Sports
Fantasy baseball waiver wire

The proliferation of all the newfangled data is certainly exciting, but when it comes to successful waiver wire pickups, it can be information overload. Take a step back and understand that sometimes simple minds — as in, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” — are more effective than launch angles and Barrel rates. The top fantasy baseball pickups in Week 10 seemingly fell off the radar but are potentially more productive than players with much higher ESPN rosterships.
Matt Shaw, 2B/3B/SS, Chicago Cubs (available in 74% of ESPN leagues): Shaw isn’t the first heralded prospect to struggle initially in the majors and then settle down after a minor league reset. The 23-year-old broke camp with the club, but after putting up a .172/.294/.241 line over 18 games, Shaw was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. After batting .286/.409/.560 with five steals in five tries over 24 games on the farm, Shaw returned to the bigs. In six games since returning, he is hitting .360/.385/.560 with two swipes. Most telling is that Shaw struck out at a 26.5% clip in his initial foray in the majors, but he has only four punchouts in 26 plate appearances (16.5%) since his return. He’s earmarked to be the Cubs’ regular third baseman, but based on his 2024 positions played in the minors, he’s also eligible at second base and third base in ESPN leagues.
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Zach Neto, SS, Los Angeles Angels (available in 70%): Neto enjoyed a breakthrough sophomore season, but he injured his right shoulder sliding during the final week last September and required offseason surgery. Rehab extended through the spring and into the early portion of this season. Since power is often slow to return following a shoulder injury, Neto’s draft stock tumbled heading into the 2025 campaign. But in 34 games since debuting in mid-April, Neto is batting .284/.326/.537 with eight steals. He’s striking out at a higher rate, with the tradeoff being that he’s hitting the ball with much more authority. Neto has gained 5.0 mph of average exit velocity, fueling a leap from a 38.2% HardHit% last season to 50% so far this year. While Neto’s current level might not be sustainable for the final four months, it’s apparent that he’s experiencing no ill effects from the shoulder surgery. Additionally, the fact he was injured while running hasn’t curbed his aggressiveness on the basepaths.
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Spencer Horwitz, 1B/2B, Pittsburgh Pirates (available in 90%): Horwitz’s calling card is plate patience and putting the ball in play. While not completely devoid of power and speed, Horwitz’s willingness to coax walks and limit strikeouts plays better in a points format than rotisserie scoring. While there is still time for the left-handed swinger to demonstrate he can handle southpaw pitching, the 27-year-old is in danger of being pigeonholed as a platoon player. But his allure stems from a huge spike in exit velocity and HardHit%. It has only been nine games spanning 34 plate appearances, and the improved quality of contact has not translated to production, but fantasy managers can no longer wait for further proof. Someone will take note of Horwitz’s 5 mph average exit velocity gain and 60.2% HardHit% (compared to 36.6% last season) and take the chance. Dual eligibility at middle- and corner-infield helps assuage missing a game or two a week against a left-handed starter.
Rotisserie-style player to add
Robert Hassell III, OF, Washington Nationals (available in 98%): At just 23 years old, Hassell is a bit young for post-hype status, but this once-bright prospect’s star dimmed considerably since being a centerpiece of the haul the Nationals received from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto deal. He was batting an encouraging .288/.337/.405 with nine pilfers in 10 attempts for Triple-A Rochester before being summoned for his MLB debut last week. The club needed outfield help with Dylan Crews sidelined with an oblique injury and Jacob Young dealing with a shoulder issue. Hassell might not continue to play every day, but he has started all four games since his promotion. His rotisserie appeal stems from the Nationals’ propensity to run (tied for sixth for the most steals in MLB). Hassell is far from a slugger, but he has more pop than Athletics OF Denzel Clarke, another recent call-up whose primary asset is stolen bases.
