Michael Kopech (SP, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 10% of leagues

ANALYSIS: There was a lot of buzz early in the 2018 season about Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech being a midseason call-up, but the youngster’s control issues made it rather easy to dissuade prospectors. While it is likely that neither Kopech nor Eloy Jimenez accrues MLB service time in ‘18, Kopech’s recent pitching warrants some hedging stashes in redrafts.

Tuesday night saw him go seven innings with eight strikeouts, two earned runs (both solo shots to Pedro Alvarez) and two walks. His last four starts have seen him yield just six earned in 24 innings, but most important is how he has walked just four batters (against 32 punchouts). Walks were the major issue for Kopech, so there may not be a lot holding him back. Considering his strikeout upside and the fact that the White Sox have no reason to hold him back, he is a good dart throw in deeper leagues.