Blake Snell Getting Called Up: Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 16% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: It was reported by Roger Mooney on Sunday that Rays top pitching prospect and MLB.com’s number 12 overall prospect Blake Snell would return to the big leagues on Thursday to start against the Seattle Mariners. If all goes well, he is expected to stay in the club’s rotation.

For fantasy owners, that should mean grab him right now because it looks like he is up here for good. Snell made one start already this season where he dominated the New York Yankees in five innings of one run, two hit baseball. He walked one and struck out six in that outing. Of course, it pays to look at what he has done in the minors. In 63 innings spread out over 12 starts, Snell owns a 3.29 ERA, 2.58 FIP with a 12.86 K/9, 4.00 BB/9, and 0.57 HR/9. The southpaw’s past three starts have been especially promising as he has thrown 16.2 innings, allowed only three runs (all coming in his most recent start), walked only six, and struck out 27. So... yeah, he is pretty good.

Here is the perfect way to sum up what you are getting when you invest in Blake Snell. He is not going to go terribly deep into ballgames (at least not yet) and he may occasionally have a clunker where the walks just pile up on him. But you are also getting a high-upside, talented strikeout pitcher with some unhittable stuff. With the Rays’ history of developing young pitching, Snell could very easily become an ace, so fantasy owners need to jump on him quick to take advantage of his talents. He will not be available in only 16% of leagues for long.