2025 NFBC 15-Team Waiver Wire Starting Pitchers (5/11)
Ryan Gusto, HOU (68.0%)
The Astros placed Hayden Wesneski on the injured list with an elbow issue, giving Gusto another starting opportunity for Houston. Over his previous four starts, he pitched only 19.0 innings with a 3.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts. His next two matchups should come against Kansas City and Texas on the road.
Last week, Gusto was dropped in 18 main events and added in two leagues ($95 to $24 and $17 to $12). A second chance at starting should lead to some teams bidding in the D-class market value range ($65).
Andrew Painter, PHI (42.0%)
The Phillies pushed Painter to 60 pitches in his first appearance at AAA on Thursday, leading to three shutout innings with one hit, three walks, and five strikeouts. He has a 3.14 ERA, 1.047 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts over 14.1 innings. Painter isn’t far off from pitching in the majors, and he should be added in all formats with length to bench options.
In the NFBC, Painter may be scooped up in most leagues where he was a free agent. There is more news about him this week, and pitching at AAA will shine a spotlight on him. Painter was added to two mains last week ($35 to $31 and $28 to $0). I expect his bids to be higher this week.
Lance McCullers, HOU (33.0%)
Before his start against the Reds (seven runs and seven baserunners over one-third of an inning), McCullers was primed to be added in many fantasy leagues. He came into that game with 12.2 shutout innings between the minors and the majors, with 12 baserunners and 16 strikeouts. McCullers should rebound in a big way over the rest of the season.
McCullers was drafted, dropped, and re-added in many NFBC main events. His poor start will scare some bidders away, but he is still worth E-class market value bids ($45). Last week, McCullers had no bidding or drop action on him.
Ryan Weathers, MIA (35.0%)
Miami expects Weathers back in the majors next week after making his third start in the minors (no runs, two hits, and three strikeouts over five innings). He’s looked sharp over 10.2 innings (1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts). Last season, Weathers offered fantasy help over his first 68.2 innings (3.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts) before landing on the injured list for over three months.
This week, his bids should be between $10 and $20 in some main event leagues for the fantasy managers looking ahead to another starting arm.
Bryce Elder, ATL (30.0%)
Over his last four starts (23.0 innings), Elder has a 3.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts. His strikeouts (6 and 8) improved in his last two outings, giving him the Sean Spencer highlight for anyone psyched about his improved outlook.
Elder was added to 14 mains last week with a high of $18 (3) and a low of $1. His high runner-up bid was $4. His recent success will push some bids over $20 this week.
Kyle Harrison, SF (23.0%)
After his recall to the Giants, San Francisco pitched Harrison in relief in two games (three shutout innings with no hits, three walks, and five strikeouts). He pitched well over his final three starts at AAA (1.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts over 15.0 innings), with an uptick in his fastball (over 95.0 mph over his last three appearances). Harrison has ace upside down the road, but his first step is earning a starting job.
Last week, Harrison was scooped up in 13 main events after news was reported about him being recalled to the Giants. He had a range of $45 to $7 on the winning side, while six teams had $17 or more runner-up bids. Due to his long-term ceiling, I expect some bids higher than D-class market value ($65).
Cade Horton, CHC (0.0%)
In 2024, Horton missed most of the year with a lat issue, leading to only 34.1 innings (17 runs, 30 hits, five home runs, 13 walks, and 40 strikeouts over 34.1 innings). He’s yet to allow more than a run in his six minor league appearances this season (1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts over 29.0 innings). The Cubs pitched him after an opener in his major league debut, leading to three runs, four hits, and five strikeouts over four innings.
A new minor league arm brings passion and dreams to fantasy teams. As a result, Horton will draw some triple-digit bids this week. The lack of depth in his arsenal should lead to some struggles when facing the batting order for the third time. He has talent, and Horton warrants some gamble bids this week.