Jimmy Nelson (SP, MIL) - Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: The last time we saw Jimmy Nelson in the majors for the Milwaukee Brewers, he turned in a career year and finished ninth in the NL Cy Young voting with a 3.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, and 10.2 K/9 in 175.1 IP across 29 starts. The bad news is that this occurred in 2017, and Nelson has been forced to take an extended hiatus due to ongoing shoulder issues. The good news is that the former Alabama Crimson Tide has looked reminiscent in his attempts to return, and that could soon mean a spot in the Brewers rotation.

Nelson, now 29, has pitched 24 innings across five games (four starts) for Triple-A San Antonio this season. In that time he has encouragingly put up a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, and while he has been walking more batters with a 4.5 BB/9 and allowing 1.1 HR/9, he has been throwing for a bewildering 10.9 K/9. "Big Sweat" may not have the easiest time making his way back to Miller Park with guys like Zach Davies and Brandon Woodruff holding down the Milwaukee rotation, but there is certainly a window of opportunity when guys like Jhoulys Chacin or Freddy Peralta are struggling or hurt. With a fastball of 94.5 MPH, an often-used curveball clocking in at 84.5 MPH, and a slider touching 89 MPH, Jimmy Nelson will be a true force to be reckoned with if promoted back to the MLB. As a starter for a championship-contending squad, that would make the strikeout-heavy starter particularly primed for statistical success.