This week’s waiver wire is very pitcher heavy with many a young arm shining with four months of baseball under their belt. Let’s take a look at baseball’s up-and-coming pitchers and one aging, soon-to-be-suspended third baseman.
Jarred Cosart (10%): Cosart has been nothing short of stellar since being called up by the Astros, putting up a 0.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 11 K over 28 IP. He has handedly rolled through the Rays, Athletics, Blue Jays, and Twins and is definitely worth a pickup in all leagues.
Danny Farquhar (20%): Farquhar picked up back-to-back saves over the weekend with Tom Wilhelmsen falling out of favor in Seattle. It’s an interesting move since Farquhar is an inexperienced rookie with a 5.09 ERA on the year but he has settled in of late, putting up a 0.00 ERA, .056 BAA, and 18 K/4 BB over his last 11.2 IP.
Ivan Nova (39%): After a disappointing 5.02 ERA last season, Nova has been great down the stretch with a 3.08 ERA and 1.24 WHIP on the season. Those stats don’t even account for how good he’s been since April. Over his last nine games, Nova is 4-3 with a 2.08 ERA, .216 BAA, and 56 K/15 BB over 56 IP.
Felix Doubront (31%): Doubront has been the most consistent pitcher on the Red Sox of late, going 4-2 with a 2.02 ERA, .212 BAA, and 44 K over his last nine starts (58 IP). At this point in the season, he should be owned universally.
Danny Salazar (8%): Salazar is finally returning to the Majors after turning heads in his Big League debut on July 11 against the Blue Jays when he allowed just one run, two hits, and one walk while striking out seven through six innings of work. Salazar has been terrific in the minors the last two seasons putting up a 2.36 ERA and 1.12 WHIP last season and a 2.71 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 12.5 K/9 this season. He’s worth a look in most leagues.
Tyson Ross (10%): Ross’ season ERA now stands at 2.91 after three impressive starts since moving from the bullpen into the rotation. Over those three starts, he is 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA, .119 BAA, and 22 K/6 BB over 20 IP. I’d give him a look in just about every league while he’s this hot.
Andre Rienzo (2%): Rienzo has been great in his first two Major League starts, owning a 1.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and nine strikeouts over his first 13 innings. He’ll walk a few every game but his career 3.46 ERA and 9.7 K/9 in the minors definitely make him worth a pickup in deeper leagues.
Alex Rodriguez (18%): He may be getting suspended but the appeals process can take as long as 45 days meaning the Bombers’ third baseman may get some serious playing time yet. He’s a temporary pickup and one that only hit 18 HR through 122 games last season but he’s still an offensive threat and he’s available in more than 80% of leagues.
David Aardsma (1%): With Bobby Parnell likely headed to the DL with a neck injury, Aardsma is likely to get his save opportunities. Aardsma has been very reliable for the Mets this season, putting up a 3.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 8.1 K/9 and has yet to allow an inherited baserunner to score.
Joe Kelly (6%): Kelly now owns a 3.10 ERA on the season but he’s been dominant in his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA, .203 BAA, and 11 K over 17.2 IP. He’s not going to get bounced from the rotation any time soon and despite a fairly low K/9 (6.6) he’s worth a look as a three-category pitcher.
