Mike Foltynewicz (SP, ATL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: While the Braves' starting rotation from the beginning of the year continues to change, one constant has been 25-year-old Mike Foltynewicz. Folty has managed to keep a winning record of 7-5 for a team playing .500 ball right now and has logged 10 quality starts in 17 tries. His 3.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 7.86 K/9 seem pedestrian and replacement-level at best, but they don't tell the story of his recent improvement. In his last five starts, Foltynewicz has a 2.67 ERA and he's striking out almost a batter per inning.

Once thought to be a hard-throwing prospect given his 6'4" frame, Folty has actually gone down in velocity by three miles per hour on his fastball since his rookie year. This is by design, however, as he has struggled with control and health since joining Atlanta. He relies more on his slider now, which has proven to be a plus pitch for him. Foltynewicz is more efficient than he is exciting, but if he keeps improving command of the zone, he could prove to be a deep-league sleeper with the ability to notch more victories and provide healthy ratios.