Closer to add
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Daniel Palencia, RP, Chicago Cubs (available in 98%): With Porter Hodge on the IL and Ryan Pressly fanning only 10 with nine walks through 18 1/3 frames, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has tasked Palencia with sealing the deal lately. Palencia has the last two Cubs saves, along with five holds. He’ll need to display better control (seven walks in 16 2/3 innings), but Palencia has a chance to serve as the closer for a team destined to generate a bevy of chances.
Two-start value pickup
Jameson Taillon, SP, Chicago Cubs (available in 72%): Pickings are slim with a light 91-game Week 10 schedule, including only four games on Thursday, but Taillon has points-league charm with a pair of home starts against vulnerable lineups. The 33-year-old veteran has rung up only 44 batters in 56 2/3 innings, but he has registered a quality start six times in 10 outings, so what Taillon lacks in strikeouts, he adds in innings pitched. He’s slated for a pair of home starts, first against the Colorado Rockies and then a weekend tilt with the Cincinnati Reds. The temperatures are still mild in the Windy City, helping Wrigley Field to play big. The Rockies sport the worst lineup in the league when facing righties. The Reds are more dangerous, but they’ll be experiencing a park downgrade and offer some strikeout upside.
Deeper league pickup
Hayden Birdsong, SP, San Francisco Giants (available in 92%): Birdsong was so dominant in relief that it was fair to wonder if he’d transition back to the rotation. With Justin Verlander on the IL with a right pectoral strain and Jordan Hicks demoted to the bullpen, the Giants tabbed Birdsong and Kyle Harrison as their rotation additions. Birdsong needs to outpitch Harrison to stick once Verlander returns. Week 10 doesn’t offer the easiest schedule with a pair of road tilts, including a Memorial Day visit to Motown, but Birdsong’s 96 mph four-seamer heads a four-pitch repertoire generating a 12.6% swinging strike rate, which would rank 17th if Birdsong compiled enough innings to qualify. If Birdsong can handle the Detroit Tigers in his first start this week, he has a more favorable follow-up in Florida against the Miami Marlins.
Sports
Jaguars Women’s Track & Field Posts Multiple Top-10 Finishes to Launch Inaugural Indoor Campaign
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University women’s track and field team opened its inaugural indoor season on Saturday at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off, competing against a deep field of Division I and Division II programs at JDL Fast Track. The Jaguars produced a strong slate of early-season marks across sprints, middle distance, and distance events, highlighted by a top-three 5,000-meter finish from Madison Thomas and multiple top-10 performances.
Sprint Group Opens Season With Strong 200 and 400 Marks
Freshman Madison Mitchell paced Augusta in the 200 meters with a time of 26.15, placing 17th overall. Fellow freshman Taneiha Bowman followed in 26.72. Sophomore Josalyn Branch also opened her season in the event.
In the 400 meters, freshman Ava Adams led the group with a 1:01.25 to finish 13th. Sophomore Janiya England added a 1:03.98 in her season debut. Freshman Thanna Davis delivered Augusta’s fastest 400 of the day, placing 10th in the seeded section in 58.67.
Middle-Distance Athletes Deliver Solid Early Times
Freshman Brie Andrews opened her indoor campaign in the 800 meters, finishing 20th in 2:28.67.
Augusta’s mile group produced one of the most complete team showings of the meet, placing five runners inside the top 25. Freshman Josabeth Graciano led the Jaguars in 5:15.54 for seventh, followed by freshman Caleigh Munro in ninth at 5:19.12. Freshman Gabriella Burton placed 15th in 5:26.02, with juniors Grace Gyetko (5:32.02) and Cheyenne Ryan (5:38.46) rounding out the group.
Distance Squad Secures Five Top-10 Finishes in the 5,000 Meters
Junior Madison Thomas led Augusta with a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters, running 17:49.24. Sophomore Danielle Thayer placed seventh in 18:31.71, followed by sophomore Maria Biondolillo in eighth (19:05.37), freshman Amelia Ogden in ninth (19:14.81), and junior Swaye Mohler in tenth (19:27.44).
Sophomore Ansley Graddy and freshman Elkin Regina also opened their indoor seasons in the event.
