Rotoworld’s Pickups of the Day column is designed to help fantasy managers identify a few under-the-radar players whose value is on the rise. The primary goal is to identify a starter who can provide solid innings off the scrap heap, a talented backup or intriguing prospect getting a chance because of a starter’s injury, an unheralded regular with a favorable matchup, or a potential breakout player who’s starting to put it together. Unlike regular waiver-wire advice, Pickups of the Day is geared more towards interim success, but hopefully we’ll help fantasy managers snag the occasional waiver-wire gem a few times this season.
Pickups of the Day
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, Giants
Available in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues
There are plenty of intriguing young pitchers with electrifying arsenals littering the waiver wire, but it’s DeSclafani who has shown enough in the early portion of the year to merit consideration for a roster spot in shallow mixed leagues. He took advantage of an extremely favorable home matchup on Sunday against the Royals, yielding just one run on three hits over 6 1/3 frames. He finished with seven strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. The 32-year-old right-hander’s average velocity on his sinker was up nearly two miles per-hour from last year’s mark in this one, and he also allowed just five batted balls with an exit velocity over 95 mph.
The results have certainly been there through two starts as DeSclafani has surrendered just one run on six hits with an 11/0 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings (two starts) to open the 2023 campaign. He’s taken advantage of a pair of early-season tilts against AL Central opponents in the White Sox and Royals and finds himself in line for a tasty road matchup on Saturday against the Tigers, who are tied for the fewest runs in baseball through their first nine contests of the year. If the key to identifying ideal streaming candidates is picking the correct matchups, there might not be a more favorable spot this week than DeSclafani against the Tigers.
The Rotoworld Baseball Draft Guide is online for $19.99. Get the latest Rankings, Projections and more from our baseball experts. Use promo code PENNANT25 to save 25% at checkout. Buy now!
Pierce Johnson, RP, Rockies
Available in 57 percent of Yahoo leagues
With veteran closer Daniel Bard opening the regular season on the injured list, taking some time away from the club for mental health reasons, Johnson has emerged as the Rockies’ primary closing option. The 31-year-old Denver native signed a one-year, $5 million contract last December after spending the previous three seasons with the division-rival Padres. He’s converted all three of his save opportunities so far this season to go along with a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7/2 K/BB ratio across four innings (four appearances). With very little competition for saves in Colorado’s bullpen, and no definitive timeline for Bard’s return yet, Johnson is worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats until further notice.
Garrett Whitlock, SP/RP, Red Sox
Available in 65 percent of Yahoo leagues
Here’s a bonus pickup since it’s Monday and we could all use a little extra pick-me-up to start the week. Whitlock is officially scheduled to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Rays on the heels of a dominant performance last Thursday in a minor league rehab start for Double-A Portland. It’s a tough matchup right out of the gate since Tampa Bay has scored a league-leading 75 runs over their first nine contests this season, but Whitlock is still worthy of consideration for a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats based on his success in the majors to open his career. The 26-year-old righty holds a spectacular 2.73 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 163/32 K/BB ratio across 151 2/3 innings (77 appearances, nine starts) over the last two seasons and appears to have a guaranteed spot in Boston’s starting rotation moving forward. If he pitches well against the Rays, there might not be another chance for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues to pick him up off the waiver wire.
Download the Rotoworld App to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts, track your favorite players, as well as read articles and player cards. Get it here!