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Waiver Wire Wonders

Prospects Live April 5, 2026

He’s here. You could argue that it’s six games too late, but he’s here.

Konnor Griffin has arrived. Just in time for the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener, Griffin was promoted. We aren’t here to state the obvious, and let’s be real, we know this doesn’t apply to any leagues you play in, but Griffin needs to be rostered. If he is available in your league, the likely National League Rookie of the Year winner should be immediately claimed. Now that we have the obvious portion of things covered (wait, one more: Colt Emerson is likely next on the heels of his lucrative contract), let’s get into some waiver wire options to consider for the upcoming week.

This week, though, requires a balancing act. We are closely removed from drafting our teams, and players have, at most, six games or maybe two starts under their belts. There are obviously conclusions to be drawn from what we have seen to this point, but is it enough to erase an entire off-season of preparation? At the same time, roles change, injuries happen, and there are both successes and failures. It’s a balancing act this early in the season. There’s a fine line between not reacting and overreacting.

As we go through the waiver wire options, it’s important to remember that the depth of your league will dictate some of the availability. While the league types are a helpful guideline, they shouldn’t be taken as anything more than that. Saves, though, are needed by all. And yes, Griffin and Emerson should be at the top of everyone’s list.

Hitters

12 Team Leagues

Royce Lewis, 3B, Minnesota Twins (89% owned in Fantrax)

Photo Credit: Nick Wosika

We know that health has been a long-standing issue for Royce Lewis. If he’s healthy, though, Lewis is too good to be on the waiver wire. To begin the season, Lewis is hitting .211 with a 38.1% strikeout rate, but he also has two home runs and a .421 ISO. Lewis also has a stolen base to his name, and he’s generally a solid power/speed option. Lewis likely won’t be the only third baseman you use this season, but if you are looking for an upgrade or a stopgap, it’s worth a modest bid.

Jake Burger, 1B, Texas Rangers (81% owned in Fantrax)

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman

Whether or not Jake Burger was a power threat was never in question. Last season was a rough one for Burger, though, as he finished with just 16 home runs in 103 games while also dealing with some injuries. With a clean slate and fresh health, though, Burger is already off to a strong start. He hit 34 home runs in 2023 and 29 home runs in 2024, so we know what he’s capable of. So far in 2026, Burger has two home runs and five RBI through his first games. He’s batting .346 with a .269 ISO, and there’s no reason not to expect him to continue his success, as there’s a clear track record here.

Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets (87% owned in Fantrax)

Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay

It was an exciting Opening Day for Carson Benge as his first major league hit was a home run. Since then, Benge has just two more hits, but he has stolen two bases. While Benge will likely be on the bench against left-handers, he figures to get the majority of playing time in right field for the Mets. The talent and 20/20 upside are there, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

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