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Mike's starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 12 of 2025 (June 16 - June 22). These are his top free-agent pitchers to add and stream.
Welcome, everyone, to our starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 12 of the 2025 season (June 16- June 22). In this weekly piece, we search for starting pitchers rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues. For deeper leagues, we try to find pitchers rostered in less than 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
As we all know, there is quite a bit of data analysis in what we do as fantasy players, but there is also some gut feeling, too. When I cobble these pieces together each week, I look for guys with upside, like Mick Abel and Cade Horton this week. I also look at boring veterans like Clayton Kershaw and Charlie Morton. I encourage you to leave your preconceived notions out when you decide on players you go after each weekend to improve your team.
Let's see what is on the waiver wire this week. There are options for any league here. Keep in mind, players in your league are always seeking to improve their squads as well. You need to be as proactive as possible and add players before your league wakes up to them. At the end of the article, you will see players rostered in less than 15% of leagues that could help your squad.
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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues
Recommendations for leagues of any size rostered between 30-50% on Yahoo!
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (38% rostered)
Look, I know what you're thinking: "Kershaw, really, Mike?" The answer is yes. He's gone five innings in two of his last three starts, and last week against the St. Louis Cardinals, he nabbed a win and seven strikeouts while only giving up one run. We are not expecting vintage Kershaw; this version is 38 years old and finding his footing again after a battery of injuries. What you will get is a guy who knows how to pitch, who should give largely worry-free innings even at his advanced age.
Mick Abel, Philadelphia Phillies (37% rostered)
Abel looks like he is going to get an extended run in the Phillies' rotation due to the continued unavailability of Aaron Nola. Abel has made three starts, earning a win and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings with a tidy 2.35 ERA. With the news that Nola will not be able to throw for two weeks with a stress reaction in his ribcage, there is no timetable for his return. Abel's next start will be against the Miami Marlins this week. Grab him if you can.
Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox (34% rostered)
As noted here before, Smith is a Rule 5 pick placed into the starting rotation at the end of Spring Training. Little was expected of him. All Smith has done is be the ace of the White Sox, going 3-3 with a 2.37 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 68 innings. He has gone at least five innings in 11 of his 13 starts. Smith should be rostered in far more leagues, but I think the lack of consistent strikeouts gives fantasy players pause. Look at the stats below, which list everything Smith has done this year. You don't need him? I think you can find a place for him.
Max Scherzer, Toronto Blue Jays (33% rostered)
He was ok in his rehab start this week, striking out four batters in a little more than four innings. While not a ringing endorsement, this is your reminder that he is available in most leagues and might only need one more rehab start before he is back with the Blue Jays sooner rather than later.
Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs (31% rostered)
Horton pitched into the sixth inning Friday night, surrendering only three hits and a walk while posting four strikeouts. The rookie is 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 36 innings. As fantasy players start to trust in Horton more, and as they see the reality of their pitching staff's war of attrition, he will be rostered more and more. I would suggest getting him now.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Deeper Leagues
Recommendations for leagues of any size rostered in less than 30% on Yahoo!
Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins (24% rostered)
I will give Cabrera a pass for his three-inning dud on Friday night, when he tweaked his ankle after running into a teammate and only went three innings. Many fantasy players get agitated and wring their hands over Cabrera, because when you see him pitch, you immediately feel like he should get better results based on the eye test. Cabrera holds down a rotation spot and will continue to do so. Remember that Cabrera could be a trade candidate soon, in which case, he becomes more interesting on a better team.
Adrian Houser, Chicago White Sox (22% rostered)
Houser has been a great find for an improving White Sox team. I share the chart below to illustrate the change that Houser has made this season. Quite simply, he is throwing harder after winter training at a facility in Oklahoma added 1.5 MPH to his fastball. Houser has been a find for the White Sox, going 2-2 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in five starts. Look for the veteran to continue to have a rotation spot for the rebuilding Sox.
Charlie Morton, Baltimore Orioles (14% rostered)
I never really came off the Morton train. Morton pitched great again on Friday night, getting a win and a whopping 10 strikeouts in five innings. That is three good starts out of the last four for the veteran. Strikeouts are up, and he has curbed the walks. His ERA is still a high 6.05, but his xERA is 4.37, which is usable in our game. I am not sure I would use Morton in every matchup, but he's a streaming option at the very least right now. Being an old guy, I root for the old guys!
Colton Gordon, Houston Astros (4% rostered)
Gordon is quietly becoming a rosterable arm in deep leagues. On Friday night, he stymied the Minnesota Twins, earning a win while scattering two solo home runs and striking out five batters. His xERA is at 3.17 as opposed to his current 4.70. What I like is that Gordon limits walks while mixing in five different pitches in each start. Take a look at him if you are in deeper leagues and are looking for under-the-radar help.
Other Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Options
- Sawyer Gipson-Long, Detroit Tigers (7% rostered)
- Ryan Bergert, San Diego Padres (6% rostered)
- Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (5% rostered)
- Jacob Lopez, Athletics (3% rostered)
Happy hunting for starting pitchers this weekend! If you have questions, you can always message me on X @mdrc0508. You can even tell me you hate these picks. Remember that fantasy baseball is supposed to be fun above everything. Enjoy it!
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
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