Manny Banuelos (ATL, SP) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team / NL-Only Leagues

OWNED IN: 5% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Now that’s how you kill an audition for a rotation spot. Banuelos was fantastic in his Atlanta debut vs Washington, spinning 5.2 innings of two-hit shutout ball with seven strikeouts until dehydration took him out of the game in the 6th. Not many pundits (including myself) thought Banuelos would dazzle as he did. Here’s the video proof.

Banuelos was a big-time prospect for the Yankees at one point, with Mariano Rivera labeling him “the best prospect he’s ever seen”. Strong praise considering the Yankees farm system during Rivera’s rise.  Tommy John surgery halted his career projection and after an offseason trade for David Carpenter (since released and signed by Washington) Banuelos found himself among a glutton of young pitching prospects. He’s now the fourth rookie to start a game for Atlanta (Wisler, Perez, Foltynewitz) and he may be the most enticing.

He features an average fastball with a plus change and curve. Walks were always an issue in the minors (4.14 BB/9 for AAA-Gwinnett) so the no walks debut was surprising. Here’s his usage versus the Nationals:

The curve was inconsistent early on but made Harper look foolish in the fourth inning, a hard task to do. One of the main drawbacks to Banuelos is the uncertainty regarding a rotation spot. If the Braves are smart they’ll let him stay over Williams Perez or gauge the trade market for Julio Teheran. Worst case scenario they throw him in the bullpen and stunt his development. Regardless, he’s earned a second start at Milwaukee, one of the worst teams vs LHP to this point. He’s worth a stream in shallow leagues and an add in deeper leagues with the hopes he’s earned the right to hang around.