RADIO
We’re through five weeks of the fantasy baseball, you still with us? Thanks to the volume of pitchers that are going at any one time across the league, there are almost always candidates to look at with dreams of striking it rich.
I’m here to put together some starting pitchers for your waiver considerations. Protocol dictates sticking to players who are owned in <50% of leagues.
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets
Juan Nicasio (PIT, SP/RP) – 48% - He’s 3-3 with 32 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings despite a modest 7.5% swinging strike rate. His .277 BABIP is below his career .316 rate and walks are a constant threat. He’ll face the Reds in a road start on May 10 in a plus matchup, but he’s not a must-start.
Jerad Eickhoff (PHI, SP) – 45% - Eickhoff has been dealing with some poor luck lately, but he continues to give the Phillies strong innings all the same. His “blah” 1-4 record comes with the Philadelphia territory, but 34 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings points to the 3.45 SIERA rather than the 4.21 ERA. He’ll test his luck in Atlanta against the Braves on May 11 in a good matchup next.
Steven Wright (BOS, SP/RP) – 46% - This knuckleballer is continuing his hot start with 31 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings so far in 2016. Please be aware that his 1.67 ERA is backed by a 4.18 SIERA, and the .247 BABIP is fairly low (though knuckleballs are unorthodox). The 31-year-old is a solid streamer with a strong Red Sox offense backing him and will take on the Yankees in the Bronx next on May 8.
Kevin Gausman (BAL, SP) – 43% - Gausman is sporting a mid-to-upper 90s fastball in the early going, and while his skills are legitimate, these current numbers are unsustainable. His 1.42 ERA and 0.68 WHIP are backed by a .176 BABIP (.294 career) and his SIERA sits at 3.73. He’ll take on the Twins in Minnesota on May 10 next.
Luis Severino (NYY, SP) – 39% - I’ll say it again: Severino is suffering from the same condition as teammate Michael Pineda (but with worse results). He’s relentlessly pounding the zone and not making hitters think enough. He’s only walked five batters in 25.2 innings, yet has a terrible .363 BABIP (.265 last season) and a 63.2% strand rate, which is below average. He’ll look to score his first win on May 8 against the Red Sox at home, but this is a “bench-and-see” start.
Bartolo Colon (NYM, SP) – 36% - Colon is rocking a 3.26 SIERA to back his strong 2.82 ERA. He’s throwing his changeup a little more and his slider a little less, which might be assisting with fastball effectiveness. He isn’t going to twirl a 12 K shutout, but the Mets give him solid chances of picking up the W and his elite control allows him to keep a lid on potential damage. He enjoyed two nice matchups last week and will face the Dodgers on the road on May 12 next.
Josh Tomlin (CLE, SP) – 34% - Tomlin’s 4-0 record makes him a standout, and the 3.13 ERA and 1.09 WHIP fill out the enticing profile. His 16 strikeouts in 23 innings won’t win any leagues on its own, but he has only walked two batters to go along with that. In case you can’t tell, that’s quite good and really helps his cause. He draws a tough assignment against the Royals at home on May 8 next.
Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS, SP) – 32% - The plan is for Rodriguez to make one more rehab start in Triple-A on May 8 where he’ll throw 100 pitches. He then should be activated for his next turn assuming nothing goes awry.
Adam Conley (MIA, SP) – 32% - Conley continues to put together dominant stretches, as he twirled 7.2 no-hit innings against the Brewers last week and followed that up with a two-hit outing (in 5 1/3 innings) against the Diamondbacks on May 5. He has 34 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings so far with a strong 10.8% swinging strike rate and a 3.74 SIERA. He’ll face the Brewers again at home on May 10.
Tyler Chatwood (COL, SP) – 32% - Chatwood is now “Road Warrior”. He is 4-0 away from Coors with a 0.33 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. He hasn’t gotten cupcake starts either, taking down the Diamondbacks twice, the Cubs and the Padres. He has struggled in his two home starts, so his splits will be tested with a home start on May 9 with his third matchup against Arizona.
Tyler Glasnow (PIT, SP) – 24% - Nothing new here, same old dominance of minor league competition. He’s definitely a wise stash, but the Pirates are notorious for keeping their prospects in the minors until after the Super Two deadline. He has a 2.08 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 26 Triple-A innings so far.
Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP) – 21% - DeSclafani suffered a setback during a rehab start on April 29 as he felt discomfort in his oblique (which is what originally hurt him). He’s still a decent stash thanks to the upside he flashed in the second half last season, but he’s been shut down for a bit until the issue clears up.
Sean Manaea (OAK, SP) – 19% - Manaea has struggled to leave a mark in his first two starts, notching two no-decisions with nine strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA in 10 innings. He takes on the powerful Red Sox lineup in Fenway on May 10 next. Owners will want to bench him and see if he can prove his worth.
Lucas Giolito (WAS, SP) – 17% - Yet another top pitching prospect that will take a while to see the majors. His case isn't helped by his current 0-2 record and 5.30 ERA through five starts at Triple-A, but he is still absolutely at op top talent to be coveted.
