RADIO
The first week of baseball has come and gone. Hopefully you haven’t blown up your team already, but if you have you’re going to love this article!
In all seriousness, the beginning of the fantasy season is a key time frame for wise owners, as now is the time to strike on those free agent gems. Last year we saw Jake Arrieta, Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, and Phil Hughes go undrafted in the majority of leagues yet were all top 50 SPs by year end.
I know you readers have varying league sizes, so I’ll provide pitchers for both shallow and deeper leagues. Furthermore, I will be publishing a new waiver wire piece every Sunday from here on out, so make sure to check back each week for the latest pickups. Without further ado, let’s get to it.
Editor's Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for starting pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Options - Shallow Leagues
Chris Tillman (BAL, SP)
OWNED IN: 38% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues
Chris Tillman came out strong to start 2015, firing 6 2/3 innings with 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, and 4 K. Sure, it was Tampa, but he was solid in 2014, racking up 13 wins with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. If Tillman can stop killing himself early (see below) he should be a top 40 SP.
Buyer beware: Tillman has a difficult matchup against a hot Toronto offense today followed by an outing at Boston. He’s traditionally pitched well at Fenway, but this is a new Red Sox lineup. In 10-team leagues, you may be able to wait before you snag Tillman, but leagues with 12 or more teams should make the add now.
James Paxton (SEA, SP)
OWNED IN: 26% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues
There’s no reason Paxton should be so widely available in ESPN and Fleaflicker leagues. Paxton is definitely what you’d define as an injury risk, but when he’s on the mound he is electric. His fastball sits around 95 mph and results in a heavy amount of grounders, which is key considering the Mariners committed the second fewest errors in 2014.
Paxton was undeserving of the loss versus the Angels earlier this week, posting five strikeouts while allowing two runs, four hits, and a walk over six innings. Most importantly, he looked to be over the forearm injuries that delayed his start to Spring Training. Based on the current outlook of the Mariners rotation, Paxton’s next three starts will be @ LAD, vs HOU, and vs MIN. Don’t be frightened off by the matchup at LA. Go grab Paxton if he’s on your waiver wire.
Drew Pomeranz (OAK, SP)
OWNED IN: 29% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues
Here’s another player whose ownership level makes me scratch my head. Pomeranz was excellent after leaving the prison that is Coors Field, fielding a 2.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 2014 until he broke his non-throwing hand on a clubhouse chair. Now fully healthy, I expect Pomeranz to maintain the numbers he produced in 2014. Pomeranz switched to going from the stretch full-time and he believes it has been a key to his success.
Pomeranz was excellent in his win vs Oakland, pitching seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts and a 0.29 WHIP. Pitching behind nine runs allowed Pomeranz to attack hitters with his fastball-curve combo, and owners who ran him out there in mixed leagues have to be encouraged by the results. Oakland is a very pitcher-friendly environment and Pomeranz makes for a solid backend SP for your rotation. He has a strong matchup next at Houston and is a great add in all leagues. Just keep the chairs out of his way.
Starting Pitcher Waiver Options - Deeper Leagues
Daniel Norris (TOR, SP)
OWNED IN: 12% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
Gotta love the man in the van. Norris blazed through all three levels of Toronto’s minor league system in 2014 to earn a spot in the Blue Jay’s rotation this spring. It was hard to tell Norris is only 21 as he displayed great poise in his first start at New York, going 5 2/3 innings with three earned runs and five strikeouts. Before two solo HRs from A-Rod and Tex in the sixth, Norris was rolling and provided vindication to owners who invested a draft pick on the youngster. Bonus points for being tough enough to not rock sleeves in 34 degree weather.
Next up Norris has tasty matchups coming up at home vs Tampa and Atlanta. He’s available in the majority of leagues as of this posting so it’s worthwhile to check your FA list and see if he’s out there.
Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP)
OWNED IN: 4% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues / NL-Only Leagues
Our first (and only) NL pitcher featured this week. Take a bow, Anthony DeScalfani!
DeScalfani was a sleeper among select fantasy pundits entering 2015 after a strong spring. He did nothing to dissuade them in his debut at Pittsburgh, holding the Pirates to two runs on five hits and one walk with six punchouts. Those are quality numbers versus a stout offense, and most of the damage occurred after returning from a one hour, fourteen minute delay. I came away impressed in particularly with his ability to limit long at-bats; only two batters reached three ball counts. The Reds are likely to watch his pitch counts early on, but if he can limit prolonging innings he should be a quality streamer for shallow leagues and a backend SP for deep and NL-Only leagues.
Tommy Milone (MIN, SP)
OWNED IN: 2% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 16+ Team Leagues / AL-Only Leagues
Tommy Milone was stellar on Friday while shutting the Sox out over 7 2/3 innings with 2 H, 2 BB, and 7 Ks. His changeup was especially effective and the floundering White Sox batters simply had no answer. Milone last had fantasy prevalence in Oakland as a streaming option at home and fantasy owners justifiably have not shown him much consideration thus far. The defense behind Milone is atrocious, in particular the current OF layout, and the offense isn’t going to provide Milone with much room for error. It’s tough to trust Milone beyond as a streamer in shallow leagues, but in deep mixed and AL-Only leagues where SP is a scarcity it’s worth grabbing Milone.
