Los Angeles Dodgers Ross Stripling: Waiver Wire

By Brad Kelly | Apr 15, 2016

April 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling (68) throws in the first inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Ross Stripling has emerged out of nowhere for the Los Angeles Dodgers after it appeared as though they lacked any rotation depth. After two solid starts, should fantasy owners now give him a look on the waiver wire?

In one of the more polarizing moments early on this 2016 season, Ross Stripling was pulled with a no-hitter in tact in the 7^th inning of game against the San Francisco Giants. While the move to take him out was met with criticism, what should not be lost, was just how good Stripling looked.

Now most fantasy owners thought that this was just a rookie catching lighting in a bottle and ignored him on the waiver wire for the most part. While he wasn’t a prime waiver wire option, it is safe to say that most owners still had their eyes on him and his next start just to see what he did for an encore. All Stripling did was go out and deliver another quality against Arizona, 6 IP/2 ER/5 K/1 BB/5 H, erasing some doubts. After two starts this season, Stripling currently sits with a, 2.02 ERA/9 K/0.75 WHIP line, over 13 innings pitched.

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Stripling was a fifth round pick for the Dodgers in 2012, but has never really ascended the prospect ranks. He is 26-years-old, a Texas A&M alum, and was a TJ Surgery recipient in 2014. The Dodgers had a game plan in mind for him as soon as they were forced to put him in the rotation in terms of his pitch count, he was only stretched out as a starter during the second half of the spring, so it is easy to see why he was pulled from his no hit bid.

Stripling does not feature an overpowering arsenal, but he does use a lot of movement and is not afraid to pitch to contact. He tops out around 93 with his fastball, and utilizes a curveball/change-up off-speed combo. He will not post crazy K numbers, but with the downward movement of his off-speed stuff and with solid fastball location, he can still navigate through a lineup and get outs.

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Calling Dodgers Stadium home is another benefit as it remains more of a pitchers ballpark, and he has shown that he can success versus some of the best lineups in the division. His next start comes against an anemic Atlanta Braves lineup, so owners can certainly feel confident in making him a waiver wire add and adding him into their rotation. Owners should ride him while he is having success, so make the move.

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