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Michael Kopech is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for closers and saves. Target Kopech as a free agent relief pitcher for saves on the waiver wire.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 29% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: In 2024, the Chicago White Sox have turned to former starter Michael Kopech as their closer. His stuff profiles much like a typical closer, with a four-seamer that can touch triple digits paired with an 86 mph slider (80% FB usage so far in 2024).
Kopech's issue isn't velocity, though; it's throwing his pitches for strikes and his proclivity for giving up the long ball. Last season over 129 1/3 IP, the righty posted a horrid 15.4% BB% and 17.4% HR/FB% (29 HRs). In his five appearances so far this season we've seen a little bit of both, with the 27-year-old walking five batters, hitting one, and allowing one home run over seven-and-a-third IP. However, in his most recent outing, Kopech worked a two-inning save in which he did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out four.
Michael Kopech, Obliterating the Side. 🔥🔥🔥
100mph, 101mph...and 102mph pic.twitter.com/O3ShdZ9neq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 10, 2024
He was not used the following day, however, presumably because he worked two innings the day before, and it cost the White Sox. Bryan Shaw was used in the bottom of the tenth inning instead with the Sox up one run, and he promptly gave up two runs on three hits, blowing the save chance. That probably only further solidifies Kopech's role as closer, but the problem is that wins may be few and far between for the White Sox, and as such so will the save chances.
Regardless, Kopech is still available in over 70% of Yahoo leagues and could be a speculative add in deep leagues or for managers looking to pick up any save they can get. Just know that it may feel like a rollercoaster at times and that the saves and the strikeouts may come at the expense of WHIP and ERA.
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