BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 160
CURRENT ADP: ~175 overall
ANALYSIS: After making just two starts in the majors in his first four campaigns, Jeffrey Springs joined the Rays rotation in May, making 25 starts. Over 33 appearances and 135.1 innings, he broke out with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 26.2% strikeout rate, and nine wins, guaranteeing him a spot in the rotation this season. Clearly, an ERA that low will be hard to replicate. However, his 3.04 FIP and 3.27 xERA are still solid numbers, and any fantasy manager would take an ERA in that range. Springs' strikeout rate was much lower than the 32.7% mark he managed the previous two seasons, partly due to his transition into a starter. But, his whiff rate ranked in the 76th percentile, while his 95th-percentile chase rate was a career-high.
One of the biggest reasons for Springs' success this year was his pitch mix change. The southpaw threw his fastball a career-low 40.4% of the time and had a slider usage of 24.8%, the lowest of the past three seasons. Instead, he started using his best pitch, the changeup, more often, reaching a career-high 34.7% usage rate. The offering posted a .205 xBA and 38.1% whiff rate. The change in fastball usage also allowed Springs to produce a career-best 41.2% ground ball rate, compared to his 36.8% all-time mark.
The more balls on the ground helped Springs post a HR/9 below 1.00 for the first time in his career (0.93). Although a 9.6% HR/FB rate helped him out, I don't think we'll see another 1.81 HR/9 as we did in 2021. Further, the Springs has shown decent command in recent years but really improved it last season with a 5.6% walk rate. Fantasy managers may be concerned about his volume heading into 2023. Seven of Springs' final 12 starts last season were at least 5.2 innings, a trend that should continue. The Rays are gunning for another playoff appearance, giving Springs plenty of opportunities to win double-digit games. Springs' fantasy relevance has just begun
More Fantasy Baseball Values and Sleepers
Hector Neris - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds (Week 4)
What Appears In This Article? hide 1. More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With the removal of Adbert Alzolay from the closer role for the Cubs after a fourth blown save already in the early going of 2024, an opportunity was created... Read More
Hunter Goodman - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Colorado Rockies have promoted first base/outfield prospect Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. It's been a massive start to the 2024 season for the 24-year-old who has slugged seven... Read More
Garrett Cleavinger - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Garrett Cleavinger recorded his second save in four days for the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to nail down the 7-5 victory over the Tigers. Cleavinger has been used as one of the team's closers ever since... Read More
Pete Crow-Armstrong - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago Cubs have recalled center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa due to the rib fracture Cody Bellinger suffered while slamming into the outfield wall on Tuesday. It's the second recall in the young career of Crow-Armstrong after he debuted with a hitless... Read More
Yariel Rodriguez - Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add only in dynasty leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays were thrilled to land Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal this offseason. They weren't the only club interested in his services after he showed immense potential while pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old posted a... 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!