Tyler Mahle (SP, CIN) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 8% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The Cincinnati Reds came into 2019 counting on big comeback-seasons for starting pitchers Luis Castillo and off-season acquisition Sonny Gray. One player that was in equal need of a bounce-back campaign, and who could also have a significant impact on the Reds' season, is 24-year old Tyler Mahle. Last season, Mahle had a mediocre showing through 23 starts, posting a 4.98 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. This came off the back of his lousy H/9, HR/9, and BB/9 figures of 10.0, 1.8, and 4.3 that gave him a brutally honest FIP of 5.25 for the year.

So far in 2019, at the back-end of Cincinnati's rotation, Mahle has seemingly made great improvements in his areas of weakness while expanding upon his previous strengths. In two starts and 11 total IP, he has allowed just one ER (which came off of a HR), seven hits, and four walks, while producing an improved K/9 of 9.8 from his already solid figure of 8.8 from 2018. Tyler Mahle's stock has been fast-rising, and his excellent showing for Triple-A Louisville last year (2.73 ERA and 1.11 WHIP) inspires confidence that he can maintain his role in the Reds' rotation moving forward now that he appears to be finding a major league rhythm. In deeper leagues, don't be afraid to deploy Mahle for his strikeout-propensity and improved control of the strike zone.