🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 4 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers

Nick Mariano's starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball waiver wire adds. Pickups and starting pitcher sleepers for Week 4 of the 2017 MLB season.

It’s been quite the wild ride through the first three weeks of the 2017 season. While we don’t want to be overreacting here, it’s never a bad time to check up on the waiver wire and see which under-owned arms might be available to help your squad.

For our purposes, we’re going to use Yahoo ownership levels and try to cut things off around 35%. Data accurate as of April 25.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Robert Gsellman - (NYM, SP): 26% owned

Gsellman will be skipped in the rotation after his start on April 25 was rained out, which was done in order to keep Noah Syndergaard on schedule. That means Gsellman may make a bullpen appearance, so set your roster accordingly if you do or don’t want accidental bullpen stats from the starter. Since last week’s post, he went out and dominated the Phillies over seven strong innings, but couldn’t get a win with his first quality start of 2017.

He now has a lovely 10.19 K/9 with a 3.48 FIP, 3.02 xFIP and 3.10 SIERA, though his 7.5 percent swinging-strike rate really doesn’t point to a K-heavy arm. It was 9.1 percent last season when he posted an 8.46 K/9, for a small reference point. He’ll likely face the Nationals in Washington in his next start.

Hector Santiago - (MIN, SP): 22% owned

Santiago improved to 2-1 after a six-strikeout quality start against the Tigers at home on April 21, as the southpaw now sports a 2.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through four outings in 2017. His 4.16 SIERA is nearly double the ERA, of course, but his 10.1 percent swinging-strike rate is a career-high mark and he’s always been a low-BABIP arm. His .247 mark comes after respective rates of .252 and .260 in his last two seasons. His control will be the X-factor, as his current four percent walk rate is way down from 10.1 percent last season. Keep an eye on that when he goes to Texas to face the Rangers on April 26.

Miguel Gonzalez - (CWS, SP): 18% owned

Gonzalez was an above-average arm last season, posting a 3.73 ERA and 1.24 WHIP that were mostly just separated from extraordinary levels by a couple of terrible outings. There’s certainly something to be said for consistency and a guy who can avoid the bombshell start, but he’s picked up right where he left off this season with more of those above-average trips to the hill.

While we all know the 2.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP are over his head, the 3.29 FIP is a fan of his being more aggressive in the zone. The percentage of pitches in the zone for Gonzalez went from 41.7 percent to 44.7 percent last season, and is currently 45.4 percent in 2017. He’ll look to remain strong in Detroit against the Tigers on April 30.

Zack Wheeler - (NYM, SP): 21% owned

Wheeler’s 5.40 ERA may be holding him back from being truly recognized as a potential breakout arm this season, but despite an innings cap looming he has shown signs of being plenty useful in 2017. Not only does he have 21 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings (who doesn’t like a strikeout per inning?) but his FIP (3.75), xFIP (3.59) and SIERA (3.48) all point to mid-threes arm who has pitched better than the results indicate. If his ERA was currently even just 3.90, how high would ownership be?

Dan Straily - (MIA, SP): 16% owned

Straily kicked in the doors to the waiver-wire conversation by following up his 5 1/3-inning no-hit bid on April 16 with 14 strikeouts against the free-swinging Padres on April 22. He won’t face the Pads every time, but this is an arm that now has a 3.25 ERA and an 8.62 K/9 dating back to 2016’s All-Star break. The 1.71 HR/9 rate in that span is rough, but even just getting that down to his career 1.39 mark would make a difference. He’s been more than just a short-term splash is the point here.

Patrick Corbin - (ARI, SP): 13% owned

Corbin still has a bloated 1.45 WHIP, but brought his ERA down to 3.10 after allowing only two runs over seven solid innings alongside nine strikeouts against the Padres at home on Tuesday. He’s now 2-3 on the season, but the southpaw has now posted back-to-back quality starts with at least eight Ks -- it’s just both of those came against San Diego. He’ll face the Rockies in a tougher home matchup on April 30 next, so this is just a more general awareness-raiser rather than “pick him up and start him right now” blurb. His 3.67 FIP, 4.04 xFIP and 4.08 SIERA like what he’s doing, though, for the record.

Charlie Morton - (HOU, SP): 10% owned

Morton hasn’t exactly delivered on that preseason buzz with a 4.29 ERA and gaudy 1.57 WHIP, but he does have 19 strikeouts in 21 innings and is fighting through a career-worst .353 BABIP to become valuable for fantasy owners again. He gets to face Oakland next, where he’ll look to show why he has a 3.15 FIP, 3.92 xFIP and 3.97 SIERA alongside the solid strikeouts.

Jesse Hahn - (OAK, SP): 7% owned

Hahn appears to have rebounded from an ugly 2016 campaign (6.02 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) and recaptured his old form from ’14 and ’15 as he currently has a sparking 2.05 ERA that houses a 2.94 FIP within it. His Tuesday start yielded eight innings of shutout ball in which he only allowed one hit and two walks with six strikeouts, making him a big pickup.

