Sports

Fantasy baseball waiver wire

Published

8 months ago

April 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Tristan H. Cockcroft

Apr 14, 2025, 02:18 PM ET

Sunday night’s star remains available in a shocking number of ESPN leagues.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs’ everyday center fielder and (at least thus far) No. 7 hitter, hit two home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball, propelling his team to a 4-2 victory and weekend series win. It was his first game all season with more than six fantasy points, and only his 11th among 18 total games with a positive point total. However, as it came on the big stage, it seems likely — and deservedly so — that this outing will boost his roster rate in ESPN leagues.

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Crow-Armstrong, somehow, remains out there in 68.0% of ESPN leagues, whereas in many offsite games he’s rostered in more than 80%. There’s a logical reason for there being a discrepancy, in that his skill set isn’t ideal for our standard scoring system (points) being that he’s a free-swinging type who provides a greater contribution to his fantasy teams with his legs than his bat. Still, Crow-Armstrong’s Sunday performance should serve a reminder that he’s capable of helping fantasy teams universally.

Crow-Armstrong’s raw speed provides a helpful base for fantasy play, as he had a 99th percentile Statcast sprint speed last year and has 98th percentile thus far in 2025. He’s a perfect 6-for-6 on his steals attempts after going 27-for-30 last season, and between this and last season, only Elly De La Cruz (41.4%), Dairon Blanco (37.7%), Jose Caballero (34.7%) and David Hamilton (34.5%) have attempted a stolen base on a greater percentage of his opportunities (minimum 50) than Crow-Armstrong (32.7%).

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With the bat, Crow-Armstrong has made contact on 78% of his swings, up from 70% last season, he has maintained the elevated launch angle he exhibited over the final three months of 2024 (16.1 degrees then, 17.1 this year) and kept his hard-hit rate within range (40.3% then, 35.8% this year). There’s enough pop in his bat that he’s capable of 15-20 homers, to go along with what’s already 40-SB ability.

Best yet, Crow-Armstrong’s defense is likely to rate among the game’s best, assuring him regular at-bats to drive up his counting numbers. There’s no question that he needs to be immediately added in all formats.

Week 4’s other top waiver wire picks

Geraldo Perdomo, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (available in 55.2% of leagues): Although the four-year, $45 million contract extension through 2029 that he signed in February might have been unexpected, Perdomo’s combination of elite plate discipline, baserunning smarts and above-average defense at three different infield positions makes him one of the game’s more underrated players.

He has filled in admirably as the Diamondbacks’ No. 2 hitter against right-handers and leadoff man against lefties since Ketel Marte landed on the IL, batting .273 with 12 walks compared to zero strikeouts in eight games. Perdomo’s skill set isn’t that of a league-winner, but his on-base ability makes him a worthwhile plug-in for so long as he remains in the top third of one of the better lineups in baseball.

Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (available in 64.5%): An elite contact hitter in the style of David Eckstein, Wilson’s 88% contact rate on his swings since his July 19, 2024 debut is seventh-best among the 260 hitters who have had at least as many trips to the plate as him. And this is in spite of the fact that he has the 21st-highest chase rate (percentage of swings at non-strikes) during that same time span.

That’s a skill that minimizes downside in points leagues, even if Wilson to this point has been an extreme ground baller with little pop in his swing. He has recently moved up to sixth/seventh in the Athletics order and is their regular shortstop, playing in a home ballpark that should inflate offense up and down the lineup.

Rotisserie-style player to add

1 Related

Jose Caballero, SS/2B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays (available in 90.4% of leagues): As mentioned above, he’s one of the most likely players in baseball to attempt a steal when presented with the opportunity, but what stands out for him thus far in 2025 hasn’t been his speed, but rather his patience at the plate. Through 33 plate appearances, he has six walks, already more than 20% of his entire 2024 total (27), while cutting his chase rate from 35% to 22%.

Taking into account his ability to play all over the field, the Rays have taken notice, starting him in four of their past five games with multiple appearances at both third base and in right field. Caballero is plenty capable of a 40-steal campaign if he’s used regularly, as he was in 2024, but he could see that total — and his numbers on the whole — jump markedly if his new patient approach sticks.

