Yordano Ventura (SP, KC) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues / Target in trades

OWNED IN: 66% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Ace Ventura did not have the first-half that fantasy owners imagined when they drafted him in the middle rounds this preseason. He has followed his 2014 campaign (14-10 record with a 3.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP) with an ugly 4.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 72.1 innings.

The team reported that Ventura dealt with “lateral elbow discomfort” last season although it didn’t require him to miss any time. He sat out a month this season with ulnar neuritis in his pitching hand and just returned to the rotation July 9th. In that start vs Tampa he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings.

Not what you want to see vs a weak Tampa lineup, but this series of events may be just what fantasy owners needed that are looking to buy Ventura stock. His velocity is down on his fastball and cutter, per Fangraphs, while his first strike percentage (58.9%) is down along with his swinging strike percentage (9.0%). So what’s to like about his first half?

For starters his walk rate is down (2.99 BB/9) and his changeup his been much more effective than in 2014. It’s produced a Pitchf/x score of 2.5 and limited hitters to a .170 AVG. The advanced numbers indicate the ERA is due to improve and Ventura is still just 24 years old. There is oodles of potential here and Ventura owners may be getting impatient. Considering he’s available in 34% of leagues, you may be able to get him for free.