The opening weekend for Major League Baseball is behind us and what a glorious weekend it was! With the season not yet a week old, we have experienced extra-inning games, walk off winners, a comeback for the ages and the benches have cleared multiple times. Baseball is back, better than ever! Of course, that means fantasy baseball is also in high gear. While it is way too quick for any conclusive judgments, some players on the wire do stand out. Identifying those players is what this fantasy baseball waiver claims week one edition is all about. The games are coming at us a mile a minute, so let’s dive right in, shall we?

Top Position Players on Waivers

Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/3B/SS, San Diego Padres, 4.4% Owned

Rarely, if ever, is a player that will be in starting lineup on a regular basis for a quality team is rostered below 5 percent. Yet, that is the case with Ha-Seong Kim. Granted, he only has the starting gig until Fernando Tatis returns, but that will not happen for two or three months. In the meantime, Kim will return significant value to his fantasy managers through his play and versatility.

In the past two games, Kim has two hits and has scored three runs. Through five games, Kim has a triple, a steal and has scored five runs. His batting stats were nothing to write home about last year, his first big league season, but he did appear in 117 games. There is every reason to believe Kim will significantly improve upon his numbers. As noted, his managers can plug him in anywhere on the infield except first. In large leagues, Kim can be expected to return excellent value for anyone that picks him up.

Josh Harrison, 2B/3B/OF, Chicago White Sox, 14.5% Owned

Another versatile player starting for a quality team with a low ownership rate is Josh Harrison. After playing last season for Washington and Oakland, Harrison signed with the White Sox over the winter. Even though Harrison is slated as Chicago’s starter at second, he also qualifies at third and in the outfield. It is extremely rare to find that kind of versatility in a fantasy player, no question.

Of course, as is always the case, versatility means nothing without the offense to back it up. Fortunately, Harrison has shown he can swing the bat, with hits in his last two games along with an RBI and a run scored. Harrison is coming off a season in which he appeared in 138 games, the second highest of his career. The White Sox figure to have on the most potent offenses in baseball. Clearly, it makes sense to grab Harrison while he is this widely available and is a highly recommended move on this fantasy baseball waiver claims edition.

Gio Urshela, 3B/SS, Minnesota Twins, 13.3% Owned

This season, whenever the Twins are facing a left-hander, get Gio Urshela into the lineup. Minnesota has shown they know how to best use Urshela, as he has hits in all three games he has played in thus far. Even better, Urshela has a home run, two RBIs, three runs scored and only one strikeout. If he can maintain this level of play, Urshela will far out distance his numbers from a year ago.

Last season with the Yankees, Urshela played in 116 games, hitting .267/14/49. He is capable of much more if he can corral his strikeouts, as he had 109 in just 442 plate appearances. That is why his lone strikeout this season looks so huge for his fantasy managers. If he can demonstrate he can keep his swing in check, it is quite possible Urshela will see more at-bats against right handers. The sky is the limit is that occurs. Of course, his ownership rate will skyrocket if that happens. Get in on the ground floor before Urshela is priced out of the waiver bin.

Connor Joe, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies, 13.9% Owned

When it comes to fantasy rosters, Colorado hitters always are a welcome addition. That is certainly the case with Connor Joe, who is one of their hottest at the plate so far this season. In the last four games, Joe has five hits, including two hit games twice. Included in his total are two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored. Joe even has a stolen base to his credit. He is also one of the leaders in fantasy points with 19.

Perhaps best of all, Joe is hitting in the leadoff spot for the Rockies. He will get plenty of at bats going forward. In that spot, Joe should get on base and see plenty of scoring opportunities. If Joe continues on such a pace, the above ownership percentage of less than 14 percent will not last long. Like everyone else on this list, his dual eligibility can only help his fantasy value. Without doubt, adding ConnorJoe will brighten any fantasy manager’s day.

Brad Miller, 1B/2B/OF, Texas Rangers, 11.6% Owned

Another player with multi position eligibility off to a hot start is the Rangers’ Brad Miller. in the opening series against Toronto, Miller was a terror to the Blue Jays pitching staff. In the three games, Miller had four hits, two homers, a double, five RBIs and four runs scored. In no way is it suggested that Miller will maintain such a hot streak going forward, but such an offensive display can’t be ignored, either. That is especially true for a player that can play three positions and is owned in less than 12 percent of leagues.

Certainly, there are many out there thinking that Miller is just a fluke player hitting off a terrible pitching staff. However, just realize that he is coming off a season in which he hit 20 homers in 377 plate appearances for Philadelphia. Texas as a team looks much better on offense with the additions made during the winter. Miller will receive a lot of the benefits of being in that offense. His left-handed swing will keep him in the lineup frequently. Miller is as hot as any hitter in baseball. Catch the wave before it crests and add him to the roster.