Deeper-league pickups

Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins (available in 97.1% of leagues): While he didn’t get the call this past week after Pablo Lopez was placed on the IL — David Festa instead was summoned — Matthews should factor into the Twins rotation soon. The Twins had already been mulling a six-man rotation, and Matthews has pitched excellently between spring training (9 1/3 scoreless innings with a 37.5% K rate) and two starts for Triple-A St. Paul (1.80 ERA, 36.1 K%). It’s possible Matthews could get a look in Chris Paddack’s spot in short order.

Chase Meidroth, SS/3B, Chicago White Sox (available in 98.0%): Though his spring statistics failed to impress (.146/.300/.171 rates over 17 games), the White Sox gave serious consideration to having this rookie begin the season as their starting shortstop. Instead, he reported to Triple-A Charlotte, hit three home runs, stole two bases and again posted more walks than strikeouts — he had 105 of the former and 71 of the latter for Triple-A Worcester last year — across nine games to earn a quick recall. Acquired in this past winter’s Garrett Crochet trade, Meidroth is a contact-oriented hitter whose patience is his calling card. If your league weights walks or on-base percentage more heavily, he’s well worth a speculative pickup.

Jose Quintana, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (available in 97.5%): The Brewers have a way of squeezing production out of the least likely pitchers — see Tobias Myers in 2024, Wade Miley in 2023 or Eric Lauer in 2022. Quintana is coming off a surprisingly productive 2024 of his own for the Mets. He’s one of the better pitchers at both getting ahead early in the count as well as minimizing hard contact, and in his first start for the Brewers he went sinker-heavy, generating a 55% ground ball rate. Quintana is a pitcher best used for matchup-seekers, but since the Brewers are starved for starting pitching and are paying him $4 million, he should see plenty of chances in that regard.

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Track & Field Beings Indoor Season at Vanderbilt’s Winter Commodore Challenge

Published

10 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s track and field team begins its 2025-26 season at Vanderbilt’s Commodore Winter Challenge, Saturday, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center in Nashville.

The meet is Austin Peay’s first of five in the indoor campaign’s regular season and also the first of three times the Govs will travel to the Music City ahead of the spring’s outdoor season.

Led by third-year head coach Asha Gibson-Smith, the Governors return 21 athletes including Taylin Segree who was a four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week and qualified for the USATF U20 Championships last season.

Gibson-Smith also welcomed six veteran newcomers in transfers Holly Harding (Lindenwood), Mallory Hodge (Eastern Kentucky), Laure Marie Kidakula (Georgia State), Mariah Mitchem (Coker University), Raven Payne (Bellarmine), and Zoe Spann-McDonald (West Virginia State). The Govs’ newcomer class features a quartet of freshmen, with Emily Bey, Molly Brown, China Giaimo, and Te’Onja Hinds set to begin their collegiate careers at Vanderbilt’s meet.

Saturday’s events begin in the field at 8:30 a.m. with Marcia Dejesus, Giaimo, and Emma Tucker competing in the weight throw. At the same time, Ja’Kyah Montgomery will be competing in the high jump. APSU concludes the day at 3:55 p.m. with Taylah Upshaw competing in the 1,000-meter.

Saturday’s meet will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Jake Lyman on the call. Live results are available at the link atop this article.

Up Next

Austin Peay returns to action in mid-January when it returns to Nashville to the Vanderbilt Invitational, Jan. 16-17, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center

Austin Peay Competition List

Weight Throw (8:30 a.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker

High Jump (8:30 a.m.) – Ja’Kyah Montgomery

Pole Vault (10 a.m.) – Myra Eriksson

Long Jump (11:30 a.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik

60m Hurdles Prelims (12 p.m.) – Molly Brown, Nevaeh Schmeling, Zoe Spann-McDonald

Shot Put (12:30 p.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker

Triple Jump (2:30 p.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik, Ja’Kyah Montgomery

