Fantasy Baseball Roster Decisions: Key Drop Candidates Right Now

After going over fantasy baseball waiver wire options and starting pitcher streamers, let's discuss some drop candidates.

Here is the last drop story we did - we won't cover anyone from that article.

More droppable player data can be located on the waiver wire trends most dropped tab, which can be found on any fantasy baseball page here at FantasySP. 

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant.

Pete Fairbanks - Miami Marlins

Fairbanks is down to 75% owned, and that will continue to drop after he just hit the 15-day injured list.

He has nerve irritation, and left Monday's game after losing feeling in his right hand. Fairbanks dealt with this injury back in April of 2024, and missed roughly three weeks then. The Marlins are hoping that Fairbanks doesn't miss more than 15 days.

In 10 games, Fairbanks is 0-2 with five saves, a blown save and one hold. He's worked nine innings, allowing 10 runs on nine hits and four hits, while striking out 13 batters. He has allowed three runs in three of his outings, but has looked strong otherwise.

Fairbanks isn't worth holding while he's out, unless you have IR spots to stash him in. He's a good asset when healthy, but is a better deep-league asset. Keep an eye on his status and be ready to add him back when he's close to returning.

Merrill Kelly - Arizona Diamondbacks

Kelly is rostered in about 54% of fantasy leagues. That could drop after his most recent outing.

He started his season late, and has struggled for the most part in his three outings so far. Kelly gave up two runs in his first start, then eight runs in his second outing and five more on Tuesday.

Kelly has allowed 15 runs on 21 hits and 12 walks. He's struck out only nine over 14 2/3 innings. Kelly is 1-2 so far.

He has been a good fantasy asset in the past, but he's past his prime and not worth owning in all fantasy leagues now. He's a better deep-league asset right now, but could still be streamed in standard leagues when the matchups are right.

Luis Robert Jr. - New York Mets

Robert is down to 69% owned. He was over 90% earlier in the season.

Robert has not played since Sunday. He has lower back tightness, and has only played in one game since last Thursday.

He's also hitting just .224 on the season, so he's being dropped for struggles at the plate too. Robert has played in 24 games, and he has a .327 OBP over 98 plate appearances. He has 19 total hits, including three doubles and two homers, plus eight RBIs, 10 runs scored, two stolen bases, 13 walks and 17 strikeouts.

The oft-injured Robert got off to a solid start, but has struggled of late. The injury makes him even more droppable. He's one to keep tabs on, but he's one I'd be fine dropping in standard leagues, and even some deep ones right now.

Willy Adames - San Francisco Giants

Adames is rostered in 80% of leagues. He was over 90% earlier in the season, and was close to 90% before steadily falling since April 20.

Adames has no hits over his past five games, and he's down to a .202 average on the season. He has a .242 OBP over 28 games and 120 plate appearances.

He has 23 total hits, including 10 doubles and three home runs. Adames has six RBIs, 12 runs scored, five walks and 37 strikeouts.

Adames has struggled, and that goes back to 2025 too. He's just not cutting it for standard league ownership, so I'm surprised he's owned in so many leagues yet. He's worth owning in some deeper leagues, but I definitely am OK with dropping Adames right now.

Braxton Ashcraft - Pittsburgh Pirates

Ashcraft is down a couple percent from yesterday and is at 82% rostered overall.

Ashcraft started the season well, allowing two or less runs in his first three starts. He allowed five runs in his third start, two in his fourth outing and then six in his most recent appearance.

He is 1-2 over his six starts, and he owns a 3.71 ERA over 34 innings. Ashcraft has allowed 17 runs (14 earned) on 27 hits and 12 walks. He's struck out 39 batters along the way.

There's things to like with the 26-year old starting pitcher, but he's a bit too inconsistent to hold and be confident in. He's a better deep-league asset with standard league streaming upside right now. Keep tabs on Ashcraft, but be mindful of who you are starting him against until he's a bit more consistent.