X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Points League Pitchers: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 1 (March 31 - April 6)

Jack Leiter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Draft Sleepers, MLB Rookie Rankings

John's H2H points fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for pitchers in Week 1 (2025) -- March 31 through April 6. Free-agent pitchers to add in points leagues.

Drafting's the best part of the year, I get it. It's tremendous and absolutely a ton of fun, but let's be honest -- fantasy baseball's won with in-season management. When the head honchos here at RotoBaller asked me to take on the points leagues SP waiver wire duties, I was honored -- there may not be a more critical element to championship acquisition. Look back on previous seasons, and you can almost bet blind that the league winner made a key free-agency add, which made a good team into a great team.

That said, there are just so many league types, sizes, and formats that it's nearly impossible to serve everyone at once. So, for my first swing at this, we'll start by taking a close look at my favorite available starting pitchers. These will generally be players I'm excited to roster with a chance to stick around for the entire season, barring an injury. Then, at the end, I'll just list any viable long-shot adds for the NFBC/deep league crowd. Desperation may be a stinky cologne, but it beats taking a zero.

There's also an element of roster construction worth discussing briefly before adding arms to the fantasy squad. This is where everyone differs, and it's truly a matter of preference, but also something I've personally had lots of success with in the past. I'd love to credit whoever coined the term "Team Streamer" -- I think it may be my buddy Paul Sporer over at FanGraphs, but I'm not sure. Either way, it's my new stylistic approach to fantasy baseball. The thinking's simple. Minimize bench bats for a plethora of pitching specs or hurlers you'd roster for a week, depending on matchups. That way, you can avoid the weekly SP waiver wire rush for two-start pitchers who frankly stink.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Jack Leiter, SP, Texas Rangers

49% Rostered

That buzzing sound you hear means it's time for the market to wake from its prospect fatigue regarding Jack Leiter. Texas' post-post hype sleeper earned an Opening Day rotation spot and didn't waste it in a beautiful outing at home versus the Red Sox (5 IP; 4 K, 1 BB, 5 H).

While the former second overall pick featured a brand new 97 mph power sinker (28 percent use rate/.331 xSLG/30.8 percent whiff rate), it is the rest of the arsenal that stole the show -- Leiter had three separate pitches rate among Baseball Prospectus' best individual offerings on the full day's slate (image below).

The Rangers will provide plenty of offense this season for Leiter, especially if he continues to rein in the command and control issues plaguing his past.

I'd use a top waiver priority or whatever FAAB necessary to acquire Leiter on Sunday night -- even though you might consider benching him next Wednesday in Cincinnati's Great American Small Park.

 

Sean Burke, SP, Chicago White Sox

39% Rostered

Sometimes, it's all about the fantasy drumbeat. When a young starter with a career 29+ percent K MiLB rate makes the club, you take notice, regardless of sample size. Coming off a scoreless spring after excelling in the bigs shows why Chicago's Sean Burke caught lots of steam heading toward Opening Day in the high-stakes arena.

Despite just three strikeouts, the White Sox's new de facto ace blanked Los Angeles while filling up the zone (32.9 percent ball rate), inducing chases (37.5 percent O-Swing rate), and winning in-zone (75.0 percent zone contact rate).

Currently, the overall SP6 in Yahoo formats entering Saturday's action is credited to the all-important win (who would've thought it's possible in Chicago), another good start against Minnesota, and now Burke's headlining articles everywhere.

The matchup may look worse on paper than in reality as well -- Minnesota's striking out at nearly a 30 percent clip and batting just .235 as a team thus far.

 

Jose Soriano, SP, Los Angeles Angels

36% Rostered

Probably the least repeatable of the bunch after going under the hood, Jose Soriano's still going to be a very popular add this weekend. Currently the SP2 (7 IP; 5 K, 2 BB, 2 H) after finishing behind only MacKenzie Gore's Opening Day masterclass, this may land closer inside the luck bucket than some may suggest.

Not only did he dominate a dreadful White Sox offense, but Soriano also allowed more 95+ mph hard-hit balls (six) than whiffs generated (five).

Sure, the 26-year-old righty filled up the zone with strikes in a plus matchup (image below), but that's probably the only time I'd look to start Soriano going forward -- his team context is suboptimal, and the entire arsenal dipped at least 1 mph across the board on the radar gun.

 

AJ Smith-Shawver, SP, Atlanta Braves

41% Rostered

For a minute, I started to get the feeling that AJ Smith-Shawver had disappointed me several times in the past, and while it may technically be true, it's also somewhat ridiculous. Why? AJSS has all of 29 2/3 IP in the majors, and he's only 22 years old. Goes to show you how impatient fantasy gamers can get, often losing the forest for the trees.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous putting out a recommendation for a pitcher taking the hill after I submit this article, but before there's any time to delete it if he gets obliterated. Even if things go poorly this Sunday in San Diego, Smith-Shawver could still be worth adding in a buy-low spot since he's facing a pretty terrible Marlins offense at home next Friday.

If he builds off the inner-organizational hype and looks anything like he did this spring (16 IP; 21.2 percent K-BB, 14.5 percent swinging-strike rate, 0.0 HR/9), he could be the type of add that sticks around all season, considering the high win potential.

 

Honorable Mentions - Others To Prioritize

I wouldn't necessarily break the bank for any of these SPs, especially after Tier 1 -- but like I said before, sometimes desperation sets in, leaving us without a choice in the matter.

Ranks are in order of tier, except for the final stash section.

Rostering injured players depends on your situation and bench size/availability.

To that last point, be proactive! Never assume your team will stay healthy, and there's no point in adding players you currently have no intention of starting. Any player can break out, and unfortunately, injuries happen in waves.

So much can change from week to week in the fantasy streets, and my best advice is to keep your head on a swivel and constantly churn those final roster spots looking for the big score.

Tier 1: Team Streamers

Pitchers Who Could Stick Around, But We Need To See More From

Tier 2: Plus Matchup Only

One And Done

Tier 3: Desperation Tier

You've Probably Made Some Bad Choices Already

Tier 4: The Stashbox

Pitchers With Eventual Return Dates Who Are Better To Be Early Than Late On



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF