Just a couple of weeks into the season and it is time to assess the pitchers you have on your squad. I am sure there are players that you are happy about and then there are some I’m sure you are moaning and groaning about and want to replace already. Depending on how your league is set up there actually are some solid pitchers who are off to hot starts and that should definitely be strongly considered to be picked up.
It is worth making the waiver wire switch if you have starting pitchers that are fourth or fifth in the rotation and they are struggling. Chances are everyone will notice they are struggling and will not make the move to pick them up. What you want to do is find the gems in the bottom of the barrel; a needle in a haystack if you will. But this is a lot easier than searching for a needle, this is fantasy baseball and we are here to make your life easier. Here are some pitchers that you want to conder adding to your team:
Jason Hammel, Cubs
It is hard to think that you would want to own a pitcher that is on one of the worst teams in the MLB. The Cubs really don’t have much going for them and they have a lot of rebuilding to do. One of the top aspects of their team right now is the top of the rotation. Hammel is a part of that rotation as the number two man and he is pitching quite well early this season.
He has two wins out of his three starts and hasn’t surrendered more than three runs or more than five hits in any start. He is limiting his walks (five in three starts) and striking out about five batters per game. Hammel is owned in less than 20 percent of most fantasy leagues and he is worth picking up. I understand the skepticism around him being on a poor team but for now he is doing very well and should be picked up if you can spare it.
Travis Wood, Cubs
Wood is in the same boat as Hammel. It is hard to trust a pitcher on a team like this but if you are an owner who likes to take risks then look no further. Wood had two excellent starts against the Phillies and the Pirates where he struck out at least eight batters in both games. in his latest start he was roughed up by the Yankees where he gave up 11 hits and only struck out two but still only allowed two earned runs in 5.2 innings.
The Cubs have a young and promising rotation and by the looks of it they will continue their early success. Wood leads the team in strikeouts with 17 and is owned in less than 20 percent of most fantasy leagues. He and Hammel are worth the early risk to pick up. It just might pay off if they stay hot. Both pitch against a terrible Diamondbacks team early next week.
Scott Feldman, Astros
Here we have another situation of not wanting a pitcher on a poor team because it is hard for that team to produce runs and get that pitcher the win. As for Feldman, he hardly gives up runs at all so it is hard for him to get a loss. Through three starts and 20.2 innings pitched, Feldman has given up just one run and that was against the Angels. He will not get you the strikeouts that you are looking for but he will keep the ball in the park and make batters hit into outs. As of now he is less than 50 percent owned in fantasy leagues. Again I would understand why you would be hesitant to add a pitcher from a poor offensive team but with the way he is limiting his mistakes, Feldman is a must add.
Aaron Harang, Braves
The Braves were hit with two devastating season ending injuries to two of their top pitchers in Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy. The Braves pitching staff are impressing many fans with their stellar performances so far in the season and Aaron Harang is one of the stars doing so. So far in three starts he is holding under a one ERA and WHIP. Even though he hasn’t pitched past 6.2 innings in a game yet, that is all they need from him.
Harang has given up one run in two of the three games he started and is tied for the lead in strikeouts for the Braves. Being that the NL East is very mediocre offensively, any pitcher from this division should be considered adding. Right now Harang is less than 50 percent owned but that number is continuously rising. It would b a smart move to pick him up while supplies last.
Jesse Chavez, Athletics
The time to jump on Chaves is right now. He has yet to record a win for the Athletics but he has also yet to record a loss. Through three starts he has given up just one run in each game and has struck out nine batters in two of them. He leads the team in strikeouts with 22 and walked only two batters thus far.
Right now Chavez is owned in less than 40 percent of most fantasy leagues but that number is quickly rising. I wouldn’t be surprised if that number reaches 80 percent or more by Sunday where his next start will take place and that is against the weak Houston Astros offense. There is a strong chance that he will chalk up his first win in that game so be sure to snag him now before your enemies do.
Garrett Richards, Angels
If you are looking for a long shot then this player here is the one to consider. Richards started off very well in his first two appearances on the mound. The second game he pitched was against the Seattle Mariners where he threw seven shutout innings striking out six and surrendering just a single hit. Richards went seven innings strong for the second consecutive start Tuesday, April 15th, this time getting dinged up for five earned runs on eight hits while fanning five and walking two in a no decision against the Athletics.
Hopefully that poor effort against the Athletics was just a onetime thing and he will get back on track to his performances in the first two starts. This is why I say he is more of a long shot pickup because due to that last start it would make any fantasy owner shy away from picking him up for now. But I say if you have the space or can take a chance, add Richards to your team and see what he can do for you. His next start is Monday April 21st.