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5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie

By Brad Berreman

Aug 19, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (24) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (24) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees

The Yankees’ starting rotation is beginning to resemble a M.A.S.H. unit, with Carlos Rodon (elbow) Frankie Montas (shoulder) and Luis Severino (lat) sidelined by injuries. So Schmidt taking a spot, after a strong showing during spring that might have earned him a rotation spot anyway (11.4 K.9, 1.8 BB/9, 1.02 WHIP).

Schmidt pitched well last year for the Yankees, with a 3.12 ERA and an 8.7 K/9 over 58 innings (29 appearances, three starts) as he went back and forth from Triple-A multiple times. Walks were a bit of a thing over his largest sample of big league action thus far (3.6 BB/9) but peripherals (7 percent walk rate in the literal second half last year) point to that improving naturally.

If those walk numbers drop, as seems likely, Schmidt has good fantasy upside. If he happens to be pushed out of the starting rotation when others get healthy, regardless of how well he might be pitching, he should have a high-leverage role in the New York bullpen (with relief pitcher eligibility right now). That would line him up for some value in leagues that count holds, with the possibility to pick up a stray win or save here and there.

Yahoo! Ownership: 43%
ESPN Ownership: 8.4%

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