In addition to this weekend’s performances, junior Madison Kennedy—reigning PBC Cross Country Runner of the Year—recorded the third-fastest 5K time in Outdoor Peach Belt Conference history this past fall.
Reed Leads Augusta in High Jump
Freshman Jamiya Reed cleared 1.44 meters (4-8.75) in the high jump to finish 14th in her collegiate debut. Freshman Paige Justice also competed in the event.
The team returns to Winston-Salem the following week for the ‘Twas the Meet Before Christmas on Friday, Dec. 12.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags
Sports
Nebraska volleyball advances to Sweet 16 with sweep of Kansas State
Dec. 7, 2025, 6:30 a.m. CT
Nebraska (32-0) entered the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, taking on Kansas State (18-10). Though the Wildcats put up a fight, the Huskers swept the night (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) to advance to the Sweet 16.
Nebraska struggled at times against the Kansas State defense, the Wildcats posted 14 blocks and 32 digs. This helped KSU stay in each set against the Huskers, even taking the lead multiple times. But Nebraska found itself out in front by the time it reached the red zone, allowing it to get the sweep.
The Huskers finished with 43 kills off 99 attacks for a .253 hitting percentage and posted 48 digs and eight blocks to hold Kansas State to .118 and 27 kills on 102 attacks. Nebraska also delivered seven service aces in the win.
Harper Murray and Andi Jackson co-led Nebraska, each delivering ten kills in the sweep. Murray also snatched six digs while Jackson posted a team-high three blocks and earned her ten kills off 15 attacks. Taylor Landfair hit 8-of-18 on the night, while Virginia Adriano finished 7-of-12 with a service ace.
Rebekah Allick posted six kills off 13 attacks for the Huskers, while Allie Sczech finished 2-of-4. Bergen Reilly tallied 34 set assists and a service ace. Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch each delivered two service aces. The duo also combined for 25 digs, with Mauch earning 13 and Choboy grabbing 12.
Nebraska will host Kansas on Friday in the Sweet 16. The match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
Sports
Devils Begin 2025-26 Season With Victory at SU Kickoff Open
WINCHESTER, Va. – The Dickinson men’s indoor track and field team opened up their 2025-26 slate in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon by winning the Shendandoah University Holiday Kickoff Open inside the James Wilkins Jr. Athletics & Events Center.
Sprints
Franklyn Akabi-During picked right up where he left off last season by winning the 60m with a time of 6.86, while Darian Crim joined him on the podium in third at 7.01. Josh Gould and Dominick Rosini claimed 23rd (7.42) and 33rd (7.68). With hurdles added to the distance Barrett Chalmers and Aidan Coyne hit the line in fifth (9.61) and sixth (9.68).
Akabi-During nabbed his second win of the day during the 200m thanks to a time of 22.07, followed right behind by Crim who took second at 22.69. Jack Shronk rounded out the Top-5 by crossing in 23.59. Owen Seveland claimed tenth (23.89) as Rosini, Coyne and Chalmers earned 18th (24.98), 24th (25.80) and 28th (26.17).
The trio of Shronk, Sveland and Benjamin Dench competed in the 400m securing eighth (52.67), ninth (53.10) and eleventh (55.07).
Distance
The 800m event was packed with Devils as the duo of Michael Dooley and James Masterson finished one (1:58.70) and two (1:58.92). Sean Harris (2:07.80), Matthew Gareau (2:08.93), Alexander Radishofski (2:09.49), Quinn Chewning (2:10.34), Jack Rickleman (2:11.37), Evan Feldman (2:14.86), Walker Crochet (2:16.09) and Dylan Elder (2:17.09) occupied spots seven through 14.
Two members of the Red and White were involved in the 3000m with Nathan Caldwell grabbing second (8:50.70), while Alexander Kane seized fourth (9:03.67).
