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Chris Zolli profiles starting pitcher Tyler Mahle as a waiver wire pickup and add in Week 6 of the 2018 MLB season for his strong start to the season.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 21% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle has turned into an inexpensive source of strikeouts and is a nice addition going forward. While the team is 29th in ERA, Mahle has allowed 16 runs in 33 1/3 innings, striking out 38 batters.
A top-100 prospect coming into the season, the 23-year-old has struck out seven batters or more in three of his six starts this season. Working a three pitch mix of fastballs, changeups, and sliders, Mahle has induced swings on 28% of pitches outside of the strike zone, but has also allowed a 41.6% hard hit ball rate. His 19.4% K-BB% rate is very nice, but his 36.8% GB rate with his high hard hit ball rate is troublesome.
After facing the Marlins on Saturday, Mahle will face the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Thursday. While he is in a great spot to help with those trying to win Week 5, a start in Los Angeles against the NL Champions is not an easy assignment.
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