Tim Hudson (SF, SP) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 8% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Tim Hudson is the tortoise; slow, steady, but effective and reliable. He isn't flashy (4.67 K/9), he isn't blowing anyone away (88 mph fastball), and he can be boring to watch (55.7 GB%). However, he is consistent (hasn't had an ERA above 3.97 since 2006) and durable (at least 179 IP since 2010, aside from his freak ankle injury in 2013), two criteria of utmost importance to roto players.

To this point Hudson has been nothing special, with a 4.41 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 36/16 K/BB ratio over 69.1 innings. Lately he's begun to come around with back-to-back performances against Atlanta and Pittsburgh, compiling 14 innings with three runs and a 10/1 K/BB ratio. Since his first appearance at San Diego, Hudson has yet to allow more than two free passes in a game. If you remove his outing at Coors, Hudson has a 2.22 ERA since May 19th.

My concern with Hudson is he's gone to his four-seamer more often in 2015 and hitters are pounding it (see below for pitch usage and slugging percentage against). Considering his fastball has been on a steady decline the past three years, it's important for Huddy to focus on his sinker, curveball, and splitter more often to keep hitters off balance. Pitchf/x has these as his most productive pitches so far.

Tim Hudson Pitch Usage - 2015

Tim Hudson - Slugging % against - 2015

In shallow leagues roster sizes may limit owners from grabbing Hudson aside from streaming purposes, but deep leagues need to take notice and grab a share. He's got an outing at NYM coming up and is out there in 92% of leagues. Batter (or pitcher) up.