RADIO
In last week's Deeper League NL Waiver Wire, I talked about a few batters that should see pretty consistent at-bats in the coming months. This week, I'm flipping gears to help you find a few "quality" pitchers that should amass a good number of starts, or, at the very least, be called upon from the bullpen in hold or save situations.
I have to use the term quality lightly, though. Don't think of these guys as front line fantasy options. Rather think of it in relative terms to what your other options are right now if you need starts, holds, saves, etc.
Editor’s Note: for other waiver wire options, check out RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list. It's updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
Adam Ottavino, RP, Colorado Rockies
It didn't take too long for elder righty LaTroy Hawkins to get demoted from the Rockies' closer role this season. The next man up? That would be Ottavino, recently promoted by manager Walt Weiss. Ottavino, 29, had just one save to his name prior to the 2015 season. He'll get more opportunities soon. He has slighty above-average swing-and-miss stuff, backed by his 9.07 K/9 innings for his career (and his 17.05% K/9 mark in a tiny, tiny sample size so far this season).
Grab him now, as there aren't a lot of potential saves to be found on the wire, especially at this point of the season.
Anthony DeSclafani - SP - Cincinnati Reds
Don't let DeSclafani's 2014 ERA - one that was north of six runs a game - scare you away from taking a small risk and giving the young right-hander a slot in your rotation. If he can keep the walks to a minimum and locate his his fastball, he has the chance to be a solid to above-average starter for the Reds. There may be a few bumps in the road in the early going, but it's not often you get a chance to grab a guy off the waiver wire that has the potential DeSclafani possesses. In two starts this season, he has been brilliant, allowing just two earned runs in 13.1 innings of work. If he's able to develop a third pitch, his value will soar.
Dan Haren - SP - Miami Marlins
This one is a bit of a leap of faith. Okay, it's a huge leap. But let's be honest - what waiver wire starting pitcher isn't in an NL only format league? The 34-year-old has over 2,700 innings of work under his belt. With his velocity down, I wouldn't expect too many strikeout victims. However, he still has the ability to be effective at times, and it looks as though the Marlins will keep him at the end of their rotation.
His home run totals are pretty ugly from the past three seasons (28, 28, 27 respectively), but playing in spacious Marlins park may help soften those numbers. He's posted seven strikeouts to three earned runs allowed in two starts.
