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Week 5 Waiver Wire Starting Pitchers
Welcome back for another addition of Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups. We’re onto week 5 and hopefully you’ve snagged some of the pitchers mentioned in our previous articles. We’ve got another set of starting pitchers to consider for your roster, either as streamers, backend SPs for deep leagues, or a potential ace starter if you're in a league where he's available. Let’s get to it.
In this week’s edition, I’ll present a few options that may be out there in 10-teamers, but the majority are going to be deep league finds. If you have any additional questions, feel free to stop by the live chat on Tuesdays at 8 ET. Otherwise, let’s get to it!
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for starting pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is updated daily. You can also download our free waiver wire iPhone app.
Danny Salazar (SP – Cleveland Indians)
OWNED IN: 75% of Yahoo Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in all Leagues
If you play in a competitive league, chances are Salazar was snatched up before his first start. Alas, 25% of leagues have still not made the move so I feel it is necessary to mention him in this article. Salazar is an effective power pitcher with a fastball averaging 96.3 MPH this year and a nasty changeup that reaches 88 MPH. I expect for his 13.26 K/9 ratio to regress closer to 10, but the key is Salazar has always been efficient at limiting walks. His 2.37 BB/9 ratio is on par with his career minor league numbers which should help keep his WHIP around 1.20. Salazar is a K machine, racking up 10+ punchouts in two of his first three starts. If for any reason Salazar is available in your league, stop reading and go get him now.
Brandon Morrow (SP – San Diego Padres)
OWNED IN: 25% of Yahoo Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in all Leagues
Morrow was a great example of high-risk, high-reward on draft day. It seems like every year there is an injury to his forearm or elbow; he’s only made 23 starts since the beginning of 2013. But now that he’s in San Diego, it’s time fantasy owners starting paying attention to his newfound success. Aside from a trip to Coors, he has gone seven innings with two runs or less in every start. This has resulted in a 2.67 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 19/6 K/BB ratio. He’s actually limited his dependency on the fastball and mixed in his cutter more often to begin 2015 which has generated positive results. None of his advanced peripherals show Morrow is getting lucky which leads me to believe he can sustain his success if he can remain on the field. I’ve added Morrow in all leagues he’s available and I have no problem running him out there until another injury occurs.
Mike Leake (SP – Cincinnati Reds)
OWNED IN: 44% of Yahoo Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Target for 10 + Team Leagues
Leake was stellar in his last outing at Atlanta, limiting the Braves to two early singles over eight strong innings. He also helped himself out with a bomb to left field, which you have to love as a fantasy owner. So far he carries a 3.03 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and a 25/10 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings. His .179 BABIP is a signal that his current production is not sustainable and regression is expected. Leake was a top prospect for Cincinnati back in 2010 but was never able to reach the #2 status many envisioned for him. I don’t expect him to reach that level anytime soon but he makes for a great backend SP in deeper leagues or a quality streaming option in shallow leagues.
Danny Duffy (SP – Kansas City Royals)
OWNED IN: 42% of Yahoo Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Target for 10 + Team Leagues
Danny Duffy has made the most of his time in the rotation, going 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 23/9 K/BB ratio. He was excellent for Kansas City last year posting a 2.53 ERA over 25 starts in 2014, and although I don’t see him replicating that stellar number, I expect him to improve as the year goes on. His current ERA is inflated from a rough debut vs CWS (5 innings, 5 runs earned), and since then he’s yet to allow over three runs in any outing. This includes back-to-back outings of one run ball versus CWS and DET. His .333 BABIP signlas that improvement is on the way, although his 31% LD rate is worrisome. I’d be looking to buy Duffy at this point and if he’s available he makes for a solid add.
Travis Wood (SP – Chicago Cubs)
OWNED IN: 24% of Yahoo Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Target in 12 + Team Leagues
Wood has done a good job of putting his rough 2014 past him, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 26/6 K/BB ratio over 23.2 innings. He was excellent in his last outing vs Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out nine over seven innings. Improvements should have been anticipated going into the year considering his .320 BABIP and 3.94 BB/9 ratio from last season, but fantasy owners weren’t willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
It’s time we reconsider that notion. Wood’s cutter really hurt him in 2014 and he’s limited his use of the pitch so far, focusing more on his fastball and changeup. The cutter was especially effective in 2013 (16.6 wCT) so if he can regain that success it’s realistic to see him replicate his 2013 success. I’m not ready to buy in shallow leagues but if you’re pitcher needy he’s out there in 76% of leagues.
