BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 80
CURRENT ADP: ~96 overall
ANALYSIS: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton bounced back in his first year in Georgia, posting a 14-6 record, 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.7 BB%, and 28.6 K% in 185.2 innings. His 3.18 FIP backs up his success, and he's now produced a sub-3.60 FIP the last six seasons, with an xERA below 3.80 three of the past four. His success stems from a curveball with six more inches of horizontal movement than average and generated a 40.1 Whiff%. He pairs his curve with a four-seamer that often hits 96 MPH, increasing its average velocity by about 2 MPH from 2020. He should be able to keep his K-rate up, considering he produced an elite 30.9 CSW%.
His less-than-ideal chase rate might scare some fantasy managers. However, hitters didn't make much contact when they did chase, as Morton ranked eighth in O-Contact% at 54.5%. He also did an excellent job of fooling hitters in the zone, ranking fourth in Z-Swing% at 64.6%. He turned 38 in November but has shown no signs of slowing down and should be ready for Spring Training after experiencing a playoff-ending shin injury. The Braves will be a good team again, making Morton a possible four-category contributor. He's being drafted 96th overall, which is pretty late when guys like Alek Manoah and Dylan Cease are going before him.
More Fantasy Baseball Values and Sleepers
AJ Smith-Shawver - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June-July ANALYSIS: AJ Smith-Shawver was drafted in 2021, but by 2023 he made it all the way to the majors, making six appearances (five starts) for Atlanta last season. The righty posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.11 WHIP during his time with the big league club. A strong... Read More
A.J. Puk - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: A.J. Puk's time as a starting pitcher for Miami will certainly be a time that's going to try to forget. He made four starts for the Marlins back in March and April and struggled mightily to throw strikes. His ERA is north... Read More
John Schreiber - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 13% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Schreiber is enjoying a stellar start to his first season in Kansas City. The big right-hander came over in a trade from Boston this offseason and has been a great addition to the KC bullpen. Through his first 20 appearances, he has... Read More
Yennier Cano - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 38% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Orioles have turned to Cano to close out games as their veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has struggled of late blowing multiple saves. Cano has two saves on the season, both coming in the last two weeks since Baltimore moved Kimbrel into... Read More
Daniel Hudson - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With Evan Phillips on the IL, Hudson is the de facto closer for the Dodgers for now. However, he could be used situationally and share the closer duties with lefty Alex Vesia. Since Phillips went down, Hudson has recorded only one save... Read More
Chayce McDermott - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Chayce McDermott has been one of the best arms in the minor leagues this month. Through the first half of May, he holds a 1.54 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in two starts with an impressive 19:3 K:BB ratio. In April and his... Read More
Cade Horton - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Cade Horton was recently promoted to Triple-A. He is approaching his major league debut and is worth stashing in deeper formats. Horton began the season with Double-A Tennessee and dominated with a stellar 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18:2 K:BB ratio. ... Read More
Orelvis Martinez - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Standard Leagues CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Orelvis Martinez has gotten out to a strong start at Triple-A this season and is nearing his MLB debut. Through 38 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season, the 22-year-old has a .252/.335/.517 slash line with ten long balls and 31 RBI.... Read More
Jackson Holliday - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 9)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in All Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday made his major league debut earlier this season but was sent down to Triple-A to continue his development. However, he has begun to pick up where he left off in the minor leagues and could be back in the majors... 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!