Waiver Wire Targets: Week 12
A look ahead at some waiver wire targets for the upcoming week
Shallow League Pitcher Targets
Peter Lambert, Astros (47%) - Houston went looking for pitchers this offseason, and most thought Ryan Weiss was their latest discovery. Turns out it was Lambert, who pitched fairly averagely in the NPB after flaming out with the Rockies. He mixes six pitches to hold opponents to a 3.47 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. But don’t go crazy on your bid. With a .258 BABIP, and three home runs in his past two outings, regression is coming.
Mick Abel, Twins (48%) - The longtime prospect made the Twins out of spring training and was looking like a future rotation regular before elbow inflammation put him on the IL and tricep soreness resulted in a cortisone shot. But in his first rehab work, he struck out five with no walks over three scoreless innings in Triple A. He got to 47 pitches, so expect him to throw another 2-3 games in the minors before he’s back in the majors. But jumping that line sooner than later could be a good idea.
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (27%) - A 20% K-BB% in his last five starts. He’s recaptured that elite curveball and has been pretty nasty with a 13.1% SwStr% and 29% K%. Some bad luck (.415 BABIP) has kept the performance down, but I’m interested in speculating on him again.
Christian Scott, Mets (42%) - He walked five in his first start, and since then he has a 27% K% and an 8% BB%. The funny thing about fantasy baseball is that if he had dominated in that first start, this 42% ownership would be way higher. But don’t be fooled by that, he’s a solid big league pitcher with a 2.97 ERA on a very good 19% K-BB% in his last eight starts.