

These types of guys are gold in re-draft leagues. A hulking pitcher (6’10”) who throws left-handed (remind anyone of any other Big Units?) who is off to strong start in AAA with 19Ks in 14 IP. I mean that’s probably enough for me to get on board and see what the big lefty has got. For those who may not be convinced just yet, he’s got some pedigree as he was a 1^st rounder in the 2022 draft. I can throw all of his previous stats from years past, but with these guys who may not be as well known to the more casual fantasy baseball player, nothing beats the eye test. So checkout this 30 second video of his 9Ks from his most recent minor league start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54FptymVdso

For those who were too lazy to watch, he’s got an interesting delivery with some deception baked in there. Perhaps difficult for the hitters to pick up the ball coming out of Schultzy’s big left arm? Or maybe the fact that his fastball can touch 99 and he’s got a nasty wipeout slider? Either way, count me in for 12 team mixed leagues and maybe even in shallower leagues. Is the move hasty or made without enough supporting data from the major leagues? If I can tell you one thing it's that if you are too fearful to make the move, someone else will. If you haven’t made at least one regrettable drop over the course of a fantasy baseball season then you either drafted an impeccable team or you were never bold enough to make a potential championship winning move.

Now onto the review of my team from week 3.

The offense finally woke up this week, led by SAL STEWART and ELLY DE LA CRUZ. Anyone else manage to get Stewart post pick 200 and just reaping the rewards? TREVOR STORY had been getting a lot of negative press about his slow start. So long as he can remain healthy a 25/25 season remains a possibility. On the pitching side of things, the HERO of the week, was last week’s headliner, TAJ BRADLEY. He was very effective against the Tigers earlier in the week, racking up 10Ks in 6.1 IP. He wasn’t as effective against the Blue Jays as he allowed 4 walks and 5 hits. But he limited the damage to one earned run and still managed to get the W with 7Ks.

I didn’t include it in the screen shot but the ZERO of the week is TATSUYA IMAI who had an absolute nightmare of a start against the Mariners. He got a single out. He gave up 4 walks to the 7 hitters he faced. He’s walked 11 batters in only 8.2 innings pitched. Now he has been sent back to Houston to undergo testing on his “tired” arm. Not a great development for a player I had some higher hopes for just a few weeks ago. Thankfully that waiver wire is open 24/7, all day everyday. Until next time, stay searching for game breakers my friends.