300m (2:35 p.m.) – Isis Banks, Alijanae Cole, Seven Pettus

600m (3:15 p.m.) – Alexis Arnett, Mia McGee, Taylin Segree

1000m (3:55 p.m.) – Taylah Upshaw

Follow the Govs on Socials

For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 track & field season, follow the Governors on X and Instagram (@GovsXCTF) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com

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Sports

Tharayil Competes in Heptathlon to Kick Off Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season

Published

27 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Men’s Track and Field | 12/5/2025 6:55:00 PM

Findlay, Ohio – First-place finishes in shot put and 1,000 meter helped senior Justin Tharayil grab third-place in the heptathlon with 3,900 points at the 2025 Oiler Opener and Multi, hosted by Findlay University. He finished behind Camden St.John of Findlay and first-place Nick Farfoglia of conference foe Wittenberg, who had 4,556 points.

Tharayil posted first-place finishes in shot put (10.89m), and 1000 meter (3:02.56), and took second in high jump (1.80m). His high jump and shot put marks make it a career-best for the senior. He also had a 3.10m mark in pole vault to help solidify his third-place ranking. His 3,900 points is a career-best in the heptathlon.

Scored Events

60m – 7.91 (4th)

Long Jump – 5.86m (3rd)

Shot Put – 10.89m (1st)

High Jump – 1.80m (T-2nd)

60m Hurdles – 9.84 (3rd)

Pole Vault – 3.10m (3rd)

1000m – 3:02.56 (1st)

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison travels to Springfield, Ohio to compete in the Tiger Opener hosted by Wittenberg University tomorrow Saturday, December 6.

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Sports

Season Preview: Men’s Indoor Track and Field Ready to Build off Previous Seasons

Published

43 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. The Hartford Men’s Track and Field team is eager to start the upcoming indoor season. The Hawks come off the heels of a Conference Championship a season ago, as well as a 14th place finish in the NCAA Division III New England Championship. The group looks to build on last year’s success to push themselves even further in the 2025-26 season.

Familiar Faces:

Head coach Connor Green comes back for his third year at the helm of both the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field coach. He welcomes back 34 returners who look to make their mark following a successful season last year. Amongst the top returners is sophomore Aidan Lybarger (South Burlington, Vt.) who last year was honored as USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region in Discus, CNE All-Conference First Team (Discus), as well as becoming a school record holder (Outdoor Discus – 52.49 Meters).

“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season overall, especially from the throwers perspective. We all have gotten a lot better from last year which is amazing.” Lybarger said.

Senior Peter Effinger (Washingtonville, N.Y.) is also a key returner for the Hawks, coming off a CNE Academic All-Conference season, a year ago.

“I’d like to go out and have a good season, set some PRs, and hopefully win another championship. Continue with hard training, making good progress in workouts, and trying to get under those milestones.” said Effinger.

Another key returner is junior Thomas Yonkers (Farmington, Conn.), who last season was honored as CNE Academic All-Conference, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, School Record (Outdoor Pole Vault – 4.25 Meters).

“I think we’re looking to get back to the CNE and win the conference again, and we’re looking like a good team like last year. I’m most excited to see how the freshmen really develop their spots on the team. We’ve got a couple new vaulters, who I’m really excited to see this year in their first college season. ” Yonkers said.

Season Outlook:

The Hawks will begin their season at the Yale invitational on Dec. 6th. Following that event they will take on the Wesleyan University Invitational on Jan. 24th. They will also compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Jan. 31st. The Hawks will close out the indoor track and field season at the NCAA Division III New England Championships in Boston at the New England at the Track of New Balance.

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

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Kentucky Track and Field Opens 2025-26 Indoor Season at Commodore Winter Challenge – UK Athletics

Published

59 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats track and field team is set for the start of a new indoor season this Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. at the Commodore Winter Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.

For the first event of the new season, the Wildcats will send 45 total athletes to Nashville, competing across 21 separate events. The travel list for the weekend’s event is highlighted by returners Camden Bentley, Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, Stacey Onyepunuka, Kate Powers and Emmi Scales on the women’s side and Grayson Brashear, Patrick Faust, Miles Jones, Devin Sealey and Anthony Waterman on the men’s side.

