Ryan Yarbrough (SP/RP, TB) - Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

3 years ago by Andrew Ericksen

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 35% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough made modern Rays history on Thursday. Facing the New York Yankees, he pitched nine innings and allowed six hits, no walks and two earned runs while striking out six. It was the first complete game of his career and the Rays' first complete game since 2016.

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Yarbrough got off to a rough start to the season, posting a 4.86 ERA in April, but he has been mostly solid ever since. Thursday's complete game was of course the season highlight so far for him, but he had a solid 3.42 ERA over five starts in May. In his last start of May, he recorded a season-high eight strikeouts against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Yarbrough's best trait is his ability to limit walks. He has a 5.5% walk rate over his career and he's managed to maintain a 4.4% walk rate so far this year, which ranks in the 93rd percentile. He's never shown any promise as a strikeout pitcher. His 19.3% strikeout rate this year is right where it's always been. He has a 20.1% strikeout rate over his career.

Yarbrough should be rostered in all leagues of 12 teams or deeper. He's something of a "safe" pitcher who typically lacks high upside (apart from this past Thursday), but he's unlikely to burn you in any one category apart from maybe holding you back in strikeouts a bit. His next scheduled start is on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals.