CS
SP
Cristopher SáNchez
JM
SP
Jacob Misiorowski
JW
SP
Justin Wrobleski
CS
SP
Cam Schlittler
SS
Ezequiel Tovar
Week 9 of the 2026 MLB season showcased some dominant pitching performances on the waiver wire, with several starter-eligible arms delivering elite fantasy production. This retrospective look at the completed box scores reveals which pickups paid off and which performances stood out as season-altering opportunities for fantasy managers.
The waiver wire landscape heading into the second half of the season proved to be pitcher-heavy, with a shortstop or two mixed into the top-performing adds. Here's how the notable additions performed during this pivotal week.
Cole pitched 6.2 innings and struck out 10 batters to lead all fantasy contributors in Week 9. The veteran right-hander's performance at the top of the Yankees rotation demonstrated why he remained a target for waiver claims throughout the season, combining volume with efficiency in a strong outing.
Cole's 56 fantasy points made him the clear standout add of the week. Managers who secured him off waivers found themselves with a proven ace who delivered the strikeout upside and innings totals necessary for consistent fantasy relevance moving forward.
Sánchez delivered a quality start with 7.0 innings pitched and 9 strikeouts for the Phillies. The left-hander's performance proved efficient and dominant, putting up nearly as many fantasy points as Cole despite slightly fewer strikeouts across a full seven-inning appearance.
This performance validated Sánchez as a waiver priority for Philadelphia's rotation. His ability to pitch deep into games while maintaining strong strikeout rates made him an appealing pickup for managers seeking consistency in their starting pitcher slots.
Misiorowski posted one of the most impressive strikeout lines of the week, fanning 12 batters across 7.0 innings while allowing just 1 earned run. His dominant performance showed flashes of elite-level stuff that had scouts and fantasy analysts intrigued about his long-term potential in Milwaukee's rotation.
The 12-strikeout performance stood out as particularly noteworthy in a week filled with strong pitcher outputs. Managers who added Misiorowski off waivers witnessed the type of ceiling-breaking performance that could elevate a fantasy team's trajectory down the stretch.
Wrobleski worked 7.0 innings with 9 strikeouts and just 1 earned run for the Dodgers. His controlled approach and ability to minimize damage while racking up strikeouts made for a valuable fantasy showing in Week 9.
This waiver wire add represented the type of deep league find that provided immediate fantasy value. Wrobleski's performance suggested he had earned meaningful run in Los Angeles' rotation going forward.
Baz pitched a clean 7.0 innings for Baltimore with 9 strikeouts and just 1 earned run allowed. The right-hander's consistent strikeout production kept him in fantasy relevance despite competing against stronger-performing rotation mates during the week.
Managers who picked up Baz off waivers found a reliable arm capable of producing quality starts. His week validated the decision to add depth arms from the waiver wire, particularly for managers dealing with injury concerns in their rotation.
May matched Baz's line exactly, pitching 7.0 innings with 9 strikeouts and 1 earned run in a St. Louis uniform. The consistency in these performances highlighted how deep the talent ran among available pitching in Week 9.
This waiver addition provided solid fantasy production for managers targeting the Cardinals' rotation. May's performance fell in line with the week's theme of reliable starter depth producing respectable point totals.
Ryan worked 7.2 innings with 9 strikeouts but allowed 2 earned runs in his Minnesota appearance. His ability to go deep into games provided consistent innings accumulation despite slightly elevated run support compared to peers.
Ryan's performance showed that waiver adds could come from competitive AL Central rosters. His point total demonstrated that slight imperfections in execution still yielded meaningful fantasy value in a strong week.
Tovar delivered across all offensive categories, going 2-for-X with 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 1 stolen base. The Rockies shortstop's multi-category explosion provided rare positional production alongside the week's dominant starter class.
This waiver wire offensive contribution stood out as a reminder that position players remained available late in drafts. Tovar's balanced stat line validated the value of monitoring available shortstops on the waiver wire.
Early pitched 7.0 innings with 7 strikeouts for Boston in a solid but less dominant Week 9 performance. His outing met the expectations of a reliable rotation arm without the elite strikeout upside of higher-ranked performers.
Early represented the type of steady waiver wire addition that provided floor more than ceiling. Managers targeting consistency over ceiling found value in securing this Red Sox rotation piece.
Lodolo worked 6.0 innings with 7 strikeouts and 1 earned run for Cincinnati. His slightly shortened outing still produced meaningful fantasy points despite not reaching the seven-inning threshold achieved by many peers.
This Reds starter addition provided solid value for managers seeking waiver wire pitching depth. Lodolo's efficiency over his six innings made for a respectable fantasy performance in a week loaded with quality starts.
Littell delivered for Washington with 7.0 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. His balanced performance fit the pattern of consistent, reliable starter depth available on the waiver wire heading into the second half.
Nationals rotation additions like Littell provided managers with the type of low-risk, moderate-reward waiver claims that helped stabilize fantasy rosters. His week validated going deeper on starting pitching.
Crawford went 2-for-X with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored for the Mariners. His two-home-run game provided a power burst that showcased the offensive ceiling available at the shortstop position.
Crawford's waiver wire value represented the continued importance of monitoring Seattle's offensive contributions. His performance demonstrated that late-round positional adds could still deliver meaningful home run upside.
Pérez turned in a notable performance across just 4.0 innings of work, striking out 9 batters for Miami. His elite strikeout rate over a condensed appearance showcased dramatic upside despite limited innings.
This Marlins reliever-or-starter addition provided explosive fantasy value in a compressed window. Managers who utilized Pérez as a spot start benefited from his strikeout-heavy profile.
Schlittler pitched 6.0 innings with 6 strikeouts and 1 earned run for the Yankees. As a secondary New York starter option alongside Cole, Schlittler provided depth rotation value in Week 9.
This waiver addition demonstrated the benefit of stacking rotation arms from playoff teams. Schlittler's performance validated going after multiple Yankees starters available via waivers.
Luzardo worked 6.0 innings with 6 strikeouts for Philadelphia, rounding out the week's strong starter performances. The Phillies rotation arm continued the theme of deep pitching talent available on waivers.
Luzardo's addition provided Philadelphia-stacked managers with additional rotation depth. His performance validated the strategy of targeting multiple arms from strong-pitching organizations on the waiver wire.
This Week 9 retrospective captured the dominant pitching landscape available during the season's middle stages. Managers seeking detailed performance metrics, trend analysis, and waiver strategy resources can explore PlayCaller at playcallerapp.com for comprehensive fantasy baseball coverage and historical data.
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