Aaron Civale (SP, CLE) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 28% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Former Northeastern Husky Aaron Civale climbed the ranks of the Cleveland Indians farm system with the poise that an organization hopes for when drafting a former college ace, and he has absolutely torn his way through the state of Ohio in 2019. In 72.2 IP across 13 starts for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, the 24-year-old Civale holds a 2.35 ERA and 1.09 WHIP off of highly impressive peripherals like a 0.9 HR/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 8.7 K/9. and his numbers actually jumped up a notch after arriving in Columbus.

After a window of opportunity opened up in the Cleveland rotation, Civale got the call to contribute to the heated AL Central race, and has excelled in his first glimpse of MLB opposition with just one earned run, a 0.75 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 12.0 innings over his first two starts. He isn't particularly known for tossing gas, and his 92 MPH velocity on his fastballs thus far support that notion. However, he has displayed dialed-in control of the strike zone at the top levels of the minors, and has limited the power ball while accumulating strikeouts by deploying a repertoire complete with a highly used cutter, and a healthy variance of his slider, changeup, and curveball. Aaron Civale will take the mound again on Sunday in a pivotal match-up with the Minnesota Twins, and he looks like a strong starting option moving forward for his statistical upside and the wave of momentum he has built all season.