Michael Kopech (SP) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 5% of Leagues

ANALYSIS:The flamethrowing Chicago White Sox starting pitching prospect Michael Kopech has pitched 10 innings in 2018, allowing a lone run with 11 strikeouts against four walks. The four free passes are what we’re going to care about because we know the whiffs are going to be there no matter where he pitches.

The youngster has shaved his walk rate down as he advances through professional ball, from over a 5.0 BB/9 at Class A Advanced in ‘16 to the current 3.6 BB/9 right now. I think anything below 4.0 will give him a real chance to make it in the bigs, but above that is playing with fire and potentially asking for Tyler Glasnow Part 2: Electric Boogaloo.

While he is currently in Triple-A Charlotte, Kopech is moving closer and closer to the big leagues and is quickly becoming a must-stash. The fact that he is such a highly regarded prospect will make him a priority waiver add (or make you spend more FAAB), but he is worth it for the strikeouts alone.