AL-Only and NL-Only: Deeper Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 10 (2024)

Welcome RotoBallers to our AL-only and NL-only deeper fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 10 -- May 27 through June 2. The waiver wire can be difficult to navigate. Knowing who to add and when is a game within the game of fantasy baseball. Doing this in a mono league where the player pool is half the size of a full league makes it even more challenging. Every drop and add is significant.

One of the keys to success with roster management is opportunity. A player given the chance to get on the field and produce is one of the first signs of potential. After all, they can't accumulate statistics if they're sitting on their team's bench. These opportunities can arise because of either a promotion from the minor leagues, an injury to another player, or simply because the team has moved on from another player. Whatever the case may be, these players are now given a chance to shine.

It's important to note that these players are on a short leash to see if they can produce. If they don't, then they can be dropped for the next man up. All that being said, here are some of the best players with opportunities.

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Matt Waldron - SP San Diego Padres (8% owned)

The San Diego Padres have had their fair share of pitcher woes over the past two years. Coming into this season, they looked to churn out a solid rotation with both depth and experience. Rounding out their top five might actually be someone on the verge of leveling himself up to the point of reliability, Matt Waldron.

Matt Waldron last 3 starts

16 IP, 5 ER, 23 Ks, 6 BB, 13 H

Included are starts versus LA and ATL. He’s an adventure but hey gotta give props.

— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) May 23, 2024

Those three starts equate to a 2.89 ERA which has lowered Waldron's season-long ERA by just under a full run. If anyone has doubts about how impressive that stretch really was, it's important to keep in mind that he faced the Dodgers at home followed by both the Reds and the Braves on the road. That is a tough three-game stretch that he handled just fine.

Additionally, he's been getting it done by throwing his knuckleball for whiffs. In his last outing, it was that pitch alone that generated a 53.3% whiff rate, while on the season it has been the reason for 30 of his total strikeouts. This upcoming week he gets to face the Marlins at home, making that an attractive matchup. He is a must-add for this week.

Johnathan Rodriguez - OF Cleveland Guardians (1% owned)

This pick is a bit of a stretch but, it also could pay off this week. Recently promoted prospect Johnathan Rodriguez had a great start to the season with Triple-A Columbus. He was able to show some power (seven home runs), speed (four stolen bases), and patience (15.4% walk-rate) all while hitting .278 in 43 games. He made his debut this past week and made an impact that was packed with clutchness.

Congratulations to Johnathan Rodriguez on his first career MLB hit 👏👏👏

It comes in a key moment to give the @CleGuardians the lead in the bottom of the seventh! #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/r6Cgjbt7mr

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 22, 2024

He was called up to replace Ramon Laureano, so chances are that he will play almost every day. He's a right-handed bat with power, making him a rarity in Cleveland. This upcoming week the Guardians play at Coors Field before heading home to take on the Nationals. Those are great matchups that give Rodriguez a chance to build on his already-fledging confidence. He's worth a shot in the deepest of leagues, but if he doesn't start hitting this week, it's safe to move on.

Seth Brown - OF Oakland Athletics (1% owned)

Raise your hand if you remember Seth Brown. Last season, the 31-year-old looked to build on the breakout season he had the year prior where he slugged 25 home runs in 2022. Instead, he found himself injured for a big chunk of the year, as he suffered a shoulder injury at spring training and then a Grade 2 oblique injury in late April. His season was in disarray because of how often he was unhealthy. Now, he's back, he's at 100% health and is heating up at the plate.

Seth Brown makes it a brand new ballgame pic.twitter.com/ITonGsHNBX

— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2024

Brown was given a vote of confidence in the offseason, and seeing as he isn't a free agent until 2026, he's likely not going anywhere. Brown has found success over his career by hitting well as the strong side of a platoon. Just recently, he completed a five-game hit streak where he went 7-for-17 with two home runs and a stolen base. This upcoming week, the A's play six games with most of them against right-handed pitchers. He's worth a shot if you need power, with the hopes that you can ride the streak here.

David Peterson - SP New York Mets (0% owned)

The final recommendation comes with some caution, which we will get to later. For now, a reminder that David Peterson had off-season surgery on the labrum in his left hip. He is in line with the original projected time for recovery, meaning that he didn't suffer any setbacks. He has been rehabbing for a while but looks to be in the final stages of his preparation for the 2024 season.

David Peterson stretched out to 89 pitches tonight at Triple-A Syracuse in what should be his final rehab start. He allowed three runs -- two earned -- in four innings.

Peterson produced a 1.14 ERA over six rehab outings, with 35 strikeouts and three walks in 23 2/3 innings.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 25, 2024

Peterson struggled to begin the 2023 season but finished strong to the tune of a 3.88 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 48.2 innings pitched through the final two months of the season. While his need to have surgery was a disappointment, he has looked good in his rehab outings, giving some hope for a full-season bounceback. That said, the aforementioned caution is that he may begin the season a bit rusty after having not pitched against major league competition. That being said, his long track record of success, which includes a 3.83 ERA in 2022, gives some hope that this will all work out in the end.

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