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Is Ricky Tiedemann a fantasy baseball waiver wire stash? Brenton discusses the fantasy baseball outlook for re-draft leagues for the rest of the 2024 season.
The fifth starter's role in Toronto has been in flux all season. After beginning the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, Alek Manoah is out for the rest of the season with a UCL procedure on the horizon. Cuban Yariel Rodriguez began the season on the IL with a back injury and is once again sidelined by further back issues. The team released Mitch White early in the season and Bowden Francis has largely struggled after beginning the season as the club's fifth starter.
Ricky Tiedemann could certainly have earned the fifth starter's role at some point given the rash of early-season injuries but an elbow issue has limited him to just three starts as he hasn't pitched since April 11 while he owns a 5.62 ERA in limited Triple-A action with Buffalo this season.
With continued health issues in the Jays' rotation, can Tiedemann eventually earn himself a promotion and provide value to redraft managers? Let's check in on his current prospect status and what he could potentially deliver to fantasy managers in the 2024 season.
How High Is Ricky Tiedemann's Fantasy Potential?
Tiedemann showed flashes of his potential in spring training this season and also did so in the 2023 season, albeit a campaign that was shortened by injury. The left-hander spent most of his 2023 campaign at Double-A New Hampshire but posted a 5.06 ERA in 11 starts. However, his 2.12 FIP, 2.48 xFIP, and a massive 39.7% K% in that time suggest he was much, much better than his surface ERA indicates.
98 MPH heat. 83 MPH filth.
Ricky Tiedemann is NASTY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sinBLLzCPB
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 21, 2024
Tiedemann has been a strikeout magician in his limited time in the minors with 209 punchouts in just 130 2/3 innings of work. At the same time, he has walked 61 hitters and posted a subpar 13.7% BB% at Double-A last season. His 21.4% BB% in a limited sample this season is fairly concerning, as well.
At just 21 years of age, the control and command could likely stand to significantly improve with big-league coaching. He has made just 36 career minor-league starts after being selected in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. More seasoning and improved health could certainly help out the control department. His strikeout upside is already elite, putting him firmly on the radar as a prospect worth monitoring as he works his way back from injury.
Redraft managers will need to exercise patience but given the Jays' need in the fifth starter's spot, he could very well make a fantasy impact during the 2024 season.
When Might Ricky Tiedemann Get A Major-League Opportunity?
Of course, he will need a good chunk of time to not only return to action but to build up his arm and pitch count. It's been a two-month absence at this point and elbow injuries are nothing to mess with. Thirty-six starts in two-plus seasons isn't the formula Tiedemann and fantasy managers alike had hoped for at this point.
At the same time, it's only the second week of June. If the 21-year-old finds success, especially with his control, upon his return to action, the big club's need at the back of its rotation paves a nice avenue for Tiedemann to make an impact this season. A minor-league rehab assignment awaits but it's not impossible to envision Tiedemann getting the call at some point in July, should all go to plan.
My New Top 12 Pitching Prospects.
1. Paul Skenes
2. Jackson Jobe
3. Jared Jones
4. Cade Horton
5. Andrew Painter
6. Christian Scott
7. Robby Snelling
8. Ricky Tiedemann
9. Jacob Misiorowski
10. Rhett Lowder
11. Tink Hence
12. Noah Schultzpic.twitter.com/Ml9jUgWXiv— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) May 4, 2024
The strikeout upside is tantalizing enough that fantasy managers will want to keep a close on his progression in the coming weeks.
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