Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: National League Only Edition for Week 22

It’s time for another ride on the waiver wire roller coaster.  I know some of you are searching high and low for any bit of help with all the trade activity and waiver claims that went down.  These moves can wreak havoc on a fantasy roster. 

My team recently lost the services of Manny Ramirez, who I had to replace with Jeff Keppinger (came off DL)…talk about desperation.  So if you still have something to play for, check out the players in this week’s edition.  You never know who you might uncover…  

Cory Leubke, SP, SD—Owned in zero percent of CBS leagues

You may be wondering (out loud or to yourself) how in the world could anyone recommend picking up a pitcher who is owned by NO ONE in all of CBS leagues??  Well, the simple explanation is that the Padres are in desperate need of a fresh arm in their rotation, and Leubke was tearing through the minors.  

The issue with the Pads’ rotation start with the inning ceiling for their young pitchers.  The 22-year-old phenom Matt Latos has already logged almost 150 innings on the season.  Clayton Richard is at his career high of 167 innings. Throw in Wade LeBlanc, also at a career high of 143 innings, and has had a horrific August posting a 3-3 record with an abysmal 6.47 ERA.  Lastly, let’s not forget to mention Kevin Correia, who managed to one-up LeBlanc by also going 3-3 in the month of August, but with an ERA of 7.20.  

Oh, there’s one more arm in the Pads’ rotation.  How could I overlook Jon “The Savior” Garland?  With 13 wins (good for eighth in the NL) and a sleek 3.29 ERA, Garland has provided the Padres a solid 164 innings of pitching.  He seems to be the only one not wearing down.

[Queue the Superman music]… and flying in to save the rotation, Mr. Leubke.  He has the distinct honor of being drafted three times (18th round in ’04—PIT, 22nd round in ’06—TEX, and the first round in ’07—SD).  He also threw a near perfect game against Team Canada while pitching for Team USA in the ’09 World Baseball Classic.  

Leubke has only logged a combined 114 innings on the season through two levels of the minor leagues. He’s posted an impressive 10-1 record in 17 starts with a 2.68 ERA/.982 WHIP.  While not a dominating strike-out pitcher, Leubke managed to post a very solid 3:1 K:BB ratio.  There is enough upside here to take a chance, especially since SD couldn’t be more in the thick of the playoff race.

Continue Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>