🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 4 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers

Nick Mariano's starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball waiver wire adds. Pickups and starting pitcher sleepers for Week 4 of the 2017 MLB season.

It’s been quite the wild ride through the first three weeks of the 2017 season. While we don’t want to be overreacting here, it’s never a bad time to check up on the waiver wire and see which under-owned arms might be available to help your squad.

For our purposes, we’re going to use Yahoo ownership levels and try to cut things off around 35%. Data accurate as of April 25.

Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Robert Gsellman - (NYM, SP): 26% owned

Gsellman will be skipped in the rotation after his start on April 25 was rained out, which was done in order to keep Noah Syndergaard on schedule. That means Gsellman may make a bullpen appearance, so set your roster accordingly if you do or don’t want accidental bullpen stats from the starter. Since last week’s post, he went out and dominated the Phillies over seven strong innings, but couldn’t get a win with his first quality start of 2017.

He now has a lovely 10.19 K/9 with a 3.48 FIP, 3.02 xFIP and 3.10 SIERA, though his 7.5 percent swinging-strike rate really doesn’t point to a K-heavy arm. It was 9.1 percent last season when he posted an 8.46 K/9, for a small reference point. He’ll likely face the Nationals in Washington in his next start.

Hector Santiago - (MIN, SP): 22% owned

Santiago improved to 2-1 after a six-strikeout quality start against the Tigers at home on April 21, as the southpaw now sports a 2.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through four outings in 2017. His 4.16 SIERA is nearly double the ERA, of course, but his 10.1 percent swinging-strike rate is a career-high mark and he’s always been a low-BABIP arm. His .247 mark comes after respective rates of .252 and .260 in his last two seasons. His control will be the X-factor, as his current four percent walk rate is way down from 10.1 percent last season. Keep an eye on that when he goes to Texas to face the Rangers on April 26.

Miguel Gonzalez - (CWS, SP): 18% owned

Gonzalez was an above-average arm last season, posting a 3.73 ERA and 1.24 WHIP that were mostly just separated from extraordinary levels by a couple of terrible outings. There’s certainly something to be said for consistency and a guy who can avoid the bombshell start, but he’s picked up right where he left off this season with more of those above-average trips to the hill.

While we all know the 2.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP are over his head, the 3.29 FIP is a fan of his being more aggressive in the zone. The percentage of pitches in the zone for Gonzalez went from 41.7 percent to 44.7 percent last season, and is currently 45.4 percent in 2017. He’ll look to remain strong in Detroit against the Tigers on April 30.

Zack Wheeler - (NYM, SP): 21% owned

Wheeler’s 5.40 ERA may be holding him back from being truly recognized as a potential breakout arm this season, but despite an innings cap looming he has shown signs of being plenty useful in 2017. Not only does he have 21 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings (who doesn’t like a strikeout per inning?) but his FIP (3.75), xFIP (3.59) and SIERA (3.48) all point to mid-threes arm who has pitched better than the results indicate. If his ERA was currently even just 3.90, how high would ownership be?

Dan Straily - (MIA, SP): 16% owned

Straily kicked in the doors to the waiver-wire conversation by following up his 5 1/3-inning no-hit bid on April 16 with 14 strikeouts against the free-swinging Padres on April 22. He won’t face the Pads every time, but this is an arm that now has a 3.25 ERA and an 8.62 K/9 dating back to 2016’s All-Star break. The 1.71 HR/9 rate in that span is rough, but even just getting that down to his career 1.39 mark would make a difference. He’s been more than just a short-term splash is the point here.

Patrick Corbin - (ARI, SP): 13% owned

Corbin still has a bloated 1.45 WHIP, but brought his ERA down to 3.10 after allowing only two runs over seven solid innings alongside nine strikeouts against the Padres at home on Tuesday. He’s now 2-3 on the season, but the southpaw has now posted back-to-back quality starts with at least eight Ks -- it’s just both of those came against San Diego. He’ll face the Rockies in a tougher home matchup on April 30 next, so this is just a more general awareness-raiser rather than “pick him up and start him right now” blurb. His 3.67 FIP, 4.04 xFIP and 4.08 SIERA like what he’s doing, though, for the record.

