Matt Waldron

ActiveIL

Washington Nationals · Pitcher

Age 296' 2" · 185 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Waldron remains a fringe fantasy option as a depth pitcher competing for sporadic innings in the San Diego rotation. His early-season 2026 numbers reflect significant volatility, with a bloated 8.49 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across limited work, though he has accumulated 22 strikeouts in 23.1 innings and shows flashes of swing-and-miss stuff. The primary appeal here is upside in strikeouts if he secures a more stable role, but the ERA and WHIP metrics offer little relief for fantasy managers seeking consistent pitching contributions. Target him only as a streaming option in points leagues or as a speculative end-of-bench hold in deeper formats where rotation opportunities could expand.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2023	San Diego Padres	8	6	1	3	4.35	1.23	31	41.1	12
2024	San Diego Padres	27	26	7	11	4.91	1.26	133	146.2	40
2025	San Diego Padres	1	1	0	1	7.71	2.57	3	4.2	6
2026	3 teams▼	17	4	2	2	6.54	1.59	33	42.2	11
Career	Totals	53	37	10	17	5.16	1.34	200	235.1	69

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	2 teams▼	14	1	4	0	1	2.96	0.79	57	45.2	4
2021	2 teams▼	20	20	3	8	0	4.25	1.34	103	103.2	35
2022	2 teams▼	25	25	5	10	0	6.26	1.52	96	113.2	39
2023	El Paso Chihuahuas	20	18	2	10	0	7.31	1.60	99	92.1	30
2024	El Paso Chihuahuas	4	4	1	0	0	4.58	1.07	17	19.2	3
2025	3 teams▼	21	21	7	4	0	6.48	1.57	85	90.1	30
2026	El Paso Chihuahuas	8	8	0	1	0	1.33	1.00	22	27.0	6
Career	Totals	112	97	22	33	1	5.43	1.39	479	492.1	147

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo91.8 mph

Avg Spin1568 rpm

Whiff %17.8%

K %17.0%

BB %5.7%

Hard Hit %36.5%

Barrel %5.4%

xERA3.54

xBA Against0.235

xSLG Against0.374

BA Against0.322

SLG Against0.520

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2023

San Diego Padres

4.35

1.23

41.1

2024

San Diego Padres

4.91

1.26

133

146.2

2025

San Diego Padres

7.71

2.57

4.2

2026

3 teams▼

6.54

1.59

42.2

Career

Totals

5.16

1.34

200

235.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

2 teams▼

2.96

0.79

45.2

2021

2 teams▼

4.25

1.34

103

103.2

2022

2 teams▼

6.26

1.52

113.2

2023

El Paso Chihuahuas

7.31

1.60

92.1

2024

El Paso Chihuahuas

4.58

1.07

19.2

2025

3 teams▼

6.48

1.57

90.1

2026

El Paso Chihuahuas

1.33

1.00

27.0

Career

Totals

112

5.43

1.39

479

492.1

147