Jaime Barria (SP, LAA) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 22% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria has pitched very well for the Angels of late, solidifying a role in the rotation with Shohei Ohtani and Garrett Richards on the disabled list. While Richards will be back in the rotation, it is likely that Ohtani will be slowly phased into the fold when healthy, giving Barria a chance to continue to start.

Barria allowed six earned runs on June 18, but has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts and has a 3.40 ERA in 55 2/3 innings pitched this season. While those numbers are solid, Barria does have a 4.79 FIP this season, mainly tied to a 85.7% strand rate and 1.62 home runs per nine innings. Barria has also given up 40.2% hard hit balls this season and only has a 38.7% ground ball rate while allowing 41.7% fly balls.

He only has one start this week, against the Mariners in Seattle, but this is more of a future pick than one for this week. Facing the Mariners, even in a pitcher's park like Safeco Field, is not a great matchup, but Barria has shown that he can be an impact pitcher. He is a good addition in deeper leagues as a player to hold for the future.