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Fantasy baseball waiver wire

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Fantasy baseball waiver wire

  • Todd ZolaMay 26, 2025, 10:00 AM ET

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      Todd Zola is contributing writer for fantasy baseball at ESPN, specializing in game theory and player analysis. Todd is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. He won LABR and Tout Wars championships in 2016.

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.

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    Sports

    NCAA Volleyball Regional Schedule Set

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    December 8, 2025

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    BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The fourth-seeded Indiana volleyball team (25-7, 14-6 B1G) will play in the Sweet 16 for just the second time in program history. The NCAA announced start times and dates for next week’s regional semifinals on Sunday (Dec. 7) afternoon. The Hoosiers will play top-seeded Texas at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday (Dec. 12) afternoon at Noon ET on ESPN.

     

    Following the greatest regular season in program history, IU was awarded a top-16 national seed and the chance to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers made quick work of their first two matchups, sweeping Toledo and fifth-seeded Colorado in Bloomington to advance to the Sweet 16.

     

    IU is one of five Big Ten programs remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 schools left in the big dance, IU is one of two teams (Cal Poly) that didn’t make the big dance last year. The Hoosiers have already set a single-season program record for wins (25) and will attempt to advance to the regional final for the first time in program history.

     

    The other matchup in the Austin Regional will pit second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded Wisconsin against each other. Their match will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of IU’s. The winners of both regional semifinals will meet on Sunday (Dec. 14) afternoon for a spot in the national semifinals in Kansas City.



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    Louisville volleyball NCAA Tournament bracket, Texas A&M vs UofL game

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    December 8, 2025

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    Dec. 6, 2025Updated Dec. 7, 2025, 6:08 a.m. ET

    After defeating Marquette 3-2 in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday night, No. 2 Louisville will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, and take on No. 3 Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 at 7 p.m. Friday.

    This will be the Cardinals’ seventh consecutive regional appearance but first with Dan Meske as head coach.

    Here’s everything you need to know to keep up with the match from home:

    No. 2 seed Louisville versus No. 3 seed Texas A&M will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2.

    Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN2 via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

    Those without cable can access ESPN2 via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.

    Buy Louisville volleyball tickets here

    After defeating Marquette, UofL will play Texas A&M in the Lincoln, Nebraska, Regional Friday at 7 pm. Here’s a look at the tournament schedule:

    • First and second rounds: Dec. 4-6
    • Regionals: Dec. 11-14
    • Semifinals: Dec. 18 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
    • Championship: Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri



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    The Omaha World-Herald’s Nebraska All-Class volleyball teams

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    December 8, 2025

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    Men’s T&F Opens Season at Diplomat Open

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    December 7, 2025

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    Lancaster, PA (December 6, 2025) – The DeSales University men’s track & field team opened the 2025-26 indoor T&F season competing at the Diplomat Open at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday.

    The Bulldogs posted 10 MAC qualfying times/marks in the meet.

    Among the qualifying times were junior Bryce Guthier taking second in the 400-meters with a time of 52.08. It is the fifth fastest time in indoor history.  Senior Davis Trump also qualified in the 5K with a time of 16:20.32.

    In the field events, DSU posted eight qualfying marks. Junior Weston Simak qualified for the MAC Championships in both the long jump (6.52m) and triple jump (13.72m). His triple jump mark was the second best in team history.  First-year Luke Heimann also qualfied in the triple jump (11.86m).

    Junior Jonathan Castronovo took home first place in the long jump with a mark of 6.58m, the second best long jump in team history.

    First-year John Amoretti qualified in the shot put (12.33m), seniors Jonathan Eudja and Giovanni Wellington qualified in the weight throw with marks of 14.85m and 14.23m. First-year Ryan Rodriguez also quallified in the weight throw (11.89m).

    The Bulldogs won’t return to action till the New Year at the Blue and Grey Invitational on Jan. 17th.

     



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    Women’s Track & Field Turns in Multiple High Marks to Begin Season at Cornell

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    December 7, 2025

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    RESULTS

    ITHACA, N.Y. –

    The Ithaca College women’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

    Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall.

    Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.

    Aynisha McQuillar took fifth in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.61 seconds. McQuillar also ran in the 60-meter dash and posted the 11th fastest time in DIII during the prelim with a performance of 7.78 seconds.

    Lyla Powers was fifth in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:21.75.

    Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation.

    Bree Boyle and Erin Eastwood each cleared 3.54 meters in the pole vault, which is tied for 11th on the Division III performance list.

    Alexis Brown turned in a leap of 11.02 meters in the triple jump for the 17th best mark in the country.

    Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

     



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    Men’s Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at Cornell Greg Page Relays

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    December 7, 2025

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    RESULTS

    ITHACA, N.Y. –

    The Ithaca College men’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

    Anik Vossschulte claimed third in the 200-meter dash in a time of 23.32 seconds, while Jacob Antilety was seventh at 23.71 seconds.

    Matt Lokshin posted a time of 8.65 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to place third in the event. Aidan Irwin took fourth in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters.

    Quinten Lewis posted a mark of 13.73 meters in the triple jump to place fourth and Sebastien-Oliver Lacrete was sixth at 12.68 meters, while Evan Cherry secured fifth in the long jump with a leap of 6.84 meters.

    IC’s 4×400-meter relay team of Damian Simmonds, Griffin Lupes, Noah McKibben and George Nilson placed sixth in 3:34.49.

    Luke Ellor finished sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.40 meters.

    Three Bombers finished within the top eight in the 500-meter dash as Brad Kellogg was sixth in 1:09.73, Peter Tysiak followed in seventh with 1:10.74 and Matthew DeJulio was next at 1:11.59.

    Kaiden Chandler and Luke Ferrer posted times of 4:41.29 and 4:53.44 in the mile to finish in seventh and eighth.

    Raf Campanile was seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25 meters.

    Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

     



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