The Wildcats welcome 40 total newcomers to the 2025-26 roster, including 22 on the men’s side and 18 on the women’s side. Of the 40 new additions, 30 feature as true freshman, looking to make their collegiate debut this weekend for the Wildcats.

During the indoor portion of the 2025-26 schedule, the Wildcats will compete in eight meets, beginning with tomorrow’s event in Nashville. Following the turn of the calendar, Kentucky will host the Rod McCravy Memorial on Jan. 9-10 at the Norton Center in Louisville, Ky.

The final stretch of the regular season for the Cats consists of the Crossroads of America Invitational (Jan. 23-24), Razorback Invitational (Jan. 30-31) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and the Tiger Paw Invitational on Feb. 13-14.

For the second consecutive season, the Texas A&M Aggies will play host to the 2026 SEC Indoor Championships at the Fasken Indoor Track & Field Facility in College Station, Texas on Feb. 26-28. The 2025-26 indoor season will conclude on Mar. 13-14 in the Cats’ second trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the NCAA Championships.

On Saturday in Nashville, Kentucky will compete against fellow SEC programs Tennessee and host Vanderbilt, as well as Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Belmont, Chattanooga, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Competition for the Commodore Winter Challenge in Nashville is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, starting with Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers and Addison Stadsholt representing the Wildcats in the women’s weight throw event.

Event Schedule

Commodore Winter Challenge: Saturday, December 6: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME
Women’s Weight Throw	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s High Jump	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Kemarah Howard
Men’s High Jump	9:30 a.m.	FINAL	Devin Sealey
Men’s Long Jump	11:00 a.m.	FINAL	Kingi McNair
Men’s Pole Vault	11:00 a.m.	FINAL	Grant Harrison, Jack Marek
Men’s Weight Throw	11:30 a.m.	FINAL	Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad, Cian Crampton
Women’s Long Jump	12:30 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, Julia Gunnell, Kemarah Howard, Skyler Reynolds
Women’s 60m Hurdles	1:00 p.m.	PRELIMS	Dahlia Beasley, Camden Bentley, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, Kori Martin, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Alene Washington
Men’s 60m Hurdles	1:25 p.m.	PRELIMS	Anthony Waterman
Women’s Shot Put	1:30 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, Meagan Ewers, Julia Gunnell, Gwyneth Lori, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s 60m	1:45 p.m.	PRELIMS	Briley Cline, Sharmelle Holmes, Naseera Efua Quansah, Briana St. Louis
Women’s Pole Vault	2:00 p.m.	FINAL	Kaylee Daniel, Annie Murphy, Chelsea Wetzel
Men’s 60m	2:00 p.m.	PRELIMS	Coy Hyre, Miles Jones, Jack Marek, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Men’s 60m Hurdles	2:45 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Women’s 60m Hurdles	2:55 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Men’s 60m	3:05 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Women’s 60m	3:15 p.m.	FINAL	TBD
Men’s/Women’s Triple Jump	3:30 p.m.	FINAL	Theo Mudzengerere
Men’s Shot Put	3:30 p.m.	FINAL	Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad
Women’s 300m	3:35 p.m.	FINAL	Dahlia Beasley, A’Laji Bradley, Briley Cline, Tressia Davis, Hannah Douglas, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, JahQueen McClellan, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Briana St. Louis, Alene Washington
Men’s 300m	3:55 p.m.	FINAL	Tyrique Johnson, Brandon Nyandoro, TK Pahuwa, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Women’s 600m	4:15 p.m.	FINAL	Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera
Men’s 600m	4:35 p.m.	FINAL	Patrick Faust
Women’s 4x400m	5:05 p.m.	FINAL	Kentucky
Men’s 4x400m	5:20 p.m.	FINAL	Kentucky

Follow Kentucky Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook, Instagram, X, and UKathletics.com.

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Sports

Cyclones meet St. Thomas for NCAA Volleyball Championship first round – Iowa State Daily

Published

1 hour ago

December 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Iowa State volleyball team will return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season. The No. 23 Cyclones (22-7, 12-6 Big 12) will face the St. Thomas Tommies (21-9, 11-5 Summit League) in the opening round.