Top Pitchers on Waivers

Madison Bumgarner, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks, 15.4% Owned

Of all the Opening Day starters, Madison Bumgarner ranked near the bottom of the list. His 2021 was not impressive and the Diamondbacks figure to be battling the Rockies to stay out of the N.L. West basement. Even with all of that and the fact he only pitched three innings against the Padres, Bumgarner leads off the pitching segment of this fantasy baseball waiver claims week one edition.

Despite the short outing, Bumgarner pitched well, allowing just one run on one hit. The four walks certainly aren’t a good look, but Bumgarner is a veteran pitcher that will correct that part of his game. San Diego should have a potent offense this season, Bumgarner shutting them down like he did is a good sign going forward. He should be readily available in most leagues and, without question, is worth a look.

Tylor Megill, SP, New York Mets, 17.5% Owned

Without doubt, one of the more surprising performances in baseball to begin the season belonged to Tylor Megill. If Bumgarner was low on the totem pole, Megill was completely underneath it. Yet, there he was taking the mound Thursday against Washington. With Max Scherzer needing an extra rest day and Jacob deGrom already injured, the Mets didn’t have a lot of options. From the looks of things, New York might have an even more formidable rotation than anyone realized.

Megill certainly looked up to the task as a front-line starter, pitching five shutout innings, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out six. He will be locked into the Mets’ starting rotation for as long as deGrom, who has no return timetable, is out. His next start is against Philadelphia and that will be a much more daunting task than facing the Nationals. Even so, with his ownership level below 20 percent, Megill is worth picking up until he proves Thursday was a performance full of smoke and mirrors.

Miles Mikolas, SP, St. Louis Cardinals, 12% Owned

While there wasn’t a whole lot of evidence from his first start to recommend a waiver claim, Miles Mikolas gets the nod, nonetheless. In large leagues, all of the top pitchers are nowhere to be found on the wire. Mikolas looked great this spring and has the chance to bounce back big for any fantasy manager with the fortitude to go get him. It seems like forever ago, but it was only 2018 when Mikolas led the National League with 18 wins and a stellar 2.83 ERA.

Additionally, Mikolas pitched 200.2 innings and fashioned a 1.071 WHIP. If he comes anything close to that for a Cardinals team that looks ready to contend, Mikolas will be a valuable addition to any fantasy team. As mentioned, his first start could have gone better. Mikolas allowed two runs on six hits in 3.2 innings against Pittsburgh Saturday. Now that the opening start jitters are over, look for Mikolas to improve each and every time out. Call it an old-fashioned hunch, but Mikolas draws a certifiable recommendation on this fantasy baseball waiver claims week one edition.

Jameson Taillon, SP, New York Yankees, 18.6% Owned

Facing the formidable Blue Jays lineup Monday night, Jameson Taillon came away with an 0-1 record. That was the end of the bad news for him and his fantasy managers, however. Tallion pitched as well as his more well-known Yankee teammates, going five innings and allowing only two runs on five hits. Even more notable was his six strikeouts against no walks. Unfortunately for Tallion, he was the losing pitcher as the New York offense was in hibernation, resulting in a 3-0 Toronto victory.

Despite the loss, all signs are positive when examining Tallion’s performance. His next opponent is the light hitting Orioles Saturday on the road. If Tallion can face the Blue Jays in the hitting palace that is Yankee Stadium and only allow two runs, he is set for big things pitching in Baltimore. He does have an injury history but made 29 starts in 2021. His ERA of 4.30 wasn’t all that terrible and he can certainly return to his 3.20 days in Pittsburgh. Once fantasy managers realize who Tallion is facing this weekend, his ownership is sure to spike. Be the first to strike and go get him without delay.

David Roberston, RP, Chicago Cubs, 23.4% Owned

When entering the season, David Robertson was not expected to be the Cubs closer. That honor was expected to go to Rowan Wick. One game in, however, the script was flipped. On Opening Day against Milwaukee, Robertson pitched the ninth and came away with the save. Wick pitched the eighth inning. It is not assured that will be the case going forward. However, once that word comes confirming Robertson in the role, his ownership percentage is sure to skyrocket.

Robertson made another appearance against Milwaukee on Sunday. He has two strikeouts in two innings. If he can maintain that K rate, Robertson will be fantasy gold moving forward. In the not-too-distant past, Robertson posted at least 34 saves in three consecutive seasons for New York. It definitely feels like he is back in that stratosphere again. Robertson is sure to be off waivers soon. It would be wise to act today before such an occurrence does happen.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball waiver claims week one edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Agree or disagree with any of the selections? Have players to add? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for the latest MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!