David Phelps (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Every team has to have pitchers that simply eat innings and deliver quality starts. These players do not have to be flashy or dominant they just have to get the job done. Enter David Phelps as the Miami Marlin innings eater of choice.

Phelps has done whatever has been asked of him in his two stops with New York and Miami. He has been successful in middle and long relief as well as being a starter. He has gone at least 6 innings in all of his starts this season and is looking to keep it going as the Marlins keep trotting him out there. The K and BB totals should be low as he induces more contact outs. His GB/FB ratio sits at 1.19 and he has a solid .283 BABIP. His fastball is still clocking in at a cool 90 MPH and he has yet to give up a HR this season.

Phelps is not going to provide anything overly special to a fantasy team. However deeper leagues tend to value pitchers who turn in quality starts and limit damage with the walks they issue. Henderson Alvarez is due back soon for Miami and the thought is that Tom Koehler is going to be moved to the bullpen. This means more time for Phelps to settle into a more permanent role in the rotation for the time being until Jose Fernandez returns from Tommy John surgery sometime in June. Your league probably isn't flocking to pick up a pitcher such as Phelps but you should seriously contemplate someone who out dueled the likes of Madison Bumgarner and can be a solid back of the rotation starting pitcher.