2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire targets are where fantasy championships are won, especially in the preseason when overlooked talent hides in plain sight. Smart managers use the waiver wire to scoop up undervalued players before roles solidify and breakout campaigns begin. This report highlights under-rostered players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo) at every position who can give your roster an early-season edge.
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Waiver Wonderland: Top 2026 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets (Preseason)
The preseason waiver wire is where savvy fantasy managers gain an edge, spotting undervalued players before playing time and roles lock in. From overlooked prospects to veterans flying under the radar, this report highlights under-rostered players at every position who could provide a boost to your squad right out of the gate. Don’t wait—claiming these hidden gems now can set the tone for a strong start to your season.
Note: All players are under 50% rostered on Yahoo!
Catcher: Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles (40% Owned)
The #8 prospect in MLB, Samuel Basallo is off to a red-hot start this spring, slashing .361/1.202 with 3 homers. His elite prospect status and profile are undeniable, and he’s extremely undervalued as a power-hitting catcher—a position not known for elite power.
If he continues on this trajectory, Basallo could deliver stats more akin to a top-tier first baseman or outfielder, making him a true must-add on the waiver wire for managers looking to gain a competitive edge.
Alternatives:
- Francisco Alvarez (C, New York Mets, 30% Owned – Massive power upside)
- Gabriel Moreno (C, Arizona Diamondbacks, 21% Owned – Good average / OBP combo, with counting stat upside)
First Base: Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (45% Owned)
I’ve already highlighted Andrew Vaughn’s massive upside, and he’s off to a scorching start this spring, slashing .372/1.030 with 2 homers. Building on the momentum from 2025 with Milwaukee, Vaughn looks poised to make a big impact this season.
Owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues, he’s a true waiver wire league-winner who could transform your roster if claimed now.
Alternatives:
- Jake Burger (1B, Texas Rangers, 15% Owned – Massive power upside, and has re-discovered his power stroke (4 homers) this Spring)
- Coby Mayo (1B, Baltimore Orioles, 8% Owned – Gifted top prospect with immense power upside and a locked in lineup spot)
Second Base: Brett Baty, 2B/3B, New York Mets (10% Owned)
Former first-round pick and top-25 prospect Brett Baty looks to build on a strong 2025 season and finally blossom into the fantasy star managers have long been hoping for.
He has found his swing this Spring, slashing .333/.420/.920, and looks poised to lock down an everyday role in a talented Mets lineup. Fangraphs’ Justin Mason even projects him as a potential top-10 second baseman this year, signaling that a breakout could be right around the corner.
Alternatives:
- Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, Boston Red Sox, 37% Owned – Above average hit tool, and playing in the hitter friendly confines of Fenway Park)
Third Base: Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers (43% Owned)
When healthy, Max Muncy profiles as one of the most consistent, productive power-hitting third basemen in all of MLB.
This Spring, Muncy looks locked in at the plate, slashing .333/1.012 with 3 homers across 42 plate appearances. Hitting in the best lineup in the game, Muncy could prove to be a league-winning steal available in almost 60% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Alternatives:
- Colt Keith (1B/2B/3B, Detroit Tigers, 18% Owned – Excellent plate discipline, and could provide an excellent average / OBP combo)
Shortstop: Max Muncy, 2B/3B/SS, Athletics (4% Owned)
Somehow not related to the Dodgers’ Max Muncy, the Athletics’ 23-year-old Max Muncy is off to a blistering start this spring, slashing .388/1.290 with 5 homers. The multi-positional Muncy could provide strong fantasy value at shortstop while hitting in one of the stronger lineups in baseball and Sutter Health Park’s hitter-friendly environment.
Alternatives:
- Carlos Correa (3B/SS, Houston Astros, 41% Owned – Reunited with his former team, Correa could have extra motivation playing at home and hitting in the heart of a talented Astros lineup)
Outfield: Evan Carter, OF, Texas Rangers (8% Owned)
Evan Carter burst onto the scene in 2023, slashing .306/1.058 in the regular season as a 20 year old. That same year, Carter played an integral role in the Rangers’ World Series title run, showing incredible plate disciple (.417 OBP over 60 postseason at bats) and the skills to be a solid hitter and consistent fantasy baseball producer
But since then, Carter has struggled at the major league level, even spending part of 2025 in the minors to refine his swing and approach. While his surface Spring stats (.188 average) may not immediately impress, there’s reason for optimism: he boasts a .341 OBP, a 19.5% walk rate, a .469 slugging percentage, and is hitting the ball harder than ever at the MLB level. If Carter can combine his 2026 Spring plate discipline with the raw talent he showed in 2023, we could be looking at a massive breakout season.
Alternatives:
- Chase DeLauter (OF, Cleveland Guardians, 15% Owned – Former top prospect that is breaking out (.429/1.157) this Spring)
- Colton Cowser (OF, Baltimore Orioles, 12% Owned – 2 years removed from a 24-homer season, Cowser should nearly play every day in a very talented Orioles lineup)
Starting Pitcher: Mike Burrows, SP/RP, Houston Astros (37% Owned)
Targeted in a trade this Winter by the Astros, Mike Burrows flashed last year in 23 appearances (19 starts) with Pittsburgh, posting a respectable 3.94 ERA and 9.09 ERA. This Spring, Burrows looks locked in, allowing just 3 runs over 18 innings (1.50ERA), earning him the No. 2 role in the Astros rotation.
If Burrows continues to develop, savvy managers could gain an edge by adding him now as a potential fantasy SP3 before the competition catches on.
Alternatives:
- Braxton Ashcraft (SP/RP, Pittsburgh Pirates, 39% Owned – Talented, young, live arm with great strikeout upside (2.03 ERA and 10.80 K9 this Spring across 13.1IP))
- Cody Ponce (SP, Toronto Blue Jays, 30% Owned – Back in the big leagues, and an impressive start this Spring (0.66 ERA across 5 Spring starts))
Relief Pitcher: Clayton Beeter, RP, Washington Nationals (10% Owned)
One of my favorite sleeper closer candidates of 2026, Clayton Beeter has enjoyed an excellent Spring, blanking opponents across 7 appearances and posting an eye-popping 17.05 K9. Beeter currently appears to be the favorite to close in Washington, so snag him now before his ownership percentage rises in the first week or two of the season.
Alternatives:
- Kirby Yates (RP, Los Angeles Angels, 18% Owned – Another one of my favorite sleeper closer candidates of 2026, the veteran Yates should start off as the lead candidates for saves in the Angels bullpen, and has the strikeout ability to hold onto the job all year)
- Paul Sewald (RP, Arizona Diamondbacks, 17% Owned – Sewald appears to be the lead candidate to close out games for the Diamondbacks, making him an immediate and priority add for managers looking for saves)
Final Thoughts on Top 2026 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Must-Add Players (Preseason)
The preseason waiver wire is all about getting ahead of the curve—claiming top must-add players who can make an early impact and set your roster up for success. By targeting these low-ownership options now, you position yourself to capitalize on breakout opportunities before your league rivals catch on. Keep an eye on playing time, spring performance, and role changes, and remember: the right waiver wire pickups can turn a good team into a contender.
