Tyler Duffey (SP, MIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 16 percent of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Tyler Duffey acquitted himself well as a rookie last season, going 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA in his 10 starts and striking out nearly a batter per inning. Despite that, he opened the season at Triple-A. When Kyle Gibson (shoulder) and Tommy Milone (being Tommy Milone) both failed to perform, Duffey got the call. All he's done since is be the best pitcher in the Twins rotation, far outstripping the early returns from the more highly-regarded Jose Berrios. In four starts, Duffey has a sparkling 1.85 ERA.  He won't continue to perform at that level, but his FIP checks in at a still-excellent 3.01. Duffey doesn't have a big arm (his average fastball velocity sits below 90 miles per hour), instead relying heavily on a curve that compares favorably to those of elite pitchers like Felix Hernandez. While it would certainly benefit Duffey to improve his changeup, he's at least not a two-pitch pitcher thanks to his command of both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, which he uses on opposite sides of the zone.