“This is the first time I get to experience something like this, and I’m just really happy I get to experience it with this group of girls in this program,” senior middle blocker Tierney Jackson said. “I’m ready to have a long run in Minnesota.”

Iowa State will be participating in its 18th NCAA Tournament, while the Tommies are making their first appearance in program history.

This is the first postseason St. Thomas is eligible to compete in after elevating to the Division I level for the 2021 season. The Tommies won their first Summit League Tournament, making them undefeated in Division I postseason play.

The Tommies secured their NCAA Tournament berth by claiming the Summit League title. St. Thomas defeated No. 1 seed South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament championship.

The Tommies are the only team to defeat the Jackrabbits over the past two seasons, winning in 2024 and 2025.

The Summit League champion has not won an NCAA Tournament match for 28 seasons. The last tournament victory for the conference came in 1977 — a five-set win for Oral Roberts over Arizona.

The Big 12 does not hold a conference tournament, giving its automatic NCAA bid to the regular-season champion.

No. 8 Arizona State (26-3, 17-1 Big 12) had a near-perfect conference schedule, their one loss coming to the Cyclones on Oct. 31. The Halloween victory was Iowa State’s biggest win of the season.

“I am super excited to make the tournament and continue on our run with my favorite group of girls, and we’re excited to go to Minnesota,” senior setter Morgan Brandt said.

Iowa State team in huddle after loss against Kansas State, Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa, Nov. 29, 2025. (Jaxon Carr)

Brandt was the Big 12 Setter of the Year and leads all active Big 12 players with 3,736 career assists. She also led a Cyclone offense that topped the conference in assists at 13.03 per set.

Iowa State occasionally switched from a 5-1 to give sophomore setter Ava Martin opportunities.

St. Thomas had an impressive nonconference schedule, with its best win coming against Big Ten opponent Northwestern. The Tommies won seven straight matches after defeating Northwestern, a program best since joining Division I.

The match will be played at Minnesota’s Maturi Pavilion, a venue where St. Thomas has already taken a set this season. The Tommies took a set from then-No. 11 Minnesota on Aug. 31, the first set victory against a ranked opponent in program history.

While the Cyclones are favored in this matchup, they have lost their last two matches, while the Tommies have won five straight.

These teams have met once before. In 2021, Iowa State swept St. Thomas in the same building as part of the Diet Coke Classic. The only active player from that match is Iowa State redshirt senior defensive specialist Paula Krzeslak. She has appeared in 94 matches across her Cyclone career.

Both head coaches have led their programs for more than 20 years. Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 21st season with Iowa State, and Thanh Pham is in his 23rd season at St. Thomas. Pham coached the Tommies to a Division III national championship in 2012, while Johnson-Lynch has guided Iowa State to two Division I regional finals (2008, 2011).

“We never want to take the day for granted,” Johnson-Lynch said. “So we’re excited to get up there and get going.”

St. Thomas will play Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Maturi Pavilion and will stream on ESPN+. The winner will advance to face either No. 4 seed Minnesota or Fairfield in the second round Saturday.

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Sports

Pilots Open Indoor Season at BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Event: BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
Host: Boston University
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2024
Location: Boston University Track and Tennis Center (Boston, Mass.)
Live Results: PortlandPilots.com
Live Video: PortlandPilots.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & PILOTS’ ENTRIES
• Women’s Mile: 9 a.m (PT) | Rose Perotin
• Men’s 3000m: 11:40 a.m (PT) | Mark Milner
• Men’s 5000m: 4:15 p.m (PT) | Jonas Price

THIS WEEK
• The Pilots are set to compete at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, hosted by Boston University in Boston. They will be represented in three events.
• Live results and video streaming are available on PortlandPilots.com.

Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or by downloading the Portland Pilots App. For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.

Donate Today
Fans interested in making a contribution to the Pilot Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly helps our nearly 300 student-athletes as they strive to make a difference in our community and achieve academic and athletic excellence. Thank you for support of Pilot Athletics!

Follow Along With the Action
Get the latest news and information about your favorite University of Portland athletic programs by visiting PortlandPilots.com. You can also follow along for the most dynamic coverage and team-centric content by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.

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