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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

Kyle Bishop's fantasy baseball starting pitchers who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 17. Consider adding and streaming these free agent pitchers.

We're almost in August, which means that some owners will inevitably abandon their teams as they turn their attention to football season. This is, on balance, an unfortunate development - nobody should be that guy - but one benefit to those of us who follow through on our season-long commitment is that competition for waiver adds will be less fierce.

We're not there yet, so the pickings remain slim. You can still find help, though - and as luck would have it, this column is designed to assist you in doing just that.

A reminder before we begin: This column focuses on players who are below 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, and standard 5x5 scoring. Your mileage may vary, in terms of availability or league settings. Using that cutoff point for ownership rate, however, these are your starting pitcher waiver wire targets and adds for Week 17 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

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

 

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Alex Young (SP, ARI) — 45% Owned

Young's major league career couldn't be off to much better of a start, as he's put up an 0.96 ERA and 0.48 WHIP in his first four appearances (three starts). Both of the runs he's allowed thus far were on solo shots, and he's allowed only four other hits in his 19 innings of work. As you might imagine, there's been some batted ball fortune involved here. But the 25-year-old has also shown an ability to miss bats (14.4% swinging strike rate) and only issued three walks. His next start is a stiff test against the Brewers, so you can bet that if that game goes well, he'll shoot past the 50% owned threshold.

Daniel Ponce de Leon (SP, STL) — 34% Owned

Ponce de Leon had a rough night against the Pirates in his last start, but with the news that Michael Wacha has been shifted to the bullpen, it appears he'll be in rotation going forward. The 27-year-old has a small sample to judge, but he's succeeded so far at the MLB level with a 2.77 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 68 innings, including last season. This year he's increased both strikeouts and ground balls, so there may be some growth happening here.

Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI) — 31% Owned

In his most recent outing, Kelly limited the Brewers to a single run in seven innings of work. It was the fourth time in his last nine starts that Kelly has pitched seven or more innings and allowed one run or fewer. During that span, he's sporting a 2.67 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 17.4 K-BB%. An inconsistent start to the year masks the recent improvement, which partly explains the somewhat low ownership rate. True, the veteran won't pile up Ks, but he can still help the squad.

 

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Ryan Yarbrough (SP, TB) — 20% Owned

A rotten strand rate tanked Yarbrough's ERA in the early part of the year, but after six shutout innings on Saturday against the White Sox, he's now got a 3.93 ERA to go with his 0.93 WHIP. As a bulk reliever/follower, he requires a bit more maintenance as a fantasy asset, but consider this: Only nine pitchers in baseball have more victories than Yarbrough's 24 since the start of last season (and he didn't even get a W on Saturday). That's what we call sneaky value, folks.

Gio Gonzalez (SP, MIL) — 16% Owned

Gonzalez's return from the injured list on Saturday could have gone better - 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K - but prior to his absence, he appeared to still have something in the tank. In six starts, he posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in 31 innings. Generally a reliable core performer for the last decade, the veteran lefty could provide a boost at the back of fantasy rotations down the stretch.

Pablo Lopez (SP, MIA) — 15% Owned

Lopez is working his way back from a shoulder strain, and thus far his progress has been encouraging. If all continues to go well, he should be back before the middle of August. Before his injury, the rookie had reeled off four straight quality starts, allowing only five runs in those 25 innings, striking out 23 batters while walking just four. That stretch helped undo most of the damage his ratios had sustained during a disastrous 10 ER, 3 IP outing against the Mets on May 10.

 

For Your Radar

Tyler Beede (SP, SF) — 6% Owned

After a loss to the Diamondbacks on June 22, Beede had horrendous ratios (6.96 ERA, 1.95 WHIP). While he had struck out 36 batters in those 32 innings, he'd also walked 25(!) and given up six homers. In the four starts since, he's looked like a completely different pitcher - one more befitting his first-round pedigree. The 26-year-old has sacrificed some whiffs in favor of better command, and it seems to be working as he's allowed just six runs in 27 innings, walking only four hitters. Most recently, he shut out the Mets for eight innings on the heels of quality starts against the Brewers and Padres.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Corey Heim

Does Not Qualify for Cup Race at Chicago Street Course
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
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Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
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Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
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Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

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Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
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Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
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