Framber Valdez (HOU, RP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez is slated to start again on Friday against the Angels after scoring good marks on his first test in Houston’s rotation. His first major-league start yielded five innings of one-run ball against said Halos, and this came just five days after 4 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief (and the win) against the Mariners.

His raw stuff is worth tuning in for and the strikeouts should come up soon, but his command is not quite there yet -- that pretty first start’s stat line saw him dance around three walks and three wild pitches -- and his current .160 BABIP is laughable. Just be aware is all, but pitching for Houston automatically checks off several boxes. Since Charlie Morton just went on the disabled list (and Lance McCullers will not be in the rotation again in 2018), Valdez may even get more than just spot starts for the reigning champs.