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Mike's starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 25 of 2025 (September 15- September 21). These are his top free-agent pitchers to add and stream.
Welcome, everyone, to our starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 25 of the 2025 season (September 15- September 21). 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.
You may notice that I have packed some extra arms into this edition of the weekly starting pitcher waiver wire piece, and that is by design. Knowing that many of you are in the thick of the playoffs and trying to win, I want to give you more options.
Let's see what is on the waiver wire this week. Several of the players here are young guys getting robust chances, with much potential. Be proactive and add them. At the end of the article, you will see players rostered in less than 15% of leagues who 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!
Will Warren, New York Yankees (42% rostered)
Warren should be rostered everywhere. He continues to post quality starts, even though he is often denied wins. He's got a 3.65 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over the last month, but is stuck on eight wins with a 4.22 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 2025.
Warren has a 1.93 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in 36 innings since the start of August. Why isn't he rostered more often?
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates (41% rostered)
Keller is perpetually underused and undervalued. Since a rough two starts in mid-August, serving up 11 earned runs, Keller has been very good. He has gone at least five innings in four consecutive starts while surrendering three earned runs or less.
His 3.09 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in September can help you control your precious ratios as we enter the season's final weeks. Many will shy away from Keller, but I would consider him if you need quality innings and maintenance over the last few weeks.
Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers (40% rostered)
I was able to be on the Toolshed podcast with fellow RotoBaller writer Eric Cross this week, and we raved about Sheehan. He flies under the radar a bit because the Dodgers seemingly have a never-ending cornucopia of starting pitchers.
Look at his Statcast below. His chase and whiff rates are elite, with an excellent 28.6% K%. With the Dodgers looking to streamline their starting pitching for the playoffs, they are using a six-man rotation. Sheehan should be part of that.
Justin Verlander, San Francisco Giants (38% rostered)
The old, irascible Verlander has seemingly found a way to become a useful pitcher in fantasy baseball again. The veteran spun another good game Friday night, limiting the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers to one run on four hits over seven innings, while striking out four.
Verlander has allowed two or fewer runs in four consecutive starts while lowering his season ERA to 3.94. While he only has three wins on the season, he has two of those in his last four starts. If you need back-of-the-rotation help, take a look at Verlander.
Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians (33% rostered)
In what may come as a shock to you, the Guardians seem to be developing another excellent young pitcher. He has one dud in four starts, but has pitched at least six innings in the other three with a 1.93 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
You can see the body of his limited sample size below. Messick seems to have a great feel for pitching, using a five-pitch mix to keep hitters off balance. The Guardians seem to have struck again with another excellent young starter here. Add him now.
Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays (31% rostered)
Seymour did not have a great outing against an improved Chicago White Sox offense this week, but I still think he is worth picking up off the waiver wire. Seymour has given up three earned runs or fewer in his three starts, winning two of them.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Deeper Leagues
Recommendations for leagues of any size rostered in less than 30% on Yahoo!
Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox (28% rostered)
Smith has been an unsung hero on a somewhat resurgent White Sox team. He has only six wins, but he has a 3.78 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts in 131 major league innings. That is pretty good work for a Rule 5 pick who entered Spring Training with no role.
Below I put a chart that shows Smith's swings and miss percentages by month. While the fastball remains similar over time, you can see that adding in the sinker again has helped him, and the curveball and changeup are seeing upticks in swing and miss.
Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (25% rostered)
I know what you're thinking: Elder? And yes, I think he makes for an interesting play right now. He has been magnificent over his last four starts. He has gone at least six innings in each, earned two wins, and has a 3.33 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over that time.
Look at the velocity chart below. Could this help explain Elder's recent success? Notice the uptick in velocity in August and September. This could be an interesting development.
Brandon Sproat, New York Mets (24% rostered)
Sproat appears to have an opportunity in New York, with Kodai Senga being sent to the minor leagues due to his struggles, and veteran Sean Manaea also struggling. His first start featured six innings of three-run baseball with seven strikeouts.
With the Mets' suddenly flagging playoff hopes and the recent horrendous start by fellow rookie Jonah Tong, Sproat, the number one prospect in the system, should continue to get chances in New York.
Tyler Wells, Baltimore Orioles (17% rostered)
Wells recently returned to the Baltimore rotation, which has been in desperate need of a boost all season. He's pitched well in his first two starts, covering 11 innings, earning a win, and nabbing 10 strikeouts with a 2.31 ERA and 0.60 WHIP.
These types of late-season acquisitions of players returning from injury can help you win championships. Wells looks like he is back.
Joey Cantillo, Cleveland Guardians (14% rostered)
Cantillo is a sneaky play right now, and someone you might start considering for 2026. Something is happening here. He has gone at least five innings in his last three starts, striking out at least five and earning wins in two of those games.
Take a look below. The strikeout stuff is there, and he's becoming an expert at limiting barrels. He has a 0.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over the last month, and has 92 strikeouts in 80 innings this season. Sneak a bid in on Cantillo this week.
Other Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Options
- Stephen Kolek, Kansas City Royals (13% rostered)
- Slade Cecconi, Cleveland Guardians (13% rostered)
- Johan Oviedo, Pittsburgh Pirates (13% rostered)
- Ryan Weathers, Miami Marlins (12% rostered)
- JP Sears, San Diego Padres (9% rostered)
- Connelly Early, Boston Red Sox (8% rostered)
Keep grinding and do not give up on your season. I know many are getting ready for fantasy football to be upon us this weekend. Keep your lineups active each week, please!
A quick thank you to all who have read my articles this season. You keep me motivated each week to find players who can help your teams. I appreciate the feedback, both the praise and the criticism.
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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