Friday's Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Options: Brice Matthews, Dean Kremer and More

Let's go over a final batch of fantasy baseball waiver wire options for the week.

We won't cover anyone who appeared in waiver wire stories on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. We will also avoid any streaming starting pitcher options from Friday's article.

Check out the top fantasy baseball waiver wire options everyday on FantasySP. 

Should You Add Brice Matthews?

Matthews has been added in 5.3% of leagues today, and that should go up throughout the day. He's at 9.7% overall.

Matthews is being called up to the big leagues for what will be his MLB debut.

He is the No. 98 prospect in baseball and is 23 years old. Matthews is a right-handed thrower and hitter, stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 190 pounds. He was drafted by the Astros at pick No. 28 in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Matthews has a 55 overall grade as a prospect. He has a 60-grade for his running, a 55 for his power, 50 arm and fielding marks and a 45 grade for hitting.

Over three minor league seasons and 187 games, Matthews has a .261 average and .387 on-base percentage in the minor leagues. He has logged 178 total hits, including 29 homers, 33 doubles and six triples. Matthews also has 94 RBIs, 125 runs scored, 121 walks, 247 strikeouts and 75 stolen bases.

Matthews has played 73 games at Triple-A this season. He has a .283 average and .400 OBP, showing he's ready for the next challenge. Matthews has 76 total hits, including 12 doubles, 10 homers and five triples, along with 39 RBIs, 51 runs scored, 50 walks, 98 strikeouts and 25 stolen bases.

In the minor leagues, he's played second and third base, center field and shortstop. He's appeared most often as a shortstop and second baseman. One way or another, Matthews is going to find his way into the Astros' lineup while he's in the big leagues - they wouldn't be calling him up to sit the bench.

I'm a fan of Matthews as a prospect and really like his dynasty/keeper value moving forward. He might be able to have some redraft value in due time as well.

I would be for adding Matthews in some deeper redraft fantasy leagues right now, even if you just want to stash him on your bench. You never know how a young player is going to perform when he gets to the big leagues, and I wouldn't want to miss out on a possible gamechanger.

All fantasy owners need to keep an eye on Matthews, as a few big games will really see his own percentage skyrocket. Don't wait too long to add Matthews, because he could disappear from the waiver wire list in a hurry.

Should You Add Dean Kremer?

Kremer is up 2.1% so far and sits at 32.19% overall.

Kremer is a popular add today because he's starting against the Marlins. He has not faced them this season.

Kremer has made 18 starts, with the Orioles going 8-10 in those contests. He's 7-7 with a 4.53 earned run average over 101 1/3 innings. Kremer has allowed 53 runs (51 earned) on 108 hits and 26 walks, while striking out 81 batters.

Miami had been a bit better on offense for a stretch, but has fallen back on hard times again. They are still one of the more popular teams to use streaming pitchers against.

I like the matchup, but I'm not a big fan of Kremer as a fantasy asset. His ERA isn't great, and he doesn't strike out a ton of hitters.

He's coming off a start against the Braves in which he allowed five runs over just 4 1/3 innings. He pitched pretty well in the three starts before that, and there were some tougher matchups in there.

Kremer has been inconsistent, and isn't someone to fully trust, even in the best matchups. With all that said, Kremer is just a deep-league fantasy streamer for today's game in my mind. I'd look elsewhere for help in standard leagues.

Should You Add Ha-Seong Kim?

Kim is up 1.53% so far and sits at 12.19% overall.

Kim got a late start to this season, and has only played in four games since returning from the injured list on July 4. He has five hits, including a double and homer, across 15 plate appearances. Kim has three RBIs, two runs scored, a stolen base, no walks and five strikeouts as well.

He's made three straight starts for Tampa Bay, playing shortstop each time. Kim hit fifth twice and seventh once - those were all against right-handed pitchers.

Kim has played multiple defensive positions in the past, but might only be eligible at shortstop right now. That's a loaded fantasy position, so it will take a lot for Kim to get fantasy love in all leagues.

He's a career .243 hitter with a .326 OBP, so he's likely to top out as a deep-league fantasy asset. Kim has topped out at 17 homers in a single season, and hasn't gone over 60 RBIs.

Kim is in his first season with Tampa Bay, so it might also take him a bit to settle in and be really comfortable. If he plays daily, he could at least become a solid deep-league asset.

I'd be for adding Kim in some deeper fantasy leagues, just like I was with Matthews. I'd give priority to Matthews if you are looking for some more upside, instead of a proven MLB bat like Kim.

Kim is likely to end up as just a deep-league option, but he could have hot stretches at the plate where he's usable in standard leagues too, so everyone needs to keep an eye on him.

Should You Add Tyler Soderstrom?

Soderstrom sits at 84% owned, which is down from 91% at the start of this month, but also up from the 82% mark he was at on July 8.

Soderstrom has eight hits over his past four games. Among the hits, he has two doubles and two home runs, while also posting five RBIs, four runs scored, a walk and four strikeouts.

He's hitting .263 and has a .342 OBP over 94 games and 383 plate appearances. Soderstrom has 89 hits, including 14 doubles, 16 homers and a triple, along with 53 RBIs, 48 runs scored, five stolen bases, 37 walks and 89 strikeouts.

Soderstrom has played first base and left field this season, so that double position eligibility is a nice fantasy boost for him. He had been hitting sixth, but was bumped up to fifth for his past two starts - that's another fantasy plus for Soderstrom.

He started the season strong, but cooled off for a while. Soderstrom is back on the rise since June 19 - he has a .317 average and .362 OBP in that stretch. 

Soderstrom should be added back in all standard leagues for as long as his bat stays hot. He's likely to cool off soon, so I'd utilize him now. Now would also be a good time to sell him high in a fantasy trade, but that's more beneficial to deep-league owners.

Should You Add Ryne Nelson?

Nelson is up 1.25% so far, bringing his overall mark up to 70.22%.

He's another streaming option for Friday. Nelson will square off against the Angels in a late game. He hasn't faced them this season.

Nelson has appeared in 19 games so far. He's 5-2 with a save and blown save after making 10 appearances out of the bullpen. 

Nelson has started in six straight appearances, with the D-Backs going 5-1 in those contests. He's 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA over 32 1/3 innings in that stretch. Nelson has 29 strikeouts over that stretch.

He has a 3.39 ERA on the season, which covers 74 1/3 innings. Nelson has 64 punchouts along the way, including at least five in three straight starts.

Nelson has been trending up, and in a favorable matchup, he's one of my favorite streaming options for the day. He's not quite a must-start pitcher in standard leagues, but he's pretty close in his favorable matchup today.

I see a solid fantasy floor and a chance for a really high fantasy ceiling. Roll with Nelson if you aren't thrilled about some of the other streaming options.