Charlie Morton - (HOU, SP): 10% owned

Morton hasn’t exactly delivered on that preseason buzz with a 4.29 ERA and gaudy 1.57 WHIP, but he does have 19 strikeouts in 21 innings and is fighting through a career-worst .353 BABIP to become valuable for fantasy owners again. He gets to face Oakland next, where he’ll look to show why he has a 3.15 FIP, 3.92 xFIP and 3.97 SIERA alongside the solid strikeouts.

Jesse Hahn - (OAK, SP): 7% owned

Hahn appears to have rebounded from an ugly 2016 campaign (6.02 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) and recaptured his old form from ’14 and ’15 as he currently has a sparking 2.05 ERA that houses a 2.94 FIP within it. His Tuesday start yielded eight innings of shutout ball in which he only allowed one hit and two walks with six strikeouts, making him a big pickup.

While his 3.99 xFIP doesn’t like him as much, he has posted HR/9 marks of 0.49 and 0.47 in ’14 and ’15, respectively, so I’d buy the FIP over xFIP here (current 0.35 HR/9). His 4.15 SIERA likely doesn’t buy the .205 BABIP (totally fair), but his respective rates in those two previous seasons were .270 and .273. He has the command to create his own luck and be of use to fantasy owners here.

Trevor Cahill - (SD, SP/RP): 4% owned

In case you missed it, Cahill regained his formed out of the bullpen for the Cubbies last season with a 2.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings (one spot start). While his peripherals weren’t strong, his grounder-heavy arsenal was perfect for a historically great defense behind him. The Padres can’t provide him the same caliber of glove behind him so I expect his .233 BABIP to rise beyond his ’16 mark of .246, but he’s made up for that by pitching better.

His 3.35 FIP, 2.90 xFIP and 3.03 SIERA are all better than his 3.44 ERA and his 14.8 percent swinging-strike rate points to a guy who should keep his strikeout-per-inning stuff from last season when that rate stood at 11 percent. The wins may not flow in, but why he’s owned in fewer leagues than Clayton Richards boggles my mind.

Jesse Chavez - (LAA, SP/RP): 2% owned

Chavez was misused out of the bullpen in 2016 and had a rough season as a result (4.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP), but has posted a 3.13 ERA as a starter thus far in 2017 with a .238/.312/.398 triple slash against. He’s not getting lucky and needs to work on inducing poorer contact, but I guarantee if his ERA was a full run lower (aka, if he didn’t need to pitch out of the ‘pen in an extra-inning game) alongside the 8.63 K/9 then his ownership would be at least five percent or so.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Joel Embiid

Likely to Play Thursday
Anthony Davis

Available Thursday
Coby White

to Miss at Least One Week
Josh Giddey

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas in Walking Boot After Suffering Calf Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Expects to Play Next Game After Suffering Minor Knee Injury
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Tari Eason

Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Tobias Harris

Not Expected to Suit Up on Thursday
Ariel Hukporti

Available For Wednesday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Mason Plumlee

Undergoes Groin Surgery
Zach Collins

Out at Least 10 More Days
Jerami Grant

Unavailable Again on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Kon Knueppel

To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
Mitchell Robinson

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Grayson Allen

Listed as Doubtful Wednesday
Mason Plumlee

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee Remain Out Wednesday
Kon Knueppel

Likely to Return Wednesday
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
Dak Prescott

Will Play in Week 18
Lamar Jackson

Week 18 Status "to be Determined"
Joe Mixon

Won't Return This Season
T.J. Watt

a Long Shot to Play in Week 18?
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
Joe Burrow

Will Play in Week 18 Against the Browns
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP