RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 228
CURRENT ADP: ~242 overall
ANALYSIS: Right down to the frame, mechanics, draft capital, and now injury-prone nature, Nick Lodolo can't help but come off as a Chris Sale clone. It feels like only a matter of time before Lodolo is producing near the level Sale did during the veteran's prime. A 2022 post-All-Star break hero, Lodolo wrapped up the year in electric fashion with a 2.92 ERA (3.57 FIP) and 93:27 K: BB in 77 innings (13 starts).
The lefty's fortunes carried into the start of 2023, attaining a 2.12 ERA and 27:6 K: BB over his first 17 frames before the injury bug bit him badly. Really bad. A stress reaction in his left tibia would ultimately sideline Lodolo after May 6, and he sustained another while nearing a return in August. Still dealing with complications from the setback, Lodolo has yet to appear in spring training but is scheduled to debut on March 10, which should still only make his ADP even more affordable.
After leading the big leagues with 19 hit-by-pitches in just 19 starts during 2022, Lodolo significantly sharpened his command via a 6.0% BB% despite weak 2023 results overall. The swing-and-miss stuff was still there as well, as evidenced by strong chase (32.3%), whiff (30.4%), and K (28.3%) rates.
On top of that, Lodolo featured some of Statcast's biggest differences with a .340 BA and .242 xBA, .605 SLG and .468 xSLG, .426 wOBA and .336 xwOBA, plus a 6.29 ERA and 4.83 xERA. That's a lot of numbers to digest, but it simply tells the tale of how unlucky the 26-year-old southpaw was during his first full season.
Much like Hunter Greene, the bandbox ballpark factor isn't going away. Even so, how could we not like the idea of getting an arm in the 200s of drafts with this level of strikeout upside and potential to stabilize ratios, to boot? I'll gladly grab the injury discount we're getting this spring.
It was Nick Lodolo day in Goodyear...& it was as filthy as ever.
The 26 year old lefty touching 95 mph with his fastball - in his first start since May 6, 2023 (tibia).
Lodolo's final line: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K📽️: courtesy of #Reds | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/D2i4SIKxNl
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) March 10, 2024
More Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers
Chris Paddack - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 8)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After needing the second Tommy John surgery of his career in May of 2022, causing him to miss the rest of the season and most of 2023, Chris Paddack finally looks healthy. Paddack is coming off the fourth consecutive start in which... Read More
Luis Garcia Jr. - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 8)
BALLER MOVE: Add In 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Luis Garcia Jr. has been a consistent source of fantasy production all season, slashing .321/.374/.491 with a .380 wOBA and 147 wRC+. The 23-year-old has nine doubles, three home runs, 20 RBI, eight runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Hitting safely in 23... Read More
Josh Smith - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 8)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 47% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Since Josh Jung went on the IL, Josh Smith has filled in admirably and made himself fantasy-relevant in the process. On the season, the 26-year-old is slashing .295/.402/.464 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 21 runs scored, and even picked up his first... Read More
Colson Montgomery - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: With the last-place Chicago White Sox’s season already circling the drain, it might not be long before the youth movement is underway on the South Side. The first candidate on the list of prospects that are destined to be called up later this summer is certainly Colson... Read More
Trevor Megill - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 30% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Through six weeks of play, the Milwaukee Brewers have featured a closing carousel in the wake of All-Star closer Devin Williams’ multi-month setback with a back injury. First it was the flamethrowing Abner Uribe as the favorite for saves after collecting three of... Read More
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!
