Eric Lauer (SP, SD) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 1% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The first four innings of San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Lauer’s Major League career were rough. After giving up six earned in three innings at Colorado in his debut, he opened his second start by allowing three runs to score in the first in San Francisco.

However, then he buckled down and did not let another runner score, scattering three hits over his next four innings and ending the day with seven strikeouts. It is impulsive to say that he suddenly turned a corner, but the 22-year-old rookie won’t live with a .462 BABIP and 51.1 percent strand rate forever.

Do not write him off as a nobody just because we’re spoiled with young phenoms who seemingly skip the “adjustment phase”. Lauer will face the Dodgers on Sunday in Los Angeles and has value in deeper leagues as well as keeper formats.