James Karinchak (RP, CLE) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 7% of leagues

ANALYSIS: It is truly a relief to once again be talking about players warranting a waiver wire selection, and in the spirit of the scale of this relief, let's kick off the 2020 MLB season by discussing one of the most promising young relievers in the game, James Karinchak. Karinchak is currently slated as the next in line behind Brad Hand in the Indians bullpen and will be receiving the call in plenty of early high-leverage situations, and it is a call that the 24-year-old arm is ready to answer.

In 30.1 IP during 2019 across the Rookie, Double-A, and Triple-A levels, Karinchak netted a 2.67 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, allowing only two home runs and averaging a startling 22.0 K/9, with the only caveat being his BB/9 of 5.0. Even more encouraging, once Karinchak saw time on the major league mound (5.1 IP in 2019), he put up a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, while allowing zero home runs and a lone walk. He accomplished this while tossing fastballs with an average velocity of 96.9 MPH and a cutter at a 43.6% frequency at 84.3 MPH, forcing 30.8% soft contact on batted balls and a 1.25 GB/FB ratio. James Karinchak is widely available and one of the most exciting handcuff relievers entering the abbreviated 2020 season where being without backup after an injury is not an option. He has all of the tools to succeed if put in the position to wrack up saves, and all of the tools to make it worth your while even if he isn't.