RADIO
Is James McArthur a good fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for closers and saves? Analysis on Royals closer as a free agent relief pitcher for saves on the waiver wire.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 53% of Leagues
ANALYSIS:
After a rough start to the season, in which he allowed four runs in his first three appearances, James McArthur has allowed no runs in his last six appearances for the Kansas City Royals. The 27-year-old closer has already made four saves this season, helping the Royals improve to 13-8.
McCarthur has also tallied nine strikeouts in his previous six innings pitched, and his statistics suggest that he could be a top-10 closer this year. The right-handed pitcher is mixing curveballs (39.3% of his total pitches), sinkers (32.3%), and sliders (25.5%), making life difficult for batters. McCarthur is throwing 28.6% of his pitches as strikes, and he has generated hard hits on only 43.5% of his total pitches this year.
James McArthur is disgustingpic.twitter.com/2CJbOjo6iO https://t.co/pvutcWLUgH
— Maikel Garcia stan (@DontFireSpags) April 16, 2024
In nine appearances so far this season, he has pitched 9 2/3 innings while giving up 12 hits, and allowing just one walk, with an ERA of 3.72 while recording 12 strikeouts. James McCarthur had four saves in 18 appearances last season, but that number could rise to double digits this year since the Royals' offense has improved significantly. He is still available in 47% of Yahoo leagues, making him a viable option for fantasy managers for the remainder of the season.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Deyvison De Los Santos - Prospect Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: Now ANALYSIS: Following their Opening Day victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Miami Marlins promoted first base prospect Deyvison De Los Santos to the major-league roster. De Los Santos spent nearly the entire 2025 season at our Triple-A level and was knocking on the MLB door for most […]
Konnor Griffin: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: April ANALYSIS: Shortly before the regular season began, the Pirates opted to send Griffin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Griffin remained on the roster throughout most of spring training and was one of the final cuts, suggesting he made a serious push to crack the Opening Day roster. However, the […]
Andrew Painter: Prospects To Stash
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: Prospects To Stash
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: Prospects To Stash
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 […]
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!
