Alex Cobb (SP, LAA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 17% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Granted: Alex Cobb did not have a good game last time out, allowing three walks, six hits, and four earned runs to the Astros in 2.2 IP (though he did have four strikeouts). However, his first two outings of the season showed a lot of positives, producing a 1.20 WHIP (just two walks), 4.63 ERA (one HR allowed), and 17 strikeouts over 11.2 innings. The 33-year-old had a surprisingly solid bounce-back season in 2020 for the Orioles, and while his last performance leaves the start of his Angels stint looking poor from a bird's-eye-view, Cobb has demonstrated further upside for 2021 from the offset.

Cobb has started off the year with a 30.9% strikeout rate, which is a whopping 7.7% higher than his previous career-high from back in 2013. Cobb is also allowing the lowest average exit velocity (87.8 MPH) and hard hit rate (35%) of his career, and his 2021 BABIP sits at .436 despite a 5.25 GB/FB ratio (though that has helped keep his home run rate to just 1.5%). This could be the result of less reliance on his fastball in lieu of the curve or changeup, and with a 2.54 FIP suggesting better days, Alex Cobb is a savvy option in leagues of medium size.

Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds