Alex Wood (SP/RP, CIN) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 23% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Alex Wood has had a rough road back to the mound after being sidelined with back issues, not having yet made his debut for the Cincinnati Reds after being the prized plunder of their off-season trade with the Dodgers. Though his recent rehab start was of the humdrum nature, the important thing is that he is getting back out there, and he could potentially grab a rotation spot from the likes of Tyler Mahle or Anthony DeSclafani (or force Cincinnati to consider alternative options) upon his arrival even with his history of occasional relief.

Wood capped off 2018 on a solid note with a 3.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 8.0 K/9 across 46.0 IP over the second half of the season. Over his career, while his strikeout rate has been conservative at 22.2%, he has kept free trips to first base as low as he can with a 6.9% walk rate. With the help of a unique pitching repertoire, the 28-year old, decorated lefty has consistently worked on a formula of success. He holds a GB/FB ratio of 1.71 over his MLB career, and while his 21.5% allowed line drive rate makes his career .300 BABIP look like it's here to stay, his 30.1% hard contact rate and 17.2% soft contact rate allowed to opposing batters supports the notion that Alex Wood will be a player of considerable value if and when he works his way back into a major league rotation for the Reds.