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Kyle Bishop profiles Rays pitcher Luis Patiño as a potential waiver wire pickup and free agent add for Week 7 of the 2021 MLB season.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 15% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Much like teammate Shane McClanahan, Luis Patiño is a highly-regarded young arm whose nontraditional usage clouds his rest of season outlook. Just as with McClanahan, however, it's worth betting on the skills and letting the role sort itself out.
Patiño was the centerpiece of the Blake Snell trade last winter, and it's not difficult to understand why. At just 21 years old, the right-hander has posted sparkling numbers so far. Through four appearances (two starts), he's got a 1.54 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and just two walks in 11.2 innings. The .160 BABIP and 96.4% strand rate are obviously unsustainable, but he's done well enough at limiting hard contact that his expected ERA is a healthy 3.07.
Patiño's fly ball tendencies leave him vulnerable to home runs, so there could be some rough outings in his future. Still, there's no denying his impressive talent, and even if the Rays continue to use him in tandem fashion, he'll have a chance to rack up some wins as a bulk reliever/follower.
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