Nathan Karns (SEA, SP) – 17% - Karns has 29 strikeouts in 28.1 innings with a 3-1 record, making him worthy of streaming attention. He also gets to pitch in spacious Safeco Field, where he’ll take on the struggling Angels on May 13 next. If he reins in the walks then he could be worthy of more than just streaming, but this seems unlikely.
Nathan Eovaldi (NYY, SP) – 16% - Eovaldi is 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA, so why should anybody care? I’m glad you asked. His 3.27 SIERA before Saturday’s great outing, alongside the 37 strikeouts in 37.2 innings, points to his high ceiling. Not to mention he has a 55.5% ground ball rate, meaning he is doing well to limit the big hits. Except for when he doesn’t, as his 1.43 HR/9 is over double his career rate of 0.67. Buy now before all of these rates stabilize at what appear to be their true rates. He gets the Royals at home on May 12 next.
Blake Snell (TB, SP) – 15% - Looked great in his spot start debut against the Yankees, but he just doesn’t have a rotation spot in the foreseeable future.
Rubby De La Rosa (ARI, SP) – 14% - De La Rosa has serious talent but his inconsistency is crippling. His 32 strikeouts in 29.1 innings speak to the potential, and his 4.60 ERA has a 3.37 SIERA behind it thanks to said whiff-inducing pitches and 53% groundball rate. Unfortunately he cannot be recommended for his next turn, as it comes at Coors Field on May 9.
Jesse Hahn (OAK, SP) – 12% - Hahn pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Astros in his first start on April 30, but struggled against the Orioles in Baltimore on Saturday when he gave up five runs (four earned) with zero strikeouts. After one good start and one bad, his next turn will be a good test on the road against the Rays.
Julio Urias (LAD, SP) – 12% - Urias has been talked about as being a call-up candidate, though the buzz has been tied to a bullpen role. All the same, his talent makes for an intriguing stash.
Nick Tropeano (LAA, SP) – 9% - Tropeano has a 1-1 record with a useful 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. The Angels’ rotation is really hurting, so his rotation spot should be secure moving forward. His 12.0% swinging strike rate is a welcome sight, though his 3.42 ERA has a 4.79 SIERA behind it. Tread carefully when he takes on the Rays at home on May 8 (and then in Seattle on May 13), but streamers targeting strikeouts should snatch Tropeano.
Kendall Graveman (OAK, SP) – 7% - Graveman is entrenched as a solid AL-only streamer thanks to a heavy dose of grounders (53.9% thus far) mixed with decent strikeouts (25 in 28 2/3 innings). His 3.66 SIERA says he’s been better than his 4.40 ERA, though the notion will be tested as he faces Baltimore on the road on May 8.
Jon Gray (COL, SP) – 6% - Gray is easily my favorite low-owned pitcher. Here are some quick-hitter reasons as to why: He has 28 strikeouts to six walks in 21 2/3 innings so far. His 5.40 ERA masks a 2.52 FIP and 2.11 xFIP. That .352 BABIP will continue to fall. He just threw seven innings of one-hit ball (with two walks and five strikeouts) against a strong Giants lineup. His road numbers are impeccable, so his next start will be a good test for his mixed-league viability as he faces the Mets at home on May 13.
Homer Bailey (CIN, SP) – 4% - Bailey, like his teammate DeSclafani, suffered a setback last week and there’s no timetable for his rehab assignment to pick things back up (he's playing catch as of now). He’s still a decent stash in deeper leagues, but keep an eye on his recovery.
Jameson Taillon (PIT, SP) – 4% - Taillon has pitched 30 1/3 innings in Triple-A, owning a 2-0 record with 26 strikeouts, a 1.19 ERA and 0.76 WHIP thus far. He might get the call before Glasnow even, though the same caveat holds for Taillon as Pittsburgh will keep their young players in the minors for control purposes.
John Lamb (CIN, SP) – 3% - Lamb did well in his season debut, throwing six innings of one-run ball against the Giants on May 3. He has a ways to go before he’s a mixed league option, but if he does well on May 8 at home against the Brewers then owners will have to take a serious look at him.
Tim Lincecum (FA, SP) – 2% - Lincecum worked out for many teams on Friday, sitting comfortably at 90-91 MPH with his fastball through his 41-pitch showcase. Many teams are tied to him, notably the Angels thanks to their myriad of injuries, so those in very deep leagues should monitor the situation.
Ivan Nova (NYY, SP/RP) – 1% - Nova enters the rotation as C.C. Sabathia hit the disabled list, and while he’s struggled in the past, his bullpen work thus far has been admirable. His 5.14 ERA hides a 2.72 SIERA which is fueled by only issuing one free pass in 14 innings while generating grounders at a 66% clip. If he can carry those traits into his start on May 9 at home against Kansas City, then he can be useful in AL-only leagues.
Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)
Fantasy Baseball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