Caldwell added another victory to the Devils ledger with a time of 15:09.29 in 5000m, followed by Kane at 15:26.76. Slots six to eleven were filled with Dickinson athletes thanks to Wiley Mulholland (16:38.98), Jacob Sokatch (16:40.39), Jad Jamaleddine (16:50.89), Matthew Colden (16:57.34) and Andrew Edwards (17:00.52). William Kane completed the group of Devils by hitting the line in 17:24.42 for 14th.
Dickinson filled the podium for the mile run as Avi Ghorai won the race in 4:47.45, followed by Crochet (4:50.52) and Griffin McConnville (4:51.54). The trio of Chewning (5th – 4:52.35), Feldman (7th – 4:58.49) and Jack Solovey (8th – 5:00.07) also competed in the event.
Relay
The Red and White put three different teams out for the 4x400m with the group of Akabi-During, Crim, Harris and Seveland taking second (3:29.02). The unit of Dooley, Gareau, Masterson and Shronk clocked in at 3:32.56 for fourth, while Chalmers, Coyne, Crochet and Radishofski earned sixth (3:47.17).
Field
Elder grabbed sixth in the high jump after clearing 1.48m.
Oliver Stroka posted another DC win during the weight throw by dropping down at 15.86m.
Three Devils tried the shot put with Daniel Echeverri grabbing fifth at 11.83m, followed by Stroka in eighth (10.79m) and Elder nabbing 16th (7.97m).
Up Next
Dickinson will next compete after the New Year holiday when they take part in the Moravian University Indoor Meet in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Saturday, January 17th beginning at 10am.
Sports
Point Loma Nazarene wins volleyball regional; Mesa’s season ends with loss
Third-seeded Point Loma Nazarene will play sixth-seeded Bentley at 10 a.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II women’s volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D.
PLNU advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for a second straight year Saturday night by defeating Fresno Pacific 3-1 in the Western Regionals championship hosted by the Sea Lions at Golden Gym.
Meanwhile, Mesa College was defeated 3-0 by Feather River College Sunday afternoon in the championship match of the California Community College Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament in Folsom.
Top-seeded Feather River (36-1) won the state title for the third time in four years. Second-seeded Mesa College (31-2) had won 28 straight matches going into Sunday’s match. The Olympians won the state title in 2023 and lost in the semifinals in 2024.
Feather River swept by scores of 25-12, 25-19, 25-23. Mia Lundberg led Mesa with 10 kills and four digs. Charlotte Underwood had five kills and two digs while Bella Town (Carlsbad High) had five kills and two blocks. Ruby Ennis (Lakeside) had 17 assists and seven digs while Trina Nguyen (Mira Mesa High) had 11 digs.
Point Loma Nazarene (27-4) prevailed Saturday night by set scores of 25-17, 17-25, 25-16, 25-18. Fresno Pacific finished with a 27-2 record, with both losses coming to PLNU in Golden Gym.
Thursday’s match against Bentley (also 27-4) will also be a rematch. PLNU scored a four-set win over Bentley on Sept. 12 en route to winning the Colorado Premier Challenge Tournament in Denver.
Freshman middle blocker Hailey Clark paced PLNU against Fresno Pacific with 14 kills, while senior outside hitter Abigail Nua finished with 13 kills and a block, while sophomore outside hitter Saren Rogers (Victory Christian Academy) had 13 kills.
Junior setter Sophia Baugh had 50 assists and a service ace. Senior libero Macy Reynolds had 19 digs and freshman defensive specialist Hailey Wilson had 18 digs to 17 for freshman setter Jolyna Salas (Tri-City Christian).
Sports
Track & Field Teams Claim 19 Top-10 Finishes
Men’s Track & Field | 12/6/2025 7:48:00 PM
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> The Saint Francis track & field teams opened its indoor season at the Bison Opener.
>> Saint Francis compiled 19 top 10 finishes.
>> The Red Flash faced the following colleges: Shippensburg, Lock Haven, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Lincoln (Pa.), West Chester, Millersville, Mount St. Mary’s, Penn State, Bloomsburg, and Indiana (Pa.)
