Brad Keller (SP/RP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 9% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Over the last six weeks, Kansas City Royals pitcher Brad Keller appears on the xwOBA leaderboard at No. 16 with a .329 mark, good for a tie with Luis Severino and right ahead of Miles Mikolas and Blake Snell. Sufficing to say, this fact alone makes Keller a decent add in deeper fantasy leagues

Most of Keller's strong xwOBA comes from limiting big hits with a ridiculous 59.4% groundball rate over 56 innings, but the 5.3 K/9 highlights the modest ceiling. The 8.5% swinging-strike rate implies a few more whiffs could come, but it is nothing actionable. Still, the 3.18 FIP behind the 2.09 ERA makes the 22-year-old righty worth throwing while hot.

He might not be a good addition in more shallow leagues, but he is a good addition in deeper leagues and even more shallow dynasty leagues. It is wise to remember that Keller did have a 4.68 ERA in 2017 with Double-A Mobile in the Arizona system, and only has never struck out 20% of batters at any level, but he is a good dice throw for now.