German Marquez Among Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & Two-Start Pitchers

Heading into Sunday, this is the first waiver period with a full week of games to base my free agent pickups. Game managers will be looking for potential double starters, closing options, and starting hitter upgrades. If a fantasy team is healthy and playing well, an open eye should always be looking for future impact players with buy-and-hold value.

From this article, I will be using one of my NFBC Online Championship teams. This format is a 12-team league with 30 roster slots and no trading. Heading into Friday’s action, my team has a 7.56 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts over 50.0 innings, leading to five wins and two saves. The pitching stats look pretty dismal, and my second closer investment (Ryan Walker) has a part-time feel. As a result, my team is in last place (43.5 league points out of 120).

On the positive side, I have two aces – Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet, supported by some upside arms (Chase Burns, Emmet Sheehan, and Andrew Painter). The backend of my rotation needs some reevaluating – Shane Smith (10 runs allowed already over 4.2 innings) and Brandon Pfaadt (five runs over six innings). On the downside, I missed out on two winning starts by Taj Bradley (one run over 10.1 innings with 12 strikeouts.

If you have a pitcher on the injured list, one of these options can help you get through Week 3.

Week 3 Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitchers With Fantasy Baseball Upside

Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickup: Aaron Civale, Athletic — Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Civale (45) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Aaron Civale, Athletics (@NYY, @NYM – 0%)

Civale survived a road start against the Braves (two runs, five baserunners, and a home run over five innings with three strikeouts), which came on the heels of an 11-strikeout game in spring training. Two road matchups in New York will test a game manager’s guile in early April. I view him as a possible add in shallow leagues, but I wouldn’t pitch him this week.

Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles (@CWS, SF – 0%)

The injury to Zach Eflin clears the way for Kremer to get double starts next week. He allowed five runs, seven hits, seven walks, and 10 strikeouts over nine innings in spring training. Kremer tends to allow fewer hits than innings pitched, with reasonable command in most seasons, but he comes off sliding strikeout rate (7.4) in 2025. He is only worth a flier in deep formats.

Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox (BAL, @KC – 0%)

After an excellent season in 2024 (3.30 ERA, 1.162 WHIP, and 154 strikeouts over 177.0 innings), Fedde turned into fantasy roadkill in 2025. He struggled to strikeout batters (5.3 per nine) with a rising walk rate (4.3). His arm looked better in spring training (3.12 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, and seven strikeouts over 8.2 innings), followed by a below-par opening start (three runs, seven baserunners, and four strikeouts). His risk outweighs his reward, but Fedde is worth a follow to see if he can regain his 2024 form.

Janson Junk, Miami Marlins (CIN, @DET – 3%)

Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickup: Janson Junk, Miami Marlin — Miami Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk (26) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at loanDepot Park. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Last season, Junk gave fantasy teams some good innings, and he threw the ball well in his first appearance (two runs, six baserunners, and five strikeouts over 4.1 innings). His spring training was suspect (nine runs, 14 hits, two home runs, three walks, and eight strikeouts over eight innings). His average fastball (94.8 mph) has been up this year while improving the usage of his changeup.

German Marquez, San Diego Padres (@PIT, COL – 14%)

In some deep high-stakes leagues, Marquez was started last week. Unfortunately, the Giants banged him around for four runs, eight hits, two home runs, and a walk over three innings with one strikeout. His arm flashed strikeout ability (23 over 16.1 innings) in spring training, but his average fastball (94.5 mph) is still down about one mph from his best years with the Rockies. Pitching in San Diego is a plus, and Marquez could be a much better arm in 2026 after having TJ surgery in 2023.

Adrian Houser, San Francisco Giants (PHI, @BAL – 1%)

I’ve never been much of a fan of Houser due to his lower strikeout rate (7.1) in his career, and a tendency to walk too many batters to survive with his below-par arsenal. He had success last year (3.15 ERA, 1.280 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts over 125.0 innings), with a reasonable opening start (one run and eight baserunners over 5.1 innings with four strikeouts). Houser also pitched well in spring training (3.46 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 13.0 innings). His matchup suggest stay away in shallow formats.

Andre Pallante, St. Louis Cardinals (@WAS, BOS – 0%)

Pallante falls into the grinder-pitching category for me. He posted a 3.78 ERA over 121.1 major league innings in 2024, but teams ran over him last year (6-15 with 5.31 ERA, 1.445 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts over 162.2 innings). Pallante tossed five shutout innings with six baserunners and three strikeouts to open 2026, but posted the same walk (5.4) and strikeout (5.4) rates. On the positive side, his arm looked better in spring training (2.57 ERA, 0.929 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 14.0 innings).

Zack Littell, Washington Nationals (STL, @MLW – 5%)

Littell has fallen into the overachieve category over the past two seasons. He went 18-18 over 61 starts with a 3.73 ERA, 1.169 WHIP, and 271 strikeouts over 343.0 innings. He throws strikes (1.7 walks per nine), but home runs (1.5 per nine) and strikeouts (7.1 per nine) invite some disaster innings. In his first start, Littell allowed three runs over five innings with six hits, two walks, and one strikeout. It’s too early to chase him as a double starter in a shallow format.

Week 3 Single Starter Waiver Wire Pickups

Week 3 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickup: Eric Lauer, Toronto Blue Jay — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Eric Lauer (56) throws during the twelfth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Eric Lauer, Toronto Blue Jays (55%)

Lauer pitched well last year (9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.108 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts over 104.2 innings), and he shined his first 2026 start (two runs, four baserunners, and nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings). A home matchup vs. the Twins next week is favorable, making Lauer one of the pitching pickups this week in all formats.

