Elmer Rodriguez Headlines Wednesday’s Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets

The middle of the work week is here, so let's discuss another round of fantasy baseball waiver wire options.

Here is the starting pitcher streamer article for Wednesday. I also won't cover any hitters from waiver wire stories on Monday and Tuesday.

Fantasy baseball waiver wire options can be found all season on FantasySP!

Elmer Rodriguez - New York Yankees

Rodriguez has been added in 11.85% of leagues, bringing his overall mark to 21.63%.

He is the No. 72 prospect in baseball and is being called up to make his MLB debut against the Rangers on Wednesday. That's a pretty solid matchup on paper.

The 22-year-old righty was a fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2021. Rodriguez has a 60-grade fastball and 55s for his curveball, slider and splitter. He has a 50 for his control and is a 55 overall.

In parts of four minor league seasons, Rodriguez has a 2.51 earned run average over 354 2/3 innings. He has a 1.27 ERA over four Triple-A starts this year. Over his minor league career, Rodriguez has a 1.14 WHIP, .199 average against him and 391 strikeouts.

There's a lot to like with the young hurler, but it's always a toss up on how those players will fare when called up to the big leagues.  The minor league numbers say he will succeed right away, but he's still a risky option for the day.

He's owned in a good amount of leagues already, and he'll be added in more by the time he takes the mound. I am good with firing him up in deeper leagues, and wouldn't mind trying him in standard leagues too.

If he excels tonight and sticks in the rotation, Rodriguez will be heavily added, so keep close tabs on him. If you aren't ready to add him right now, be ready to add him if he looks good today.

JR Ritchie - Atlanta Braves

Ritchie has been picked up in 3.19% of leagues - he sits at 43.57% overall now.

He will be making a start against the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. It's a solid matchup, but he will also be facing Tarik Skubal, so Ritchie's outlook is a bit lower.

Ritchie worked a gem in his first MLB appearance on April 23. He tossed seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. He allowed two home runs against the Nationals, who are a great matchup.

Ritchie is a good deep-league fantasy asset for the day, but I'd stop short of trying him in too many standard leagues because he's facing off against Skubal.

Jung Hoo Lee - San Francisco Giants

Lee is up 3.45%, and he's now rostered in 36.99% of leagues.

He went hitless on Tuesday, but had nine hits in the three games before that. It's helped him bump his average to .301 for the season.

Over 29 games and 113 plate appearances overall, Lee has a .345 on-base percentage. He has 31 hits, including eight doubles, two homers and a triple. Lee also has posted 10 RBIs, 13 runs scored, eight walks and 15 strikeouts.

There's some good numbers in there, but because he's at a loaded outfield fantasy spot, Lee isn't owned in more leagues right now. He's worth watching, but for the time being, I only like utilizing him in deeper leagues.

Samuel Basallo - Baltimore Orioles

Basallo is owned in 31.97% of fantasy leagues, which is up 2.54% of leagues.

He is riding a four-game hitting streak, and has nine hits over that span. Basallo has two homers and two doubles in that span, while scoring three times and driving in three.

Overall in 22 games and 87 plate appearances, Basallo has a .247 average and .333 OBP. He has five homers and two doubles over 19 total hits, plus nine RBIs, 10 runs scored, 10 walks and 20 strikeouts.

Basallo has appeared at catcher and first base, but might only be eligible at catcher. He plays enough because he also gets starts at designated hitter, but he's still not playing daily. He's a better long-term asset, but he has some redraft value now - I only like him in some deeper leagues, but keep tabs on him in case he keeps delivering and eventually is worthy of standard league ownership.

Tyler Phillips - Miami Marlins

Phillips is owned in about 2% of leagues right now, but that should rise in the days to come.

Pete Fairbanks was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, and Phillips got the save for the Marlins that night. It was his second save of the season, with the other one being a three-inning outing.

In 10 games, Phillips doesn't have a win or loss. Along with the two saves, he has a blown save. He's allowed four runs (three earned) on 13 hits and 12 walks, while striking out 19 over 18 1/3 innings.

Phillips is a short-term fantasy asset, and can be added in deeper leagues for the time being. If you are looking for some saves, try Phillips for a bit.