This is a companion piece to our 2025 Dynasty League Rankings. The opinions below are my own and do not reflect the TDG consensus.

ADRIAN MOREJON, SAN DIEGO PADRES (AGE: 26, RANK 65)

The great thing about relief pitchers is that they are the rare position group where you can find really exciting players just sitting on the waiver wire. Adrian Morejon fits that bill perfectly going into 2025. 

Among players with at least 30 IP (Morejon reached 63.2 IP in 2024), Morejon ranked 8th in Stuff+ at 123. Morejon does this with four (!!!) pitches over 110 Stuff+, including a 132 Stuff+ on the slider and an absurd 150 Stuff+ on his splitter. He does not throw the splitter much, throwing it only 8% of the time in 2024, which is likely due to his poor command of the pitch (60 Location+). But maybe he should just… throw it more. The pitch produced a .102 wOBA with a .09 xSLG. Yes, this is within a small sample. However, if he can continue to refine this pitch we are looking at potentially one of the best pitches in baseball. 

But do not mistake Morejon’s lack of command of the splitter for a control problem. Morejon managed a 104 Location+ overall, with above average command of every other pitch in his repertoire. 

What makes Morejon an even more exciting target is the potential here for a conversion to being a starting pitcher. I am by no means the first to suggest this, as Thomas Nestico was the first to put me onto this. His command and wide arsenal make him a terrific candidate for the switch. Additionally, that splitter I mentioned earlier could help to neutralize opposite handed batters, which is something I discussed around Michael King as being vital to the transition in the starting pitchers Risers/Fallers article. While it has been ruled out as a possibility this year, there was at the very least a conversation this off-season about the switch.

As for 2024, Morejon finds himself in a bit of a crowded bullpen, with Suárez, Adam, and Estrada all being great relievers in their own right. However, stuff like Morejon’s often finds its way to high leverage. For SVH leagues, he could be a valuable contributor in 2024, especially if opportunity opens up ahead of him through trade or other means. 

Because of how attainable Morejon is, he is one of my favorite targets going into 2025. You not only are likely to get above average production in 2024 and beyond as a reliever, but you also get to have an early ride on the rocket ship if he manages to translate these skills into starting gig.

DEDNIEL NÚÑEZ, NEW YORK METS (AGE: 28, RANK 61)

While there is likely no path to closing in the near future, Dedniel Núñez went extremely under the radar in 2024. With a statcast page to dream about, incredible surface stats, and a relatively open high-leverage situation in New York, Núñez has the opportunity to be a surprise producer in 2025. 

To start, Núñez checks the Stuff+ box I like to see for relief pitchers. He clocks in at 110 Stuff+, which puts him at 60th among pitchers with more than 30IP, ahead of guys like Lucas Erceg, Camilo Doval, and Griffin Jax. Núñez attacks primarily with a customary fastball (45% usage) and slider (47% usage) combo, of which the slider is the star of the show with a .203 wOBA against. He has enough control with a 106 Location+ to say he knows where his pitches are going, separating him from the likes of other waiver wire relief pitchers such as Nick Mears. 

Again, he will by no means be surpassing Edwin Diaz for a closing job, but he may be able to solidify a role as a setup man. With newly acquired AJ Minter holding down one of these jobs, Núñez will be competing with Reed Garrett, José Butto, Ryne Stanek, and potentially even spring training standout Max Kranick. None of these names are particularly inspiring. Núñez should have gained enough trust from skipper Carlos Mendoza after sporting a 2.31 ERA in 2024 to have the first crack at the role. On a team such as the Mets expected to win 88+ games, that setup role could provide lots of value in SVH leagues.

Do note that Núñez’s availability going into opening day is in question, so expect that it might be 1-2 weeks before he is back. While not ideal, it does allow some flexibility in leagues with extra IR spots, which is especially valuable during the pre-season when roster crunches begin to hit. Núñez is rostered in just 24% of leagues on Fantrax. Go check that waiver wire, or with his manager, to see if you are able to snag him before he puts together a full season that resembles his 2024.

Bonus Targets: Matt Brash, Seth Halvorsen, Andrew Walters

(Joe Juliette)