Week 22 of 2025 brings a tight, catcher-friendly waiver wire for starting pitchers. Rookie breakdowns and back-end rotation bets headline shallow leagues, while deeper rosters get a richer pool of options. Nolan McLean and Dean Kremer anchor the top-streamers, with Bubba Chandler, Dustin May, Cristian Javier, Cam Schlittler and Cade Cavalli among the more intriguing adds. Additional depth comes from Cade Cavalli, Mike Burrows, Cade Povich, Davis Martin and Luis Morales, plus a handful of under-15% rostered arms that could surprise in the pennant chase. Proactive FAAB and daily lineup discipline are urged as the weekend approaches.

rostering, matchup awareness, and role clarity drive the week’s decisions. The piece emphasizes evaluating early-season form, pitcher usage trends, and whether a bulking relief role can translate into meaningful starts. The message: add pitchers before they wake up in your league, monitor innings, and exploit favorable matchups as teams push toward playoffs.

Oakland visits Seattle for a Friday night clash with the Mariners, with Luis Morales opposing Bryan Woo in a pivotal early-week tilt. Seattle arrives fresh off a day of rest but carries a five-game skid, while Oakland has surged 5-1 over its last six. The series is tight at 5-5 this season, and betting markets reflect a cautious but clear edge for the home team in a park-friendly matchup at T-Mobile Park.

Odds lean Mariners (-225) on the moneyline, with a 1.5-run spread and an 8.0-run total. Our modeling pegs value in the 2-pitcher showdown: Morales’ 1.86 ERA through a small sample and Woo’s solid 3.02 mark make this a low-variance start-to-start, but both offenses have shown life at times this week. Expect a tight, late-inning decision with a potential over 8.0 playing to the bullpens’ fatigue and the park’s comfortable power wind.

Fantasy angles center on Morales and Woo. Morales has flashed a stingy early-season profile, while Woo brings a strike-throwing upside that could yield a handful of whiffs. Manage expectations for cheap DFS stacks; the Athletics bullpen has been better lately, but Seattle’s lineup is capable of surging against a rookie-friendly environment. Overall, a measured, real-game bet favors the under in the early innings before a possible late-scoring flurry.

Focusing on MLB rookies for the upcoming 2025 season, several top prospects are ready to make an impact. Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs returns after a stint in Triple-A Iowa, showing promise with solid hitting and base-stealing potential. Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox boasts impressive stats in Triple-A, showcasing patience at the plate. Cole Young, second baseman for the Seattle Mariners, is hitting .349 in May, hinting at a potential call-up. Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers and Bubba Chandler of the Pittsburgh Pirates are both excelling on the mound, with each eyeing a major league debut soon.

The minors are also buzzing with talent like Konnor Griffin, who is quickly making a name for himself with a strong batting average and speed on the bases. Meanwhile, Luis Morales of the Athletics is demonstrating his great strikeout potential, making him a name to watch for future seasons. As these players develop, they could greatly enhance fantasy rosters across the league.

Dynasty managers are witnessing an exciting surge of top-notch prospects entering the major leagues, including Roki Sasaki, Dylan Crews, and Jasson Domínguez on Opening Day rosters. With early-season debuts from Nick Kurtz and Chandler Simpson, a mix of potential superstars like Roman Anthony and Jordan Lawlar are ready to make their mark. Noteworthy performances are emerging from lower minors, featuring players like Aroon Escobar, Sean Linan, and Bryce Cunningham, each showcasing impressive talent that dynasty managers should closely monitor.

Aroon Escobar has made a notable comeback from injury, hitting .386 with power at Low-A Clearwater. Sean Linan’s stellar 0.87 ERA at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga has him on the fast track to higher levels, showcasing his elite strikeout potential. Bryce Cunningham is following suit with a solid start in High-A Hudson Valley, building on his collegiate success. Meanwhile, Brandon Clarke of the Red Sox is turning heads in Low-A Salem, and Luis Morales is making strides at Double-A Midland, boasting a powerful fastball and improving command.