Free agent pickups: Waldschmidt and Snelling get t...
Key takeaways
- First off, we have outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, currently rostered in just 6.3% of ESPN leagues.
- Waldschmidt had a legitimate chance to break camp with the team after batting .302/.348/.488 across 48 spring-training trips to the plate, making it all the way to the final round of cuts.
- Jordan Lawlar, Arizona's Opening Day left fielder, is on the 60-day IL recovering from a broken right wrist, an injury that is expected to keep him out until at least the beginning of June.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Ryan Waldschmidt's debut weekend saw the Arizona outfielder drive in three runs and score one of his own. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Tristan H. Cockcroft May 11, 2026, 11:08 AM ETClose Tristan H. Cockcroft is senior writer for fantasy baseball and football at ESPN. Tristan is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. He is also a two-time LABR and three-time Tout Wars champion.Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions. The prospect parade continued over the past week, as a pair of rookies making their MLB debuts emerged as prime pickups in fantasy baseball leagues of all stripes.
First off, we have outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, currently rostered in just 6.3% of ESPN leagues. After getting the fourth-worst wOBA from their center fielders (.251) over the season's first six weeks, the Diamondbacks finally recalled their No. 1 prospect on Thursday.
Waldschmidt had a legitimate chance to break camp with the team after batting .302/.348/.488 across 48 spring-training trips to the plate, making it all the way to the final round of cuts. Instead, he reported to Triple-A Reno, where he hit .289/.400/.477 in 34 games while displaying the same approach he has through parts of his three seasons as a pro -- line drives, high OBP, aggressive on the basepaths.