A rising star and a veteran legend are both attracting attention as potential waiver wire pickups in fantasy baseball, highlighting the ongoing thrills of the season.
Cade Horton, a 23-year-old pitcher with the Chicago Cubs, is set to make his major league debut this Saturday against the New York Mets. Rostered in only 17% of Yahoo leagues, Horton comes in as a crucial replacement due to Shota Imanaga’s hamstring injury. The Cubs’ first-round pick in 2022 has performed impressively in the minors, posting a 2-1 record with a 33/13 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 29 innings at Triple-A Iowa. Notably, his velocity has climbed, averaging 95.8 mph with his fastball, an improvement from his previous season. While Horton excels with his fastball and slider, there are concerns about his control and tendency to allow fly balls, with a ground ball rate of just 31%. Although he may not stay long-term at the major league level if he struggles, taking a chance on him in mixed leagues could pay off, especially given a potential favorable matchup against the Chicago White Sox in his second start.
In contrast, veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw, currently available in 70% of Yahoo leagues, has been less prominent on fantasy rosters than expected as he makes his return from foot and knee surgeries. Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer with three Cy Young Awards to his name, has completed four minor league rehab starts with a total of four runs allowed over 17 innings. Although his velocity has dipped somewhat, his historical prowess and the backing of a strong Dodgers team provide a solid argument for considering him in your fantasy lineup. Many may doubt his potential impact due to past injury struggles, but there is reason to believe he can still deliver valuable performances, particularly as he regains his form.
Meanwhile, Joc Pederson from the Texas Rangers has shown signs of recovery from a challenging slump, recently achieving a series of hard-hit balls. After a rough start to the season, he has consistently recorded higher exit velocities and displayed improved contact skills. While his batting average remains low at .132, he holds potential as a contributor if he can maintain this upward trend. His situation in the lineup has remained stable, and he could prove beneficial as the Rangers prepare to host the Rockies.
Additionally, a couple of other noteworthy players making noise in the fantasy realm include Cubs reliever Porter Hodge and the Rangers’ Robert Garcia, both of whom might be worth considering for roster spots based on recent performances.
This week’s waiver wire presents opportunities for both established talent and emerging prospects, reminding fantasy players that the landscape can change rapidly. With the postseason drawing nearer, snagging a few key players could make all the difference in your league.