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Week 4 Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers

Week 3 is almost in the books and we are here to look at some pitchers who might be available as you hunt for your next fix-err I mean, savvy pickup. Protocol dictates sticking to players who are owned in <50% of leagues.

Starting pitchers have the most rollover during the season and the incredible depth of pitchers that are going across the league mean there are almost always candidates to look at with dreams of striking it rich. I’m here to put together some starting pitchers for your waiver considerations.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Drew Pomeranz (SD, SP) – 43% - Pomeranz is beasting through his first three 2016 starts for the Padres. He is 2-1 with 25 strikeouts in only 17.2 innings thus far with a beautiful 2.04 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He is generating whiffs at an insane 17.4%, second only to Noah Syndergaard’s 19.3%. Okay, that probably won’t hold, but he’s definitely above average in that category. Injuries and pitching in Coors have bitten Pomeranz in the past, but he’s been plenty good for Oakland these past two seasons so this breakout is believable. He’ll want to rein the command a bit, but he deserves to be owned in all leagues right now.

J.A. Happ (TOR, SP) – 41% - Happ went seven innings on Saturday, beating the Oakland A’s to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Happ now has a 2.42 ERA (with a 3.96 FIP) and only 13 strikeouts in 26 innings. He continues to rely on plus control and nibbling at corners to dance around hard contact and trouble. Pitching for Toronto means you’re facing some scary offenses, but he's also getting some serious run support.

Erasmo Ramirez (TB, SP/RP) – 32% - Ramirez has been used primarily out of the bullpen to start the year for the Rays, and yet he has a 4-0 record. I was excited about his prospects as a starter coming into the season, and while he hasn’t gotten that chance (yet), he is still succeeding. He has only walked one batter in his 14 innings of work so far. That’ll help one open with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. Keep an eye on him. He would’ve started on Saturday against the Yankees but had to be used in relief too close to that opening.

Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS, SP) – 31% - He is set to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Portland the week of April 25. The plan seems to be for 2-3 rehab starts and a mid-May return.

Brandon Finnegan (CIN, SP) – 30% - I’d look elsewhere but he's still got buzz around him so here we are. Finnegan’s control continues to be his Achilles’ heel with 12 walks in 21.2 innings so far, but he’s also struck out 18 which is notable. He pitched around 100 innings last season so don’t expect more than 130-140 innings out of him, and Cincinnati won’t get him many wins. He’s also rocking a .183 BABIP. For context, he posted a .238 BABIP in 48 major league innings last season.

Ross Stripling (LAD, SP) – 25% - Stripling’s FIP is 2.74 through his first three starts, though his SIERA is 4.20. He has 13 strikeouts in 17 innings and should be able to provide decent Ks. He showed plus command in the minors, and it can help him attack the corners despite not having overwhelming stuff. For now he has a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation and is performing well, so feel free to stream him, just don’t count on him as a fixture. He had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and only pitched 71.1 innings last season, so be aware of that as well.

Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP) – 24% - DeSclafani made his first rehab start on Saturday, throwing 60 pitches in four innings. He struck out five and walked one while allowing three runs on four hits (two homers, both to Mariners’ prospect Tyler O’Neill). He showed major improvements in the second half last season as he started to rack up more Ks alongside significantly fewer walks as his secondary offerings really stepped up. He should be solid in four of five categories, with wins being a tough sell.

Adam Conley (MIA, SP) – 24% - Conley’s first start went horribly, but his second start saw him post six shutout innings where he struck out nine Mets. He then shut down the Nationals for six innings until he gave up two solo homers in the seventh. Then two of his runners scored on a Bryce Harper grand slam to ruin his quality start. He has 19 strikeouts in 13.2 innings so far backed by a gorgeous 13.2% swinging strike rate. The 4.61 ERA shrouds a 3.03 FIP thus far. He makes for a fantastic “end of the rotation” piece.

Rick Porcello (BOS, SP) – 23% - Porcello makes for an interesting study. He has 24 strikeouts against three walks in 19.1 innings, so that’s good. He just happens to be giving up moonshots at an even higher clip than he did last season. He surrendered 25 homers in 172 innings last year (1.31 HR/9) and has already given up five dingers. Porcello gets the Braves on Monday, certainly worth a shot given his performance thus far. Oh, and now he has Christian Vazquez catching him. Never underestimate a plus defensive catcher.

Bartolo Colon (NYM, SP) – 21% - He just won’t quit. Would you believe that he currently has an 8.8% swinging strike rate? That would make for the highest recorded rate of his career (going back through 2002, his prime K years in 2000 and 2001 don’t have that data). He’s throwing his changeup a lot more so far which might be assisting with fastball effectiveness. He isn’t going to twirl a 12 K shutout, but the Mets give him solid chances of picking up the W and his elite control allows him to keep a lid on potential damage.

Kevin Gausman (BAL, SP) – 21% - He’s lined up to start on April 25 against the Rays. In his rehab assignment he struck out 19 in 11 innings, so he’s ready to rumble.

Aaron Blair (ATL, SP) – 19% - Blair was one of the pieces that Atlanta scored in the Shelby Miller deal, and so far he has 22 strikeouts in 19 innings with a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in three Triple-A starts. He is reportedly in the mix for Sunday’s turn in the rotation against the Mets after Williams Perez was demoted. Blair doesn’t project to have a terribly high ceiling, but he doesn’t have much else to prove in the minors. If he does well then he could make for a nice flip piece to a “shiny new toy” syndrome sufferer.

