BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 39% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: While Yuki Matsui is not the Padres closer as of now, the 28-year-old reliever has the pedigree to take over the job at some point this season. The lefty had 236 career saves in the JPPL, and just last season had a career-high 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. Matsui features a good fastball, but his best pitch is a wicked splitter that generated a 56% whiff rate last year for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Yuki Matsui, Filthy Splitters (3 Strikeouts). pic.twitter.com/QScREa2Enj
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 26, 2024
Even if he's not chipping in saves yet, he can provide a steady source of Ks with a low ERA and WHIP for fantasy squads that deploy him. ATC projections foresee a 3.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 78 K over 61 IP. Robert Suarez is currently the Padres' closer, and while he already has two saves on the young season, he did give up a home run in Thursday's save situation so it's worth monitoring going forward. If he falters, Matsui may be handed the role and would be an immediate add in all formats.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Jasson Dominguez - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees are taking a cautious approach with Jasson Dominguez, their No. 1 prospect for 2024 on MLB Pipeline, on the outfielder's way back from late-season Tommy John surgery in 2023. There was some initial hope after undergoing the procedure that... Read More
Gregory Soto - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 2% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Gregory Soto picked up the save this past Wednesday in a 2-1 victory over the Angels, which was his second save of the year. Notably, Jose Alvarado pitched the eighth inning, giving way to Soto in the ninth. Technically speaking, Alvarado's task was... Read More
Shane Baz - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: One of our favorite pitching prospects is Shane Baz. Depending on where you look, Baz has graduated off lists that use service time, but he's still under the 50-inning threshold and worthy of discussing in an article such as this. After missing all of 2023 due... Read More
Alex Lange - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After recording 26 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 as the team's primary closer, Alex Lange was expected to be the team's closer heading into 2024. A somewhat rough spring for Lange prompted manager A.J. Hinch to use Jason Foley in the... Read More
Joe Kelly - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-14+ Team Leagues / NL-Only Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a Grade 1 hamstring injury. Although Phillips is expected to remain sidelined only for a minimum stint, several save opportunities will now be... 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!