RADIO
Mathew Vazin analyzes the top 3 starting pitchers available as waiver wire pickups for week 23 of fantasy football. These sleeper pitchers can be sleepers for you.
As we head into the home stretch of the fantasy baseball season, and continue rolling through the fantasy baseball playoffs for head-to-head leagues, it's important to stay on top of hot players and continue improving your rosters off the waiver wire. If we can find some weekly starting pitching sleepers, two-start pitchers, and players that have been on a roll - it can give us that slight edge that we need to bring home the trophy.
Top 3 Starting Pitcher Wavier Wire Pickups
Below are three starting pitchers who may still be available in your leagues, including AL-Only and NL-Only leagues, depending on the league sizes and formats. Good luck RotoBallers!
Mike Leake - SP, CIN (45% Owned)
![By dbking on Flickr (Originally posted to Flickr as "IMG_6250") [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.rotoballer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mike-Leake-Cincinatti-Reds-MLB-News-150x150.jpg)
Mike Leake has not been able to string together many quality starts in a row lately, but he will hope to continue on his impressive recent stretch. In his last 2 starts, Leake has tossed 13.2 shutout innings while walking only 3 batters.
He has a respectable 3.38 ERA on the season with 141 strikeouts, but the Reds have failed to give him much run support, so his record stands at 10-11.
In a fantasy baseball rotation, Leake can be a great pitcher for the back of the rotation. As owners get ready for the playoff stretch, they should consider adding Leake if he is still available. Thursday’s start against the powerful Orioles offense will be a great opportunity for Leake to prove that he is ready to finish the season strong.
Hector Santiago - SP, LAA (15% Owned)
The Angels starting rotation has big names like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, but they would not be in first place in the AL West without the likes of Hector Santiago and Matt Shoemaker. Both pitchers were added arms to the rotation and have exceeded all expectations.
After starting the season 0-7, Santiago has won 4 straight decisions and has not lost since June 15th. The Angels have deprived Santiago of more wins, but he finished August with 4 straight starts of 1 earned run or less.
He has not been able to pitch deep into games, but since the Angels’ bullpen has been magnificent, manager Mike Scioscia must be pleased. Santiago is a great spot-starter for a fantasy baseball rotation down the stretch, and for owners who need another cheap arm.
Andrew Heaney - SP, MIA (5% Owned)
Andrew Heaney’s start to his MLB career did not go very well, but he will get another opportunity with the Marlins to prove himself. However, it is not clear when his next start will be.
In his first four starts, Heaney posted an 0-3 record with a 6.53 ERA. His BB/K ration was only 6/13, but fantasy owners are hoping that his stay in the minors improved his control.
Heaney is one of baseball’s top pitching prospects and has tremendous potential to be an impact pitcher in MLB and for fantasy baseball. This may require some time, but for fantasy owners that need another pitcher for their rotation during the playoffs, he is someone to keep an eye on.
