Justus Sheffield (SP, SEA) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 27% of leagues

ANALYSIS: After an inauspicious start to his Major League career, Justus Sheffield is emerging as the type of starting pitcher the Mariners wanted in his age 24 season after acquiring him from the Yankees in the James Paxton trade. After putting up a 0-1 record and 5.50 ERA last year in eight appearances (seven starts), Sheffield has made five starts in 2020 with a 2-2 record, a 3.51 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Through 25.2 innings, Sheffield has only struck out 27 batters but has a respectable 20.9% K% and a 7.3% BB%.

Sheffield's success has stemmed from keeping the ball in the yard having yet to give up a home run and even last year, he only had a 1.25 HR/9 rate. The lack of home runs offered up by Sheffield explains why his underlying numbers vary with a 4.29 SIERA and 3.94 xFIP and only a 2.41 FIP (as FIP uses the pitcher's actual home run rate). The Mariners only have 13 wins from their 34 games so Sheffield may not record more than a couple more wins for himself, but he has become a good streaming option and in 12+ team leagues he is a rosterable starter. As long as he continues to keep the ball in the yard, Sheffield is someone who can help your ERA and WHIP while adding in some strikeouts and hopefully sprinkle in a couple of wins at least.