We're just two series into a long 2025 MLB season. We've got to give some slow starts the benefit of the doubt.
Do we really think Mike Trout is going to hit under the Mendoza line for the rest of the season? No. Is William Contreras washed after just six games? No. Are the Atlanta Braves going to continue their offensive woes all year? Probably not.
While you may have lost your first fantasy matchup thanks to slow starts, it's important to remember that players go through ebbs and flows. Everything eventually veers back toward normalcy. However, there have also been some hot, promising starts that you can take advantage of on your waiver wires. While there is a chance that several of these players fall back to Earth, the underlying metrics or previous success could point to an absolute steal available in more than half of all leagues.
Here are five players you should target on waivers this week. All roster numbers provided by ESPN.
Fantasy baseball rankings: Five players to target on waivers
SP Jeffrey Springs, Athletics (Rostered in 42.1% of leagues)
Springs has been one of MLB's best kept secrets for some time now. He missed almost all of the past two seasons with injury, but now that he's back it's easy to remember how dominant he was prior.
Since the start of 2022, Springs boasts a 2.36 ERA across 190.1 innings pitched. Yes, the injuries are a concern and maybe he won't be the same pitcher who emerged in 2021-22 with the Tampa Bay Rays. But in Springs' first start of the year he held the Seattle Mariners to only three hits and one walk across six innings while striking out nine batters.
Given Springs' track record, he's worth taking a shot on if you need a starter. At the very least, he should be a great streaming option moving forward.
RP/SP Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals (Rostered in 11.3% of leagues)
Like Springs, Bubic posted six innings of shutout ball against the Milwaukee Brewers in his first start of 2025. While he is likely to lose his RP status soon, Bubic is still a high-upside starter who provides shades of Michael King from a few seasons ago, when he transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation and found massive success.
Bubic's 4.1% walk rate from a season ago is what really sparks interest. Given Kansas City's history of getting the most out of its pitchers, Bubic is a prime candidate for a breakout campaign.
