There's been an influx of significant pitching talent entering the player pool, as injuries, recent performance, or shifting priorities for different clubs have created job openings. We'll highlight some of the better options that should still be widely available, most of whom will also have the benefit of having both SP and RP eligibility.
Hurston Waldrep 
- 17% Yahoo, 34% CBS
Atlanta isn't having the season it anticipated and is now turning to Waldrep in the rotation. The only potential for him to lose his role is the return of Chris Sale (ribs), but the team has indicated it is considering a six-man rotation when the ace southpaw returns. Manager Brian Snitker also praised Waldrep when announcing his plans for the rotation, essentially saying he's gone from being a hard thrower to a true pitcher.
His BB/9 and BB% haven't reflected that in the minors, but he has pitched well in two spot starts in the majors. Perhaps he gets figured out the more MLB hitters see him, but his substantial prospect pedigree makes him an interesting arm to monitor.
Cade Cavalli 
– 10% Yahoo, 29% CBS
Cavalli had a long road back from Tommy John surgery and subsequent setbacks. He's had mixed results in a pair of starts since being activated from the injured list, though it is fair to note he unraveled late in his second outing, not exactly an unexpected outcome given his circumstances. He may be more of a player to keep on the radar for
There's been an influx of significant pitching talent entering the player pool, as injuries, recent performance, or shifting priorities for different clubs have created job openings. We'll highlight some of the better options that should still be widely available, most of whom will also have the benefit of having both SP and RP eligibility.
Hurston Waldrep - 17% Yahoo, 34% CBS
Atlanta isn't having the season it anticipated and is now turning to Waldrep in the rotation. The only potential for him to lose his role is the return of Chris Sale (ribs), but the team has indicated it is considering a six-man rotation when the ace southpaw returns. Manager Brian Snitker also praised Waldrep when announcing his plans for the rotation, essentially saying he's gone from being a hard thrower to a true pitcher.
His BB/9 and BB% haven't reflected that in the minors, but he has pitched well in two spot starts in the majors. Perhaps he gets figured out the more MLB hitters see him, but his substantial prospect pedigree makes him an interesting arm to monitor.
Cade Cavalli – 10% Yahoo, 29% CBS
Cavalli had a long road back from Tommy John surgery and subsequent setbacks. He's had mixed results in a pair of starts since being activated from the injured list, though it is fair to note he unraveled late in his second outing, not exactly an unexpected outcome given his circumstances. He may be more of a player to keep on the radar for next year rather than someone to stream this year, but he is widely available if his performance ticks up.
Find out which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
Joey Cantillo 
– 12% Yahoo, 19% CBS
Cantillo is different from the first two names mentioned in that he's been in the majors most of the season. His role has changed since beginning the year in the bullpen, and he's now fully stretched out for a starting role. Cantillo has worked at least five innings in four of his last five starts. The results haven't been particularly noteworthy (4.56 ERA,1.32 WHIP), but he has some prospect pedigree, and Cleveland has done very well developing pitchers over the years.
Michael McGreevy 
– 16% Yahoo, 19% CBS
McGreevy is fairly comparable to Andre Pallante, another Cardinals' starter. McGreevy has a minuscule strikeout rate (13.3 K%) that will need to improve for him to become truly fantasy relevant, though he showed signs of doing so in the minors this season before being promoted. McGreevy also has an immediate chance at turning in consistent quality starts and earning wins on a decent St. Louis team. His ceiling isn't as high as some of the other players mentioned so far, but he arguably has the highest floor due to his ability to eat innings.
Jack Perkins 
– 8% Yahoo, 16% CBS
Perkins first drew notice in shallower formats after the Mason Miller trade as it was speculated he might take over as the Athletics' closer. Instead, he's shifted to a starting role and worked five innings in his most recent appearance. Perkins is the opposite of McGreevy, as he's a hard thrower with a ton of strikeout upside. The A's appear willing to give him a shot to prove himself as a starter for the final six weeks of the season, and there's enough intrigue and potential to pay attention.
Cristian Javier 
– 24% Yahoo, 51% CBS
Javier is the most proven pitcher on this list by a considerable margin, so we have a better idea of how he can perform when at his best. The problem is that we don't know if we'll get his best immediately after returning from Tommy John surgery. Javier is likely rostered in more active leagues, but his roster rate should be higher overall given his proven upside alone.
Ryan Bergert 
– 12% CBS
Bergert was likely an afterthought among the players moved at the trade deadline, and he wasn't even the most notable pitcher acquisition for the Royals at the time. Now, he's sticking as a starter while Bailey Falter will shift to the bullpen, and Bergert delivered an eight-strikeout performance his last time out. He walks too many hitters (11.9 BB% as a starter), but he's another pitcher who has seen his role shift from relief, to long relief, to traditional starter without much fanfare.
McLean is set to make his pro debut Saturday with Frankie Montas out of the rotation. He's universally regarded as a top prospect and has a strong combination of strikeout and groundball rate, a combination that gives him the chance to make an instant impact. In leagues where prospect stashes are allowed, now is the time. In leagues where McLean won't hit the player pool until after his big-league debut, he's a good player to add to the watchlist.
