3 Must Own Starting Pitchers: Waiver Wire Pickups

June 26, 2014

Matthew Vazin analyzes 3 MLB sleeper starting pitchers (SPs) that are must have fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. Read about Alex Wood, Jake Arrieta & Drew Smyly.

Fantasy baseball owners are always looking for sleepers and the next big player from the waiver wire to help improve their teams. Every year there are starting pitchers who come out of nowhere to make a huge splash, and pitchers that come into the season with high expectations but don't but it all together immediately.

In this article series, I will be discussing pitchers who may still be available on your league’s waiver wire, depending on the league format, including NL-Only and AL-Only leagues. Based on ownership percentages, the SPs listed here today are already owned in many leagues - but I felt the need to emphasize that they need to be owned in many more leagues. If they are still available on your waiver wire, go ahead and add them while you still can.

Starting Pitchers That Can Give Your Team A Boost

Alex Wood, Atlanta Braves

68% owned in Yahoo, 28% owned in Fleaflicker

Alex Wood is a must-add in all formats. Chances are that he is already picked up in your league, but if he is available, grab him now as he just made his spectacular return to the Atlanta Braves starting rotation on Wednesday against the Astros. He pitched like an ace, throwing 7 scoreless innings for the win, with 4 Ks and allowing just 4 base runners (3 hits, 1 BB).

After pitching in the bullpen for awhile, the Braves were forced to insert him back in the rotation earlier than they expected due to the injury of Gavin Floyd. He entered yesterday's start versus the Astros with a 5-6 record, a 3.43 ERA and 63 Ks. And after that performance, his numbers are even better. Even Wood he is currently 68% owned in Yahoo, expect this number to rise significantly due to his upside and yesterday's gem.

Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs

55% owned in Yahoo, 21% owned in Fleaflicker

Jake Arrieta has been dominant lately for the Chicago Cubs. The biggest surprise behind Arrieta’s reemergence has been his ability to record strikeouts at a high rate. Over his last three starts, he has gone 21 innings, giving up just three earned runs - and he has also struck out an incredible 29 batters. He is currently 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 64 strikeouts on the year, and has given up more than 2 runs just three times over his last ten starts.

Arrieta has been dominant both at home and on the road. His last two road starts resulted in just one earned run over fourteen innings, both ending in wins. After Tuesday’s dominant performance against the Reds, Arrieta will likely be added in many more leagues. So if he is still available in yours, add him quickly.

Drew Smyly, Detroit Tigers

27% owned in Yahoo, 24% owned in Fleaflicker

The Tigers were struggling a bit recently, but it definitely wasn't because of Drew Smyly. During the team’s rough stretch, Smyly still posted four straight quality starts. However, the lack of run support has been evident if you look at his wins. Smyly has gone 25 innings and only given up four earned runs over his last four starts, but has only gone 2-2 over the incredible stretch.

Smyly had been struggling on the road (9.00 ERA over his previous two road starts), but six shutout innings on Tuesday at Texas should have erased any doubts for his owners. The Tigers offense can still be lethal, making Smyly a viable option for fantasy teams in need of another quality starting pitcher for their staff.