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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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Credit: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Credit: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images /

2. Zach Eflin, Tampa Bay Rays

Eflin was never able to put together a strong full season during his time with the Phillies. But he did show improved control the last two seasons, dropping his BB/9 below 1.9 each season with walk rates of 3.6 (2021) and 4.8 percent (2022).

In correlation with that improved control the last two years (via Baseball Savant), and certainly not coincidentally, he added a cutter to his arsenal and threw his curveball more while practically abandoning his slider last season (3.6 percent of the time). If we know anything about the Rays’ organization, with the financial limitations they have, they did their homework on Eflin before signing him and perhaps have ways to further maximize his effectiveness.

Peripherals show Eflin’s latent potential, with a FIP and an xERA below 4.00 in three straight seasons and an ERA+ above 100 (100 is considered average) in three of those campaigns (100 in the other).

His right knee has been a thing for Eflin each of the last two seasons, with surgery in September of 2021 and being sidelined over two months last season with patellofemoral pain). But with health and a change of scenery, he may have needed, there’s a lot of potential here. He also has relief pitcher eligibility in Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

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