RADIO
Let’s be real. Strikeouts are a key for any successful pitcher, and for any successful fantasy team. You probably don’t have Verlander or Kershaw if you’re looking here, or even if you do, you realize the value of depth on your pitching staff. Let Rotoballer help you find some easy strikeouts lurking on your waiver wire. Also, make sure to check out RotoBaller's Ultimate Waiver Wire Watch List for more guys to watch out for across all positions.
And with that, let's get into the Rotoballer targets for cheap strikeouts:
1) Dan Straily: (Yahoo owned: 11%, CBS owned: 35%): The A’s rewarded Straily’s masterful 2013 debut by shipping him right back to the minors. It’s not too often that a starter registers 11 K in 6.2 IP and finds himself back in AAA. He’ll be the first call-up if any of the A’s starters go down, which is inevitable when Bartolo Colon is one of your starters. Straily put up nearly a K/9 in the minors and should provide more of the same at the major-league level. Be ready to pounce once he is called up.
2) Felix Doubront: (Yahoo owned: 16%, CBS owned: 46%): He is guaranteed to get strikeouts: more than a K/9 in his first full year and he started off 2013 with 6 K in 5 IP against Toronto. He still has serious control issues and will walk too many batters which will prevent him from going deep in games, but the Sox have a very, very strong bullpen, so that might be less of an issue than it would be on another team. On a promising note, Doubront issued no walks in his first start of 2013. It’s possible that he could go 180 IP this year and get close to 200 K. If he’s still available in your league, take a serious look.
3) Bud Norris: (Yahoo owned: 8%, CBS owned: 48%): Since 2009, Norris has averaged close to 1 K/IP, and he’s started the 2013 with the same ratio. Thus far, he’s the only Astros pitcher with a win, leading the team to an 8-2 victory over the Rangers in their season opener with 5 K in 5.2IP. The move to the AL hurts his value as he must now face the DH with regularity. Still, if you can stomach the 4.00 era and middling WHIP, Norris will give you some solid strikeout numebrs. Pick him up and spot start him when the matchup is favorable.
4) Ricky Nolasco: (Yahoo owned: 5%, CBS owned: 28%): There’s a lot to be said about Nolasco’s career; in short: he’s never materialized into the top-of-the-rotation starter that some projected. At this time, he’s a low-end fantasy option who can be a #8 SP on a roster. What you’ll get is 4-5 K in 5 or 6 IP. Nothing crazy, but try him if you are desperate.
