RADIO
MLB starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. is a potential 2022 fantasy baseball sleeper and ADP draft value. Target him as an undervalued SP and late-round sleeper.
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 310
CURRENT ADP: ~339 overall
ANALYSIS: Cortes rocks a five-pitch mix with three primaries (four-seamer, cutter, slider) and embraces his slot as a Mario Brother. What more could you ask for? Alright, we’ll go on. Cortes had bounced around the league, spending 2019 with the Yankees before a wayward 2020 with Seattle, but found his form in ‘21. The lefty was a strong multi-inning reliever in June for NYY before his success (17 ⅔ IP, 2 ER, 8 BB, 25 K) yielded an opportunity as a starter.
The 27-year-old started slowly but was eventually going five innings or more at will, though Aaron Boone loves his bullpen and rarely let Cortes go more than six frames. Perhaps it all worked out, as Cortes would deliver a 3.07 ERA with a 75/17 K/BB ratio in 73 ⅓ IP as a starter. There is the .255 BABIP and 4.21 FIP, this isn’t THAT easy, as Cortes struggled with homers (1.6 HR/9). Low walks helped limit the damage, but it is a tenuous tightrope to walk. Now preparing as a starter, Cortes can lean on his wider pitch mix to battle both lefties and righties in the box and would be an excellent mid-tier SP to pick up in the final rounds.
More Fantasy Baseball Values and Sleepers
Deyvison De Los Santos - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 1)
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 - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 1)
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 - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
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 - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
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 - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
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 […]
Chase Burns - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 50% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Chase Burns joined the list of several 2024 draft picks who made their MLB debut during the first half of the 20205 campaign. On Tuesday evening, the former second overall pick got the call to face the New York […]
Bubba Chandler - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: After a few rough outings, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the sport bounced back in a big way on June 17. In this outing, the right-hander tossed four innings of two-run ball (one earned run) and allowed five hits and one walk. He struck out three. […]
Andrew Painter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 13)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: It has been a long road back for Painter. MLB Pipeline's No. 5 overall prospect hasn't pitched in many games over the past few years, so it's not a complete surprise to see him struggle a bit on the mound. He allowed four runs across […]
Samuel Basallo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 13)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: You looked away? Samuel Basallo just hit another homer in Triple-A. One of the best hitters in the minor leagues is truly slamming the door down to the majors. Long-time time STS darling and current #1 overall prospect SLAMMiN' Samuel Basallo is simply 🔥 ON FIRE […]
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!
