The latest Rotoworld Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire column examines the debris and jets scattered across the waiver wire for potential impact contributors. This week’s picks highlight Hunter Brown returning to fantasy relevance, Drew Thorpe ready to make his big league debut, Shane Baz returning to form in the final stages of his rehab following Tommy John surgery and Tyler Locklear finally arriving in Seattle.
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Hunter Brown, SP, Astros
Available on 47% of Yahoo! leagues
There is a strong possibility that Brown has been written off by fantasy managers, especially in shallow leagues, especially after struggling to a bloated 9.78 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, and 20.9 percent strikeout rate in 23 innings. (six matches) in the first month of the year. The 25-year-old has corrected the metaphorical problem in recent weeks, which was a bit predictable considering his expected stats suggested he was having some pretty bad luck in April. He’s been leaning more on his cutter again in recent games, which is a positive development as it pairs well with his existing bullet slider, and was getting solid results before he started desperately tinkering with his arsenal in late April. . It’s no coincidence that Brown has turned things around since early May, allowing three earned runs or less in five consecutive starts since May 17, posting a brilliant 3.10 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a K/BB ratio of 11/31 in 29 innings during that span. He is in line for a favorable matchup against AL Central foes the Tigers and White Sox in their upcoming games and should be rostered in all fantasy formats. He’s just the latest example of why fantasy managers shouldn’t completely give up on a talented young starter after a few rough outings, especially at the start of a marathon season.
Drew Thorpe, SP, White Sox
Available on 82% of Yahoo! leagues
Thorpe will make his highly anticipated major league debut on Tuesday against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle after a stellar 11-start run with Double-A Birmingham to open the year in which he compiled a microscopic 1.35 ERA , 0.87 WHIP and 56/17 K/BB Ratio in 60 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander, who was at the epicenter of the high-profile Juan Soto and Dylan Cease trades last offseason, doesn’t boast an overpowering fastball, as he leaned heavily on a near-elite changeup to boost his strikeout total in the smallest in recent years. It’s a borderline double-plus offer that will generate plenty of whiffs in the majors upon arrival and numbers to make him at least an above-average middle rotation starter in the big leagues. His appeal to fantasy managers is based on the fact that the rebuilding White Sox have basically no other quality alternative in the starting rotation at this point and they will likely give Thorpe an extended runway to figure things out at the highest level. . Given his stellar changeup alone, Thorpe is at least worthy of a speculative roster spot as a low-ratio booster across all fantasy formats.
Shane Baz, SP, Rays
Available on 75% of Yahoo! leagues
Baz remains without a definitive timeline for returning to the majors, as the Rays have been extremely cautious with his workload in the final stages of his rehab process from Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old top pitcher looked like a potential starter at the front of the rotation in his latest rehab outing for Triple-A Durham last Saturday, recording a season-high 10 strikeouts in five innings. Not only did he average 156.1 mph on his electric fastball in that outing, but he also generated nine hits with the offering, which is exactly what made him an elite pitcher a few years ago. No word yet on when exactly Tampa Bay will call him back to the majors, but he will make an instant impact for fantasy managers as one of the pitchers with the highest ceiling in the game. He is worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats as a speculative stock with immense upside. Don’t let him languish on the tightrope until the buzz picks up another notch.
Tyler Locklear, 1B, Marines
Available on 96% of Yahoo! leagues
Although Rockies infielder Adael Amador was the highest-profile prospect to receive a call-up to the majors this past weekend, Locklear likely has the chance to make the biggest impact for fantasy managers over the remainder of the current season. . The 23-year-old has been called up to the majors, with Ty France (heel) going on the injured list and expected to play regularly at first base in the coming weeks. He’s put up some really strong numbers this season in the upper minors with a stout .293/.404/.520 triple-slash line with nine home runs and four steals in 51 games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma. There’s some thunder to his bat and he doesn’t strike out much for a power hitter, which is especially attractive to fantasy managers, especially if he’s looking to establish himself as a left-handed-smashing platoon bat. The metaphorical bar is exceptionally high at the cold corner for prospects to make an impact for fantasy purposes, but Locklear has a chance if his quality skills immediately translate to the top level. There are no certainties in fantasy baseball, but Locklear is one of the safest bets to hit at the highest level given his track record in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues should roll the dice and hope Seattle’s front office keeps him around for second-half playoff contention.
