Matthew Liberatore - Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 10

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 34% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Matthew Liberatore made the most of his season debut on May 17 for the Cardinals. He battled through five strong innings pitched while opposing former Cy Young winner, Corbin Burnes. Liberatore ended up getting the win in this outing with help from the improving Cardinals offense who have finished the past 10 days with a 7-3 record. 

Liberatore mixed in his impressive curveball with his four-seam fastball that averaged 95 mph in this start and topped out at 97 mph. He allowed just six base runners while totaling six strikeouts on 95 pitches. He followed up his imposing season debut with a two-earned run appearance over one inning of work on Sunday versus the Dodgers. He allowed two base runners and struck out one. 

Cardinals management, including manager Oliver Marmol, have made multiple questionable decisions so far this season regarding player development, so Liberatore’s bullpen appearance should surprise no one at this point. Fantasy managers will have to monitor Liberatore over the next few days to make sure he’s not used again out of the bullpen, which would allow him to make his second start of the season against the Guardians this weekend.

Liberatore’s strong season debut came at a perfect time for the club as they’ve struggled to find consistency from their starting rotation this season. They rank in the bottom half of the league with a team ERA of 4.34. Starting pitching has been a strength in the past for the organization as they’ve missed their Hall of Fame catcher, Yadier Molina’s presence behind the dish this season. 

Liberatore has shown improvement this season in the minors as he has a remarkable 2.77 ERA through seven starts at Triple-A, posting a 51:15 K:BB in 39 IP. He ranked second in strikeouts at the time of his promotion behind only Andrew Abbott of the Reds in that department, who spent time at Double-A this season.

A starting rotation battle seems to be taking place between Liberatore and Steven Matz for the final spot. Fantasy managers should have faith that the former first-round pick can outlast the veteran Matz, for the final spot as the team has seen all that Matz has to offer at this point in his career. Liberatore hopes he can put the 5.97 ERA in seven starts last year to rest as he makes strides to distance himself in the starting rotation competition. 

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]

Andy Smith 2 months ago

Kumar Rocker - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS:  Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is set to make his major league debut on Thursday and should be added in all standard leagues. Rocker has had a rocky start to his professional career. He was originally drafted by the New […]

Andy Smith 2 months ago

Jasson Dominguez: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 25 (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees called up their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, before Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Dominguez hit sixth and played left field in his second major league start of the season. In that contest, he went 1-for-4 with […]

Joey Pollizze 2 months ago

Will Wagner - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 23)

BALLER MOVE: Use as Streamer for Rest of Season / Stash in Dynasty Leagues CALL-UP ETA: In Majors ANALYSIS: Will Wagner, the son of legendary closer Billy Wagner, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline from the Houston Astros as part of the Yusei Kikuchi return. The 26-year-old currently ranks […]

Jake Kleiner 3 months ago

Connor Norby - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August 19 ANALYSIS: Connor Norby is finally making his much-anticipated debut for the Miami Marlins. Norby, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, was playing with Miami's Triple-A team in Jacksonville since being traded but was activated by Miami […]

Dan Palyo 3 months ago