Garrett Whitlock is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for pitchers heading into Week 12 (2023). Target Whitlock as a free agent pitcher on the waiver wire.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock has been activated after being pushed to the 15-day injured list for right elbow neuritis.
On the season, Whitlock’s line is shockingly terrible. Through five starts, he holds a 4.31 SIERA, 1.29 WHIP, .356 opponent wOBA, and an 18.9% strikeout rate – all career worst. It is a disappointing follow-up to a stellar 2022 season where he held a 3.06 SIERA, 1.02 WHIP, .278 opponent wOBA, and a 26.4% strikeout rate in 78.1 innings.
His Achilles heel this year is his changeup, with a +4 run value on the pitch (only 13 pitchers have a worse run value when using their changeup). While it has never been his star pitch, it still held a -4 run value in 2022 and has generally enhanced the effectiveness of his sinker throughout his career. His sinker has consequently fared worse this season, with a positive run value on the pitch as well.
Garrett Whitlock, 94mph Two Seamer and 84mph Changeup, Overlay. pic.twitter.com/tr0NK6vo7o
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 8, 2021
Though in his first start since returning, Whitlock was spectacular, allowing just one run and three hits in five innings pitched against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His second start was less spectacular, with four runs allowed in 4-and-2/3rds innings, but he ultimately had only a 2.43 FIP against a strong Rays offense.
This recent improvement can be attributed almost solely to improvements made to his changeup. In his last two starts, his changeup has averaged roughly 38 inches of break, compared to 30 inches in three starts prior. That has resulted in a .222 opponent batting average on the pitch in his last two starts, compared to a .400 opponent batting average in his first three starts.
Garrett Whitlock’s changeup gave me life last night.
It averaged 9 inches more of vertical break than it had in his previous 3 starts (from 30 ➡️ 39).
Throwing it slower/changing the grip worked. Velo dropped by 1.7 MPH, but generated 5 whiffs.pic.twitter.com/Sl6ixwM3oq
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) May 28, 2023
While his results have been underwhelming this season, improvements to his changeup should lead to fantasy production. His injury history, opponent strength, and struggles with consistency mean he should stay on waiver wires in shallow leagues, but he deserves to be rostered in all other league sizes.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Andrew Painter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter missed the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the budding ace made his Triple-A debut earlier this season and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Painter began the season with Low-A, […]

Logan Henderson - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson made his MLB debut earlier this season and was quite dominant, tossing 21 innings to the tune of a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. During this stint, Henderson struck out 29 batters and posted a strong 7.4% […]

Jordan Lawlar - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar received his second taste of the majors earlier this season but was unable to produce. Across eight games in Arizona, Lawlar did not tally a hit and held a 9:3 K:BB. During the 2023 season, Lawlar made his MLB […]

Chase Burns - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 50% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Chase Burns joined the list of several 2024 draft picks who made their MLB debut during the first half of the 20205 campaign. On Tuesday evening, the former second overall pick got the call to face the New York […]

Bubba Chandler - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: After a few rough outings, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the sport bounced back in a big way on June 17. In this outing, the right-hander tossed four innings of two-run ball (one earned run) and allowed five hits and one walk. He struck out three. […]
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!