Dinelson Lamet (SP, SDP) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 15% of All Leagues

ANALYSIS: After a rookie campaign in 2017 in which he struck out 139 batters in only 114 innings, San Diego pitcher Dinelson Lamet seemed on the cusp of a breakout heading into the 2018 season. But Tommy John struck him down almost immediately, with Lamet pitching only five innings before his season was ended with the surgery. 14 months later, Lamet is finally healthy and returned to action on July 4th against the Los Angeles Dodgers - striking out seven over five innings, while allowing three earned runs. As important as the final line, was how quickly the velocity would return - as pre-surgery Lamet had an average fastball velocity of 95.1 mph and could dial it up to 98 - 99 mph. Lamet answered the velocity questions quickly in his return to major league action, with his fastball averaging 95.6 mph in his first start back. While he only threw one pitch over 98 mph, Lamet threw 11 at 96 mph+, which bodes well for him returning to form quickly.

While elite velocity such as his can carry a pitcher far, it's the devasting slider with which he pairs it, that really makes Lamet's upside so high. In 2017, that slider posted an absurd 42.6% K-rate, which came with an 18.5% SwStr% and a 32.9% CSW (called strikes + swinging strikes). As a comparison, Patrick Corbin's slider - universally known as one of the game's best - had a 42.3% K-rate that year.

Only 15% owned as of yet, that number should rise with every start, as Lamet looks to continue the breakout that was promised. Heading into the All-Star Break, now is the time to snatch Lamet up before he continues to remind the baseball world - and your competition in the fantasy world -  just how good he was before injury stole him last year.