We’ve reached Week 20 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, and the crunch for getting wins and saves is on. Luckily, there should be plenty of value available as far as the pitcher waiver wire is concerned. Here’s a look at our fantasy pitcher target list for Week 20 of the fantasy baseball season.
Best Week 20 pitchers to target
- RP Bryan Abreu (Astros)
- SP Bryce Elder (Braves)
- SP Dean Kremer (Orioles)
- SP Nolan McLean (Mets)
- SP Hurston Waldrep (Braves)
With Josh Hader out for the rest of the 2025 regular season with a shoulder strain, Bryan Abreu stands to benefit.
Abreu picked up his first save of the 2025 season on August 13 and has significant potential. The 28-year-old misses a lot of bats, and he’s struck out 84 over 56 innings this season for the Astros.
Moving to the starters, it’s time to show Dean Kremer some respect. The Orioles starter has been the team’s second-most reliable starter thanks to injuries and some strong performances over the last six weeks. Since July 11, Kremer posted a 3.23 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 39 innings.
In his last start on August 17, Kremer struck out seven over seven scoreless frames against the Astros.
Next up are the spot starters. Bryce Elder faces the White Sox on August 19, with Hurston Waldrep going one day later. The Braves have played well of late, as Atlanta’s won 9 of their last 11. And, Elder and Waldrep have played a role in that.
Elder struck out six over seven innings to pick up a win on August 14, and Waldrep struck out seven over six scoreless innings against Cleveland on the 15th. Waldrep, the former first-round pick who always had a great splitter, has now found success with a cutter that’s gotten a lot of jammed contact.
Lastly, Mets fans got a good look at rookie Nolan McLean on August 16. McLean struck out eight over 5.1 IP and showed the ability to work hitters both in and out thanks to his sinker/sweeper combo.
McLean is a name who should be owned in mixed leagues.
Overview of Week 19
Week 19 was, overall, a good week for us.
Michael Wacha won his third-straight game last week, while Jose Quintana was excellent over this past week across two starts. Michael McGreevy threw a quality start, and even Cristian Javier found success in his first MLB start back from Tommy John surgery.
And, Cade Smith has proven to be a valuable reliever yet again this past week, despite no saves. The Guardians closer picked up a win against Miami.
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