Week 20 of 2025 brings a well-defined waiver wire chorus for fantasy baseball rosters. Michael Wacha leads the shallow-league pool in Royals country, offering steady five-inning starts and a reliable path to wins without unsettling strikeout tallies. Cade Horton has seized his Cubs window with four straight quality frames and strong walk control, while Spencer Arrighetti anchors the Astros’ post-IL recovery, supported by a favorable xERA trend. Logan Henderson’s Brewers return and Nick Martinez’s bullpen-to-rotation versatility add depth, with Luis Severino re-emerging for the Athletics and providing a usable floor in multiple formats.

On the middle-to-deeper end, Slade Cecconi’s consistent, low-walk, five-innings-propensity profile makes him a smart pickup; Emmet Sheehan leverages a Dodgers rotation seat with improved miss rates; Jacob Lopez shows late-season swing-and-miss upside for the Athletics; and Justin Verlander, quietly, has posted a sub-1.00 WHIP over recent series and lands Washington and Tampa Bay in Week 20. Shane Smith’s White Sox continue to offer a usable floor, while Cristian Javier anchors the “other” bucket with solid strike-zone management.

Further down, Carson Whisenhunt, Cade Cavalli, Carlos Carrasco, and Hurston Waldrep are highlighted as longer-shot but intriguing targets in deeper leagues. Overall, active rosters should chase upside in Arrighetti, Horton, Sheehan, and Verlander while rotating in Wacha, Cecconi, and Severino for weekly streamability.

Carson Whisenhunt, the San Francisco Giants' No. 3 prospect, is set to make his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at Oracle Park. This move follows the placement of pitcher Landen Roupp on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation, alongside the demotion of Hayden Birdsong to Triple-A. Manager Bob Melvin expressed anticipation for Whisenhunt's arrival, noting his potential and the necessity due to current team injuries.

Whisenhunt, a second-round draft pick in 2022, has posted a 4.42 ERA in 97.2 innings across 18 starts with Triple-A Sacramento this season. With the Giants struggling with nine losses in their last 11 games and only two games above .500, Whisenhunt's debut comes at a crucial time in their pursuit of a wild card spot, currently three games behind the San Diego Padres.

The San Francisco Giants are taking a decisive step in their pursuit of a playoff spot by promoting their top pitching prospect, Carson Whisenhunt, for his MLB debut. Whisenhunt, a 24-year-old left-handed pitcher, has shown promise during his time in the minors, posting a 4.42 ERA and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings in Triple-A Sacramento. Though he hasn't cracked MLB.com's top 100 prospects list, he is the Giants' most viable option amidst a challenging season.

Originally drafted in the second round out of East Carolina in 2022, Whisenhunt stands at 6'3" and 214 pounds, and has a striking minor league record with at least 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings at every level until now. His debut comes as the Giants look to invigorate their pitching staff and keep their postseason hopes alive as they face fierce competition in the National League.

The MLB Futures Game showcased several promising young players poised for Major League opportunities. Notable among them, JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals, drafted 7th overall in 2024, is making waves with his impressive speed and batting performance. His dual potential at shortstop and second base fits the Cardinals' strategy as they aim for a playoff push.

Meanwhile, Harry Ford of the Seattle Mariners, despite being blocked by Cal Raleigh, demonstrates resilience, excelling in AAA and awaiting his chance while supporting his team. Carson Whisenhunt, now a closer prospect for the San Francisco Giants after a trade, is gaining momentum in AAA, enhancing his pitch arsenal. The Toronto Blue Jays' Trey Yesavage, with a solid foundation from college, showcases growth and readiness for a call-up amid the team's competitive season.

Carson Whisenhunt is a promising left-handed pitching prospect for the San Francisco Giants, making waves at Triple-A as he approaches his MLB debut. After a challenging start last season with a 5.42 ERA, he has drastically improved this year, holding a 3.61 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 67.1 innings of work. His stellar performance includes a commendable 2.97 ERA in his last 30.1 innings, showcasing significant development in his pitching skills.

Whisenhunt's standout changeup, which averages 11-13 MPH off his fastball, makes him a formidable opponent for right-handed hitters. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing him as he is likely to be called up soon, providing an exciting opportunity for potential contributions in the later part of the season.