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Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 18 (2024)

Jeffrey Springs - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, Draft Sleepers

Mike's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for starting pitchers for Week 18 of the 2024 MLB season. Consider adding and streaming these free-agent pitchers.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 18 (July 22 - July 28). In this weekly piece, we search for starting pitchers rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues. These are SP options to consider that might be good additions to your fantasy roster, especially for streaming.

One thing I would like for all readers to consider: the bottom part of your roster, especially in deeper leagues, should see some churn. In this edition, we focus on several well-known pitchers who are coming back soon from injury (like Robbie Ray and Jeffrey Springs), as well as a young phenom, Max Meyer, who may be recalled to Miami in the next week. Acquiring players like these for the second half could very well help you win your league.

Every player on my list has a flaw. It could be low strikeout rates; it could be a walk rate that is too high. Every player listed here can provide some level of benefit to your fantasy team. I look for guys who can contribute to my bottom lines; a win perhaps (although chasing them is foolish and tricky), while not destroying my carefully manicured ratios.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Recommendations for leagues of any size rostered between 30-50% on Yahoo!

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (rostered in 49% of leagues) 

I am going to write about Wacha every week until he is rostered in more leagues. Over the last month, look at how he has changed his pitch mix; see the chart below. There has been much less emphasis on his fastball and more focus on the mix of pitches, especially the change-up. Wacha has seven wins, a 3.55 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP this season, and has won three starts in a row with a helpful 18 strikeouts in 19 innings. Wacha can help most teams at the back of their rotations, and more than half of fantasy players don't see it. Don't be one of them.

Kyle Harrison, San Francisco Giants (rostered in 42% of leagues)

Harrison feels like an afterthought in San Francisco, but astute players know the young lefty can help their rosters. Harrison is 5-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in 91 innings. Walks are still a bugaboo; he walked four on Friday night, but he also struck out six and only surrendered one hit in five innings. Granted, a small sample size, but over his last three starts he has a win and 3.29 ERA. He's worth adding in deeper leagues, and many players are starting to add him. Take a look at Harrison this weekend.

Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants (rostered in 41% of leagues)

Ray is nearing a comeback from his Tommy John surgery and could be a big help to the Giants and fantasy teams for the second half. On Friday night, Ray struck out seven hitters while pitching into the seventh inning for Triple-A Sacramento. He threw 78 pitches and averaged over 93 MPH on his fastball. This is leading to speculation that his next start could be for the major league club. The former Cy Young winner is worth an addition in deeper leagues for sure.

Jeffrey Springs, Tampa Bay Rays (rostered in 33% of leagues)

Springs is in the same boat as Ray listed above. Springs has a start on Saturday night, and depending on how that went (unavailable as we went to press), it would not be surprising to see Springs make his next start in a Tampa Bay uniform. Springs only made three starts last season before succumbing to Tommy John surgery. This is a skillset worth adding if he is on your waiver wire, especially in deeper leagues.

Max Meyer, Miami Marlins (rostered in 31% of leagues)

I had stashed Meyer in leagues but injuries and the ineffectiveness of other pitchers forced me to give him up back to the waiver wire where smart players picked him up and stashed him. The young righty could be recalled as soon as this week for the Marlins, as they look to be heavy traders in the coming ten days. Also of note: by recalling him after Sunday, they gain another year of roster control. In anticipation of that, roster Meyer now if he is floating free in your leagues.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Recommendations for leagues of any size rostered less than 30% on Yahoo!

Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta Braves (rostered in 29% of leagues)

Schellenbach continues to be impressive; he's 3-4 with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.16 WIP, and 41 strikeouts in 44 innings. Those numbers don't tell an accurate story. Schwellenbach is 2-0 in his last two starts, surrendering only 10 hits and two runs with nine strikeouts in 13 innings. Now is the time to add the rookie before players get wise to him.

Luis L. Ortiz, Pittsburgh Pirates (rostered in 24% of leagues)

Ortiz is raising eyebrows with a recent string of good performances for Pittsburgh, who are hanging in the NL Wild Card race. Ortiz was biding his time in the bullpen but got a chance to start again after a successful run there. Check out the data below; not big strikeout numbers, but not zeroes, either. He's pitched into the sixth inning in his last three starts and given the Pirates a chance to win each time. He's flying under the radar still which represents an opportunity for you.

Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies (rostered in 9% of leagues)

I know...never a Rockies pitcher, but let's look at the evidence and then decide. He has looked like a different guy since his return from an elbow strain. In four starts since that return, he has only one win, but he has pitched at least six innings in those starts, striking out 21 over 26 innings. This is an example where looking at the season-long stats will mislead you. The veteran lefty has a 1.70 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in those four starts. Freeland is worthy of an addition in deeper leagues.

Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks (rostered in 8% of leagues)

Nelson is floating on most waiver wires in most leagues, but the question is, should he be?  It's easy to dismiss by surface stats, a deeper dive shows us a maturing pitcher. Nelson has pitched at least five innings in four starts in a row, giving up only one run in three of those four starts. Add in those two wins, and you have a serviceable pitcher in many formats who is essentially free right now.

 

Other Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Options

  • Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins (rostered in 14% of leagues)
  • JP Sears, Oakland Athletics (rostered in 12% of leagues)
  • Joey Estes, Oakland Athletics (rostered in 5% of leagues)

 

Happy hunting for starting pitchers this weekend! If you have questions, you can always message me on X @mdrc0508. You can even tell me you hate these picks. Remember that fantasy baseball is supposed to be FUN above everything. Enjoy it!



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
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LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
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Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
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Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
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Giannis Antetokounmpo

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Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
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Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

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Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

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NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

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Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
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Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
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Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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