Predicting Major League Pickleball Roster Changes: 11 Moves to Watch in the Final Waiver Period

As the Major League Pickleball (MLP) season races towards its conclusion, teams are gearing up for one last opportunity to shake up their rosters. With five events already in the books and over half of the Premier Level matches played, the final waiver period promises to be a crucial juncture for teams looking to make a late-season push or build for the future. In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll dive deep into the potential moves that could reshape the MLP landscape in the coming days.

Understanding the MLP Waiver Period

For those new to the intricacies of Major League Pickleball, the waiver period is a designated time when teams can claim players who are either unprotected by their current teams or free agents. This system allows for roster flexibility and gives teams a chance to address weaknesses or capitalize on available talent. It’s important to note that this article focuses on predicting what will happen, not necessarily what should happen – a distinction that sets it apart from many other analyses.

The waiver period is structured across three key areas:

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

Each of these areas has its own set of rules and implications for team composition. For a more detailed breakdown of the waiver period rules and available players, you can refer to this comprehensive preview.

Premier Level Waiver Predictions

New York Hustlers – Pick #1

The New York Hustlers find themselves near the bottom of the standings, which puts them in a prime position to make a significant move. Given their current roster composition and performance, they’re more likely to target a female player in this waiver round. The team has protected Lingwei Kong and Domi Schaefer, while Helena Spiridis remains available for claiming.

Prediction: New York claims Judit Castillo from the SoCal Hard Eights and waives Lingwei Kong. However, there’s a twist – I believe the Hustlers may have pre-arranged a trade to immediately move Castillo to another team in exchange for cash considerations. This move would be less about improving their on-court performance and more about financial maneuvering.

If this scenario plays out, the Hard Eights would need to fill Castillo’s spot. My prediction is that they’ll go after an up-and-coming talent with high potential, possibly Chloe Igleski, to develop for future seasons.

SoCal Hard Eights – Pick #2

The Hard Eights are in a flexible position, able to claim either a male or female player. Their decision to protect Tereschenko over Castillo suggests they might be leaning towards picking up a woman and potentially dropping Tereschenko, who has struggled with injuries this season.

Prediction: SoCal claims Felicity Di Laura and drops Irina Tereschenko. Di Laura, a former All-American tennis player, has shown tremendous potential in pickleball. This move would give the Hard Eights a competitive trio of young talent with Chloe Igleski, Jalina Ingram, and Felicity Di Laura.

As a ripple effect, the St. Louis Shock would need to replace Di Laura. I predict they’ll go for another rising star, possibly Luana Stanciu or Zoey Weil – both recent converts from D1 tennis to pickleball.

Carolina Hogs – Pick #3

The Hogs have protected their starting women, Tammy Emmrich and Kaitlyn Christian, which suggests they’re more likely to target a male player in this waiver round. They’ve left Collin Johns unprotected, but there’s a good chance he’ll remain unclaimed, allowing the Hogs to keep him.

Prediction: The Hogs select AJ Koller and drop Brandon French. Koller could potentially pair well with Ben Johns on the right side, providing the team with a much-needed energy boost.

Premier Level Bench Replacement Transactions

Following the waiver claims, teams have a brief window to make bench replacements. Here are my predictions for these moves:

• New York Hustlers: Place Spiridis on the “Reserved List” and pick up Lingwei Kong, whom they dropped the day before. This move was likely part of their strategy all along.
• Orlando Squeeze: Place Tom Evans on the “Reserved List” and pick up the newly signed Grayson Goldin. Goldin’s potential and Florida-based location make him an attractive option for the Squeeze.
• Texas Ranchers: Drop Rafa Hewett and pick up Martin Emmrich, potentially looking for a player who can bring more team energy.

Challenger Level Waiver Predictions

The Challenger Level waivers offer opportunities for teams to make strategic additions to their rosters. Here are my predictions for key moves in this category:

Florida Smash – Pick #1

Prediction: The Smash will claim 15-year-old Cailyn Campbell, who recently signed on June 10th, and drop Sarah Ansboury. This move would unite Cailyn with her brother Cason on the team, potentially creating an exciting sibling dynamic.

Bay Area Breakers – Pick #2

Prediction: If Grayson Goldin is still available, the Breakers may claim him and drop DJ Young. Goldin has history with the organization, having subbed for them in last year’s Mid-Season tournament. However, if Goldin is already taken, the Breakers might choose to stand pat.

D.C. Pickleball Team – Pick #4

Prediction: D.C. might look to upgrade their singles play by dropping Stefan Auvergne for either Rafa Hewett, Martin Emmrich, or Brandon French, depending on availability. My guess is they’ll go with Rafa Hewett to bolster their Dreambreakers lineup.

Compiled List of Predicted Moves

To summarize, here are the 11 moves I believe will transpire during this waiver period:

Monday

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

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

1. Florida Smash claim Cailyn Campbell, waive Sarah Ansboury
2. Bay Area Breakers potentially claim Grayson Goldin, waive DJ Young (if Goldin is available)
3. D.C. Pickleball Team claim Rafa Hewett, waive Stefan Auvergne

Looking Ahead

As the MLP season enters its final stretch, these roster moves could significantly impact team dynamics and performance. Fans should keep an eye on how these predicted changes play out and how they affect the league standings in the coming weeks.

For those interested in diving deeper into MLP analysis, stay tuned for next week’s article, which will explore potential trades as we approach the trade deadline window. We’ll also provide a full recap of the accuracy of these predictions, offering insights into the ever-evolving landscape of professional pickleball.

The world of Major League Pickleball continues to grow and surprise us, making it an exciting time for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the sport. As teams jockey for position and players seek new opportunities, the final waiver period promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping the conclusion of the 2025 MLP season.