I’m going to start the article in an unusual fashion, by talking about someone who you shouldn’t pick up in fantasy baseball. Bubba Chandler, who is arguably baseball’s best pitching prospect, could make his Major League debut on Friday.
Sounds like an easy player to add, right? Not so fast. Chandler struggled with his control skills in Triple-A this year, which resulted in a 4.05 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. I could look past those numbers and add the youngster on the basis of his elite skill set, but I can’t look past the Pirates’ plans to use him as a bulk reliever. That role will leave Chandler without the necessary volume to rack up large strikeout totals. And he will have low odds of earning wins in that role, especially since he’s playing for baseball’s lowest scoring team. In late August, I want pitchers who can help me right now. Unfortunately, that’s not Chandler.
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Now, let’s look at some players who you should add.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
Miguel Andujar, 3B/OF, Reds, 37%: Andujar was quietly one of the biggest winners of the trade deadline, as an under-the-radar deal with the Athletics has resulted in the 30-year-old emerging as the Reds cleanup hitter. He has been excellent in August (.383 BA, 3 HR, 1.102 OPS) and should be active in most leagues while he has such a key role on a team with postseason aspirations and a hitter-friendly home park.
Jo Adell, OF, Angels, 37%: The roster rate for Adell is perplexing. After all, we are talking about someone who has recorded 21 homers and 54 RBI since June 1, which places him seventh in each of those categories over that stretch. Sure, Adell isn’t an on-base machine, but he is a premium power hitter who should be rostered in twice as many leagues.
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Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles, 27%: Basallo was one of the best Triple-A hitters this season, producing 23 homers and a .966 OPS in 76 games. He has recently joined the Orioles and should play regularly down the stretch, especially with Adley Rutschman going to the injured list with an oblique strain. Although 2025 has been an excellent year for fantasy managers to find production from catchers, Basallo is so talented that he could dent lineups in one-catcher leagues.
Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles, 6%: Although Basallo was the headliner of Baltimore’s recent prospect promotions, Beavers could also make significant contributions down the stretch. The 24-year-old has the diverse skill set that fantasy managers covet,…