Yordano Ventura (SP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues

ANALYSIS: It's never too early to hit the waiver wire in fantasy baseball.  If your league has already drafted, and players are available to be picked up on waivers, it's show time. With the recent news that Yordano Ventura has won the 5th starter spot for the Kansas City Royals, he immediately becomes an intriguing and potentially viable option in fantasy baseball leagues for the 2014 season. Although it's "just spring training", Ventura threw a gem on Monday night against the Rangers with 6 Ks and no walks in 6 shutout innings. If he can keeps his walks in check, then he can thrive this year while hitting triple digits on the radar gun. In 15.1 innings last year, Ventura has 11 Ks vs. 6 BBs. And in the minors last year he accumulated a fantastic 155 Ks in 134.2 innings pitched, but also yielded a concerning 53 BBs - so control will be an important factor in his success this year. I wouldn't go dropping a proven player just yet, especially with Ventura pitching against AL hitters, but if you are in a deeper league or aren't happy with an SP that you drafted then pickup Ventura off the waiver wire and see what his intriguing upside can offer you.