2025 NFBC 15-Team Waiver Wire (6/20 – Starting Pitchers)
Every Sunday, the free-agent pool has a moving range of value based on each player's success and any injury news. For late updates, I will post them in the notes area on my Substack site.
Note: If I’m in a league with someone, I will be aware of what I've written and pay closer attention to your bids if I believe you may be looking for a similar player in a particular week. At the same time, our free agent spending during the year will have different paths. If I’m aggressive early and a competitor is not, they will have the advantage of buying power as the season progresses, and vice versa. I’ll do my best to list all players of interest, but there will be times when waiver thread lines are backfilled with low-dollar players to ensure an unwanted or injured player is released and replaced.
Starting Pitchers
Jacob Lopez, ATH (35.0%)
Lopez teased in his first start (one run, four baserunners, and eight strikeouts over seven innings) with the A’s in late May. Unfortunately, batters had their way with him over his following two appearances (12 runs, 13 baserunners, and five home runs over 6.0 innings with nine strikeouts). Lopez puts his name back on fantasy teams map after success over his last three appearances (one run, 17 baserunners, and 23 strikeouts). His season opened up with success at AAA (2.33 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 27.0 innings).
Rating: Lopez was added to 16 main event rosters last week, with a range between $36 and $4. He had 10 swings over $10. His next matchup against Detroit on the road isn’t ideal, while having double-starts (@TB and SF) the following week. His bids should creep higher than $20 this free-agent period.
Emmett Sheehan, LAD (0.0%)
After a short start outing (one run and three hits over four innings with six strikeouts) in his 2025 MLB debut (65 pitches), the Dodgers shipped Sheehan back to AAA, which appears to be only an accounting transaction. His fastball (94.9 mph) aligned with his 2023 season while featuring a slider and a changeup as his top secondary pitches.
Over five rehab appearances, Sheehan showcased dominating command (one walk and 21 strikeouts) over 11.1 innings, giving the Dodgers hope that they have another helpful arm arriving in the majors. He allowed five runs, 11 baserunners, and two home runs over this span, with a peak of 63 pitches in his final outing (3.1 innings) at AAA.
In 2023, Sheehan posted a 4.92 ERA and 1.193 WHIP over 60.1 innings with Los Angeles over 13 games. His right arm has been much more appealing over his four seasons in the minors (14-4 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.013 WHIP, and 263 strikeouts over 158.0 innings). He had a version of TJ surgery on his right elbow in May of 2024.
Rating: Los Angeles should use Sheehan behind Shohei Ohtani out of the gate. His success will be compared to that of Ben Casparius, who is also being stretched out. The Dodgers hope to have Tyler Glasnow back in a few weeks, closing off one starting opportunity if he’s healthy.
The cloudiness surrounding his short- and long-term opportunities should depress his free agent bids this week, unless the Dodgers name him as their starting pitcher for their Tuesday matchup in Colorado. His bids should reach triple-digits in some leagues.
Didier Fuentes, ATL (0.0%)
Over his nine starts at High A, AA, and AAA, Fuentes doesn’t look major league ready based on his ERA (4.81). His WHIP (1.12) and strikeouts (48 over 39.1 innings) painted a higher picture of his 2025 profile, giving the Braves a reason to call him up to make his major league debut on Friday. He pitched much better over his last four appearances (2.41 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 18.2 innings).
In his first start with the Braves (87 pitches), Fuentes allowed four runs, seven baserunners, and a home run over five innings with three strikeouts. He works off a plus fastball (96.0) while relying on a plus curveball and a show-me split-finger pitch. The lack of depth of his arsenal should be an issue early in his major league career.
Rating: Fuentes’ body of work this year won’t stand out in the free agent pool, but he does bring strikeout ability to a team that should win more games and score plenty of runs going forward. His lifeline in the Braves’ starting rotation will come from the success or failure of his outings. I only see low-level flier bids as AAA is just as close as his third start with Atlanta.
Logan Allen, CLE (39.0%)
Next week, Allen has double-starts at home against the Blue Jays and the Cardinals. His left arm has looked better over his last two outings (four runs, 11 baserunners, and 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings), but he did serve up three home runs. Allen does battle command (30 walks over 66.1 innings), inviting some blowup games, especially when adding in some home runs.
Rating: His only plus for me is pitching at home, as the risk outweighs his potential reward. Minimal bids should be required.
Michael McGreevy, STL (72.0%)
Riding McGreevy this year has a horse racing feel based on his jockeying between AAA and the majors in June. Over three starts with St. Louis, he showcased elite command (two walks over 16.2 innings), leading to a 2.70 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts. His arm has been on another level over his last six starts at AAA (four runs, 36 baserunners, and 39 strikeouts over 32.1), which screams “put me in coach” to the Cardinals’ front office.
Rating: St. Louis plays seven games next week. McGreevy lines up to face the Cubs at home. He’s pitched well enough to deserve a better major league opportunity, but his bids this week can only be based on his current role. Fifteen main event owners launched McGreevy last week, but there were no buyers. In Week 12, he drew a high bid of $134 and a low of $4, with the bulk of his bids ranging between $18 and $52, which is where they should fall again this week.
Eric Lauer, TOR (2.0%)
In his last outing, Lauer pitched five innings for the first time this season while tossing 75 pitches. He allowed one run and five baserunners with eight strikeouts. His arm has been trending over his last five appearances (2-0 with a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts over 19.0 innings). His average fastball (91.5 mph) is below the league average. Lauer upped the usage of his changeup, along with featuring a cutter and curveball.
Rating: The Blue Jays placed Bowden Francis on the injured list, securing more starts for Lauer, even when Max Scherzer returns next week. His pedigree isn’t, but he is pitching well. Lauer will draw only flier bids due to the questionable length of his starts. His next outing is in Cleveland, followed by doubles at home (NYY and LAA).