RADIO
Welcome to another round of the SP Waiver Wire guide, where we’re hunting for those pitchers that will vault us over the competition. Perhaps you’re struggling through starts from Matt Harvey, Dallas Keuchel and Sonny Gray, well these guys can alleviate that.
We’re nearing the end of May, so let’s see what’s out there, ignoring the guys who have been dropped due to legitimate struggles. Note that this article was written and published early morning on Sunday 5/22. Without further ado…
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets
Kevin Gausman (BAL, SP) – 47% Owned – He just turned in a nice start against the Angels, though he couldn’t get any run support to back him. He’s good for about a strikeout an inning and has a 2.70 ERA on the season, so he should be scooped up in more than half of leagues I think. His next start is scheduled for May 27 on the road against the Indians.
Alex Wood (LAD, SP) – 44% Owned – This number may very well be over 50% by the time this is published on Sunday, but he has recorded four quality starts in his past five starts since making a mechanical adjustment. Let alone that he just struck out 13 Padres (yeah it was the Padres, but still), so he should be closely looked at.
Tyler Chatwood (COL, SP) – 40% Owned – Chatwood went six strong in a road start against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing one run to bring his ERA down to 3.02 on the season. His story is spreading now as the “Road Warrior” who makes for a great play away from Coors Field. He misses the Rockies’ games in Fenway Park and will take on the Giants in Coors next.
Adam Conley (MIA, SP) – 34% Owned – There really is nothing new here, as Conley won’t win you over with an astonishing record or pristine ratios, but his 43 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings means that he deserves attention. His 3.89 SIERA shows that he’s legitimate, and the 10.6% swinging strike rate backs up the whiffs.
Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS, SP) – 30% Owned – He suffered a setback in his last rehab start and is dealing with some knee soreness, not that he had been doing well in his minor league rehab starts anyway (10:4 K:BB ratio in 21 innings). He’s still a decent stash, but only in deeper leagues where you have an empty DL spot.
Rubby De La Rosa (ARI, SP) – 28% Owned – I know he got his start skipped and that raises a few red flags, but he is apparently all good to rejoin the rotation on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. As such, nothing has really changed from last week’s recommendation. He still holds a 4-4 record with a 3.53 ERA and 3.54 SIERA alongside 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. Four of his last five starts have seen him allow one run or less, with a strong 10-strikeout game against the Cardinals mixed in. He is a nice speculative grab in all leagues thanks to his raw talent, and if he can rein in the homers allowed then he can make a huge jump.
Wade Miley (SEA, SP) – 22% Owned – He’s quietly won four of his last five and gotten quality starts in three of those (missing on two of them by one run). He gets to pitch in Safeco Field with a decent Mariners team supporting him, and so he makes for a decent deep league add. Do monitor his start in Cincinnati on Sunday, but he presumably won’t blow up in that one.
Nathan Eovaldi (NYY, SP) – 21% Owned – Eovaldi is sitting on a 3.30 SIERA behind that mediocre 4.44 ERA, meaning you should be paying attention. The SIERA is being fueled with 45 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings, a beautiful 1.85 BB/9 rate, and a career-high 54.5% groundball rate. Despite some weird gopher ball issues, you should be buying in.
Zack Wheeler (NYM, SP) – 19% Owned – Repeat blurb: Wheeler is slated to come back around early July, and a spot in the Mets rotation against the NL East can pave the way for some golden opportunities. Command will be critical, as it wasn’t that great even before he had Tommy John surgery, but don’t forget that he struck out 187 in 185 1/3 innings back in 2014.
Tyler Duffey (MIN, SP) – 18% Owned – Duffey’s 1-3 record is more about the Twins and less about him. He actually has a decent 25 Ks in 30 innings with a 3.30 ERA (though his SIERA is 3.81), and owners may want to bench him and see how he does against the Royals in his next start on May 25. That said, his first four starts of the season were strong enough to warrant attention after posting a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts last season.
Jon Gray (COL, SP) – 12% Owned – His ownership level is still criminally low, despite the blowup in St. Louis on Thursday. Gray’s 39 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32 innings, combined with a 50% groundball rate, makes him a solid buy in all leagues. His 3.00 SIERA is much better indicator of his true talent rather than his 6.75 ERA. You can only start him on the road if you’d like, but his strikeout potential alone means he should be owned in more leagues than this.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD, SP) – 11% Owned – He’s begun his rehab assignment and is looking solid so far, so it would be wise of owners to stash him now before he has an outstanding rehab start and gives more casual folks a reason to beat you, the savvy owner, to the punch.
Michael Fulmer (DET, SP) – 7% Owned – Fulmer displayed why the Tigers sought him via trade last season, dominating the Rays on Saturday with 11 strikeouts in seven innings. He has plenty of talent beneath the surface shown thus far, though that potential was greatly exposed to the general public today. Perhaps he has bridged the gap between Minor and Major League performance now. He’ll look to build on this strong performance in a road start against Oakland on May 27.
Ivan Nova (NYY, SP) – 5% Owned – AL-only owners can check Nova out, as he continues to perform well for the Yankees with a 3.26 ERA and 3.07 SIERA. His strikeouts are down yes, but he’s only walked three batters in his 30 1/3 innings of work thus far along with a very strong 66.7% groundball rate. That said, he won’t be an ideal start against the Blue Jays at home on May 25.
Eddie Butler (COL, SP) – 1% Owned – In 25 innings he now has a 3.96 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, with two great starts under his belt against two subpar ones. His performance to date isn’t a mirage, as his 3.94 SIERA supports the surface stats thus far. He won’t be on anyone’s radar when he faces the Red Sox in Boston on May 26 though, but keep an eye on him.
Mike Foltynewicz (ATL, SP) – 1% Owned – A deep NL-only play, as he’s thrown two gems and two clunkers. He’ll test his fortunes against the Brewers at home on May 25 in his next start.
Miguel Gonzalez (CWS, SP) – 1% Owned – A deep AL-only play, as he’s (wait for it) thrown two good starts against two clunkers just like Folty and Butler. His latest start on Saturday was a beautiful game on two-run ball over six innings with eight strikeouts against a strong Royals lineup at home. His next start will be a rematch with the Royals in Kansas City on May 26.
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