Week 21 of 2025 brings a compact set of starting-pitcher waiver options, tailored for shallow leagues but with deeper-leaning plays that could pay off in standard formats. Will Warren anchors the top tier, offering reliable volume and recent five-inning quality starts as the Yankees chase wins. Jose Quintana stabilizes the rotation with dependable innings and solid ratios on a strong Brewers squad. Jose Soriano combines strikeouts with groundball variety for a back-end slot in many leagues. Hurston Waldrep offers upside as a top Braves prospect getting a late-season shot, while Charlie Morton provides veteran savvy as Detroit managers lean on experience. In deeper formats, Cristian Javier returns to form with injury-recovery potential; Zebby Matthews brings swing-and-mmiss upside tempered by HR risk; Nolan McLean, Jason Alexander, and Ryan Bergert each offer speculative, weekend-ready options with varying ceilings. Kyle Bradish, Michael McGreevy, Sean Burke, Michael Lorenzen, and Joey Wentz close the list with a mix of floor, wins potential, and breakout vibes. Proactive rosters can maximize Week 21 by pairing safe floors with high-upside stashes, while tracking BvP and PvB data for favorable matchups.

Colson Montgomery’s arrival has flipped the White Sox’ rebuild narrative. Since early July, the 23-year-old former top-10 prospect has blended power with plus defense to emerge as a middle-of-the-order presence at shortstop, answering questions about his readiness with a 452-foot blast at Rate Field that highlighted a 6-4 win over Cleveland. He’s slashed nine homers, driven in 25 runs, scored 15, and posted an .853 OPS since the All-Star break, a remarkable turn after a Triple-A start that had many doubting his ceiling.

His breakout isn’t just about raw numbers; Montgomery has shed the mental weight that hampered him in 2024, explaining how a months-long focus on preparing and trusting his coaches freed him to let his ability take over. White Sox brass, led by GM Chris Getz, believe his development trajectory could anchor the franchise for years, with his glove at shortstop stabilizing a defense that’s carried the rebuild. Veterans Mike Tauchman and Michael A. Taylor have also stepped up in the outfield, supporting a clubhouse that Venable has cultivated into a consistent, team-first environment.

Chicago White Sox pitchers again posted short outings, extending a troubling pattern as a 3-1 loss to Cleveland Guardians deepened their post-break skid to six games. In the last 11 games, Sox starters have logged five innings just five times and only once reached deeper than five in this span, underscoring a rotation that’s forcing the bullpen to shoulder a heavy load. The relievers answered with a 48 1/3-inning, 2.03 ERA stretch, offering a silver lining as the team ponders innings management for its young arms.

Manager Will Venable emphasized the goal of getting starters to go longer, but the bullpen has carried the weight all year. Perez’s rehab starts with Birmingham and Charlotte signal a longer road back, while the White Sox celebrated Bill Veeck Night with throwback promotions—shorts during batting practice, a 50-foot hot dog, and a midgame wedding officiated by Ron Kittle—keeping the mood light amid the grind.

Overall, Chicago is navigating a tough stretch with relief depth and careful innings planning. If the rotation can stretch out even a little, the bullpen can stay a stabilizing force as the club tries to rebound after the break, balancing wins with development for its younger pitchers.

As the MLB season approaches its critical stretch, fantasy managers must optimize their rosters ahead of the playoffs. This week, several undervalued players can be targeted for FAAB bids, especially with a focus on Thursday leagues. Pitchers like Cade Horton and Aaron Civale have shown strong recent performances, while relief options such as JoJo Romero and Calvin Faucher have stepped into prominent roles, enhancing their fantasy value.

Players like Andrew Vaughn are on a hitting streak, indicating that they could provide consistent production down the line. The trade deadline may have passed, but impactful pickups remain available, making it essential to keep an eye on player trends and matchups to bolster teams for the upcoming playoffs.

As Week 19 of fantasy baseball unfolds, savvy managers should consider targeting some emerging pitchers on the waiver wire who have shown promising potential. Cade Horton of the Chicago Cubs has been on a dominant run, showcasing impressive strikeout rates and maintaining a remarkable 0.88 WHIP over his last three starts. Despite a mediocre fastball, his secondary pitches have excelled, hinting at a breakthrough that could warrant a roster spot in standard leagues.

On the South Side, Sean Burke of the Chicago White Sox presents another option, although concerns linger due to his high walk rate and potential regression in his curveball performance. Meanwhile, Cleveland's Joey Cantillo has flashed considerable strikeout upside, making him an enticing stash for those looking for pitching depth. Finally, Mike Burrows of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds out this week's list with a solid recent outing, although his inconsistency raises questions about his long-term viability.