Mike Leake (SP, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 45% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Following the trade of Johnny Cueto, the only Reds starting pitcher likely to still be dealt is Mike Leake. Leake has been solid on the season throwing 128.2 IP with a 3.78 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 6.09 K/9, 2.10 BB/9, and 0.97 HR/9. His numbers are virtually identical to all of his numbers from his last season, which indicates that this is about as good as he is likely to get in Cincinnati.

But Leake does have one thing going for him: he may be leaving Great American Ballpark soon. This season, Leake owns a 4.93 ERA at home compared to a very low 2.57 ERA on the road. In fact, Leake has been significantly better on the road in his career (3.48 ERA in 504.1 IP) compared to at home (4.31 ERA in 516.0 IP). A major factor in his splits is the home run rates. He owns a 1.24 HR/9 at home in his career and a 0.98 HR/9 on the road in his career.

A change of scenery from hitter friendly Great American Ballpark would do him a lot of good. Mike Leake will never be a top of the rotation top arm, but a trade to another team will help him become a more consistently successful pitcher. He immediately becomes worth owning in just about all leagues the moment he is traded, and given his recent strong of fantastic starts he can be added in most leagues off the waiver wire now.