While his 3.99 xFIP doesn’t like him as much, he has posted HR/9 marks of 0.49 and 0.47 in ’14 and ’15, respectively, so I’d buy the FIP over xFIP here (current 0.35 HR/9). His 4.15 SIERA likely doesn’t buy the .205 BABIP (totally fair), but his respective rates in those two previous seasons were .270 and .273. He has the command to create his own luck and be of use to fantasy owners here.

Trevor Cahill - (SD, SP/RP): 4% owned

In case you missed it, Cahill regained his formed out of the bullpen for the Cubbies last season with a 2.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings (one spot start). While his peripherals weren’t strong, his grounder-heavy arsenal was perfect for a historically great defense behind him. The Padres can’t provide him the same caliber of glove behind him so I expect his .233 BABIP to rise beyond his ’16 mark of .246, but he’s made up for that by pitching better.

His 3.35 FIP, 2.90 xFIP and 3.03 SIERA are all better than his 3.44 ERA and his 14.8 percent swinging-strike rate points to a guy who should keep his strikeout-per-inning stuff from last season when that rate stood at 11 percent. The wins may not flow in, but why he’s owned in fewer leagues than Clayton Richards boggles my mind.

Jesse Chavez - (LAA, SP/RP): 2% owned

Chavez was misused out of the bullpen in 2016 and had a rough season as a result (4.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP), but has posted a 3.13 ERA as a starter thus far in 2017 with a .238/.312/.398 triple slash against. He’s not getting lucky and needs to work on inducing poorer contact, but I guarantee if his ERA was a full run lower (aka, if he didn’t need to pitch out of the ‘pen in an extra-inning game) alongside the 8.63 K/9 then his ownership would be at least five percent or so.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds


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




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ja Morant

to Miss Second Straight Game Saturday
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
RJ Barrett

to Remain Out Saturday
Jakob Poeltl

Facing Another Potential Absence Saturday
Jerami Grant

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Deandre Ayton

to Miss Matchup Against Clippers Saturday
Lauri Markkanen

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Klay Thompson

Iffy for Saturday
Anthony Davis

Expected to Play Saturday
James Harden

Available Saturday
Domantas Sabonis

to Miss 4-5 More Weeks
Anthony Edwards

Returns Without Minutes Restriction Friday
Zach Collins

Upgraded to Available Friday
Tre Jones

Available With Minutes Restriction
Ayo Dosunmu

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Kasparas Jakucionis

Makes First Career Start Friday
Davion Mitchell

Ruled Out Friday
Craig Porter Jr.

Skips Friday's Game
Sam Hauser

Available Versus Heat
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
Andrew Wiggins

Misses Friday's Action
Donovan Mitchell

Unavailable Friday Due to Illness
Jonathan Marchessault

Out Day-to-Day
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
Patrick Kane

to Remain Out Saturday
Shea Theodore

Considered Week-to-Week
Karl-Anthony Towns

& Josh Hart Active Friday Night
Jack Eichel

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
Jordan Martinook

Misses Friday's Contest
Evan Rodrigues

Available Against Hurricanes
Tyler Seguin

Undergoes Surgery, to Be Re-Evaluated After Olympics
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Listed as Questionable for Week 16
Drake London

Expected to Play Sunday
Tee Higgins

Questionable to Play in Week 16
Michael Carter

Will Start at RB in Week 16
Dalton Kincaid

Will Practice on Friday, Expected to Play on Sunday
Garrett Wilson

Shelved for Remainder of 2025
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Zach Werenski

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Logan Thompson

Collects Second Shutout of the Season
Linus Ullmark

Blanks Penguins Thursday
Tyson Kozak

Hurt Against Flyers
Conor Timmins

to Miss 6-8 Weeks With Broken Leg
Tristan Jarry

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Bruins
Anthony Cirelli

Injured in Thursday's Loss
Kenneth Walker III

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Comeback Win vs. Rams
Matthew Stafford

Racks Up Highest Yardage Total in Over a Decade
Puka Nacua

Delivers Career-Best Performance on Thursday Night Football
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Jakobi Meyers

Jaguars Agree to Three-Year Extension With Jakobi Meyers
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Thursday Night
Michael Kesselring

Available After 14-Game Absence
Peyton Krebs

Good to Go Thursday
Jake Bean

Set for Surgery, Out Indefinitely
Mike Matheson

Misses Second Straight Game Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Back for Lightning Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Available Thursday
Devin Neal

Placed on Injured Reserve, Will Not Return in 2025
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
Christian Watson

Questionable for Week 16
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable for Saturday Night
T.J. Watt

Unlikely to Play in Week 16
D'Andre Swift

Questionable to Face the Packers
Rome Odunze

Ruled Out for Week 16
Jawhar Jordan

Could be in for Significant Workload Against Raiders
Rome Odunze

Expected to Miss Third Straight Game
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Josh Jacobs

Expected to Play in Week 16
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP