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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

Kyle Bishop's fantasy baseball starting pitchers who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 4. Consider adding and streaming these free agent pitchers.

Time flies when you're having fun, but it's important to remember that we're still in the first month of a six-month odyssey. Difficult as it may be to watch your team struggle out of the gate, you might just be making matters worse by doing something drastic to your roster.

That doesn't mean you can't tinker on the edges, which is precisely what this column is designed to help you do. Whether you're looking for injury reinforcements in a shallow league or on the hunt for a diamond in the rough in a deeper format, every week in this space we'll discuss some of the best arms on the waiver wire.

As a reminder, 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 2 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

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

 

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Caleb Smith (SP, MIA) — 42% Owned

It's time to take Smith seriously. The Marlins' lefty has run through the entire NL East gauntlet in his first four starts and emerged with a 2-0 record, sparkling ratios (2.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), and 29 strikeouts in 23 innings. Perhaps most crucially, the 27-year-old has issued just six walks and allowed only two home runs. Both were issues for him at times in his rookie season, and if he's gotten those issues under control, there's legitimate ace potential here.

Jordan Lyles (SP, PIT) — 30% Owned

Prior to last season, Lyles appeared to be your typical Quad-A pitcher, as he had struggled even when bumped down to primarily a relief role. Changes to his pitch mixes resulted in a reinvention for the the 28-year-old, and he flashed occasional brilliance in a swingman role in 2018. Thus far this year, he's a member of the Pirates' rotation and has allowed just one run in 17 innings, winning two of his three starts and posting an 18:5 strikeout to walk ratio.

Luke Weaver (SP, ARI) — 26% Owned

Weaver was a big disappointment for fantasy owners in 2018, and found himself traded from St. Louis to Arizona over the winter. His 2019 debut threatened more of the same mediocrity, but the 25-year-old has bounced back nicely from that thrashing at the hands of the Dodgers. Weaver's struck out 17 batters in just 11.1 innings over his last two starts, and walked only one. He's also doing a nice job of keeping the ball on the ground, which has helped him allow only two homers in his four appearances.

 

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Derek Holland (SP, SF) — 22% Owned

After posting a 6.20 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with the White Sox back in 2017, it was fair to wonder how much Holland had left in the tank. The veteran resurrected his career in the friendly confines of Oracle Park last year, though, posting playable ratios (3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) along with the best strikeout rate of his career. He's picked up right where left off in the early portion of the current season, with another big uptick in whiffs, though he's also been wilder than usual.

Vince Velasquez (SP, PHI) — 15% Owned

Velasquez is without a win through four appearances (three starts) this year, but it's not because he's pitched poorly. Just the opposite, in fact. The gifted but inconsistent right-hander has a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. Most recently, he allowed just two runs at Coors Field. If he can continue to avoid issuing free passes, the 26-year-old might finally tap into the potential he's flashed over the last few seasons.

Jeff Samardzija (SP, SF) — 14% Owned

Samardzija continues to languish on the waiver wire in an overwhelming majority of leagues. The memory of his awful 2018 is evidently still fresh in the minds of many fantasy owners, but they should note that he's been healthy and effective through four starts in 2019. Shark has solid ratios (2.91 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) and 20 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. The veteran averaged 211 innings and 190 strikeouts from 2013-17.

 

For Your Radar

Mike Soroka (SP, ATL) — 21% Owned

Soroka was expected to open the season in the Braves' rotation, but shoulder troubles cropped up late in spring training and forced him out of action. He made his 2019 MLB debut on Thursday, however, and pitched well in a hard-luck loss to the Diamondbacks. The 21-year-old tossed five innings of one-run ball, striking out six. With Mike Foltynewicz set to return soon, Soroka may be headed back to Triple-A, but he should find himself back in the bigs soon enough.

Trent Thornton (SP, TOR) — 8% Owned

The Blue Jays' rookie right-hander is 0-2 with ugly ratios (5.40 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) through his first four starts. However, he also has 21 strikeouts in 18 innings. He'll have to do a better job of limiting the long ball moving forward, but he's got a pretty low-impact draw with the Giants next time out.

Spencer Turnbull (SP, DET) — 4% Owned

Speaking of older rookies (Thornton is 25, Turnbull 26), the Tigers might have something in this guy. Turnbull's stil searching for his first win, but he's been solid in his four starts to this point with a 3.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts in 21 innings. He'll have to contend with the Red Sox in Fenway in his next game on Tuesday.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers


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




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
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
Pittsburgh Steelers

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
SJ

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

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
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
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
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
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

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
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
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
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
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

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RB
WR
TE
K
DEF