Predicting 11 Roster Changes During the Final MLP Waiver Period

As the Major League Pickleball (MLP) season races towards its conclusion, we find ourselves on the cusp of the final waiver period – a crucial juncture that could reshape team dynamics and championship aspirations. With 55% of Premier Level matches already in the books, this waiver period presents a last-ditch opportunity for teams to bolster their rosters and make a push for glory.

Unlike other analyses that focus on what should happen, this article aims to predict what will unfold over the next five days. It’s a speculative journey into the minds of team managers and the potential moves that could redefine the MLP landscape.

Recapping the 2025 MLP Season So Far

Before diving into predictions, let’s take a moment to reflect on the action-packed season we’ve witnessed. From the scorching courts of Phoenix to the electric atmosphere in Daytona Beach, each event has brought its own flavor to the 2025 MLP campaign:

• MLP Phoenix kicked off the season with a bang, setting the tone for what was to come.
• MLP Austin saw teams battling it out under the Texas sun.
• MLP Columbus brought unexpected twists, including the retirement of pickleball’s dynamic duo.
• MLP Orlando showcased the sport’s growth in the Sunshine State.
• MLP Daytona Beach delivered a series of upsets that shook up the standings.

Each event has contributed to the evolving narrative of the 2025 season, setting the stage for this crucial waiver period.

Understanding the Waiver Period

For those new to the intricacies of MLP roster management, the waiver period is a designated time when teams can make changes to their lineups. It’s a chess game of player acquisitions and releases, with teams vying for the best talent to enhance their chances of success.

This particular waiver period is split into three key areas:

1. Premier Level waivers
2. Premier Level bench replacements
3. Challenger Level waivers

It’s important to note that any player claimed during this period cannot be retained by the claiming team after the 2025 season concludes. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the decision-making process, as teams must balance short-term gains against long-term planning.

Premier Level Waiver Predictions

Pick #1 – New York Hustlers

The Hustlers find themselves in a precarious position near the bottom of the standings. Given their current situation, they’re more likely to opt for a female player in this round. While Stephen Madonia performed adequately as a substitute in Daytona Beach, and Zane Ford shows potential despite health issues, the team’s focus appears to be on the women’s side.

Helena Spiridis, currently available on waivers, presents an interesting case due to visa complications. The Hustlers have the option to place her on a “Reserved List,” potentially opening up another roster spot.

Interestingly, there’s speculation that New York might not be prioritizing immediate on-court success. A possible scenario involves them claiming a player off waivers with the intention of trading that player to another team for financial compensation – a pre-arranged deal to boost their coffers.

Prediction: The Hustlers will likely choose between Helena Jansen, Felicity Di Laura, and Judit Castillo. My bet is on Castillo from the Hard Eights. New York could pick up Judit Castillo, drop Lingwei Kong, and then trade Castillo to a pre-arranged team.

This move would force the Hard Eights to find a replacement for Castillo. Given their slim playoff hopes, they might opt for an up-and-coming player with high potential. My prediction is that they’ll replace Castillo with Chloe Igleski, a promising talent from the college ranks.

Pick #2 – SoCal Hard Eights

The Hard Eights are in a position to pick up either a male or female player, but not both. The team’s decision to protect Tereschenko over Castillo suggests they might be leaning towards selecting a woman and potentially dropping Tereschenko, who has struggled with injuries this season.

If New York makes the move predicted above, the Hard Eights’ best options would likely be Felicity Di Laura or Jansen. Di Laura, a former All-American tennis player, shows tremendous potential and could compete with newcomer Jalina Ingram for a starting spot. With their playoff aspirations dwindling, focusing on talent development for the long term seems a prudent strategy.

Prediction: SoCal will claim Felicity Di Laura and release Irina Tereschenko. This would give them a roster including Chloe Igleski, Jalina Ingram, and Felicity Di Laura – a solid foundation for future success.

This move would then require the St. Louis Shock to find a replacement for Di Laura. I anticipate they’ll go for another promising talent, possibly one that Anna Bright has scouted. My guess leans towards either Luana Stanciu or Zoey Weil – both recent converts from D1 tennis who recently signed with the UPA. Given Anna Bright’s track record for identifying talent, I’m speculating that St. Louis will replace Di Laura with Luana Stanciu.

