Drew Pomeranz (SP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: It’s easy to overlook Drew Pomeranz due to his 4.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. However, he has already tallied four wins and has struck out 56 batters in just 44 innings, making him worth a deeper look.

In order to improve his ratios and become a must-start option, Pomeranz must improve his walk rate and his ability to keep the ball in the park. Control has always been a struggle for him, as he has consistently posted a walk rate around nine percent. Not only do his control problems inflate his WHIP, but they also limit his ability to pitch deep into games. He has yet to complete more than six innings in any start this season and he has four starts in which he has failed to complete five innings. One positive change in that regard this season has been Pomeranz’s ability to throw first-pitch strikes, which is currently at a career-best 59.9%. That has yet to translate to an improved walk rate, but is at least some positive progression in his skill set.

Pomeranz has an inflated ERA thanks to allowing a 1.64 HR/9, his worst mark since pitching in Colorado in 2013. This is little surprise given the 35.5% hard contact rate he has surrendered and the relatively few groundballs he induces. If he is unable to improve these marks, he could face serious problems as the weather warms up in the hitter-friendly A.L. East parks. Again, Pomeranz has shown positive signs though, as his HR/9 has fallen to 1.21 in May.

Pomeranz is far from a perfect pitcher, but he shows enough promise in the current pitching landscape to add in deeper leagues thanks to his ability to rack up strikeouts and his potential for wins.