The past week was an eventful one for callups. Matt Shaw returned to Chicago, while former first-round pick Marcelo Mayer made his MLB debut with the Red Sox. Both Mayer and Shaw made our list of the best 2025 Week 9 hitter waiver wire targets, along with several hot hitters across the Majors.

Best Week 9 hitters to target

• 1B Nick Kurtz (Athletics)
• 1B/2B Brandon Lowe (Rays)
• 3B/SS Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox)
• C Carlos Narvaez (Red Sox)
• 2B/3B/SS Matt Shaw (Cubs)

It took a bit but Nick Kurtz and Matt Shaw got it going at the MLB level.

I’ll start with Kurtz, who is arguably the more interesting of the two thanks to his prodigious power. The 22-year-old went off this past week, with four home runs that put him in a tie with Isaac Paredes, Gavin Sheets, and Logan O’Hoppe for the league lead over the last week.

Kurtz is going to strike out a lot; that won’t change. The Athletics first baseman struck out in 12 of his first 25 plate appearances, and his 33.3% K% is high as one can see. Kurtz has a lengthy swing and plenty of bat speed, which is going to lead to being out in front a lot. However, the pop will make him a fantasy name for years to come.

However, one word of caution on Kurtz is that he missed the Athletics’ game on May 25 with a hip issue. The team described it as a day-to-day injury.

As for Matt Shaw, the Cubs infielder earned a return trip to Chicago after finding a groove down in Triple-A. Shaw blasted five home runs over his last six games with Iowa, and upon his return, three multi-hit games over his first six games back with the Cubs.

When Shaw was at his best in the Minors, there wasn’t much swing-and-miss in his game. He’s only struck out four times over his last 26 plate appearances, a very good sign for the future.

Speaking of prospects, Marcelo Mayer received the call to Boston this past weekend, with Alex Bregman going on the injured list. Mayer didn’t notch a hit in his first game but picked up two in his second Major League contest.

Mayer profiles as a good all-around hitter, and the first MLB metrics we received on him were quite promising. He boasts above-average bat speed, which is not a shock given that he hit for power in the Minors.

Some fantasy leagues — depending on format — may have to wait on Mayer to gain third base eligibility. He started his first two games in the Majors at third, so it shouldn’t be too long before he gains eligibility there.

Catcher Carlos Narvaez, meanwhile, is emerging as a fantasy option at the catcher position. Narvaez has gotten more playing time in May and for good reason. The ex-Yankee prospect batted .411 with two home runs and nine RBI over the month. And just over the last week, his 10 hits put him in a tie for 10th in the league.

Lastly, Brandon Lowe is up to six home runs on the month, after belting three over the last four days. The .270 average and 14 RBI in May aren’t too bad, either.

Steinbrenner Field has turned into a friendly hitting environment, and Lowe, thus far, has taken advantage of it.

Overview of Week 8

There was good and bad from the Week 8 picks. Here’s the good. Ryan Jeffers picked up hits in four of five games played last week. Jake Cronenworth, meanwhile, had a good series in Atlanta, highlighted by a home run in the finale.

The bad news? Dalton Rushing and Jordan Lawlar aren’t getting regular playing time. Lawlar, in particular, hasn’t gotten into a groove, as he’s yet to pick up a hit since returning to the Majors.

Check out more of our fantasy coverage, including a look at the best pitching targets for Week 9.