Dereck Rodriguez (SP, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 28% of leagues

ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Dereck Rodriguez jumpstarted his second half by holding the A’s to one run over 6 1/3 innings in Oakland, yielding three hits and walking none with five strikeouts. His peripherals do not support his level of success, but clearly, neither do fantasy owners because his ownership level reflects a 4.00 ERAs arm.

His FIP is only 3.33 this season, so it is not too far off from his 2.72 ERA, and he is 5-1 with 42 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched this season. While his strikeout rate is not great, he has also walked only 13 batters and allowed just three home runs in 53 MLB innings after allowing 11 home runs in 50 1/3 Triple-A innings.

While there are reasons to be skeptical of his early successes, he has the skillset to ride AT&T Park to success. Rodriguez has limited opponents to an ice-cold .206/.270/.353 line at home. Considering that he has been so good and is a nightmare matchup at home, Rodriguez is a great addition in deeper leagues.