Pitchers: 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
By Bill Pivetz
Jun 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher
Chi Chi Gonzalez(21) throws to the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Starting pitchers are the easiest players to replace on your fantasy team. Five, sometimes six, starting pitchers per 30 teams equal 150 players to choose from. While some are not worth owning in a standard 10-team league, they have value somewhere. More specifically, here are three starting pitchers worth picking up off the waiver wire.
All ownership percentages reflect ESPN.com leagues.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
My colleague Brad Kelly wrote about Gonzalez earlier in the week. He is a great pitcher, but doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, eight strikeouts in 21.2 innings. He has limited his base runners so far this season, 1.06 WHIP after three starts. It’s a little inflated after giving up eight hits and three walks in his last start. Even though he owns a microscopic 0.42 ERA, owners shouldn’t get overly excited. Regression is on its way and it won’t be fun for Gonzalez nor is owners. He owns a 95.8 percent strand rate. While his next start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday could be a tough outing, he is a good add for the rest of the season. He is available in 55 percent of leagues.
It seems like the Houston Astros are calling up a rookie at least once a week. Last week it was Carlos Correa, this week it was Velasquez. He made his first start on Wednesday and got a no decision. He went five shutout innings while allowing three hits, four walks and 5 strikeouts. He was recalled from Double-A Corpus Christi, where he was 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA while striking out 37 in 26.1 innings. He pitched well enough to earn a second start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. He is owned in just 25.1 percent of leagues. If you take the wait-and-see approach, then don’t wait too long because another good start could skyrocket his ownership percentage.
More from Fantasy Baseball
- 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
- Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
- 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
- NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
- Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend
The veteran pitchers is having the best season of his career, no doubt. After 11 starts, he has a 5-2 record with a 2.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 34:19 K:BB ratio. Over his last four starts, he is 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 17:4 K:BB ratio. While his 4.5 K/9 rate isn’t good, he has enough control over his pitches to prevent extra base hits, .293 slugging percentage. Pelfrey is the fifth-most added pitcher over the last week. He makes his next start on Saturday against the up-and-down Texas Rangers. He has a great chance to pitch a fifth-straight quality start.