Daniel Mengden (SP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in 12+ team leagues

Owned in: 25% of Fleaflicker leagues

Analysis: Even though he has drawn praise for his "Rollie Fingers-esque" mustache, Daniel Mengden is still one of the least appreciated pitchers in the MLB right now. The 23-year old Texas A&M alum has made five starts for the A's and has a 3.48 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, and 9.0 K/9. MLB.com lists Mengden as the A's 17th best prospect, yet many have regarded him in the stigma that he isn't a great prospect who isn't supposed to "do much". That stigma is unfortunate because he has been great at every level in the minors.

In 210 IP and 34 starts since 2014, Mengden has a 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, stifles power at 0.6 HR/9, and has demonstrated excellent command at 2.5 BB/9. Most recently at the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2016, Mengden was unconscious on the mound. He made four starts for Midland with a 0.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 11.0 K/9, and didn't allow a single HR despite going a little wild with 4.7 BB/9. After advancing to Nashville and making seven starts, he left Music City with a 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 0.6 HR/9, and fixed his command at 2.0 BB/9 but his strikeouts suffered at 7.7 K/9. Just because Mengden isn't a superstar prospect doesn't mean he isn't a great pitcher and it doesn't mean he couldn't be a star. He is proving us wrong as we speak.