Brandon Sproat, Milwaukee Brewers (55%)

A bad inning and game to start his 2026 campaign led to Sproat being launched back into the free agent pool in the high-stakes market last week. He has yet to prove himself at the major league level, but Sproat pitched well in spring training (3.46 ERA, 1.231 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts over 13.0 innings). His AAA resume (9-8 with a 4.87 ERA, 1.316 WHIP, and 134 strikeouts over 237.1 innings) suggests there is work to be done before being trusted as a fantasy asset. The Brewers tend to fix pitchers, so I wouldn’t dismiss Sproat being a better pitcher over the long haul this year.

Joe Boyle, Tampa Bay Rays (44%)

Boyle has been a tease arm so far in his career due to below-par command. He has two great pitches with swing-and-miss upside, while reaching a much higher level last year at AAA (8-4 with a 1.88 ERA, 1.012 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts over 86.0 innings). He pitched well in his 2026 major league debut (two runs, three hits, and NO WALKS over six innings with four strikeouts). His starting window will only last until Ryan Pepiot returns or Nick Martinez pitches his way to the bullpen. I like his ceiling, so I’m buying this week if he pitches well on Friday and is lined up to start next week (CHC).

Michael Soroka, Arizona Diamondbacks (23%)

Soroka was a beast in his first start for Arizona (no runs, four hits, and a walk over six innings with 10 strikeouts). His fastball (94.6 mph) has been at a career high level this spring, but he struggled in spring training (10 runs, 24 baserunners, and three home runs over 12.0 innings with 17 strikeouts). He will be a popular pickup this week if Soroka doesn’t get bombed by the Braves on Saturday. Call me interested, but with a short leash.

Carmen Mlodzinski, Pittsburgh Pirates (21%)

After a progression season between the bullpen and starting in 2025 (3.55 ERA, 1.303 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts over 99.0 innings), Mlodzinski flashed in his first start for Pittsburgh (two runs, six hits, and eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings). He allowed four runs, 15 hits, a home run, and two walks over 12.1 innings in spring training with 14 strikeouts. Mlodzinski brings a 95+ mph fastball, paired with a developing split-finger fastball. His sample size of success is small, and he must prove that he can pitch deeper in games to earn more wins.

Landon Roupp, San Francisco Giants (18%)

Over 46 games with the Giants, Roupp has a 3.59 ERA, 1.417 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts over 163.0 innings. He was a helpful arm for a stretch in 2025 before getting hurt. In his first start, Roupp pitched six shutout innings with two hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. His fastball (93.1 mph) is league average at best. He must throw more strikes to become a more trusted arm (3.8 walks per nine in 2025). A trip to Baltimore next week could invite a disaster showing.

Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers (17%)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) delivers a pitch to the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. | Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

A week into 2026, Rocker still hasn’t thrown a pitch in a game. He draws the Dodgers on the road on Friday night, which has a smell of a bad outing due to Los Angeles underachieving offensively over the first week. Rocker posted a 4.26 ERA, 1,.263 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in spring training. I like his command, fastball (95.9 mph), and ceiling, but Rocker must develop into a more consistent pitcher to help fantasy teams. He’ll be on my add list in 12-team leagues this week.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks (10%)

Rodriguez helped Venezuela win the World Baseball Championship (four runs, 16 baserunners, and 12 strikeouts over 10.2 innings), leading to only one appearance in spring training (two shutout innings with three hits and no strikeouts). He didn’t allow a run in his first start over five innings with four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. His fastball (92.9 mph) is up about one mph from his two previous failed seasons (5.02 ERA, 1.532 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts over 204.1 innings). Rodriguez has been a winning pitcher (94-66) in his career, and he is being paid as a front-line starter. A possible bounce-back season, but his WHIP (1.329) has been a liability in his career.

Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (4%)

For the ballsy game managers willing to tee up Elder for double starts this week, he rewarded them with a win over five shutout innings with six baserunners and five strikeouts. His fastball (92.8 mph) remains below the league average, but it has been at a career high level this spring. Elder wasn’t sharp in spring training (seven runs, 12 hits, five walks, and 12 strikeouts over 13.1 innings). The Braves will score plenty of runs and create win opportunities for their starters. I like Elder more as a double-start option than a week-to-week starter if he can string some good starts together.

Lance McCullers, Houston Astros (2%)

I expect fantasy teams to fight for McCullers this week after dominating the Red Sox in his first start. He allowed one run, four hits, and a walk over seven innings with nine strikeouts. His fastball came in at 92.7 mph this March. Over three spring training appearances, McCullers allowed three runs, 10 baserunners, and one home run over eight innings with five strikeouts. He’ll face Seattle on the road next week.

Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals (1%)

Some of the sharp high-stakes drafters were taking a late flier on Foster in Las Vegas. He brings a short MLB resume (2-0 with a 5.54 ERA, 1.308 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts over 13.0 innings) at age 30. Griffin reinvented his career over four seasons in Japan (2014 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.045 WHIP, and 382 strikeouts over 371.1 innings). Last year, he pitched only 89.0 innings over 17 starts, leading to a 6-1 record with a 1.52 ERA, 0.966 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts due to a right knee injury.

In his first start this year, Foster allowed two runs, five hits, and a home run over five innings with five strikeouts. His average fastball (92.6 mph) is below the league average. Over the past two years, Foster added a split-finger fastball while continuing to feature a changeup. Next week, he faces the Brewers on the road. Tempting, but still unproven at the major league level.