Mychal Givens (RP, BAL) - Week 23 Waiver Wire Pickups

Brady Grove profiles Baltimore reliever Mychal Givens, who has made the most of his new high-leverage role in the Orioles bullpen.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 16% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Since the dealing of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens has seemingly been the high-leverage man for the Baltimore Orioles, and racked up and impressive 2.89 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 9.1 IP. During August, Givens was also able to accumulate four saves for the last-place Orioles after totaling just one all year up to that point. With the exception of his successful run in May (2.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 14 IP), he has experienced frequent struggles in 2018, and his 2018 cumulative ERA and WHIP of 4.76 and 1.41 stand as the worst of his young major league career. So how can Mychal Givens be expected to handle the Baltimore closer role moving forward?

Several aspects of his August performances project well. His K/9 for the month was a solid 10.61 and his BB/9 was tuned in at 2.89. He lowered his opponents' pull rate to a meager 20% and allowed just 24% hard contact with 16% soft contact on batted balls, and Givens was forcing opposing batters to hit fly balls at a 40% rate, causing very little offensive damage to be done in conjunction with his batted ball contact. Camden Yards may be about as hitter-friendly as a hitter-friendly park can get, so it is vital to keep contact soft and strikeouts high. With Mychal Givens doing both successfully through August, he looks poised for a strong finish as the Baltimore closer in the month of September, and should be able to rack up saves...when the Orioles are in the lead.