FLASH WOMEN NUGGETS
The women’s team accumulated seven top 10 performances.
Olivia Renk finished second in the 200-meter and fourth in the 60-meter on the women’s side. The sophomore clocked in a time of 25.46 in the 200-meter and a 7.72 time in the 60-meter.
In the women’s long jump, Taylor Foster finished in fifth place in the event with a jump of 5.29m. Foster also claimed eighth place in the women’s triple jump with 10.63m.
Aubrie Wells and Karsyn Ford both finished with 3.25m to tie for eighth place.
Rounding out the top 10 finishes was Rylee Nicklas taking 10th in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 14.22m.
FLASH MEN NUGGETS
The men’s team registered 12 top 10 finishes on the day.
1-weight throw,
Jayden Foster took eighth place in the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 22.81. Meanwhile, Tyler Craft claimed the ninth spot with a time of 37.08 in the 300-meter. Craft jumped his way into second place in the long jump with 6.94m.
Staying in the meter dashes, James Parmelee (1:10.38) took third and Holden Schreier finished seventh (1:12.90) in the men’s 500-meter.
Two more Red Flash placed top 10 in the high jump, Ayden Martinage (8th, 1.85m) and Braydon Beach (10th, 1.80m).
Running over to the pole vault, Dylan Andrews finished with a jump of 4.25 to give himself seventh place.
Clark Gulycz took fourth in the men’s shot put with a mark of 17.07m.
Saint Francis took another two top 10 finishes, this time in the men’s triple jump. Nehemyah Williams gained third place with a leap of 14.35m. Ian Conway was not far behind him in seventh with 12.54m.
Vincent Franco finished out the Red Flash in sixth place with a time of 15.94m.
NEXT UP FOR FLASH
Track & field will next compete at the Wagner College Seahawk Shootout hosted by Wagner College on Friday the 12.
Sports
PHOTO: Nebraska volleyball showcases grit in a sweep against Kansas State | Unlimited Sports
The Nebraska Huskers showed up to battle and proved their grit and capability, adapting to Kansas State’s style of play on Dec. 6, 2025, at John Cook Arena inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Nebraska continued its dominant postseason run and swept Kansas State (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) in front of 8,601 fans. With the win, the No. 1 Huskers advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Nebraska controlled the match, out-hitting Kansas State, .253 to .118, and extending its streak of out-hitting opponents by at least .100 for seven consecutive matches. Nebraska was still tested in many areas throughout the game and had to overcome and adapt under pressure.
“You know, they really challenged us in a lot of areas and thought this was one of the first matches in a while,” said coach Dani Busboom Kelly. “We had to gut it out with our serve and pass and floor defense, which is kind of like classic Nebraska volleyball. And I felt like we handled it really well.”
Juniors Andi Jackson and Harper Murray led the way with 10 kills each, with Jackson having a .533 hitting percentage on 15 swings. Nebraska’s balanced attack featured eight kills from senior outside hitter Taylor Landfair, seven from freshman opposite hitter Virginia Adriano and six from senior middle blocker Rebekah Allick, while junior outside hitter Bergen Reilly was a huge threat on offense with 34 assists.
Defensively, the Huskers fulfilled their high postseason standard. Nebraska totaled 48 digs, led by Olivia Mauch’s 13 and Laney Choboy’s 12, limiting Kansas State to only 27 kills. Nebraska placed their serves well, which brought them seven aces.
“Our defense hung in there, and just we were ready for long rallies. So, I was really proud of us even when it didn’t feel super clean, like we still we’re just playing Nebraska volleyball,” said setter Bergen Reilly.
Nebraska will next host No. 16 Kansas in a regional semifinal on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at 8:30 CST at John Cook Arena inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
The Nebraska Huskers huddle together before taking on Kansas State on Dec. 6, 2025, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Nebraska Huskers claimed a 32-0 overall record after beating Kansas State.
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