Pick #3 – Carolina Hogs

The Hogs have protected their starting women, Tammy Emmrich and Kaitlyn Christian. While the combination of Castillo and Christian could form a formidable Dreambreaker team alongside Ben Johns, it seems unlikely they’ll pursue a woman at this stage.

Instead, the Hogs are more likely to target an available male player and release Brandon French. The decision to leave Collin Johns unprotected suggests they believe they can retain him if no one else claims him.

The pool of available right-side players who could complement Ben Johns includes Roscoe Bellamy (SoCal Hard Eights), AJ Koller (FA), Martin Emmrich (FA), and Grayson Goldin (FA).

Prediction: The Hogs will select AJ Koller and drop Brandon French, aiming to inject new energy into their lineup.

Premier Level Bench Replacement Transactions

Between the announcement of waiver claims on Monday at noon and Tuesday at noon, teams have the opportunity to drop a current substitute and replace them with a current free agent. Based on previous patterns and team needs, here are my predictions for bench replacements:

• New York Hustlers: They’ll place Spiridis on the “Reserved List” and pick up Lingwei Kong, whom they dropped the day before for their waiver claim. This move was likely part of their strategy all along, especially if they were compensated for claiming a player off waivers.
• Orlando Squeeze: Similar to the Hustlers, the Squeeze will utilize their ability to place Tom Evans on the “Reserved List” and pick up the newly signed Grayson Goldin. Goldin’s potential, coupled with his South Florida base, makes him an attractive option for the team.
• Texas Ranchers: There’s uncertainty around the Ranchers’ plans for Hewett. They might choose to release him, allowing him to be picked up in the Challenger Waivers. In this scenario, I expect Texas to bring in a player known for great team energy, such as Martin Emmrich.

Challenger Waivers Predictions

The Challenger Level waivers present another opportunity for teams to refine their rosters. Here are my predictions for key moves in this category:

• Florida Smash (Pick #1): This seems like a perfect fit. 15-year-old Cailyn Campbell, who signed on June 10th, is likely to join her brother Cason on the Smash. Prediction: The Smash will pick up Cailyn Campbell and release Sarah Ansboury.
• Bay Area Breakers (Pick #2): The Breakers might choose to maintain their current roster. However, if Grayson Goldin is still available, his history with the organization (having subbed for them in last year’s Mid-Season tournament) makes him an attractive option. Prediction: If available, the Breakers will take Goldin and drop DJ Young. If Goldin is already claimed, Bay Area will likely stand pat.
• D.C. Pickleball Team (Pick #4): D.C. might look to upgrade their singles play, as the team excels in doubles but struggles in Dreambreakers. Prediction: D.C. will drop Stefan Auvergne in favor of either Rafa Hewett, Martin Emmrich, or Brandon French, depending on availability. My bet is on Rafa Hewett.

Compiled List of Predicted Moves

To summarize, here are the 11 moves I anticipate will occur during this waiver period:

Monday

1. NY Hustlers claim Judit Castillo from SoCal and waive Lingwei Kong
2. SoCal Hard Eights claim Chloe Igleski (free agent)
3. SoCal Hard Eights claim Felicity Di Laura from St. Louis and waive Irina Tereschenko
4. St. Louis Shock claim Luana Stanciu
5. Carolina Hogs claim AJ Koller (free agent) and waive Brandon French

Tuesday

1. NY Hustlers claim Lingwei Kong and place Helena Spiridis on the “Reserved List”
2. Orlando Squeeze claim Grayson Goldin and place Tom Evans on the “Reserved List”
3. Texas Ranchers claim Martin Emmrich and waive Rafa Hewett

Wednesday

1. Florida Smash claim Cailyn Campbell and waive Sarah Ansboury
2. Bay Area Breakers: If Grayson Goldin is available, claim him and waive DJ Young. If not, no move.
3. D.C. Pickleball Team claim Rafa Hewett and waive Stefan Auvergne

As the waiver period unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these predictions align with reality. The coming days promise excitement, strategic maneuvering, and potentially game-changing roster shifts that could alter the course of the MLP season.

Stay tuned for next week’s analysis, where we’ll explore potential trades as the trade deadline window approaches, and provide a full recap of the accuracy of these predictions. The world of professional pickleball never stops evolving, and neither does our coverage of this thrilling sport.