Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 51 Percent of Leagues

ANALYSIS: If you're reading this, stop. Open up another tab and check if Anthony DeSclafani is on your waiver wire. If he is, add him. Unless you're playing in an incredibly shallow league, DeSclafani likely has the highest upside of any pitcher on your waiver wire. Don't let last year's relatively mediocre 9-13 record and 4.05 ERA discourage you from picking up DeSclafani, as he made some crucial adjustments towards the end of last season that really boosted his results. Looking beyond his BABIP-inflated ERA in the second half, he was a much better pitcher under the surface. His strikeout rate jumped from 6.59 to 8.28, his walk rate fell from 3.65 to 1.51, and his xFIP plummeted from 4.49 to 3.33. He was particularly effective over the season's final two months, as his 9.1 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 were both elite.

These results don't appear to be products of randomness either, as he changed up his pitch mix to improve on his early season results. In particular, he upped the use of his curveball, sinker, and slider, all three of which grade out as above average. He appears to have carried the correction over to this season, as he is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA in his six starts so far this season. Don't let the hitter's haven he pitches in, or the fact that he plays for a team who will struggle to get him wins deter you from picking up DeSclafani, as he legitimately has top 25 starter upside.