Jarren Duran (OF, BOS) - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 5

Taj Bradley is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for hitters heading into Week 3 (2023). Target Bradley as a free-agent pitcher on the waiver wire.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: With scorching hot Jeffrey Springs sidelined for the next month due to an arm issue, the Rays promoted top pitching prospect Taj Bradley to test out his capacity as a potential fifth starter.

While Springs recovers from his injury, Bradley could play a pivotal role in the rotation if Tampa decided to keep him at the major league level. He made just two starts in Triple-A Durham before an immediate promotion to make his big league debut against the Red Sox on April 12. He tossed five innings of the three-run ball while punching out eight batters.

The Rays got a small sample of Bradley's competence as a starter at the big league level, but an underwhelming 5.14 ERA through two starts at Triple-A doesn't exactly add up. That could be attributed to the mere seven innings that he's pitched so far, and if we factor in last year's elite caliber of play through 28 starts, the conversation gets a little more intriguing.

In 2022, the 22-year-old posted a 2.57 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, with a 26.5% punchout rate, and an eye-popping 6.2% walk rate between Double and Triple-A. He's clearly headed in the right direction in terms of his ability to navigate the strike zone, and it should have no problem translating at the big-league level. Not to mention, if we're getting analytical, it's hard to miss Bradley's 95th percentile in K rate and 92nd in xSLG when he made just one big league start this season.

Then again, Bradley's promotion could've been a "getting his feet wet" moment, but with Spring and inning-eater Zach Eflin expected to miss some time, the California native could be in line for a second promotion.

While the vast majority of fantasy managers are stashing the right-hander in dynasty leagues, and some even adding him in deeper leagues, Bradley is clearly equipped to face major league competition. He has enough fantasy upside to outperform middle-of-the-road starters such as Ranger Suarez or Bailey Falter, but the Rays seem hesitant to award him a rotation spot just yet.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Zac Veen - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 2)

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Colorado Rockies are promoting their No. 8 prospect, Zac Veen, ahead of the team's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. When Veen appears in his first MLB game, he will be making his career debut. The 23-year-old was selected by the Rockies […]

Joey Pollizze April 8, 2025

3 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlooks - Roman Anthony, Kumar Rocker, Jacob Wilson

Even though the regular season has just begun, it is never too early to begin stashing young prospects. Last season, several top prospects received an early MLB promotion and became must-start players during the remainder of the season, like Paul Skenes. In addition, some prospects even broke camp with the MLB roster and became top […]

Andy Smith March 29, 2025

Quinn Mathews, Rhett Lowder, Zebby Matthews - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Draft Values

Rookie starters rarely make a big splash in year one, but there is a talented crop of pitchers set to start in the minor leagues that could be impactful. Quinn Mathews, Rhett Lowder, and Zebby Matthews are all interesting fantasy baseball prospects this year, but which of these three can be considered "sleepers" at their […]

RotoBaller March 23, 2025

Matt Shaw, Jordan Lawlar, Drake Baldwin - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Draft Values

Rookies don't always pay off their price tag in redraft leagues, but some prospects are teeming with so much upside that they are worth drafting in case they bust out in a big way. Matt Shaw, Jordan Lawlar, and Drake Baldwin are all interesting fantasy baseball prospects this year, but which of these three are […]

RotoBaller March 23, 2025

Jackson Jobe, Bubba Chandler, Noah Schultz - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Draft Values

Rookie starters rarely make a big impact in year one, but there is a talented crop of pitchers set to start in the minor leagues that could come up and find success early. Jackson Jobe, Bubba Chandler, and Noah Schultz are all interesting fantasy baseball prospects this year, but which of these three can be […]

RotoBaller March 20, 2025