Jaime Garcia (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 44% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: It blows me away how much resistance there is to grabbing a share of anyone in the Cardinals rotation. Yes, Jaime Garcia has shown he consistently comes down with an ailment that stalls his season, but at this point you aren’t paying more than a FA transaction. If you’re in a competitive league, chances are someone has snagged Garcia at this point. If not, you need to listen up.

Garcia, the #15 pitcher among qualified SP in the past 30 days, has now gone five straight outings with a quality start and has yet to record a walk since his debut against the Mets. In his last turn, Garcia had easily his best outing of the year. He stifled the Royals (8 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K). Garcia isn’t going to put up 6+ Ks a night but he has shown effectiveness in limiting his free passes throughout his career (6.8 BB%).

His groundball rate is at a career high 65%, but he usually is in the high 50s and had a 63% GB rate as recently as 2013 (he only lasted nine starts that year). His .247 BABIP combined with the fact that hitters are still making solid contact 87% of the time tells me the numbers are due for regression. That isn’t to say he wont’ be useful for mixed leagues; just think SP60 instead of SP40.

At this point I would advise to buy Garcia while he’s upright and enjoy him until the DL stint comes, but be aware a hiccup is due. I would advise sitting Garcia his next outing at Minnesota considering his career splits on the road and some of the righties in that lineup. Regardless of his next matchup, he shouldn’t be able available in 65% of leagues. Act accordingly.