RADIO
Ben Lively is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for pitchers heading into Week 12 (2023). Target Lively as a free agent pitcher on the waiver wire.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 36% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: One of the more surprising developments of the 2023 season is the breakout of 31-year-old journeyman Ben Lively as a starter for the Cincinnati Reds.
He came into the league as the 135th pick of the 2013 draft pick by the Reds. He rose to Double-A ball before being traded to the Phillies for veteran Marlon Byrd in the 2014 offseason. He debuted with Philadelphia in 2017, with a 4.26 ERA in 15 major-league starts that season. He started the 2018 season with a 6.84 ERA in five starts before being waived by Philly. He then bounced around from Kansas City, Arizona, and the KBO, with little success at each stop.
He returned to Cincinnati as a farmhand in late-2022 and resigned that November. He opened the 2023 season with a 2.23 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Louisville. After the demotion of Luis Cessa, the Reds brought up Ben Lively to the major-league squad as a bulk reliever. He then slid into the rotation after two solid multi-inning appearances.
He hasn't looked back since, with a 3.33 ERA, 28.1% strikeout rate, a .193 opponent batting average, and 1.03 WHIP through four starts.
When you look at his stuff, to say it doesn't jump off the page is an understatement. His 91 mph fastball, 85 mph changeup, 80 mph slider, and 76 mph curveball are well below average in velocity and movement.
Despite that, he's confounded major league hitters this season. He's had that success because of his ability to locate his pitches. An average slider can become incredibly dangerous if located correctly, and he's done just that with a 48.1% strikeout rate and a .072 wOBA on his slider.
Ben Lively, Wicked 81mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/EeXtKM3aBt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2023
That isn't to say it'll all be sunshine and roses for the rest of the season. There are obvious signs of regression, with an 88.9% left-on-base rate and 4.72 FIP being the most significant. There's a solid chance he gets rocked in a couple of games this season if things don't go his way.
Despite that, Lively should stay in the Reds rotation when Graham Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo return in the next few months. He'll get the start today against a scuffling Cardinals offense that holds a .668 OPS through six games this month. Start him today, stream him regularly, and keep him rostered in deeper leagues.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Deyvison De Los Santos - Prospect Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: Now ANALYSIS: Following their Opening Day victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Miami Marlins promoted first base prospect Deyvison De Los Santos to the major-league roster. De Los Santos spent nearly the entire 2025 season at our Triple-A level and was knocking on the MLB door for most […]
Konnor Griffin: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: April ANALYSIS: Shortly before the regular season began, the Pirates opted to send Griffin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Griffin remained on the roster throughout most of spring training and was one of the final cuts, suggesting he made a serious push to crack the Opening Day roster. However, the […]
Andrew Painter: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter missed the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the budding ace made his Triple-A debut earlier this season and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Painter began the season with Low-A, […]
Logan Henderson: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson made his MLB debut earlier this season and was quite dominant, tossing 21 innings to the tune of a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. During this stint, Henderson struck out 29 batters and posted a strong 7.4% […]
Jordan Lawlar: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar received his second taste of the majors earlier this season but was unable to produce. Across eight games in Arizona, Lawlar did not tally a hit and held a 9:3 K:BB. During the 2023 season, Lawlar made his MLB […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