Rich Hill (OAK, SP) – 19% - Hill has had four starts so far in 2016, and two of them have been stinkers while the other two were both 10 K gems. He’s been able to generate a ton of whiffs for many years now, but his control is key. He won’t carry a .442 BABIP forward this season, but he’ll want to get a handle on the nine walks in 19 innings. His next start is a tough test in Detroit, but two 10 strikeouts games already means you pick him up and see how he progresses.

Robbie Ray (ARI, SP) – 18% - Ray has good stuff but struggles with walks, and this year appears to be more of the same. Ray had a great start against the Giants and now has 17 strikeouts in 18.1 innings with a 1.96 ERA, but don’t sell out for the surface stats. His 3.31 FIP is more indicative of what to expect, though he is enjoying a nice bump in swinging swing rate from 9% last season to 11% early on this year.

Chase Anderson (MIL, SP) – 17% - Anderson struggled against the Twins, surrendering four runs on 11 hits in five innings. The good news was that he continued to show strong command as he didn't walk anyone, but obviously the results will still poor as Miguel Sano and Byung-ho Park homered off of him. He is currently getting hit hard by the Phillies at home, with six earned runs through four innings as I hit submit. His first two starts were encouraging, but he has allowed eight hits and walked four so far and looks to only make it through four innings of work (currently at 99 pitches). Trust is hard to come by when you struggle against the Twins and the Phillies, so he's best left on the Waiver Wire right now in most leagues.

Josh Tomlin (CLE, SP) – 14% - Jordan Bastian tweeted out after Tomlin’s last start that he now has a 2.79 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 77.1 innings since returning to action last season. He has walked nine batters in those 77.1 innings while still being capable of average strikeout totals. Be aware that his low BABIP (.219) and high strand rate (92.1%) means he is enjoying some luck, but he’s still plenty intriguing and gets the Twins next.

Nick Tropeano (LAA, SP) – 10% - Tropeano has only allowed three runs in his 16 innings of work so far. His 14:8 K:BB ratio points to a guy trying to limit mistakes and attack hitters with his good moving secondary offerings. He is an intriguing option for as long as he gets the opportunity to pitch, and hopefully when Andrew Heaney is ready to come back the Angels will have recognized that Tropeano is better than guys like Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker.

Kendall Graveman (OAK, SP) – 6% - Graveman continues to generate grounders at a heavy clip (64.6% thus far) and if someone does lift a pitch of his, well he pitches in Oakland so that’ll help. His ratios are his moneymaker, and in his latest start he limited the Yankees to one run in 6.1 innings. He now has a 2.04 ERA with skill-based ERAs in the mid-threes. His BABIP is .170 so tread carefully, but in deeper leagues he is definitely worth playing in most matchups.

Chad Bettis (COL, SP) – 6% - Bettis is showing improved command in 2016 and makes for a good streamer/road starter. Bettis has pitched 24.1 innings thus far and is 2-0 with 19 strikeouts, a 3.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. His skill based ERAs are all around four so tread carefully, but he posted a 3.18 ERA in the second half last season and could be very useful if deployed correctly.

Daniel Norris (DET, SP) – 5% - Just don’t forget about Norris in deeper leagues as he’s taken his rehab assignment to Triple-A.

Jhoulys Chacin (ATL, SP) – 5% - In deeper leagues Chacin might deserve a glance as he didn't walk anyone in his first two starts and struck out 14 in 11 innings. He has currently allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings to the Mets, and unfortunately he walked two, what a spoilsport. He isn't getting particularly lucky, though there is little reason to believe in the strikeouts as his arsenal hasn't changed from the days where he was barely striking out six per nine innings. Regardless, results demand discussion.

Jon Gray (COL, SP) – 4% - Gray made his 2016 debut on Friday night against the Dodgers and struck out 10 while allowing five runs. Gray’s fastball and slider were working for him, but some location issues did him in as Adrian Gonzalez in particular punished him for it. Gray can be the guy who strikes out a ton of batters, and if he can work on his command then he might be the first “must-start” Coors pitcher since Ubaldo Jimenez’s wild streak in 2010. See how he adjusts in his next start for now.

Homer Bailey (CIN, SP) – 4% - Bailey threw 67 pitches in his first rehab start at Triple-A, allowing two runs in 3.2 innings but striking out six. Working back from Tommy John is always a murky affair, but he was touching 95 MPH with his fastball. Manager Bryan Price said Bailey had at least three more rehab starts before activation would be considered. Those in deeper leagues can stash him if there’s no one else since the timeline is drawing closer.

Matt Wisler (ATL, SP) – 3% - Wisler has done well to limit free passes so far and turn in quality starts against offenses like the Nationals and Dodgers (he allowed four runs to the Cardinals). He makes for a quiet NL-only type that might be flying well under the radar thanks to his pitching for the Braves, but his fastball and slider can do some sneaky damage.

Ricky Nolasco (MIN, SP) – 3% - You didn’t stumble into a time machine, as Nolasco’s now turned in two quality starts against the Royals and Brewers (both on the road). His next matchup looks to be a home tilt against the Indians. AL-only streaming types will want to keep an eye on him.

 

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




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

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