James Karinchak (RP, CLE) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

Jamie Steed profiles Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak as a waiver wire pickup and add in Week 3 of the 2020 MLB season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 21% of leagues

ANALYSIS: James Karinchak came into the 2020 season as a sleeper for saves and he picked up his first career save against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Those save opportunities may come thick and fast after Cleveland Indians regular closer Brad Hand has started the season with an unsightly 15.43 ERA in 2.1 IP including giving up all four runs on Wednesday night in a 4-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Karinchak has only pitched 5.1 innings in the Major League, all in 2019. He excelled in the small sample, with eight strikeouts, one walk and one earned run allowed.

The main buzz for Karinchak was due to his insane Minor League strikeout numbers. In 102.1 innings, Karinchak struck out 186 batters with a 2.73 ERA. Karinchak is most valuable to the Indians in high leverage spots so might not overtake Brad Hand as the closer, even if Hand's early struggles continue. But Karinchak will still find save opportunities come his way, could pick up a few wins if he finds himself pitching in tight games and will most definitely help you in strikeouts. His ERA and WHIP should remain minuscule as well. While fantasy managers will scurry around in a desperate bid to find saves, Karinchak can be plugged into your roster every week and even if he doesn't get the closer role full-time, will provide more than enough value across pitching categories in all leagues and a good volume of saves in 14-team leagues.