Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Week 3: Jordan Walker, Bryce Elder top pickups list

Story by

Tim Heaney

Sat, Apr 11, 2026 ·

6 min read

With only two-plus weeks of the 2026 MLB season checked off, we have a smidge of data to use in analyzing player performance. While about 10 games for most teams isn't enough to paint a complete fantasy picture, we're starting to get some hints about what's to come this season.

We still can identify helpful news, like hitters getting more playing time, pitchers possibly finding a new level of play, and relief pitchers lining up in situations to earn those valuable saves (or, for the modern player, holds).

We're gathering players listed frequently on free-agent lists across major platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, Fantrax, and National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) leagues who generally sit at 50% rostership or lower. Next to each player, we'll recommend how much you should generally bid on them, on a scale of $1000 Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB).

Keep scrolling for this week's priority fantasy baseball waiver wire adds.

Best fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 3

Top Week 3 hitter adds

Shallow-league players to add this week

Jordan Walker , OF, Cardinals ($168)
Francisco Alvarez , C, Mets ($50-$80)
Jonathan Aranda , 1B, Rays ($50-$80)
Xander Bogaerts , SS, Padres ($20-$50, depending on MI needs)
Chandler Simpson , OF, Rays ($20-$50, depending on SB needs)
Gabriel Moreno , C, Diamondbacks ($10-$50, depending on C needs)

Post-hype prospects Walker and Alvarez rank among early exit-velocity leaders who are teasing true breakout seasons.

Aranda's power was his biggest question during preseason chatter, but he's already swatted three homers to complement his top-notch batting eye. All the pieces could be merging into a true breakout year after last year's major step forward.

Bogaerts endured an underwhelming draft season but remains a solid plug-and-play option, most confidently in points leagues.

Simpson won't necessarily deserve every-week consideration, but he will remain one of fantasy's best steals threats and should be deployed while his bat remains hot.

Moreno won't offer much power, either, but his gap pop and blossoming hit tool should do well for one-catcher fantasy players cycling through options on a run.

Deep-league bats to add this week

TJ Rumfield, 1B, Rockies ($20-$50)
Troy Johnston , 1B/OF, Rockies ($20-$50)
Mauricio Dubon , 2B/3B/SS/OF, Braves ($10-$30)
Nick Gonzales , 2B/3B, Pirates ($10-$30)
Dillon Dingler , C, Tigers ($3-$10)
Nick Fortes , C, Rays ($3-$10)
Gary Sanchez , C, Brewers ($3-$10)

Rumfield and Johnston justifiably are earning more attention as they solidify near everyday roles with home games at Coors Field.

Dubon will likely get a full run while Ha-Seong Kim (hand) is on the injured list, and while you shouldn't trust his hot start, he holds the skill set to provide a useful .260-style clip the rest of the way, with 10-plus homers and a handful of stolen bases.

After Pittsburgh called up top fantasy prospect Konnor Griffin , Gonzales needed a new home on the diamond. Once himself a former top prospect, the infielder now may have found a home at third base (and could add shortstop eligibility with Griffin at second base often).

Dingler, Fortes, and Sanchez have differing levels of security -- best to worst in that order, with Dingler surprisingly ranking among the league's exit velocity leaders -- but are making the most of early opportunities. Sanchez especially has the type of bat who could help two-catcher fantasy players even if he only suits up twice per week.

Top Week 3 starting pitcher adds

Bryce Elder , Braves ($126)
Clay Holmes , Mets ($76)
Tatsuya Imai , Astros ($76)
Luis Gil , Yankees ($56)
Jeffrey Springs , Athletics ($26)

Elder's early strikeout totals (13 in 13 innings across two starts) could partially be the result of some recent tutelage from Braves great Greg Maddux:

For someone who relies on pitch feel and strategy more than velocity, this is excellent advice from one of the best corner painters in history. This should make players in normal-sized fantasy leagues confident that Elder can sustain at least a big chunk of his success all season; given Atlanta 's rotation injuries, the club will count on him for as long as possible.

Holmes isn't going to post 9 K/9, either, but his kick-change has once again fueled his early innings-eating success with the Mets.

Early reluctance to trust the posted rookie Imai should subside. The concerning pace of 4.32 ERA and seven walks should normalize with more outings; those 13 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings should at least earn him a fantasy roster spot.

Gil returns to the rotation Friday, and he could struggle to go more than five innings as he builds up, but the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year should return to fantasy rosters if he was on the free-agent list.

Springs has teased elite stretches with the Rays and has reminded us of that in his first two Athletics starts this year. Deploy him carefully, though; that 7.36 K/9 is a far cry from double-digit rates with Tampa Bay, and he'll

Top Week 3 two-start pitcher adds

Below are the best, most widely available 2-start pitchers scheduled for April 13-19 (as of Friday, April 10). All should have a few dollars in FAAB, depending on how desperate you are to log two starts:

Chad Patrick , Brewers: vs. WAS, vs. TOR
Connelly Early , Red Sox : @STL, @MIN
Shane Baz , Orioles : vs. SF, vs. ARI
Slade Cecchoni, Guardians: @ATL, @STL
Parker Messick , Guardians: @ATL, vs. BAL
Davis Martin , White Sox : vs. TB, @ATH
Carmen Mlodzinski , Pirates: @CHC, vs. WAS

Go heavy on the first three names, who have mixed-league appeal even after this twin bill. Messick has the most upside but has a risky draw against the O's.

Top Week 3 closer / relief pitcher adds

Jordan Romano , Angels ($76+)
Riley O'Brien, Cardinals ($56+)
Bryan Baker , Rays ($36+)
Jakob Junis , Rangers ($36+)
Edwin Uceta , Rays ($26+)
Caleb Kilian , Giants ($3)

Romano and O'Brien look settled in; the former, of course, has control and homer issues, though he looks more like his peak self. O'Brien isn't overpowering but has shown the ability to get out of jams.

Baker would carry a much stronger bid if not for Uceta's looming return. This could once again turn into a committee, and while having either piece is good for something, neither is expected to run away with every chance while both are healthy.

Junis is relying on smoke and mirrors; Texas 's closer situation remains in flux. Kilian has shown elite-level talent and could usurp Ryan Walker over time.

This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Apr 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.